BANGALORE: The continuing cattle menace on the roads of Bangalore has given the common man, many a sleepless nights. In response to the increasing number of complaints, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Plalike (BBMP) is proposing to increase the fine amount for retrieving stray cattle.
The prevailing rates, 100 rupees for an adult and 50 rupees for a calf was last revised in 1991. The plan is to increase it by 300-400 rupees with extra fine levied if the owner delays by more than three days. The municipal authorities opine this would act as a deterrent and reduce the number of cows roaming in the streets. When City Express contacted Dr Parvez Ahmad Piran Joint Director of BBMP (Animal Husbandry), he said, “As of now, nothing has been decided yet. The matter is pending in the council.” The reasons for the delay in passing the new order is still unclear.
The existing traffic woes of the commuters are further exacerbated by hoards of cows that are let loose on the roads. Collisions are not uncommon, resulting in minor accidents. The cattle squat on the middle of the road, disturbing and terrorising the commuters and pedestrians and also draging waste to the
already littered streets.
The menace of stray cattle has been witnessed in the areas like NR colony, BTM Layout and Bannerghatta Road.
City Express spoke to some residents and their frustration was evident when they clearly blamed the authorities for their apathy. Rohith Singh, who works for a MNC and stays in BTM layout says “Stray cows create a traffic bottleneck. I myself have been involved in two minor accidents, therefore, steep fines should be imposed on the cattle owners”.
“The dung and the resulting mess is also a major nuisance in this area. Looking for food, they disturb the bins, strewing garbage all around,”said Sandeep SR. Speaking about the situation in NR Colony. Dheeraj C, a businessman and resident of Bannerghatta Road says “We were heartened by the proposal to increase fines, that would definitely reduce the menace. But the problem of stray cows continues unabatedly in the city and I request the authorities to sort out the issue soon”.