GHMC for animal-free city roads

For this, GHMC has formed special animal catching units across all zones in the city to keep a watch on animal movement on roads

Hyderabad: In a bid to make the city’s roads free from stray cattle and other animals, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has intensified its efforts to catch bovines and canines straying on the road and to send them to animal welfare centres.

According to the GHMC’s veterinary division officials, several steps are being taken to ensure that animals like cows, buffaloes and dogs, which sometimes cause traffic jams and obstruct the way for pedestrians and road users, are sent to GHMC-run shelters.

For this, GHMC has formed special animal catching units across all zones in the city to keep a watch on animal movement on roads. Once the civic body receives any complaint, the veterinary team will rush to the spot and shift the cattle or animals to animal shelters.

Dr Ranjeeth, a veterinary officer, said each zone was equipped with a special vehicle, in which teams would go for rounds in the respective circles to identify stray cattle and animals on roads and footpaths. GHMC is also involving a few NGOs in the drive to rescue injured animals, he said.

“Owners of cattle are being imposed with fines for leaving the animals on roads. They can also be sent to court depending on the type of case. For stray cattle, the GHMC will feed them and later send them to the nearest goshala,” he said.

The corporation will wait for 15 days to see if owners come to claim the animal, and once the deadline is over, treat them as unclaimed ones. Given the intensive drive and special measures, the number of cattle roaming on the city’s roads has dropped, Dr Ranjeeth said.

Veterinary doctors are also monitoring the health of cattle and providing treatment if the animal is injured. Officials said as many 250 cattle were caught from the streets across the city last year. Citizens can lodge complaints over the GHMC helpline number 040-2111-1111 or via the MyGHMC app.

Meanwhile, to avoid any untoward incidents, the veterinary division is continuing its intensified focus on controlling the street dog menace. With the help of 30 vehicles for catching street dogs, GHMC has intensified its efforts during summer, as complaints on street dogs generally increase during the season.

Special drive

• Each zone has been equipped with one cattle vehicle
• Cattle catching units have been formed to catch stray animals
• Cattle owners will be fined for leaving them on roads
• GHMC sends unclaimed cattle to goshalas after observation
• Near 250 street cattle were caught in GHMC limits last year
• Complaint on stray cattle can be lodged over 040-2111-1111

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