Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A dispute between Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and an NGO has triggered an acute shortage of veterinary doctors at Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in the city.
The issue stems from the abrupt withdrawal of services by the NGO managing the Kajlikheda ABC centre in February, leaving BMC scrambling to manage operations.
Currently, Bhopal has three ABC centres—Karariya, Adampur and Kajlikheda—which collectively sterilise nearly 20,000 stray dogs every year. These centres function with NGO partnerships, but the Kajlikheda fallout has forced the BMC to divert limited manpower. As a temporary solution, Dr. Saurabh, who was already heading the Karariya centre, has been given additional charge of the Kajlikheda unit.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare activists and pet lovers, who question the feasibility of one vet managing two high-demand centres. Concerns over post-operative care, rising dog fatalities, and overall mismanagement are being raised loudly.
‘Arrangement temporary’
Dr. D.P. Singh, in-charge of all ABC centres under BMC, has refuted these allegations. Speaking to Free Press, he said that the arrangement is temporary, intended to sustain sterilisation work and control costs until new systems are in place.
BMC is currently in the process of inviting fresh tenders for all three existing centres and is also planning to add six more ABC centres across the city. A funding proposal of ?15.2 crore has already been submitted to the central government.
According to Dr. Singh, a final decision regarding the new tenders and expansion plans is expected after an online review meeting post-May 10.
ABC Centre Crisis
Current centres: Karariya, Adampur, Kajlikheda
Annual sterilisations: 20,000 stray dogs
NGO exit: Kajlikheda, Feb 2025
Stopgap solution: 1 vet handling 2 centres
Planned expansion: 6 new centres
Funds requested: 15.2 crore
Decision timeline: After May 10
