Cattle menace at Koyambedu market worries customers and traders alike

CHENNAI: Stray cattle inside the Koyambedu wholesale market has become a perennial issue for the past few years. Though the civic body authorities carry out drives to catch and impound the animals, the cattle owners are least bothered and continue to allow their cattle to roam everywhere. The cattle moving around on the roads are often seen obstructing the public and also the traffic.

“Hundreds of cattle roam inside the market, but the Corporation catches only 10 cattle every week, just an eye wash for the public and traders. Due to this, our business has been severely impacted in the market. The animals cause roadblocks inside the market and it causes inconvenience for the customers while purchasing,” said K Ganesh, a trader at the wholesale market.

“Only when accidents are reported in the city, would the Corporation act immediately against the issue. If not, the officials concerned are least bothered. If the officials can control the cattle for a few days, why cannot they continue the drive regularly,” added Ganesh.

Normally seen are the cows grazing on vegetables that are dumped inside the market. And it has not been cleaned for the past few weeks causing inconvenience to the public.

Traders say that people purchase vegetables from the retail vendors outside the market, fearing cattle would harm them.

“We are tired of filing complaints to the market management committee, and no action has been taken. Whenever a complaint is raised to the civic body authorities, they indulge in a blame game pointing fingers at the management. And when the garbage is not being cleaned for several days, it becomes a breeding ground for the mosquitoes,” said R Muthukumar, another wholesale trader.

A senior Corporation official mentioned that the drive to catch cattle is being carried out regularly.

The owners are instructed to ensure the cows are kept in their shelters and do not cause a nuisance to the public.