The Hindu 05.06.2013
Chennai Corporation to get cracking on stray cattle
Residents could soon see an end to the constant problem
of cattle on the roads — the Chennai Corporation is set to begin
cattle-impounding operations across all zones.
Tenders have already been floated for five modern vehicles to impound cattle for one year.
At present, the civic body has five vehicles, but needs more.
Corporation
officials said stray cattle were a nuisance to residents, and with
scores of them occupying road margins and pavements, they were a
hindrance to traffic flow and pedestrian movement.
Once
the new vehicles are commissioned, the civic body will be able to
respond quickly to residents’ complaints about stray cattle.
A team will impound the cattle and owners will have to pay a fine of Rs. 1,550 per head for their release.
Cattle not claimed by owners will be looked after by the Blue Cross of India.
The move comes after a woman was gored in the stomach by a stray cow in Nanganallur a few months ago.
Doctors had to operate on her, and she had to have 20 stitches.
The
victim’s husband then filed a PIL and the High Court ordered the
Corporation to take action against the owners of animals that roam on
the streets.
An official said that over the last five
years, action had been taken against around 5,000 people, for allowing
their cattle on the roads.
The city currently
accommodates over 1 lakh cattle, most of which are in the recently-added
zones of Sholinganallur, Madhavaram and Tiruvottiyur among others.