Tuesday, 06 AUGUST 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The roads of Dehradun are becoming increasingly hazardous, not just due to stray cattle but also domesticated cattle that dairy owners have started leaving on the streets. This issue is particularly troublesome during early morning, evening and late night hours, causing significant disruptions for commuters. Initially, it was only stray cattle that posed a danger but now dairy owners have begun leaving their cows and buffaloes on the roads early in the morning. These cattle are retrieved in the evening for milking and then released back onto the streets. This practice has intensified the problem, especially during the monsoon season, when the animals also suffer more and often disrupt traffic or cause accidents. Vulnerable and exposed, these cattle sometimes react aggressively, posing a threat to people. A resident of Sahastradhara, Richa Joshi talked about the dangers she regularly faces saying, “There are various spots in Dehradun where cattle can be seen roaming on the road. Due to defunct streetlights, many commuters observe them at the last minute and have narrow escapes from accidents which could injure both humans and the animals. I have even crashed into these animals and sustained injuries. On a large stretch of Sahastradhara Road, there are no street lights and one has to drive really slowly to ensure the vehicle does not hit any cattle.” Another resident Suraj Rawat raised concerns about the difficulty in spotting these cattle during the night and early morning. “Most of the cattle are dark in colour and they blend into the dark surroundings. This poses a significant risk, especially in poorly lit areas, resulting in several near-miss incidents. I have a night shift so I go to work at 8 PM via Balbir Road and return around 4 AM. I have unfortunately hit two cattle mistakenly. It injured them as well as me,” he said. Parents are also worried about the safety of their children, as cattle frequently roam residential areas, making daily commutes to school or the market difficult. A Ladpur resident, Deepa Chauhan said that the presence of cattle on main roads and in colonies is increasing, yet authorities have not taken concrete steps to address the issue. “Whenever we drive during the night, we can spot cattle parking themselves in groups on roads across the city. We become cautious and drive slowly to avoid bumping into one. Most of the cattle belong to dairies set in our nearby colonies but no action has been taken against them so far.” In response to these growing concerns, Dehradun district magistrate Sonika announced plans to address the issue. She stated that she will ask the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) and agencies concerned to take action against cattle owners who leave their animals on the roads. The Dehradun municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar also acknowledged the problem, stating that the corporation does periodically pick up stray cattle. He assured that he will direct officials concerned to take more stringent actions against it. Despite these assurances, residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. The persistent presence of both stray and domesticated cattle on Dehradun roads continues to be a significant threat to commuter safety. The locals seek immediate and sustained action to ensure safer roads for all.
