As Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) prepares to present its annual budget today, 25 February 2025, animal welfare advocates across the city are placing their hopes on comprehensive measures to improve the lives of animals throughout Navi Mumbai. Concerns have been raised regarding delayed animal welfare projects, notably the long-pending animal hospital and clinic at Juinagar. Residents are calling for a broader, city-wide approach to animal welfare in this year’s budget, beyond just financial allocations.

Juinagar Hospital: Delays and Capacity Concerns

Residents are increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress. The hospital, after four years of inactivity, remains a mere structure. Questions linger about the promised incinerator and the allocation of funds in the upcoming budget. Many are asking if, after such a prolonged delay, the facility will even be adequate for the city’s growing stray population. There’s a strong sense that a ‘patch-up job’ won’t suffice; a genuine, comprehensive solution is needed.

The Juinagar animal hospital, while anticipated to open in a few months, has already faced a four-year delay, raising questions about the NMMC’s commitment to timely project completion. Even upon opening, there are concerns whether this single facility will be sufficient to serve the entire city’s growing population of stray animals. With Navi Mumbai’s population expanding, the number of strays is also on the rise, placing increasing pressure on existing resources.

“While we’re relieved to hear the Juinagar hospital might finally open, we have to ask: will it be enough?” said a local animal welfare volunteer. “Four years is a long time to wait, and now we need to be sure that this facility can handle the volume of animals needing care. We can’t afford another delay or a half-measure.”

City-Wide Needs and Expectations

For years, animal welfare organisations and concerned citizens have emphasised the need for enhanced facilities and programmes to support stray animals and pets. The lack of a comprehensive animal hospital network, coupled with limited resources for Animal Birth Control programmes, has created significant challenges.

The need for a city-wide commitment to animal welfare is becoming more apparent. While the Juinagar hospital project is important, residents stress that it cannot overshadow the broader needs of animals in every neighbourhood. They are calling for a budget that reflects a holistic approach, addressing the diverse challenges faced by animals across the city.

Residents are calling for increased funding to establish strategically located animal care centres, improve existing Animal Birth Control programmes, and support local animal welfare organisations. They are also advocating for educational initiatives to promote responsible pet ownership and raise awareness about animal welfare issues.

Practical Implementation and Community Involvement

Beyond funding, there’s a strong emphasis on the need for practical implementation and community involvement. For instance, despite expectations since 2021, the NMMC has yet to launch an Animal Birth Control program for cats, highlighting the importance of clear budgetary provisions and implementation timelines. Residents stress that even modest budgets can be effective if funds are used efficiently and projects are completed on time. Delays and mismanagement, they argue, are as detrimental as a lack of funding. Community members believe that true progress requires more than just financial allocations; it demands a collaborative effort between the NMMC and its citizens.

Kapil Malhotra, founder of The Bark Treat, a pet food and accessories store in Seawoods, echoed these sentiments, drawing from his extensive experience helping stray dogs and cats. “As someone who’s been on the ground, feeding strays, coordinating rescues, and even providing shelter within my own shop, I can tell you that the challenges are immense,” Malhotra explained. “The lack of a civic animal hospital is a major hurdle. We often struggle to find vets willing to treat strays, and we face constant pushback from those who simply don’t want animals in their neighbourhoods. What we need from the NMMC is more than just financial allocations. We need practical support, like accessible veterinary care, community awareness programmes to change attitudes, and streamlined processes for Animal Birth Control and rescue operations. We need a budget that empowers citizens and organisations to work together for the welfare of these animals.”

Demand for dedicated animal parks

Beyond the immediate needs of veterinary care and population control, residents are also calling for dedicated animal parks across Navi Mumbai. Currently, there is only one dog park in the city, located in Vashi. These spaces would provide safe and hygienic environments for pets to exercise and socialise, while also offering opportunities for community engagement and education on responsible pet ownership. The lack of additional animal parks has been a longstanding concern for pet owners, who often struggle to find suitable areas for their animals to roam freely.

Animal lovers are urging the NMMC to put forward a budget that lays out a clear, city-wide strategy for animal welfare. They want to see tangible commitments to getting on with delayed projects like the Juinagar hospital, while also putting in place robust support systems for animal care throughout Navi Mumbai. The hope is that this year’s budget will bring about real, lasting change and make good on the promises made to the city’s animal population, with a focus on both funding and effective implementation.