Residents rue stray cattle menace in Madurai

Madurai: Incidents of stray cattle roaming on roads have been on the rise across Madurai city, with vendors in open markets complaining that cattle are often let loose near market areas without proper care, causing panic among shoppers.

The animals frequently feed on fruits and vegetables displayed in stalls, while the dung they leave behind on roads adds to the nuisance, the vendors said.C Kannan, a shopper, said in the Bethaniyapuram area, stray cattle can be found in large numbers, often in the middle of the road. “Traffic is often blocked because cattle rest on the side or the middle of the road, especially during peak hours,” he said. Persistent honking by motorists disturbs the peace in the area, he added.Madurai corporation was expected to set up a pound in Bethaniyapuram to keep around 50 captured stray cattle, but work has stalled and the site for the pound was now being used as cattle shelter, which failed to prevent roaming of cattle on streets.Officials said Madurai corporation has intensified cattle catching drives across the city. “We have caught 18 stray cattle and calves in the past week, and the drive will continue in the coming week as well,” said assistant city health officer Abhishek. At present, captured cattle are sent to the corporation pound in Sellur. “If cattle owners fail to pay fines, those cattle are being sent to Tenkasi,” he said.The spot fines for stray cattle are ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 depending on the age. If the cattle are transported to the shelter and need to be picked up from there, the fines increase to ₹2,500 to ₹5,000.