To bring down the stray dog numbers in the areas under its jurisdiction, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plans to construct the largest dog sterilisation centre in the sub-city soon.
According to Kamaljeet Sehrawat, mayor of SDMC and resident of the sub-city, the centre is set to constructed in Sector 24, Dwarka. Sehrawat said, “The centre will be equipped with the latest technology, and CCTV cameras will monitor every procedure. We need accountability if we want results, and the CCTV cameras will check any irregularities in the process.”
The centre will aim to sterilise 90,000 dogs in a year. "The centre will carry out steriilsation for about 80 dogs every day, as opposed to the 35-40 a day that other centres are equipped to handle. We have a target to get control the stray dog population in two years from the time the centre becomes operational.”
RWAs, residents, social organisations and other resident bodies have welcomed the proposal.
President of Dwarka Forum, Rejimon CK, said, “Any decision or proposal that helps better the civic situation is welcome. We appreciate SDMC's proposal of building a fully accountable dog sterilisation centre and hope it brings about some change to the situation."
Vishal Gupta, treasurer of Lovely Home Apartments in Sector 5, said, “We hope this initiative by SDMC will bring results. Dwarka needs such initiatives to improve the civic condition.”
Dwarka has been facing the problem of an increased number of stray dogs. Residents also allege that the number of dog-bite cases have gone up. If an effective sterilisation programme is put in place by SDMC, a lot of these issues could be solved. However, how much of it actually translates to results is yet to be seen.
