| Stray animals cause problems for pedestrians, commuters | | Anti-animal squad just 'media show' | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 26: Government's drive against removing stray cattle roaming on city roads seems just a 'media show', as cattle could be seen at most of the important bazaars and important road junctions, hindering movement of vehicles.
On an average, the concerned department catches nearly 10 stray cattle on daily and those impounded are auctioned thrice a month but in case the claimants don't come to take these back most of them are handed over to NGOs or released into forest areas.
Many commuters say that at times, they have narrowly missed hitting these animals, which has become a major threat to fast traveling cars, buses and trucks. There have been many incidents, when animals as well as people have received grievous injuries after hitting these stray animals.
In absence of any long term planning and facility to hold them, several animals have been caught several times by the anti-animal squad again flock the roads, particularly the National Highway, creating a dangerous situation for the high speed drivers.
The problem is not confined to Highway only, but in Jammu city, on most of the roads, stray animals could be found, creating problems for the people.
At times we have approached the officials to establish a cattle pond and impose heavy fine on people, who release their domestic cattle near public places, but it seems they are not interested, rue the commuters.
Mostly these unclaimed and unsold animals are released near forest at Jajjar Kotli, Samba Rakh, Purmandal and Akhnoor, who again find their way back in the city or fall prey to the bovine smugglers.
"Few days back, I narrowly missed a cow on the road which suddenly came running towards middle of road near Rehari. You can imagine, what is it like hitting them at speed of 60 kms or 80 kms hour, its fatal for everyone", said Surjeet Singh, a Govt. employee.
Despite becoming a major menace in the city, there are only two functional cattle ponds in the city, while the proposal to establish a major modern facility for the purpose in Dili area on the outskirts of Jammu was shelved after the locals objected the move and non-availability of sufficient land at the site. |
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