In a proactive step towards road safety and animal welfare, 150 reflective belts have been provided to be fitted on stray cattle freely roaming the roads of Raigad district.
The initiative aims to reduce the risk of accidents, especially during low visibility hours at night. The belts were provided by social worker Rakesh Shinde. "These belts will soon be affixed to stray cows in the region, starting with high-risk areas. Similar measures are also being considered for stray dogs, as part of a broader animal safety and urban mobility initiative," said a resident Sagar Dahimkar.
Increasing road accidents and traffic disruption caused by stray cattle in Roha and nearby areas have sparked concerns among local residents. Citizens have reported frequent incidents where stray cows roam freely on major roads posing a serious risk to motorists, especially two-wheeler riders.
Key trouble spots identified include Roha-Kolad Road, Ambevadi, Mahabale Pala, Om Namah Shivay Mangal Karyalay area, MIDC Stop, and surrounding junctions.
Commuters say that these cattle often wander onto busy roads, lie in the middle of highways, or suddenly dart across, leading to accidents.
Local authorities and citizen volunteers are expected to collaborate in implementing the reflective belt initiative, with plans to scale up the project if found successful.
