In view of widespread complaints of cattle menace on city roads, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation along with the local police will for the first time launch a massive drive during the night to impound the stray animals.

Soon after the onset of monsoon, stray cattle have occupied the city roads. But after a blame-game between the police and the VMC about taking up the responsibility, both the parties have decided to initiate extensive cattle impounding operations.

“We have already started the operation and the number of animals being impounded has gone up from about five to 60 per day. An important meeting is going to take place in a couple of days in which a comprehensive plan will be chalked out to get rid of this menace,” said VMC deputy municipal commissioner C M Makwana.

Interestingly, now the drive would be carried out at nights. “The logic behind night raids is to avoid interference of the cattle owners. We have already got substantial support from the police. Instead of raiding different spots, we would target one specific area and impound the stray cattle,” said an official from the encroachment department of VMC.

Another official added that there would be a change of strategy this time. “We have realised that more than the cattle, it is the detention of their owner which is important before we start the impounding operation. It has been observed that the animals, which don’t move despite several efforts by the impounding party members, suddenly start running wildly after their owners alert them. One whistle and all the animals run in a particular direction and that makes the operation a futile exercise.”

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