Gurugram launches drive against stray cattle

 The Hindu Bureau

GURUGRAM 
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) on Friday launched a special campaign to address the growing issue of stray cattle in the city.

Cattle roaming on roads, streets, and markets are being rounded up and sent to cow shelters as part of the drive. The initiative follows an intensive cleanliness campaign that began on July 28, after a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Local Bodies Department, Vikas Gupta, to review Gurugram’s sanitation measures.

On the first day of the stray cattle drive, MCG teams conducted inspections in areas such as Sector-15 Part-2, DLF Phase-5, and Sector-42. A total of seven animals were caught – two from Sector-15 Part-2, three from DLF Phase-5, and two from Sector-42 – and transported to MCG-run cow shelters. 

MCG Joint Commissioner (Swachh Bharat Mission) Preetpal Singh said six agencies appointed by the corporation were fined a total of ₹83,000 for negligence in catching stray cattle and failing to resolve public complaints. Penalties included ₹9,000 on Animal Sympathy Organisation, ₹28,000 on R S Enterprises, ₹3,000 on Scorpion Buildtech, and ₹19,000 on Jeev Daya Social Welfare Society. All agencies have been issued notices and warned to prioritise animal-related complaints.

MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the campaign was launched in response to persistent complaints from citizens about stray cattle. He added that the drive will continue through the month and will cover all city wards. Residents have been urged to report sightings on the helpline 1800-180-1817.

The special drive was initiated after residents, including prominent citizens, took to social media to criticise the MCG for the civic mess.