Bhopal: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled plans to construct the city's first government-run dog shelter in Kolar, in compliance with the Supreme Court's November 2025 directive to remove stray dogs from public institutions and relocate them to permanent facilities. The modern centre, spread over one acre, will have the capacity to house approximately 1,500 to 2,000 dogs, according to a BMC official.
Initial Phase Targets Nine No-Dog Zones
A BMC veterinary wing official confirmed that only dogs from nine identified 'no-dog zones' will be sent to the shelter in the initial phase. These zones include schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and sports complexes, where the presence of strays has raised concerns about safety and hygiene. Last year, around 900 such locations were identified across Bhopal. The new facility is expected to address this issue effectively.
Current Sterilisation Centres and Limitations
Currently, BMC operates three Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres at Arwalia, Adampur Cantonment, and Kajlikheda, which together can sterilise about 20,000 dogs annually. However, dogs are kept for only about five days post-sterilisation. These centres focus on sterilisation and vaccination, but the Supreme Court ruling made it clear that sterilisation alone is insufficient. The court directed states to establish permanent shelters in every district.
BMC's veterinary wing has clarified that its role will begin only after the proposed shelter at Kalapani is developed. For now, responsibility for land procurement and construction lies with the engineering department. When contacted, BMC engineer Pramod Malviya did not respond.
Dog Shelter Situation in Madhya Pradesh
Across Madhya Pradesh, there are an estimated nine dog shelters. Sources indicated that proposals to combine a dog shelter with an ABC centre—similar to the model in Gwalior—have faced objections. Meanwhile, recent audits of existing BMC ABC centres have raised red flags, pointing to irregularities in operations and oversight, according to sources.
