‘Stray cattle-free Jhajjar’ only on paper

Ravinder Saini

Suresh Kumar, a shopkeeper, was returning home on a motorbike with his wife after attending a wedding around 11:30 pm, when he met with an accident. 

The mishap was not caused by any other vehicle, but due to stray cattle roaming on the road, which Suresh could not spot in the darkness. His motorbike skidded, when he applied emergency brakes on reaching close to the animal. Fortunately, he and his wife suffered only minor injuries. 

A similar incident occurred with Om Prakash on Kosli road. Stray cattle suddenly appeared on road and he lost control over his scooter. He had a miraculous escape, as a truck was coming from behind, but it was far away and Om Prakash reversed his scooter quickly.

Stray cattle menace is posing a serious threat to the lives of road users, especially at night. Interestingly, the district authorities had declared Jhajjar as stray-cattle free around two years ago, but herds of stray cattle squatting on main roads and streets is a common sight in the city.

Mata gate, Ambedkar Chowk, Silani Gate, Bhagat Singh Chowk, Delhi Gate, Dadri road, Gurugram Road, Rewari road, Vegetable Market, Bahadurgarh road and Kosli road are common places, where stray cattle can be seen roaming freely in search of food. Local residents have, several times, raised the issue before the authorities, but to no avail.

“The tag of stray-cattle free for Jhajjar is confined only on paper, as you will not find any single road during night, where stray cattle are not seen roaming or squatting. We have to drive with utmost care at night as no one knows when the cattle will suddenly appear. Several chowks and roads plunge into darkness due to the absence of streetlights and stray cattle are found squatting there leading to the possibility of road mishap,” said Amit, a social activist. 

Joginder Singh, a resident of Delhi Gate, said the administration had made some serious efforts to deal with the menace after declaring the city as stray-cattle free. The cattle were shifted to cowsheds at that time, but the efforts did not last long and the situation turned ugly again after sometime. Now, no one is paying any heed towards it.

Bhagwan Dass, a shopkeeper, said every person is affected by this serious problem in the city, as stray cattle are major hindrance for the smooth flow of traffic. The number of stray cattle rises considerably at night, as these are let off after milking, so that they can graze outside. The municipal authorities are aware of the issue, but no action is being taken.

Narendra Saini, secretary, Jhajjar Municipal Council, admits that the number of stray cattle is rising in the city. “We had sent over 150 stray cattle to different cowsheds some months ago and the cowshed owners were also asked to ensure that they do not roam freely on roads, but several complaints have been received that stray cattle are again wandering in the city leading to hindrance in traffic. A plan is being chalk out with the consultation of higher officers to resolve the problem,” Saini said.