Bhanjanagar ,18th Sept 2025: For the past few months, the roads of Bhanjanagar town have been increasingly obstructed by cattle roaming freely, creating traffic congestion and becoming a hazard for emergency vehicles. This has led to significant public inconvenience and disrupted the movement of vehicles providing essential services.
As National Highway 24 and State Highways pass through the heart of Bhanjanagar, hundreds of small and large vehicles, including goods carriers, move through daily. However, many of the town’s roads and lanes are frequently blocked by cattle lying on the streets for extended periods, resulting in traffic jams and even accidents.
Despite regular police checks on errant vehicle drivers, road obstructions by domestic animals have become a serious issue. In some cases, bullfights on the roads have led to damage of vehicles and property loss.
Recently, a near-miss incident occurred near the Bhanjanagar bus stand, where a cow suddenly appeared in front of a bus traveling from Bhubaneswar to Sorada. Fortunately, the driver managed to avoid a collision. The locals, police, and media personnel rescued the cow and ensured it received medical treatment. However, no owner came forward, which sparked public outrage.
In light of these incidents, the Bhanjanagar Notified Area Council (NAC) has taken strict action. The NAC is now using loudspeakers to spread awareness, advising owners to not leave their cattle loose on roads and to keep them tied or confined.
The NAC Executive Officer, Murali Krishna Panda, warned that:
> “If cattle are found roaming on roads after seven days, the NAC will seize and relocate all such animals. Legal action will also be initiated against the owners.”
This firm stance aims to ensure safer roads, uninterrupted traffic flow, and accountability among cattle owners.