PONDA: Despite them causing several fatal road accidents, herds of stray cattle continue to be a menace on the national highway stretch between Khandepar-Usgao and Dharbandora-Mollem, with residents claiming that at least 150 cattle wander onto this thoroughfare every day. Internal roads are not spared either, as cattle dot several spots for at least 30km, catching vehicular traffic by surprise.
Just last week, a 20-year-old youth lost his life after his motorbike rammed into a stray buffalo on the road at Metawada, Dharbandora. Similar fatal accidents have occurred in the area in the past, with some other motorists lucky enough to escape with injuries.
The situation is perilous for the bovines, too, as many fall victim to vehicles ramming into them while they sit in the middle of the roads. Recently, four bovines died and three were injured after a vehicle collided into their herd on the national highway at Curti.
To remedy this, the Curti-Khandepar panchayat signed an MoU with a gaushala a few days ago, under which stray bovines will be rounded up and shifted to the shelter. Environmentalist Sandeep Parkar said several other local bodies are yet to adopt similar interventions to comply with a court order on tackling the stray cattle menace.
“While the courts have put the onus on the municipalities and panchayats to impound these animals, many have failed to implement the order, thus continuing to expose commuters and the animals to great risk on a daily basis,” Parkar said.
