Chennai: On Thursday, 20-year-old Dinesh was riding along Camp Road when a cow suddenly strayed onto the road. He braked hard, but his motorcycle skidded on the mud-covered stretch, throwing him off the vehicle. He escaped with minor injuries. For commuters in Tambaram, such near-misses have become routine.Tambaram city municipal corporation is struggling to tackle a growing stray cattle problem. Officials estimate that at least 600 cattle roam the city’s roads every day. East Tambaram, Selaiyur, Camp Road, Thiruvanchery, Chitlapakkam and Velachery-Tambaram Main Road are among the worst-affected stretches, with cattle frequently occupying roads, junctions and pavements, slowing traffic and posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians.Officials said around 200 stray cattle were impounded and shifted to a private gaushala till June this year. However, unlike Greater Chennai Corporation, Tambaram does not maintain accurate data on cattle population as the animals regularly move between corporation limits and neighbouring village panchayats, making sustained enforcement difficult.Residents said the number of stray cattle has nearly doubled since 2024, leading to frequent traffic disruptions, damage to roadside greenery and increased accident risk. Cattle are often seen feeding from garbage heaps and resting on pavements, forcing pedestrians onto busy carriageways.Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachander said, “The number of cattle-catching vehicles was increased from three to five, and corporation officials have organised regular drives. The cattle pound is under construction and will soon be completed.”M Gandhi, president of the Pallavaram residents’ welfare association said many cattle in Pallavaram were falling ill after feeding on waste from garbage bins, including plastic. “Despite numerous complaints, no proper action has been taken by the corporation officials,” he said.T Krishnan, a Chitlapakkam resident, said the corporation should create awareness among cattle owners while strengthening enforcement. “Instead of only fining the owners, an extensive awareness drive should be conducted to educate them about the hazards stray cattle pose to the public,” he said, adding that the private gaushala where captured cattle are housed lacks adequate facilities.
