Stray cattle have a free run, authorities mum

Nightmare, big nuisance for city road users

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

In the absence of well-coordinated efforts by the civic bodies of the tricity, the stray cattle menace has once again started posing major challenge to the commuters on city roads.

From Southern to Northern sectors, one can see stray cattle all over the city. Stray cattle pose more threat to the motorists, particularly in Southern sectors such as 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 61 and peripheral areas.

Residents say stray cattle could easily be seen at the night. They roam around on streets without any check and many times come suddenly in front of vehicles. The cattle can also be seen roaming freely in villages and colonies such as Mauli Jagran, Hallo Majra, Kajhedi and Colony No. 4.

The residents demanded that the MC should deal strictly with people who leave their cattle on roads at night.

Teams of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation have caught 148 stray cattle last month from the city and one lakh fine was recovered from the violators. In August, 100 stray cattle were caught by MC employees and a fine of over Rs 70,000 was recovered from the owners.

Sources said gaushalas managed by the MC are now full to capacity with little space left for more. Even the cattle pound in the Industrial Area is also full to its capacity.

An MC official said a majority of the stray cattle are caught from Southern sectors. Villagers leave the cattle at night and a majority of them also enter from Mohali.

Fact file

From Southern to Northern sectors, one can see stray cattle all over the city. Stray cattle pose more threat to the motorists, particularly in Southern sectors such as 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 61 and peripheral areas.