Stray cattle rule city roads, civic body looks other way

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 24

Though the municipal authorities have been claiming to spend crores on the Smart City project and other development programmes, it has failed to provide any solution to the issue of stray cattle roaming on city streets. Residents, who have been paying cow cess on electricity bill and purchase of liquor and automobiles, are a harried lot as the menace of stray cattle continue to haunt them, mainly the motorists.

The number of stray cattle has been increasing in the city. As male calves are deserted by farmers in village, they move to urban locations in search of food. Though the MC has not conducted any survey, officials claim that more than 3,000 stray cows roam on roads in the city. Stray cows feed on rotten vegetables thrown by sellers and often cause traffic snarls as while grazing on grass grown on dividers between roads. The road verges in centre, especially under the elevated roads, have become shelters for stray cows and bulls. These animals cause traffic jams, besides accidents. Some furious bulls also attack the residents.

A research conducted by traffic experts revealed that seven major accidents have been reported during the last three years due to stray cattle. Despite directions by the state government, the Municipal Corporation and the district administration have failed to curb the menace.

The MC has a cattle shed with a capacity of 30 animals, which is insufficient. The proposed construction of gaushalas is still a distant dream. Though a large number of cow shelters are being run by religious organisations and private individuals, it has hardly brought any change in the situation.

Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu said tenders for the construction of cow shelter at Chheharta area have been floated. “We are making efforts to initiate the construction soon,” he said.