Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Despite the Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) massive drive against stray cattle, the menace persists as they continue to rule the roost on city roads. After the state government directed the civic bodies to ensure roads are cattle-free, the BMC constituted ‘Hawk’ teams to round up stray cattle roaming on the streets. Despite the presence of the ‘Hawk’ teams, stray cattle can still be seen roaming and squatting on city roads, posing a threat to motorists.
Residents have alleged that the Hawk teams are not taking any action against dairy operators. They claim that the Hawk teams are in cahoots with the dairy farm operators, because of which the drive against the stray cattle is not yielding any positive results. They also accused the BMC teams of rounding up animals only on selective roads where there is VIP movement.
Sunil Upadhyay, Sriram colony, Hoshangabad Road
“It is simply eyewash on part of BMC administration as its teams are rounding up animals from selective roads only. BMC teams strike deals with dairy owners and do not take any action against them for cattle on roads. This is the reason, stray animal problem does not resolve.”
Rakesh Singh, Nehru Nagar resident
“Despite BMC’ Hawk drive, stray animals can be seen on roads posing problems to motorists. It is a good initiative but BMC authorities need to ensure that the drive is strictly implemented on the ground. But this doesn’t seem to be happening now.”
Danish, Karond
“BMC teams should continuously carry out effective drives against stray animals and initiate strict action against diary owners who release their animals on roads. But BMC teams are hopeless and such drives are not yielding any fruitful results.”
Priyanath Pathak, Devsthali (Dana Pani), said,
“Stray animal menace continues to pose threat to motorists specially during evening and night hours. It’s difficult to drive with cattle squatting on roads. The BMC drive is not working on ground.”
