Gurugram continues to grapple with a persistent stray cattle crisis, topping Haryana with 6,153 animals still roaming its roads as of January 1, 2026 — the highest among all municipalities in the state.
This comes despite the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) catching 5,387 stray cattle between August 2024 and December 2025 under an ongoing relocation drive. However, official data shows that removal operations alone have not been enough to solve the problem.
Relocation vs Reality
While two designated cow shelters are operational in the city, many stray cattle reportedly belong to dairy operators who release them during the day and retrieve them at night. Enforcement against such owners remains limited.
During the 17-month drive, only 24 challans were issued, and about ₹2.78 lakh in fines were collected — figures that indicate minimal penal action compared to the scale of the issue.
Across Haryana, authorities caught nearly 49,507 stray cattle, yet 19,206 animals remain on roads statewide, with only eight municipalities declared cattle-free so far.
Traffic Hazards & Public Safety Concerns
Stray cattle continue to pose serious risks, especially along arterial roads like the Gurugram–Faridabad highway, where commuters report frequent close calls. The issue has been linked to fatal accidents in the past, prompting the MCG to warn dairy operators of FIRs and fines for violations.
Officials have set an ambitious target to make Gurugram stray cattle-free by the end of 2026. However, residents argue that without strict accountability measures against owners, the goal may remain more symbolic than achievable.
As relocation drives continue, the larger question remains: Can enforcement match intent before more lives are put at risk?
