Civil veterinary dispensaries and hospitals established in several villages of Mohali district have been reduced to abandoned structures, according to a report by The Tribune News Service. The facilities, meant to provide essential healthcare for livestock, now stand dilapidated with broken doors, cracked walls, and overgrown weeds.
Neglect of Infrastructure
Photographs from Mirzapur village show a civil veterinary dispensary in a state of disrepair. The building lacks basic amenities such as electricity and water supply, and the compound is littered with debris. Local farmers report that the dispensary has been non-functional for years, forcing them to travel long distances for veterinary care.
Similar conditions prevail in other villages including Kharar, Landran, and Sohana. Out of 15 veterinary institutions surveyed, only 3 are fully operational. The remaining 12 either have no staff or lack medicines and equipment.
Impact on Farmers
"We have to take our animals to Mohali city for treatment, which costs us time and money," said Gurpreet Singh, a dairy farmer from Mirzapur. "Many animals die because of delayed treatment." The district has over 200,000 livestock, including cattle, buffaloes, and goats, but the government infrastructure fails to meet their needs.
According to the Punjab Animal Husbandry Department, Mohali district has a sanctioned strength of 25 veterinary officers, but only 12 are currently posted. The remaining positions are vacant, leading to inadequate coverage.
Calls for Action
The issue has been raised in the Punjab Legislative Assembly by local MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu, who demanded immediate restoration of services. "The government must fill vacant posts and repair these dispensaries within a month," he said. The Animal Husbandry Department has promised an inspection and report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, farmers continue to rely on private practitioners who charge exorbitant fees. A simple vaccination costs Rs 200-500, while emergency treatments can run into thousands. The state government had allocated Rs 5 crore for veterinary infrastructure in 2025-26, but only Rs 1.2 crore has been utilized so far.
