Dhanbad, Sept. 8: The municipality office in Dhanbad has failed to catch a single stray cattle though the special officer of the municipality Geeta Ram, had expressed the body?s intention to do so on 3 September.

According to Ram, stray cattle, such as cows, buffaloes and oxen on the road, had become a menace for residents. To deal with this, a cattle pond had been established, near the Hirapur Children?s Park.

It was hoped the cattle pond would help in eliminating road accidents, caused by animals wandering on the roads.

The plan stated that cattle owners would have to pay a fine of Rs 100 if their animals were found on the roads and an allowance of Rs 50 per day would be charged, as care allowance for the animal.

The authorities hoped that this arrangement would prove effective in minimising traffic disruptions and accidents.

Approximately 125 sweepers working with the municipality in Dhanbad have been entrusted with the additional task of ensnaring stray cattle on the roads.

After public came to know about the municipality?s special drive, they were expecting that they would not have to slow down their cars because of wandering cattle on busy roads.

Unfortunately this has not happened, according to the accounts of those who continue to face the ordeal.

The cattle owners had appeared to be relaxed due to a strike call in the wake of delay in panchayat elections, as they had expected the town to wear a deserted look. The strike however had little impact.

The department?s plans have invited further cynicism, as the drive has been announced without proper facilities put in place.

The special officer of the Dhanbad municipality, Geeta Ram said he did not have information about the number of cattle caught in the first two days of the drive.

But as a face-saver, he told the sanitary inspector of the municipality in Hirapur circle while talking to The Telegraph that said his men had caught two cows and brought them to the cattle pond, but were set free once the cattle owners came and pleaded with them.

The sweepers, working under the sanitary inspector at Hirapur circle, who had assembled in the office for attendance around 2 pm, said a cow was brought to the cattle pond yesterday, but it had escaped as the pond did not have proper fencing.

Sanitary inspector Ramesh Kumar said although the drive is on, his department had not issued any guidelines or funds towards the upkeep of the animals caught in the drive.

?Any detention of animals, without proper facilities, may give birth to greater complications,? added Kumar.