Stray cattle menace increases as enforcement weakens in Trichy

Trichy: Stray cattle menace in public places and bovines blocking carriageways of national highways (NHs) have increased as the enforcement against stray cattle has taken a back seat post the state assembly election. While two dedicated teams with specialised vehicles had been engaged to impound animals since 2022, only one team is operational now.Residents said stray cattle menace gradually increased from March soon after the model code of conduct (MCC) kicked in for the assembly elections. Two hydraulic lift-powered trucks were engaged in confiscating stray cattle and moving them to safe shelters in Konakkarai and Viragupettai. But for the past few months, only one team is operating, that too, only at night. "Cattle occupy a portion of highways passing through the airport, Kattur, Thiruverumbur, Karumandapam and Pirattiyur areas. A special enforcement drive is needed during peak hours, between 8am and 9am and 5pm and 6pm, not just at night," R Thiruvenkadam, a road safety activist, said.Meanwhile, as the penalty levied by Trichy corporation for retrieving the impounded cattle was reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,500 per animal from June 2025 following demands of councillors, the fear prevailed among cattle owners about the enforcement was diluted too. Trichy corporation officials, acknowledging the shortage of manpower in confiscating stray cattle, said additional teams are necessary to cover vulnerable areas. At present, areas from where the public raise complaints were covered. "We have confiscated eight cattle on Vayalur Road. The enforcement drive will be strengthened, and will discuss with the officials and the council to add more teams to impound cattle on roads," M Karthikeyan, city health officer, told TOI.