NHAI To Curb Movement Of Stray Cattle On Highway
Stray animals to be identified with special tags and heavy fines imposed on their owners: Reports
NALGONDA: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with central and state departments of roads, is taking up measures to prevent road accidents due to stray cattle on national highways and expressways in erstwhile Nalgonda district.
As part of a standard operating system (SOP), owners of the cattle straying on roads would be identified through a special tag and heavy penalty imposed on them.
The National Highway 65 passes through Choutuppal, Narketpally, Nakrekal, Suryapet, and Kodad. Expressways and state highways also pass through Miryalaguda, Bhongir, Devarakonda, and Nalgonda in Telangana.
During 2025–206, a total of 385 cattle, 153 in Nalgonda, 103 in Yadadri-Bhongir, and 129 in Suryapet, had died in road accidents. Vehicles and passengers involved in the accident have also suffered some major fatalities.
Cattle come on to highways as their owners leave them free for grazing. The greenery developed on the median of highways also attracts cattle.
According to NHAI authorities, roads where movement of stray cattle is frequent will also be identified and markings placed to warn the users of the road.
In addition, as per the SOP, NHAI will load these stray animals on vehicles and get them shifted to cattle shelters maintained by state and local authorities. Cattle owners will have to pay penalties to reclaim their cattle under the Cattle Trespass Act of 1871.
