The recent action by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) to catch stray pigs from Junglighat and Prem Nagar areas has certainly brought relief to some residents. Any effort to address the long-standing menace of stray animals deserves appreciation. However, the larger question that citizens are asking today is: why did the administration act only after the issue was strongly raised by the Ward No. 6 Councillor?
For more than a decade, residents of several localities have repeatedly complained about stray pigs roaming freely on roads, residential colonies and public spaces. The issue has been reported by local media on numerous occasions. Complaints have been submitted, concerns have been voiced and accidents as well as sanitation issues have been highlighted time and again. Yet, no sustained or serious action was visible.
If the problem existed for years, why did SVPMC suddenly become active only after political attention was drawn to the issue? Municipal governance cannot function merely in response to press conferences or public pressure. Civic bodies are expected to identify problems, formulate solutions and act proactively.
Another concern is the selective nature of the present drive. The entire focus appears to be concentrated around Ward No. 6 and adjoining areas. The stray pig menace is not confined to Junglighat and Prem Nagar alone. Areas such as Chakkargaon and several other localities continue to face similar problems. The obvious question is: who will catch the pigs in Chakkargaon and other affected areas?
More importantly, why is the campaign restricted only to pigs?
Anyone travelling through Sri Vijaya Puram can witness stray cattle, cows, goats and dogs moving freely on roads, markets and residential areas. Stray cattle create traffic hazards, damage public spaces and pose risks to motorists. Stray dogs continue to be a matter of public concern in several areas. Is SVPMC waiting for another councillor to hold a press conference before taking action against these problems as well?
A smart city cannot be built through selective enforcement or occasional drives. Civic administration must function on planning, professionalism and equal treatment of all areas. The people of Sri Vijaya Puram deserve a city that is clean, safe and free from all forms of stray animal menace.
SVPMC should therefore constitute a dedicated Special Task Force to identify, capture and rehabilitate all stray animals, including pigs, cattle, goats and dogs. A time-bound action plan should be prepared with the objective of making the city substantially free from stray animals within a month. The programme must cover every ward without discrimination and should include strict action against owners who allow their livestock to roam freely.
The unfortunate reality is that these problems have persisted for decades. Citizens continue to face the same issues year after year while solutions arrive only after public outrage. A modern municipal administration cannot function through reactive measures and symbolic drives.
The recent pig-catching campaign should therefore be seen not as the end of the problem, but as the beginning of a comprehensive city-wide effort. Sri Vijaya Puram deserves a professional, proactive and accountable municipal administration that works not after pressure is created, but before problems become crises.
