NMC fails to curb cattle menace on roads
| Date :26-Aug-2019 |
POSING THREAT: Stray cattle roaming on the city streets is a common sight that poses a danger to the commuters’ safety. (Pic by Anil Futane)
By Dheeraj Fartode :
The menace of stray cattle in city is increasing with every passing day due to inaction on part of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) that seems to be getting bogged down under its own weight. Municipal administration has turned a blind eye to problems being faced by commuters on city streets where cattle stay put with impunity. The action initiated to remove stray cattle is so dismal that on average just three cattle are caught, indicating lack of seriousness on part of civic authorities. Veterinary Department of NMC captures stray cattle and releases them after imposing fine on the owners.
The Department have two tractor vehicles and staff to capture the cows and bulls that create obstacle in smooth flow of traffic. Sometimes they catch the animals with the help of traffic police to avoid any conflict with owners who tend to attack the civic staff. As per the report, a total of 1,019 cattle were caught between April 2018 and March 2019 -- it means only three stray cattle per day were caught by the department. Of them, 290 unclaimed cattle were sent to Gorakshan. When no one comes forward to claim the cattle, NMC hands over them to Gorakshan. Earlier, a total of 1,379 stray cattle were caught in year 2015-2016, followed by 1,916 in the year 2016-2017, 1,115 in 2017-2018. The NMC had donated 208 cattle to Gorakshan in 2015-2016, followed by 231 in year 2016-2017, 281 in year 2017-2018.
It means that a total of 5,429 cattle were caught by NMC in last four years and 1,010 were donated to Gorakshan. NMC’s veterinary officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle informed The Hitavada that maximum stray cattle were caught during the rainy season. The owners release the cattle that roam on city roads and police have recorded incident wherein vehicle drivers have lost their lives after crashing into them. There are 1,046 private cattle sheds across the city. “Indora, Bhandara Road, Manewada, Hingna and market areas in city are vulnerable for stray cattle menace.
During rainy season, owners let loose the cattle owing to belief that the animals are prone to diseases if they remain in sheds for longer period. Most of the times, cattle occupy major portion of the road leaving people to remain alert and avoid hitting them. Cows like to sit in middle of the road because the fast moving traffic keeps off the flies and insects from the animals body,” Dr Mahalle further said. Sources informed that the staff of NMC is not properly trained in operation to catch the stray cattle. Such is the menace of stray cattle in city that civic body resources are quite limited and till the time it scales-up its operations citizens will have to adjust already diminishing space on streets with the animals.