The growing presence of stray cows on suburban roads has once again emerged as a serious concern for commuters across several parts of Chennai, with residents warning that the problem, left unchecked, could lead to fatal accidents.Areas on the city’s fringes such as Pallavaram, Tambaram, Chromepet, Medavakkam, Sholinganallur, Perumbakkam, Avadi, Poonamallee and Thiruvanmiyur–ECR stretch have been witnessing frequent movement of cattle on busy arterial roads, especially during early morning and late evening hours.
Motorists say cows often lie down on poorly lit stretches or suddenly cross roads, giving little reaction time. “On the Velachery–Tambaram Road, cows sit right in the middle of the carriageway at night. You spot them only at the last second,” said Suresh Kumar, a daily commuter. “It’s not just risky for drivers, it’s dangerous for the animals too.”
Residents point out that the menace has worsened in suburban pockets due to unchecked urban sprawl, open dumping of food waste, and lack of cattle shelters. “Garbage bins overflowing with vegetable waste attract cattle. As long as food is available on roadsides, this problem will continue,” said Meenakshi, a resident of Medavakkam.
Auto drivers and two-wheeler riders say they are the most vulnerable. “Two-wheelers skid when cows suddenly move. We have seen several near-misses,” said Ravi, an auto driver from Chromepet. “If an accident happens, no one takes responsibility.”
Civic activists allege weak enforcement by local bodies. “Rules exist to penalise cattle owners who let animals loose, but enforcement is almost non-existent in suburban areas,” said G. Prabhakaran, a road safety activist. “Corporations and municipalities wake up only after a fatal accident.”
Officials of local bodies admit the challenge but cite logistical constraints. A senior civic official said, “We are conducting periodic drives to remove stray cattle, but without adequate shelters and cooperation from owners, it becomes difficult to sustain.”
Traffic police officials say cattle-related incidents have been reported intermittently. “We regularly alert civic agencies when cattle are found on major roads. Prevention requires coordinated action,” a traffic officer said.
With Chennai’s suburban roads witnessing increasing traffic volumes, residents are demanding strict action against owners who abandon cattle, better waste management, improved street lighting and dedicated cattle shelters. “This is not a minor nuisance anymore,” said a resident. “It’s a ticking time bomb on our roads.”