July 10, 2025:
The Bombay High Court has pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over long-standing delays in setting up dedicated pet crematoriums—an initiative first promised in 2018. During a recent hearing, the court directed the civic body to file a detailed response within two weeks, highlighting growing public concern about the lack of dignified and environmentally responsible pet aftercare facilities in Mumbai.
The court took suo motu cognisance of the issue following a media report that shed light on the BMC’s sluggish progress. While the civic body had originally proposed crematoriums at Malad, Mahalaxmi, and Deonar, only two of the three have been made operational to date. The Malad unit, powered by piped natural gas (PNG), was inaugurated in September 2023, and a similar electric facility has opened in Mahalaxmi. However, the Deonar centre—expected to be ready by May 2025—remains stalled, with civic officials citing monsoon-related technical challenges.
Appearing before the court, BMC officials confirmed that although two units were functioning, the Deonar facility had seen indefinite delays. Each of the electric crematoriums is equipped to handle animals weighing up to 50 kilograms, designed to offer urban pet owners a dignified, eco-friendly option for end-of-life care. Yet with infrastructure incomplete and access limited, many residents are still forced to turn to informal or unsustainable methods.
The High Court’s intervention reflects shifting urban expectations around animal welfare, civic accountability, and sustainable development. With Mumbai’s pet population on the rise, demand for proper pet aftercare infrastructure is no longer niche—it is essential. The court has granted the BMC until late July to file its progress report, reigniting public discourse around inclusive urban planning that addresses both human and animal needs in a rapidly evolving metropolis.
Source: Urban Acres
