Bhubaneswar: Facing an uphill task in managing the growing stray cattle population with its existing manpower and resources, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to engage a private agency to strengthen its operation to catch and send them to the shelters concerned.The move comes amid concerns about road safety and traffic disruptions caused by stray cattle in the capital city. At present, around 2,000 stray cattle are housed in six BMC-managed sheds.Kailash Chandra Dash, the BMC additional commissioner, said they are planning to engage a private party to catch and relocate cattle. “Currently, we are using our own resources with two cattle-catching vehicles, but it is insufficient. We will intensify the drive,” said Dash.According to the BMC officials, the selected agency will assist in catching stray cattle and relocating them to any of the existing six sheds, depending on available space and operational convenience. The arrangement will continue until the civic body’s proposed mega cattle shelter becomes operational at Jamukoli on the city outskirts.Dash said the upcoming 17-acre facility will be capable of accommodating around 3,000 cattle heads and is expected to ease the burden on the existing shelters significantly. The mega ‘goshala’ is being developed as a long-term solution to the problem of stray cattle, which have become a common sight across the city — often sitting in the middle of roads — forcing motorists to step out of their vehicles to drive them away. Their presence often leads to minor accidents. Many cattle heads are also seen feeding on waste at dumping points.Officials said the new shelter will be integrated with the BMC’s existing bovine care facility at Jamukoli.The new facility will feature a dedicated veterinary hospital, food storage infrastructure, and a team of veterinary doctors and support staff. Officials, however, estimate that despite proper care and feeding, around 30 cattle may die every day, accounting for nearly 1% of the proposed shelter’s total capacity, highlighting the scale and challenges of managing a large bovine population.
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