Stray cattle menace persists in Ludhiana despite crores collected in cow cess

The sight of stray cattle roaming on Ludhiana’s busy roads has become a daily hazard, raising questions about the effectiveness of the cow cess collected by the government since 2016. With Rs 22 crore currently lying in civic accounts, residents are demanding answers on why the menace remains unchecked.

The cow cess was introduced to fund gaushalas and ensure fodder and shelter for abandoned cattle. Yet, Ludhiana’s streets continue to witness herds blocking traffic, causing accidents and endangering lives. The city has agreements with four gaushalas to house nearly 3,000 cattle, but shelter capacity and upkeep remain inadequate.

“This is not just a nuisance — it’s a matter of life and death,” said Ravinder Singh, a resident of Model Town. “We pay cess on petrol, liquor and even property maps, but the cows are still on the roads. Where is the accountability?”

Some recent accidents have underscored the urgency. A 31-year-old tractor trailer driver died after the vehicle overturned on the Ludhiana Samrala road due to stray cattle. In October, a 24 year old man was killed in Machhiwara after colliding with cows at night. Earlier, three labourers lost their lives on the Ludhiana Ferozepur Road when their motorcycle struck wandering cattle. These tragedies have intensified public anger and highlighted the gap between policy promises and ground reality.

Social activist Meenakshi Batra described the situation as “a civic failure with tragic consequences”. She added: “The cow cess was a progressive idea, but it has been reduced to a symbolic gesture. Funds are collected, but shelters remain underfunded, and lives are being lost.”

Experts point to infrastructure gaps as well. A road safety expert, noted: “Illegal cuts in highway barriers and poor lighting make encounters with stray cattle fatal. We need better road design alongside more shelters.”

Citizens across Ludhiana are demanding decisive action. “We are not against the idea of cow cess,” said Harpreet Kaur, a homemaker from Sarabha Nagar. “But if crores are being collected, then both animals and the people deserve better. These cows need care, and we need safe roads,” she added.

Municipal officials admitted delay in fund disbursement from the state treasury, but assured that plans were underway to expand the shelter capacity. “We are working on strengthening gaushalas and improving coordination with NGOs,” said a senior official.

For Ludhiana, the stray cattle crisis has become a litmus test of urban governance — where compassion for animals must align with public safety and transparent use of funds. Until then, residents remain caught between civic promises and the daily hazards of navigating roads shared with stray cattle.