Chennai: Stray cattle have now become an increasingly common sight at medians, blocking traffic, or ambling through rush-hour lanes across Tambaram, said residents.Officials estimate that at least 300 heads of cattle roam on roads across the corporation limits including at East Tambaram, Chitlapakkam, Pallavaram, Hasthinapuram, Bharat Nagar, and the Velachery–Tambaram Main Road. Tambaram corporation says nearly 800 heads of cattle were impounded in 2025, with fines totalling 4.5 lakh collected from owners. In Jan and Feb, another 200 were caught. Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachander said the civic body has expanded its operations to curb the problem. “We have increased the number of cattle-catching vehicles from three to five, and drives are being conducted regularly,” he said, adding, “A cattle pound at West Tambaram is nearing completion and can accommodate about 150 heads of cattle. More such facilities will come up this year.” But residents say the efforts aren’t helping as the number of stray cattle has spiked since 2024, frequently causing traffic disruptions and posing risks to commuters and pedestrians. “More than 50 accidents have been reported at Pallavaram and Chromepet in recent months because of stray cattle,” said V Saritha, secretary of Ganesh Nagar residents’ welfare association. During peak hours, herds can be seen near the east entrance of the Tambaram railway station, residents said. “It’s not just cattle. The civic agency has failed to contain stray dog menace too,” said M Gandhi, president of the Pallavaram residents’ welfare association. “Last year, Supreme Court directed the corporation to remove strays from public places such as bus stops, hospitals, and railway stations. But we still see aggressive dogs roaming around,” he said.
