The menace of stray cattle tends to be a serious problem in different parts of our State. Many accidents have occurred during recent years due to cases of cattle relaxing on the road. The menace is a danger to the lives of innocent travellers and pedestrians. In this context I would like to highlight the difficulties caused by stray cattle in the villages of Adpai and Durbhat in Ponda. Cattle freely proceed along the road thereby disrupting free movement of vehicular traffic. At night, the bovines relax on the road at several strategic spots. At ‘Dessai-Bhat’ area in Adpai, the situation has worsened and vehicles are found halting while proceeding along this location. Employees returning from night duty remain the worst sufferers. Similar situation is noticed at the Durbhat bazaar and also adjacent to the Village Panchayat of Durbhat. Over the years, this menace has been a nuisance to travellers and residents alike. But the VP of Durbhat as a competent authority has not initiated any favourable action to bring the situation under control. Hence the matter has been escalating day by day. As per section 112-C of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, it is the duty of the Village Panchayat to seize cattle that strays within the Panchayat’s jurisdiction and confine the same to the public cattle pound. However, it is a pity that the VP of Durbhat has not yet initiated any positive action to build cattle pounds for accommodating the seized cattle. This serious matter has been highlighted by me through various local dailies. However, the situation in this regard has remained stagnant. Even the acting Sarpanch has not considered this important matter with the seriousness it deserves. I once again sincerely request the higher officials at the Directorate of Panchayats to levy a sympathetic consideration to the difficulties of travellers/pedestrians in these villages and issue necessary circular to this VP to install cattle pounds with immediate effect, before the deteriorated situation further worsens.
Dealing with stray cattle
