No respite from stray menace in Mohali

Sanjay Bumbroo

Mohali, April 16

The stray cattle menace continues in Mohali despite the fact that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has hired a contractor to catch animals roaming in the city. The menace leads to traffic chaos and even accidents some times.

According to information the MC had hired a contractor in September last year. The civic body was to pay Rs. 1,500 to contractor for every animal caught. Councillors alleged that the contractor had failed to deliver, however, the latter said he was helpless as the MC-run gaushala was packed to capacity.

The MC has one gaushala in Industrial Area, Phase 1, with a capacity to accommodate 700 animals. Four years ago, there was a proposal to create a new cattle pound, but so far nothing had been done in this regard. According to sources at every House meeting of the MC the issue of stray cattle was raised, but the authorities concerned had been unable to take the bull by the horns.

Sajan Yadav, the contractor hired by the MC, said, “Only a limited number of animals can be caught as the gaushala run by the MC is running short of space. It is also difficult to catch milch cattle from areas such as Sector 68 as they run and enter Kumbra village.”

Kamal Kumar Garg, Municipal Commissioner, said, “We have written to the police several times to register cases against owners of cattle found roaming on roads. So far, no action has been taken in this connection. The matter will be taken up with the police again.”

During the past one year, at least five people have lost their lives in accidents involving stray cattle in the city. Stray cattle can be spotted around Sector 76 to 80, Sector 82, Phase 9, the MC office in Sector 68, Phase 11, Industrial Area and Airport Road.

There are 2,000 stray cattle in town, but only 200 animals have been caught in the past one year. This is despite the fact that the MC collects Rs. 50 lakh as cow cess every year.

Manjit Singh Sethi, former councillor, said in August 2018, the MC had increased the fine for cattle owners from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000, only to reduce it to Rs. 5,000 again. The MC had even decided to charge the owner Rs. 500 per day for the upkeep of the animal that was caught, but not a single owner was penalised, he added.