Cuttack: Land identification for the proposed modern abattoir for big animals in the city is turning out to be difficult because of the aversion of people in the neighbourhood to the project.

Sources said feedback from revenue officials before recommending a site indicated strong undercurrent of opposition by local residents to a slaughterhouse being built in their area.

Around a week ago, Cuttack collector had directed the tehsildars of Salipur, Tangi, Athagarh and Barang to identify land for construction of the abattoir.

Parts of these tehsils come under Cuttack Municipal Corporation.

The tehsildars are expected to identify suitable government land by May 15. Officials at the tehsil level said feedback was being taken to ensure hassle-free land for the project. "We do not want to suggest a land where people might oppose it," a tehsildar said. "But the problem before us now is that people everywhere seem to be in no mood to accommodate a slaughterhouse for big animals in their area."

The project has been hanging fire for more than eight years now.

Construction of the modern abattoir was necessary to implement a Orissa High Court order for closure of the old slaughter house-cum-sale centre for big animals, better known as Kilkhana, adjacent to the offices of director of industries and director of technical education & training and close to Barabati Stadium.

"Construction of an abattoir for big animals and relocation of the Kilkhana is possible only after the district administration provides suitable land for it," municipal commissioner Bikash Ranjan Mohapatra said.

The civic administration had imposed a ban on slaughtering of big animals at the Kilkhana three years ago. Cattle are now slaughtered at various places including Odia Bazar, Baunsagali, Diwan Bazar and Mahamadia Bazar.

Beef is transported by trolley rickshaws to Kilkhana for sale.