Balangir: Stray cattle continue to rule the streets of the town causing inconvenience to residents whereas the only shelter home for stray cattle managed by the municipality lies abandoned for the last several years.

Town residents alleged that though they had lodged complaint with the Balangir Municipality several times, nothing has been done to solve their problem.

Sources said that stray cattle - such as cows, bulls and buffaloes - roam around freely on the streets of the town causing inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters and also causing traffic problems. The issue has now attained menacing proportion as the streets of the town often witness bull fighting in the middle of the roads, causing panic among people and accidents at times.

Though the problem is there in almost all areas of the town, the problem is most acute on roads from the government bus stand to Rajendra College Chowk, from Samaleswari Temple Chowk to daily market and from the government bus stand to Palace Line via private bus stand. As there are several fruit and vegetable shops near the government bus stand, the animals flock there is large numbers causing inconvenience to the people there.

Sarthak Mishra, a resident of Rajendra College Chowk area, said that the animals block the roads in several parts in the locality.

"The road to Rajendra College Chowk is one of the busiest roads in the town as the college and the district collectorate fall on the route. Every day, when I return home from the government bus stand, I need to get down from my vehicle several times to drive away the animals. Sometimes, they also cause accidents," he said.

Sampad Tripathy of Palace Line area said that the municipality must take steps to revive the stray animal shelter. "Stray cattle menace has reached an alarming proportion in the town. The municipality must take initiatives to revive the shelter home of the stray cattle. Only this can solve the problem," he said.

Executive officer of Balangir Municipality Bipin Deep admitted that town residents were suffering from the stray cattle menace.

"We will soon take steps to curb the problem. We will also take steps to revive the shelter home that is now lying abandoned," Deep said.