Hazaribag: Frequent deaths of stray cattle in road accidents along the Grand Trunk Road (NH-19) in Hazaribag’s Chauparan block have raised concerns over the safety of motorists and animals.Residents said cattle are run over almost every week on different stretches of the highway, particularly near the accident-prone Danua Valley. Recent reports have also documented repeated crashes and fatalities along the stretch.Stray cattle often gather on the highway at night, during cold weather and when it rains, apparently drawn to the warmth of the road surface, residents said. With trucks, trailers and other commercial vehicles travelling at high speeds, drivers often fail to spot the animals in time, leading to fatal collisions.The animals also pose a serious risk to commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders. Vehicles trying to avoid them are often forced to swerve suddenly, increasing the risk of crashes. Such incidents also disrupt traffic and can leave motorists injured, residents said.Local residents and social organisations have urged the district administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to launch a sustained drive to remove stray cattle from the highway and relocate them to the Hazaribag gaushala or other designated shelters.Chauparan police station officer-in-charge Pankaj Kumar appealed to livestock owners to keep their animals secured and prevent them from wandering onto the highway.“Danua Valley is already an accident-prone stretch. The presence of stray cattle on the road significantly increases the chances of serious crashes,” Kumar said.“The safety of both people and animals depends on public cooperation. A small act of responsibility by cattle owners can save lives and prevent major accidents,” he added.
