Revised Development Plan: Not a Slaughterhouse, but a Gaushala in Moshi!

Pimpri-Chinchwad : In the new Development Plan (DP) of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), a slaughterhouse was proposed in Moshi. This reservation has faced strong opposition from local citizens, landowners, and the broader Hindu community. In response, BJP MLA Mahesh Landge has taken a firm stand, demanding the cancellation of the proposed slaughterhouse and instead advocating for a Gaushala (cow shelter) at the same location.

The PCMC administration has recently published a draft of the new Development Plan and has invited objections and suggestions from the general public, landowners, and elected representatives. According to this plan, a piece of land in Survey No. 325 (old Survey No. 323) in Mauje Moshi village was reserved for a slaughterhouse. This proposal was opposed by local residents, Hindu organizations, and MLA Mahesh Landge.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Moshi villagers met Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Shekhar Singh today. They highlighted that Moshi holds historical, social, and cultural importance, and is home to people from various religions and communities who live peacefully. Establishing a slaughterhouse in such a locality could potentially disturb social harmony and hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

The delegation further appealed that, in the interest of public health, environment, and social unity, the reservation for the slaughterhouse be canceled and a Gaushala be established at that site instead. Notably, the proposed location is near the samadhi of Shri Nageshwar Maharaj, the village deity of Moshi. Every year, a large religious gathering (Bhandara Utsav) is held here, attracting lakhs of devotees. Moshi is also situated between the sacred sites of Alandi and Dehu, and has a strong presence of the Warkari sect. Given these cultural and religious considerations, the delegation warned of a strong agitation if the reservation is not withdrawn.

Commissioner Shekhar Singh listened to the villagers’ concerns and acknowledged MLA Mahesh Landge’s demand. He assured that the reservation for the slaughterhouse would be canceled and a proposal to reserve the same site for a Gaushala would be placed before the relevant committee.

MLA Mahesh Landge stated that, “A delegation from Moshi today met Commissioner Shekhar Singh regarding the proposed slaughterhouse in the Moshi-Dudulgaon area as shown in the draft Development Plan of Pimpri-Chinchwad city. Both Alandi temple authorities and Moshi villagers have opposed the slaughterhouse. The planning committee should have identified an alternative site for such a facility. I will present this proposal before the DP planning committee. The slaughterhouse reservation will be shifted elsewhere as per the commissioner’s assurance.”

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has published a revised draft of the Development Plan. Objections and suggestions from villagers, local citizens, landowners, and farmers are being collected and will be heard. This DP plan is not yet finalized. We will never allow a slaughterhouse in Moshi. A Gaushala will be set up at the same location. We have conveyed our stance to the administration. As per the demands of the landowners, farmers, the Warkari sect, and the entire Hindu community, we will continue our efforts to establish a Gaushala there.

– Mahesh Landge, MLA, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune