In a step to enhance road safety and address the challenge of stray cattle and to avoid animal-related accidents on the National Highways (NH), the central road making agency National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a pilot project to provide cattle shelters along the NHs. The initiative aims to create a safer travel experience for commuters while ensuring care and management of stray cattle, and animals found along the National Highways.
With shelter areas ranging from 0.21 to 2.29 hectares, shelters under the pilot project will be strategically located to serve as safe spaces for stray cattle, reducing their presence on National Highways. The initiative will be implemented on various National Highway stretches, including the UP/Haryana Border to Rohna section of NH-334B, where shelters will be set up along the Kharkhoda Bypass. Similarly, shelters will be constructed along Bhiwani - Hansi section of NH-148B at Hansi Bypass, Kiratpur-Nerchowk section of NH-21 and the Dangiyawas to Jajiwal section of the Jodhpur Ring Road on NH-112.
The NHAI has been facing challenges posted by stray cattle/animal movement on National Highway in several states across the country which is hazardous to road users’ safety. Although several steps for removal of cattle from the National Highways were taken in the past but they could not get anticipated success due to several ancillary issues having social and sensitive angles, which included problems pertaining to unknown ownership/ transportation of cattle/ healthcare/ first aid treatment during transportation of any injured animals, feeding the cattle till identification of owner or handing them over to the State Government agencies.
Several Courts in various states were also very keen in holistic resolution of the changes posted by movement of stray cattle on National Highways. Although control for the root cause of this issue lies in the purview of various departments of respective State Governments, NHAI has taken this initiative to address this issue within its jurisdiction.
To implement this initiative, NHAI has signed an agreement with the existing concessionaire Gawar Construction Ltd. Under the contract they will build Cattle-Shelters on land provided by NHAI. The concessionaire will also maintain these shelters by providing first aid, adequate fodder, water, and caretakers throughout the concession period, ensuring the well-being of the animals.
To further support this initiative, the concessionaire under its CSR initiative will deploy cattle ambulances to transport and treat injured stray animals, set up first-aid centres and hospitals to cater 50 km on each side for timely medical care of these animals. Beyond the construction and maintenance of shelters, the concessionaire will ensure safe transportation of stray cattle to these facilities, provide feed and enforce the provisions of the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said by addressing the challenges posed by stray cattle/animals on the National Highways, this unique initiative is another step that furthers NHAI’s commitment to not only to create safer National Highways for commuters by enhancing road safety but also fulfils a humane requirement of taking care of stray cattle/animals. “I am sure that this initiative will set a new benchmark for a holistic National Highway infrastructure development in the country,” Yadav said.
Sharing his thoughts Dineshchandra Agrawal, President - National Highway Builders Federation said “We welcome this step from NHAI to develop shelters for stray cattle/animals along the National Highways and offer our support for this initiative. I would urge our members to come forward and partner in this path breaking initiative that will help spread this noble cause of rehabilitating stray animals and enhancing road safety.”