• Source:JND
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The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a pioneering initiative to provide cooked meals to stray dogs across Bengaluru, the first such scheme in India.

As part of this ambitious programme, the BBMP has issued a tender worth Rs 2.80 crore to supply daily meals to approximately 600 to 700 stray dogs in each of the city's eight administrative zones. The nutritious menu, featuring meat, chicken, and egg rice, is tailored to support the health and well-being of Bengaluru's growing stray dog population.

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BBMP Meal Plan For Bengaluru Stray Dogs 

Each meal, costing Rs 22.42, includes 150g of chicken (protein), 100g of rice (carbohydrates), 100g of vegetables (minerals), and 10g of oil (fats). This nutrient-rich combination is expected to provide between 465 and 750 kilocalories of energy per serving.

Bengaluru is home to approximately 2.8 lakh stray dogs. To implement the initiative, the BBMP will onboard designated vendors responsible for feeding 400 to 500 selected dogs in each of the city's eight zones. The feeding will take place at 100 to 125 designated points per zone. Ensuring cleanliness at these feeding sites will be a key requirement in the vendor contracts, according to Animal Husbandry Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore.

"This is the first time a municipal body in India has taken up scheduled mass feeding of stray animals," said a BBMP official. "It's not just a welfare step, it's a safety initiative."

Animal welfare groups have largely welcomed the BBMP’s initiative, calling it a progressive move toward compassionate and responsible urban governance. They believe the scheme could significantly improve the health of stray dogs and reduce aggression stemming from hunger and neglect.

However, the programme has also drawn criticism from some quarters of the public. On social media and civic platforms, several residents have questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that spending crores on biryani-style meals for dogs seems out of touch at a time when many people are struggling to afford basic food.

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BBMP officials, meanwhile, maintain that the scheme is not an act of charity but a vital public health measure. They argue that providing regular meals to street dogs will reduce scavenging, curb aggression, and enhance hygiene in public spaces.

Meal distribution is expected to begin in the coming weeks, once service providers are finalised through the ongoing tender process.