post news network
Khurda, June 30: The presence of stray cattle on the roads and streets of the district headquarters town here has become a major hurdle in the smooth flow of traffic.
Several mishaps have also been attributed to the stray cattle on the roads. This is a cause of concern as more than 100 road mishaps have been reported from the town in the last one year, sources said. “To reduce their expenditure on fodder, dairymen prefer to leave their cattle to roam the roads of the area in search of fodder. They do not think about the inconvenience caused to motorists,” rued a resident of the town. The municipal body had constructed a kine house at Mukund Prasad to house stray cattle, according to sources. However, this has been lying unutilised for the last 11 years.
“The civic body had earlier engaged a few persons to round up stray cattle and herd them to the kine house. Milkmen were asked to pay a penalty to have their cows released. However, the practice has been abandoned,” said councillor Bibhu Sahu.
The civic body had planned to revive the kine house four years ago, sources said. However, the proposal was abandoned as no private party evinced interest to run the kine house on lease.
Municipal executive officer Atanu Samant said a fresh proposal has been moved to revive the kine house.
“We will inspect the kine house and try to revive it. Awareness will be created among residents against releasing cattle to public roads. We are mulling legal action against the offenders,” Samant said.
