July 24, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed the Bombay High Court that pet crematoriums under construction at Mahalaxmi and Deonar are expected to be fully operational by October 2025. The assurance was given during a hearing on a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the court, highlighting the absence of adequate cremation facilities for pets and stray animals in Mumbai.
The court had previously sought clarification from the civic body regarding concerns over the lack of infrastructure for the dignified disposal of animal remains. In response, the BMC’s legal representative told a bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne that one animal crematorium is already functional in Malad, offering limited relief to city residents.
The civic body further stated that construction of the Mahalaxmi facility is nearing completion, with around 90% of the work finalised. It is projected to be ready for public use by October. Meanwhile, the Deonar crematorium, designed with a capacity of 50 kilograms, is also progressing steadily, with the final stage pending the installation of a gas connection. This facility too is expected to commence operations by October 2025.
The court, appearing satisfied with the timeline provided, took note of the BMC’s proactive measures and officially recorded the status update before disposing of the petition.
The PIL was initiated by the High Court on June 11, following a media report in May that pointed to delays in the Deonar project. The report drew attention to the distress experienced by animal lovers and pet owners, who were left without appropriate facilities to conduct final rites for their animals. The court’s intervention has now prompted clear timelines and public accountability from the BMC.
Source: The Free Press Journal
