Bhubaneswar, Sep 18: In a bid to enhance road safety and address the growing threat posed by stray cattle on highways, the Odisha government has unveiled an integrated action plan aimed at protecting both human lives and animal welfare.
A high-level meeting chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport Department, was held on Thursday to formulate a mission-mode strategy targeting animal-vehicle collisions—a growing concern across the state.
Stray cattle have increasingly become a serious road safety issue. Data highlights the urgency: Odisha recorded 952 accidents and 521 deaths due to animal-vehicle collisions in 2022; 1,168 accidents and 643 deaths in 2023; and 903 accidents and 437 deaths so far in 2024. Between 2022 and August 2025, 331 animals were also killed in such incidents.
To tackle this, the plan links identified stretches of National Highways with nearby Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for implementation of fencing, cattle control, and sheltering through existing and new Goshalas (cow shelters). Key measures include:
Identification of accident-prone zones with high stray animal presence
Strengthening existing Goshalas
Partnering with NGOs, with support from the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) Department
Erecting fences and installing controlled cattle crossing systems
Promoting public awareness through branding, signage, and information systems
Usha Padhee underscored that stray cattle are not just a civic issue but a serious threat to human safety. “Odisha is committed to a humane, coordinated, and technology-driven approach to make roads safer and preserve animal dignity,” she said.
This pioneering model integrates engineering interventions like fencing and cattle grids, enforcement measures such as impounding and fines, mobile veterinary care, and institutional support to tackle the issue holistically.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Vijay Amruta Kulange, along with representatives from NHAI and the Odisha Police.
