Quepem civic body cracks whip on stray cattle menace

QUEPEM: Taking cognizance of a TOI report on bovines obstructing pedestrians and traffic flow in the town’s main circle and at busy junctions, Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) staff has begun impounding such stray cattle and fining the owners. The move is part of a week-long awareness drive that began on Wednesday evening.
QMC chairperson Filu D’Costa, along with chief officer Pramod Dessai, municipal engineer Nitin Kotharkar and a 10-member squad launched the drive near Pope John High School, along a road where large herds of cattle constrict traffic flow.
D’Costa told TOI that the owners of impounded cattle will be slapped with a fine of 500 per bovine on the first day and thereafter with 30 per bovine, per day, for one week. “If the owners concerned fail to claim their respective cattle, a decision on the matter will be taken at a council meeting,” he added.
Stray cattle generally occupy Quepem’s main circle and are also seen near Pope John High School, near the Amona junction and at Tilamol.
Although the civic body built a cattle pound a few years ago, only 13 cattle were impounded there, while the one located near the Quepem cemetery has perpetually been empty. The QMC also received two tricycles from the government to tow stray bovines to the pounds.
Chief officer Dessai said four labourers and one pound-keeper work presently work in two shifts to impound stray cattle.