MAPUSA: With the authorities turning a blind eye to the stray cattle menace in Mapusa, the bovines seem to occupy the roads, open spaces and even the bus-stand.
Apparently the bus-stand that houses the RTO office has turned into a favourite place for shelter during the rains where the animals defecate and urinate all over the place turning it into a mess.
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A gradual trend seems to be unfolding where cattle come and even squat in the middle of the road, thereby obstructing traffic and creating nuisance to public in general. These bovines also become the cause of traffic congestion at peak hours.
The presence of large amount of food and vegetable waste dumped at the bus stand, market sub-yard and market attracts stray cattle even from Siolim. Once they feast, the animals then make themselves comfortable in the shed at the bus-stand.
The MMC had once come up with a solution to round the animals and then penalise the concerned owners, who would be asked to lay claim to the animals within 15 days. If there were then the animals would be auctioned. Apparently, the move has not worked till date and status quo seems to have prevailed over the issue.
Meanwhile raising concern over the issue, GOACAN in a letter to the Dy Collector and SDO Mapusa Gurudas Desai, have pointed out that due to the rains, the stray cattle have resorted to taking shelter under the shed of the bus stand thereby creating inconvenience to the KTCL buses and passengers waiting to board the same.
“While we are aware that these stray cattle also need to be shifted to a safe place, this process needs to be initiated by working out a joint action plan. We therefore request your office to call for a joint meeting to find a permanent solution to this problem with representatives from KTCL, Directorate of Transport, Traffic Police, Mapusa Municipal Council, Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services,” said a press release issued by GOACAN.
