Lessons from Triplicane: Will cow sheds solve Chennai’s stray cattle problem?

Chennai’s stray cattle problem persists despite a planned expansion of cow sheds. An existing shelter in Triplicane is overwhelmed, raising concerns.

While the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has pitched cow sheds as an alternative to imposing fines on cattle owners for letting the animals roam the streets freely, Triplicane residents have expressed concern that this move might not help stop the menace entirely.

The GCC plans to construct and upgrade existing cattle sheds with a budget of around ₹12 crore.

“A shed set up in 2015 under the MRTS tracks in Triplicane now has over 400 cows. Yet, there are nearly 100 cows that continue to roam on the streets of Triplicane. The shelter has adequate food and water facilities for the cattle,” said a GCC worker. When asked why this issue persists despite the amenity, a civic body worker said it was because the owners had increased the number of cows. “They tie up the old cows in the shed, but the younger ones are out on the streets,” he added.

T.J. Ramani, a resident of Triplicane for 67 years, said the GCC must not prolong the construction and launch of sheds. “There should be a study in Triplicane to set up one more cow shed, since this has been an issue that has plagued us for years,” he suggested.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran said, “Since the imposition of fines alone has not helped curtail the stray cattle menace, new sheds were proposed. The council’s approval of standard operating procedure (SOP) for the new sheds will be sought this month.”

In 2024, the GCC caught 2,627 stray cattle and collected ₹1.31 crore in fines. Data provided by the civic body’s Public Health department shows that no cattle owner has been fined ₹15,000 yet, despite being caught allowing their cows to roam freely and unattended on the streets more than once. The fine for the first instance is ₹10,000.

Mayor R. Priya, at the council meeting in December 2024, stated that cattle sheds were built following discussions with owners and associations. She said, if owners lack space, they may use the sheds for a stipulated charge. Owners can house and feed their cattle in these sheds. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for SOPs will soon be signed with the stakeholders for these facilities, she added.