2 years on, work on gaushala project remains incomplete

The continued failure of the Municipal Corporation to complete the long-pending Gaushala project on Jhabbal Road has sparked public outrage, with stray cattle increasingly seen roaming on city roads, causing accidents and severe traffic congestion in various parts of Amritsar.

Despite multiple deadlines being missed, the Gaushala, planned at a cost of Rs 2.40 crore to shelter up to 1,000 stray cattle, remains incomplete even two years after land was allotted for the purpose. In protest, the Rashtriya Gau Raksha Mahasangh has announced a demonstration outside the Municipal Corporation office on July 30, expressing deep resentment against the inaction.

The decision to hold the protest was taken at a special meeting held by president Rohan Mehra, which was attended by senior office-bearers and social activists. Mehra stated that despite crores of rupees being collected by the MC in the name of cow cess, the Gaushala project remains stalled due to alleged administrative negligence and corruption.

“Stray cattle roam around freely in areas like Lohgarh Chowk, Putligarh, Rambagh and other parts of the city, posing a serious threat to commuters and pedestrians alike. Accidents are being reported frequently,” Mehra said adding, “It’s shameful that both the administration and government have turned a blind eye to the crisis, forcing both the public and cattle to suffer.”

He added that the proposed Gaushala would have provided a secure space for nearly 1,000 bovines, significantly reducing their presence on city streets. The proposed protest on July 30 aims to compel the authorities to expedite the construction.

The Rashtriya Gau Raksha Mahasangh has warned that if the project continues to face delays, the movement will be intensified with larger public mobilisation in the coming weeks.