August 9, 2025: In a high-level meeting at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Thursday evening, civic officials directed ward officers to issue formal notices to all tabela owners by the end of August. The move follows directives from the Bombay High Court (HC), under which the BMC began relocating cattle sheds in August 2024. However, strong resistance from owners stalled progress.
A recent review meeting, chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi, brought together representatives from the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, the Licence Department, and Assistant Municipal Commissioners from affected wards. “The Legal Department will examine all court orders and finalise the draft notices.
These will be issued by August 31. Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department will ensure that all infrastructure — roads, water supply, and other essential facilities — is ready at Dapchari to address possible objections,” a senior civic official stated.
Only 59 of Mumbai’s 263 cattle sheds are licensed. Goregaon and Malad together account for 68, followed by Andheri East (27), Kandivali East (24), Ghatkopar (23), and Santacruz East (22). Others are located in Bhandup, Kurla, Govandi, Chembur, Mulund, Andheri West, Khar, and Bandra. Sheds situated on Forest Department land in Aarey, outside city limits and with necessary permissions, will not be relocated.
The relocation drive stems from the July 25, 2005 floods, when hundreds of cattle perished. In response, the state amended the Maharashtra Keeping and Movement of Cattle in Urban Areas (Control) Act, 1976. Nevertheless, continued reluctance among owners led to legal intervention, with the HC criticising the state for failing to act decisively.
Source: The Free Press Journal
