Team Herald
PONDA: Road accidents in Ponda are on the rise, and the stray cattle roaming highways and internal roads, are adding to the danger. Despite the evident risk to both commuters and the cattle themselves, unmanned herds continue to wander the streets, sometimes leading to fatal accidents. Defunct streetlights on highways and inner roads further make matters worse - night-time travel in the taluka is especially hazardous.
Concerned locals have urged the government to relocate stray cattle to goshalas (cattle pounds). Although court orders have previously mandated the removal of stray cattle from roads and the establishment of shelters, the problem persists. Many panchayats have yet to sign agreements with goshalas for clearing cattle from public spaces.
Key accident-prone areas include Khandepar, Usgao, Farmagudi, Dhavalim, and Dharbandora, where both cattle and bike riders have lost their lives in collisions. Sandeep Parkar, a resident of Khandepar, described the cattle menace as a "headache" for locals, citing the presence of around 60 stray cattle in his area. He urged the Chief Minister to find a permanent solution to the issue, noting that even cattle tagged under the Kamdhenu scheme are often seen roaming freely on the roads.
For years, stray cattle have been a common sight on Ponda’s highways and internal roads, but the lack of proper clearance has turned these roads into danger zones. Heavy vehicles frequently collide with cattle, leading to tragic outcomes for both animals and commuters.
Naresh Naik, another local, expressed frustration over the longstanding issue. "Some people shout slogans to save cows but do nothing to protect the lives of the cattle squatting on the roads in herds. Everything is on paper, including court orders, but very few local bodies have taken the initiative to sign agreements with goshalas. This needs to be done on a larger scale to eliminate the problem," he said.