The municipal authorities have failed to check the menace of stray cattle on roads, leading to regular traffic jams, especially during peak hours here.
As if unauthorized encroachment of pedestrian walkways was not enough, the presence of stray cattle on the roads often poses a problem for commuters as there is hardly any road here that is free of stray cattle. The problem complicates during the rainy season as the roads become slippery because of filth caused by these cattle. As there is no service in place to catch cattle, there seems to be no end to the woes of the commuters.
“There are frequent complaints of locals getting injured in attacks by bulls and to take stringent action against the cattle owners who leave their cattle to move freely on public roads, but the municipal authority never gives any heed to the complaint,” alleged Muna Padhy, a denizen of Bhaluguda.
Besides, as the municipal sanitation workers care little for the collection of garbage from the market, garbage dumps continue to rot and emit a foul smell. The organic dumps not only attract flies but also turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The drains and the surrounding areas adjacent to Glipatana, Sontosi Nagar, Old Bus Stand and Bhanja Chowk are only a few examples of poor sanitation of the civic body.
Reports reveal that the municipality spends Rs 7. 30 lakh per month for sanitation, but it seems only in pen and paper. The municipal authorities have never conducted any surprise check to bring the contractors to book.
There is a public perception that all the grants that come from the Ministry of Urban Development Department of both the State and the Centre under sanitation and urbanization development programme to the municipality should be released only after high power teams inspect sanitation of different wards including functionality of drains, said many intellectuals here.