NHAI To Build Stray Animal Shelters On UP Highways, Starting With Lucknow Routes

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will build shelter homes on national highways and expressways to house stray animals, following strict directives from the Supreme Court. The move aims to curb accidents caused by stray cattle on the roads.

A wing of the highway patrol team will be tasked with catching these stray animals and keeping them in the shelter homes. The NHAI will hold a meeting with the district administration to create a complete framework for the operation.

How It will work

The number of employees in the national highway patrol team will be increased, and they will be provided with a special four-wheeled vehicle, enclosed on all sides with mesh doors. Stray cattle caught on the highways will be loaded into this vehicle and transported to the shelter home.

- Afterward, a process involving village councils will be adopted to hand the cattle over to their owners or to the respective municipal corporation, municipality, or town council.

- Authority officials stated that while most places on the national highways are barricaded, stray cattle enter through open access points, leading to accidents.

Shelter And Resources

The NHAI will build the shelter homes as permanent structures on its own land. The authority will also arrange for adequate lighting, water, and green fodder for the stray cattle in these shelters and will deploy staff. To manage this, the NHAI will create a fund and is also considering seeking help from the local administration.

Also Read: Panjab University Protest: Students Hold Massive Agitation Over Senate Elections, Heavy Security Deployed | Top Updates

Phased Rollout

In the first phase, work will be carried out on highways such as Lucknow to Kanpur, Lucknow to Sitapur, and Hardoi. Subsequently, shelter homes will be built on the Sultanpur, Outer Ring, Raebareli, and Ayodhya national highways.

Also Read: UP Pharmacist Recruitment: 55 Candidates Await Appointment 9 Years After 2016 Exam

Official Confirmation

NHAI Regional Manager Sanjeev Sharma said,"Compliance with the Supreme Court's order has begun. Discussions are underway with the district administration. Shelter homes will be built on some national highways and expressways. A framework is being prepared on how they will be operated and how stray cattle will be managed. These shelter homes will be visible soon.