Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the mega Men's Hockey World Cup, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has geared up to tackle the stray cattle menace on city roads.
The corporation has now come up with stricter norms under which owners of the livestock will now have to pay up to Rs 1500 fine if their cattle found straying on roads. Moreover, a special drive to tag cattle was taken up by the corporation today.
"BMC has initiated ear tagging of cattle to identify owners of the livestock. As many as 2000 cattle will be tagged in the first phase and in the next phase, the entire sub-division will be covered," said Hrusikesh Sahu, sub divisional veterinary officer, Bhubaneswar.
Speaking to the media, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said, "We are creating awareness among people not to leave their cattle on roads. In case cattle are found on the city streets, owners of registered cattle will be fined Rs 1,000 while a fine of Rs 1500 will be collected from the non-registered owners."
Bhubaneswar is now a Smart City and as the Hockey World Cup is starting from next month, it is the responsibility of all to keep the city clean, said Jena.
Meanwhile, cattle found straying on the roads will now be taken to kine houses in the city and their owners will have to take back their bovine after paying the penalty, informed BMC officials.
"Rules are there but no one is following. A new rule, when comes into effect, it is strictly followed only for a few days. Cattle seen be seen moving and obstructing roads in different parts of the city. This new provision to take to task errant cattle owners must be followed strictly so that no one will leave their cattle on roads," said Kabiraj Behera, a cattle owner.