Stray cattle on Bengaluru roads become nuisance for motorists

BENGALURU: Heaps of garbage dumped on the roads, cattle foraging for food amidst the garbage and stray cattle suddenly entering roads and causing trouble for vehicle users is a common sight in areas like KR Market, Chickapet and Chamarajpet in Bengaluru.

While stray dogs are a nuisance on one hand, stray cattle are also causing problems for people and vehicles on the other. Despite the BBMP repeatedly instructing people not to release their cattle onto the roads, owners continue to do so, causing traffic congestion and other issues.

The presence of stray cattle on roads, where hundreds of vehicles pass daily, is not only causing traffic jams, but also leading to accidents, which is frustrating vehicle owners.

In addition, stray cattle are entering markets like KR Market, attracted by the smell of vegetables, and causing losses to traders. The BBMP has imposed a fine of Rs 600 for stray cattle and Rs 300 for calves and collects lakhs of rupees every month in fines.

In the last three months, the BBMP has received numerous complaints. There were 24 complaints in April, 19 in May, and 49 in June; in total, 92 complaints were received. The BBMP has taken action against 226 cattle in April, 216 cattle in May and 148 cattle in June.

Vikas Suralkar, Special Commissioner, BBMP, speaking about the stray cow menace, said, “Whenever we get complaints, we keep sensitizing the owners of stray cattle not to leave them on the roads. There is a cattle shed; BBMP staff will catch them and rescue them. When the owners come, we will fine them. It is always better for owners to take care of their cattle”.

Fruit and vegetable trader Abdu Mateen said, “We are facing stray cattle problems every day. They will eat fruits and vegetables, which are kept on the table for sale. We cannot control them easily, we have to bear the loss. The owners of the cattle must understand it”.