In yet another accident involving stray cattle and motorists, a youth suffered grievous injuries after his motorcycle hit a cow in the city on Friday.
The incident occurred on Vayalur Road near Bishop Heber College when he was returning home from his workplace at a private metal shop. Passersby, who saw the accident, came to his rescue and sent him to a private hospital for treatment. Though his condition is reported to be stable, the incident has once again brought the focus on cattle menace, which is posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians. Residents feel let down by the Tiruchi Corporation as there is no improvement in curbing the menace even more than a year after imposing restrictions on rearing cattle in the city.
There were provisions to impound the cattle found on city roads besides imposing hefty fine. The issue had time and again rocked the Corporation Council on many occasions. Cutting across party lines, councillors had voiced their concern over ensuring safety of road users.
The stray cattle menace is said to have led to loss of three persons in the last one year. One incident was reported on Tiruchi-Pudukottai Road near airport. Another was on Bharathiar Road in Cantonment. Yet, the problem persists. Cows and goats continue to roam freely in the city. Since there is no tough action, the number of cattle on roads including busy roads seems to be on the rise. The menace has been reported in almost all areas. However, areas such as Gandhi Market, which has a number of wholesale and retail vegetable shops, Vayalur Road and K.K. Nagar have been affected more. Dumping of vegetable and food waste by vegetable vendors, roadside eateries and marriage halls attracts the cattle.
Stating that sudden appearance of stray cattle on streets creates a sense of fear among road users on several occasions, K. Kannan of Srinivasa Nagar said that the corporation should take the issue seriously.
