Stray cattle rule Delhi-Dehradun Highway

As one hits the newly constructed Delhi-Dehradun Highway where it passes through Geeta Colony area of East Delhi, one can spot cattle roaming, standing or sitting across the road.

The problem is not just the stray cattle wandering around, but equally of people feeding them all along the carriageway. Locals, auto drivers and daily commuters say the practice, in the absence of shelters, has turned the stretch into a major accident hotspot.

The issue has come centre stage now with the Supreme Court shining light on the growing challenge of stray-dog bites, with the MCD in an overdrive to find ways to shelter a rising stray dog population.

Many residents around Geeta Colony, who regularly use the highway in question, feel the SC focus on strays may ultimately also lead to some solution to the overall problem of stray animals, including cows and bulls.

Those affected by the problem of stray cattle around the roads also question the practice of feeding them on the road.

“Feeding cows is fine, but why on the road? Throwing food along major road stretches leads them to stray on to the highway. There should be a policy of proper shelters for stray cattle also so that the cattle can be fed in a safe space. Here on the road, one wrong move can endanger human as well as cattle lives,” said biker Chandan Kumar, flagging rampant risks.

A ground visit to several spots under the highway flyover, heaps of fodder, chapatis and bananas could be seen – all food left over by passersby.

Pradeep Kumar, who has been driving an auto in the area since 2000, said the situation along several major highways that pass through residential areas is the same.

“It’s the same situation on other highways like Gazipur and Mayur Vihar. Cattle are left loose all day and taken home only in the evening. Many accidents have occurred,” he said.

Recalling an incident, another auto driver, Prem Chand, said: “An elderly man came to feed bread to a cow. The same cow attacked him. He fell and bled from the head. Even feeding can be dangerous at times. It should be done at a proper place, Chand said.

Some locals attributed the problem of stray cattle to civic agency’s failure to curb illegal dairies in the area.

“People operating these dairies leave the cattle to roam around on highways all day after milching them,” says Chaya, a resident of the area. The reason behind stray cattle is woefully low numbers of cattle shelters in the city.

According to the Delhi Development Department, only five of the 10 proposed cattle shelters exist – Shree Krishna Gaushala in Sultanpur Dabas, Gopal Gosadan in Harevali, Manav Gosadan in Rewla Khanpur, Dabar Hare Krishna Gaushala in Surhera village and Acharya Sushil Gosadan in Gummanhera village with a combined facility to house around 18,000 cattle.

Notably, the BJP Government has proposed a law with penal provisions for mismanagement of cow shelters and to curb stray cattle menace.

Responding to a private member resolution moved by BJP MLA Ashok Goel for setting up more cow shelters in the Monsoon session, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood had stated that the government would bring a Bill involving all stakeholders and MLAs to make it foolproof. The resolution was adopted by a voice vote in the Assembly, paving the way for the upcoming legislation.

Sood had added that the proposed legislation would include stringent enforcement mechanisms to check exploitation of cows and curb illegal cattle trade.

Delhi