Gaushalas full to capacity, stray cattle pose threat to commuters in Ambala Cantt

The presence of stray cattle in residential areas and busy roads of Ambala Cantonment continues to inconvenience residents.

A large number of stray cattle can be seen squatting or wandering on roads of Ambala Cantonment. The presence of stray cattle on roads not only makes these unsafe for commuters but for the cattle too. Dairies being run in ‘gwal mandis’ of the Ambala Sadar are also a reason behind the presence of the cattle here.

As per information, there are about 250 to 300 stray cattle in the sadar area of the Ambala Cantonment.

Sharad Sharma, a local resident, said, “The shifting of stray animals from the roads has been a long-pending demand but the government hasn’t been able to resolve the issue. There have been incidents of ferocious bulls injuring people on roads and a number of bulls can be seen roaming near the bus stand late in the evening. Sometimes, they sit in the middle of the road, causing a traffic jam and inconveniencing people.”

Dinesh Verma, another resident, said, “There are several people who leave their cattle on roads for grazing after milking them. The administration should take action against such dairy owners. The government makes big claims regarding the welfare of the cows but the same animals can be seen eating garbage. The

government should find some permanent solution to the problem.”

Not only in the sadar area but a large number of stray cattle can be spotted in the cantonment area too.

Ajay Baweja, a member of the three-member board of Cantonment Board Ambala, said “Stray cattle is a major issue for us because of greenery in the cantonment area, a large number of cattle get attracted and they enter the cantonment area. Besides, people who keep cattle in Lal Kurti, BC Bazaar and the Topkhana Bazaar area also leave their cattle for grazing after milking these, which further adds to the problem. The board employees keep catching these cattle and also impose fines but the issue persists. The cattle owners are requested not to release their cattle on the roads and help the board in keeping the roads safe and cattle free.”

Vinod Beniwal, chief sanitary inspector Municipal Council Ambala Sadar, said, “As per the estimate, there are about 250 to 300 stray cattle in the sadar area. The guashalas are full and the operators have refused to accept more cattle due to which the shifting of the cattle has stopped. We have requested the gausahala operators to let the council know if they could get some space so that more cattle could be shifted.”

Subdivisional magistrate-cum-administrator Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, Satinder Siwach said, “A tender was awarded to shift the cattle to gaushalas but due to the shortage of space at the gaushalas and the elections, the shifting process got affected. The gaushala operators have expressed inability to accept more cattle as they are running to full capacity and the council also doesn’t have any other space to keep the cattle. We are in constant touch with the gaushala operators and keep sending cattle to them whenever there is any space available.”

“All efforts are being made to make the roads safer. The Animal Husbandry Department and the local NGOs have also put reflector belts on the neck of the stray cattle to help the motorists spot the cattle during the night hours,” he added.