For ‘Smart’ Kashi, high-quality cow shelter planned

NEW DELHI: Stray cows on the streets of Varanasi will be moved to a 10-acre 'gaushala' outside the city, as part of a plan to develop PM Modi's constituency into a 'smart city'. A special purpose vehicle —Varanasi Smart City Ltd (VSCL) — will invest nearly Rs 11 crore for constructing 'gaushala' on the banks of the Ganga in Chhitauni village, about 14 km from the city. To be named 'Kanha Upvan', the 'gaushala' will house cows in "stress-free conditions" in "ethologically designed shelters". It is likely to be ready by year-end.

"Varanasi performs poorly in city liveability index and infrastructure services," says a VSCL document, which was reviewed by ET. "One of the major problems in Varanasi city is stray cattle."

VSCL was formed after the Centre included Varanasi in the 'smart city' list in 2016. As per VSCL, the objective is to decongest Varanasi of stray cattle and make it a safer and healthier habitable space for residents, while providing a natural and hygienic space to cows where they will be provided proper shelter and feed.

"Stray cattle...have become a serious problem," says the VSCL document. "The situation turns all the more worse at night when it becomes difficult for drivers to spot stray animals. Most cows roaming in the streets of Varanasi are not healthy.

They feed on garbage and leftovers. This may lead to serious health ailments and chances of infections in other animals and humans alike." The plan hence is to build a proper shelter for at least 450 cattle outside the core city limits where the stray cattle will be accommodated in clean and natural environment, fed proper green and dry fodder in recommended quantity, provided adequate open as well as sheltered areas in "stress free and close to natural conditions".