MARGAO: Allegations are mounting against the civic authorities for their persistent disregard of the stray cattle menace on National Highway 66 in Margao. A lawyer from Navelim has served a legal notice to the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday, warning of possible contempt proceedings if the Council fails to respond.
Recently, the Green Goa Foundation also raised similar concerns about stray cattle in Cuncolim, accusing the council there of inadequate measures and claiming that staff assigned to address the issue were engaged in other tasks.
In her notice to the MMC, Valencia L. Mendoca highlighted the authorities’ negligence in addressing the menace caused by stray cattle, which poses a threat to the safety of schoolchildren, commuters, and other travellers on NH 66.
“The stray cattle freely roam on public roads and highways, endangering our safety and making our roads prone to accidents and fatalities. These stray cattle are seen near prominent locations such as the Municipal building, on the Margao-Navelim flyover, the SGPDA retail market area, Cine Lata, the Margao District and Sessions Court, and various other busy stretches,” Mendoca stated.
The lawyer further pointed out that the MMC failed to comply with a High Court order (writ petition number 261 of 2004) that directed the council to appoint a pound keeper in accordance with Section 268 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, and establish a system of incentives to capture stray cattle.
“It is evident from the inefficiency of the Margao Municipal Council that they have not appointed a pound keeper to ensure that stray cattle are confined to the pound and not allowed to roam on public roads, as directed by the High Court,” she added.
Mendoca emphasized that keeping public roads and highways free from obstacles like stray cattle is crucial for public safety and the lives of
motorists, aligning with the rights to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
