The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced plans to construct seven new sheds across the city to accommodate wandering stray cattle. This initiative aims to address the persistent issue of stray cattle roaming the streets, which has been a cause of accidents and public nuisance.
New Sheds in South Chennai
Two of the sheds are currently under construction. A cattle shed in the Perungudi zone at Veerapandiya Kattabomman Cross Street is being built at a cost of ₹2.25 crore, while another shed on Tambaram-Velachery Main Road is being developed for ₹2.56 crore. Together, these two facilities can house up to 100 heads of cattle.
Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar highlighted the strategic importance of these new sheds. Previously, the GCC had to transport seized cattle from south Chennai to either Pulianthope or Broadway in north Chennai, which was time-consuming. With the new pounds being built in south Chennai, action can be taken much faster, he said.
Current Situation and Complaints
The civic body receives approximately 2,000 complaints annually through its 1913 hotline, the Namma Chennai app, its official website, and social media platforms. Each year, between 1,000 and 1,500 cattle are seized by the corporation.
Under the Cattle-Trespass (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1957, the GCC can impound cattle and collect a penalty of ₹1,550, in addition to a daily maintenance fee of ₹1,000. The GCC has increased the penalty for a first-time offence to ₹10,000, along with the additional maintenance fee, but the menace persists.
Call for Stronger Action
Arun Prasanna of People for Cattle in India has urged the civic agency to file FIRs under Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He stated that allowing animals to wander and endanger the public is a criminal offence under this section. The cows must not be returned to the owners. This will affect the business of cattle-owners such as milkmen, forcing them to follow rules, he said. These animals cause accidents. It is the responsibility of the corporation to ensure people are safe, he added.
Expansion of Facilities
Over the past five years, the GCC has constructed about 10 shelters and pounds. With the addition of the seven new sheds, the total number of such facilities will increase to 17, enhancing the city's capacity to manage stray cattle effectively.
