Now, stray cows in Ahmedabad to have a Rs 6-crore crematorium for dignified farewell

A unique initiative is set to provide stray cows in the city with a dignified farewell through their very own crematorium, where their carcasses will be efficiently disposed of using a clean and effective CNG furnace.

Initiated by a group of BJP councillors and officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the project aims to tackle the current challenge of disposing of deceased cows, which often end up in the Pirana landfill. However, the innovative proposal for a cow crematorium has sparked a debate among officials, with some suggesting that it should be reconsidered, a TOI report stated.

Spanning 4,000 square meters, the crematorium is planned near the Gyaspur sewage radiation plant. Yet, the project does come with its fair share of challenges.


A primary hurdle is the lack of precedent for such a substantial facility, which is projected to have a burn rate of 700 kg per hour—unprecedented within the state. Estimated to cost up to Rs 6 crore, a distinct crane will be employed to lift and place animals into the CNG incinerator.

M Thennarasan, AMC commissioner, has already reached out to top officials from various departments—including solid waste management, environment engineering, light department, and city engineering—to gauge the feasibility and viability of the proposed initiative.

In response, concerns were raised about the furnace's capacity, emphasizing the necessity to accommodate the cremation of up to 15 carcasses per day, including those of other bovines and stray animals. During the monsoon season, this figure could rise to 35-40, encompassing both bovines and other strays.

Given the unprecedented nature of the project in the state, officials are contemplating issuing an expression of interest (EOI) or request for proposal (RFP) to identify suitable partners capable of managing and operating the crematorium. To further explore its feasibility, a committee of deputy commissioners has been assembled to analyze different aspects and produce a comprehensive report.

Last month, a special meeting convened, attended by Dharmendra Shah, the political overseer of AMC's BJP body, and Mahadev Desai, the building committee chairman, to delve into the proposal's details.