Odisha Unveils Action Plan to Tackle Stray Cattle Menace on Roads

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has charted out a comprehensive action plan to address the growing menace of stray cattle on highways and urban roads, aiming to safeguard both commuters and animals. A high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, Usha Padhee, was convened today to deliberate on integrated measures for road safety and animal welfare.

Stray cattle have emerged as a significant safety concern across the state, contributing to hundreds of accidents and fatalities each year. According to official data, 952 accidents and 521 deaths were reported in 2022, rising to 1,168 accidents and 643 deaths in 2023. In 2024, 903 accidents and 437 deaths were attributed to animal-vehicle collisions. Between 2022 and August 2025, as many as 331 animals also lost their lives in such incidents.

The meeting emphasized a mission-mode strategy that connects identified NHAI stretches with nearby Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to implement fencing, cattle-control systems, and sheltering through both existing and new goshalas. Key focus areas included identifying accident-prone stretches with high stray cattle presence, strengthening goshalas, and forging partnerships with NGOs under the guidance of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) Department. Proposals also included controlled cattle crossing systems, improved fencing, and public awareness drives to build accountability.

Padhee stressed that stray cattle on roads are not just a civic inconvenience but a life-threatening hazard, requiring an integrated response. “Odisha is committed to a coordinated, humane, and technology-enabled approach that ensures safety for commuters and dignity for animals,” she said. She further added that the state’s initiative is among the first integrated models in the country, combining engineering solutions like fencing, signage, and cattle grids with enforcement measures such as impounding and penalties, alongside veterinary support through mobile healthcare units.

The meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Arindam Dakua, Director Municipal Administration (HUD Department), Vijay Amruta Kulange, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, as well as representatives from NHAI and Odisha Police.

The state government’s move is expected to significantly reduce accidents caused by animal-vehicle collisions while strengthening animal care infrastructure, reflecting Odisha’s dual commitment to road safety and animal welfare.