The Hindu                04.06.2013

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.