At a high-level meeting held in Mahanadi Bhawan, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai issued directives to curb the problem of stray animals on the roads. He highlighted that the presence of these animals contributes significantly to road accidents and therefore, immediate action is required from all concerned departments. A unified approach, involving the Animal Husbandry Development, Urban Administration and Development, Panchayat and Rural Development, and Public Works departments, was mandated to tackle the issue.
CM Sai stressed that both urban and rural areas are affected and underscored that there would be no tolerance for inaction. The meeting assessed the existing facilities and programs in place for managing stray animals, including gaushalas, gauthans, and cow-catcher systems. Discussions covered their present functionality, capacity, and potential enhancements. Furthermore, the Chief Minister specifically instructed the development of practical and effective models for managing animals in villages situated along national highways. He noted the risk posed by animals on highways, not only as a cause of traffic congestion but also as a contributing factor to fatal accidents, necessitating immediate intervention.
The meeting reviewed road accident data and the role of stray animals. Proposals regarding Godhan Vikas were also discussed, emphasizing a well-structured plan for the care, feeding, and resettlement of abandoned cattle. The functioning and expansion of cow-catchers in urban settings to control roaming animals were also evaluated. The Secretary of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development Department provided an overview of the ongoing status of gaushalas, gauthans, and animal husbandry development programs across the state.