PUNE: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the escalating menace of stray cattle on public roads and the rising number of fatal accidents resulting from it. In a significant directive, the Apex Court has urged the Centre and all State Governments to strictly enforce existing regulations, establish robust preventive mechanisms, and formulate a comprehensive scheme to compensate victims of such accidents.
The ruling holds immense relevance for urban and rural pockets across Pune, including major highways and internal municipal limits, where stray cattle wandering or sitting on busy thoroughfares have become a persistent hazard. Commuters and motorists frequently face severe risks, often leading to tragic collisions, injuries, and fatalities. With the Supreme Court mandating state accountability and victim compensation, local civic bodies, municipal authorities, and law enforcement agencies in Pune are expected to crack down heavily on unauthorized cattle owners and step up stray management.
Key Facts:
Judicial Intervention: The Supreme Court has taken strict cognizance of road safety hazards caused by unchecked stray cattle on public roads.
Mandatory Compensation: States have been directed to put in place a formal scheme to ensure financial compensation for citizens injured or killed in cattle-related accidents. Stricter Enforcement: Authorities are tasked with enforcing existing laws rigorously and fixing accountability on owners who abandon or release cattle onto public spaces.
