29 June,2026 08:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The BMC`s Malad animal cremation facility, which will remain closed from July 2 to July 11 for scheduled annual maintenance, was inaugurated in 2023. FILE PIC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that its animal cremation facility at Malad West will remain temporarily closed from July 2 to July 11 due to scheduled annual maintenance and repair work.
The facility, located at Evershine Nagar, is operated by the Veterinary Health Department and the P-North ward office. It provides cremation services for small domestic and stray animals, including cats and dogs, ensuring dignified disposal as part of civic animal welfare services.
According to the civic body, the shutdown has been planned to carry out routine technical maintenance, including cleaning, inspection, and servicing of machinery at the crematorium. Officials said the work is necessary to ensure smooth, safe, and uninterrupted operations in the long term, and to maintain hygiene standards at the facility.
During the closure period, the BMC has urged citizens and pet owners to use alternative animal cremation facilities at Mahalaxmi and Deonar. These centres will remain fully operational and will handle cremation services to ensure that residents do not face inconvenience during the maintenance period.
The civic body said the Malad facility is expected to resume services from July 12 after completion of the scheduled maintenance work. It has appealed to citizens to take note of the temporary arrangement and extend cooperation with the administration by using designated alternative facilities.
Officials added that the shutdown forms part of routine infrastructure upkeep and is aimed at improving operational efficiency and ensuring better service delivery in the future. Residents have also been advised to contact the nearest BMC veterinary department or ward office for assistance regarding animal cremation services during the closure period.
Meanwhile, the BMC had earlier strengthened its animal cremation infrastructure by operationalising facilities at Deonar and Mahalaxmi in April this year. The Deonar Abattoir houses an incinerator capable of handling animals and birds weighing up to 500 kilograms and operates on piped natural gas (PNG), which officials describe as a cleaner fuel option.
The Mahalaxmi facility, located within an animal hospital jointly operated by the BMC and Tata Trusts, has a lower capacity of up to 50 kilograms and runs on electricity. With these facilities along with Malad, the civic body now provides coverage across Mumbai's western suburbs, eastern suburbs, and island city areas.
