Citizen Connect: Motorists, pedestrians vie for space as buffaloes take over Narayanaswamy Street in Pallavaram

The local bodies have been warning of imposing penalties on cattle owners who let the animals out on public road, causing problems for motorists and pedestrians. However, that does not seem to have dissuaded the cattle owners in Pallavaram, where the residents are complaining about buffaloes roaming on the streets.

According to residents on Narayanaswamy Street, the animals occupying road space coupled with bad condition of the road is making it difficult for them to negotiate the stretch. However, despite repeated complaints, the local body officials have not taken any action to resolve the issue, they added.

“As buffaloes occupy most of the space at a particular spot on the street, motorists find it difficult to negotiate the spot. It is even more difficult in the night because there are only very few streetlights in the area,” said S Govindarajan, who runs a petty shop on the street.

The continuing dumping of garbage on the road isattracting the animals, he said, adding that there were a large number of stray dogs on the street due to this.

It becomes worse during rains for motorists and pedestrians, as the road becomes slushy.

S Kanakavalli, a vegetable vendor, said she started to avoid the street these days due to fear of cattle and stray dogs. S Rajesh Kumar, a Class 12 who resides on the street agreed with her, narrating how street dogs chase him when he returns home at night after tuition classes.

When asked, a senior official at Pallavaram Municipality said cattle roaming on the street has proven to be a challenging issue to tackle. They have been imposing fine on owners for letting cattle roam on the street, said the official, pointing out that they have slapped fines on nearly a dozen cattle owners last year. But that has not prevented them from doing so, he admitted.

In view of a large number of complaints that are reaching them, the municipality has decided to form a special team to tackle the issue immediately. “The team will keep monitoring continuously and will give report for further action,” the official added.