Jagran Bureau, New Delhi | The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address the issue of stray animals on the national highways, which cause major road accidents. The authorities laid out a coordinated mechanism for the prevention of stray-animal incursions and their safe removal from National Highways and Expressways, following the Supreme Court order on the safety of the animals as well as travellers.
The government fixed the responsibility for removing stray animals from national highways, transporting them to shelters, and caring for them.
A Cattle Shelter Every 100 Km Near Highways
According to the mechanism, highway agencies will ensure safe removal of these animals from the highway and transport them to the shelter. The cost will be borne by these agencies. State governments and district administrations will be responsible for establishing and operating cattle shelters every 100 kilometres (50 kilometres in sensitive areas). State governments, district administrations, local bodies, or other relevant departments will identify or establish one shelter or cow shelter per 100 kilometres.
According to the SOP sent to states by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the agency responsible for operating and maintaining the national highways will identify locations where stray animals are usually seen. These locations will be marked on the PM Gati-Shakti platform.
Here Are Key Highlights Of The SOP:
- There will also be a system for coordination and monitoring
- Such areas will be monitored 24 hours a day using route patrol vehicles or advanced traffic management systems, if available.
- Upon an animal sighting, their GPS (Global Positioning System) location will be immediately shared with the nodal officer.
- Field officers will map hotspots along sections of the highway, including location, time, and animal type information.
- Security measures such as CCTV cameras, barriers, lighting, signage, and wire fencing will be implemented at these locations. These hotspots will be reviewed every six months.
- There will be monthly coordination meetings with NH agencies, local administration, District Highway Safety Task Force.
- States will have to create a State-level Nodal Authority, which will coordinate policy with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and NHAI.
- States will have to maintain records of shelters and trace the owners of these animals and impose fines on them as per the laws applicable in the states.
(With Jagran.com Inputs)