Delhi's 25,000 stray cattle overwhelm
Delhi's civic body says over 25,000 cattle roam the streets, with existing shelters over capacity, and is urgently seeking five new large facilities to
More than 25,000 stray cattle are estimated to be on the streets of Delhi, according to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's veterinary department. The city's four government-sanctioned cow shelters are already holding more animals than their combined capacity of 19,838.
Officials told the civic body's standing committee that at least five new large shelters are urgently needed. Each would need a capacity for 4,000 to 5,000 animals. Field teams currently pick up 50 to 60 stray cattle daily, but drives are sometimes halted due to a lack of space.
Shelters packed beyond limits
The four operational shelters are located on the city's outskirts. A senior official told the Hindustan Times that all are over capacity. The situation is particularly bad in Narela.
| Shelter Location | Reported Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Surhera (Dabur Hare Krishna) | 4,933 cows |
| Rewla Khanpur (Manav Gausadan) | 2,982 cows |
| Harewali (Gopal Gosadan) | Above capacity |
| Bawana (Sri Krishna) | Above capacity |
"We have written multiple times that more space for cattle is needed, but no new unit has been opened since then," a second official said. The animal husbandry department holds the mandate to develop shelters under the Delhi Agriculture Cattle Preservation Act.
Accidents and urban pollution
The stray cattle are linked to traffic disruptions and accidents. In June, a cow severely injured a child and a rescuer in Tughlakabad Extension. Days later, a cow attacked a councillor in Mandawali. Two men died in separate incidents involving stray bulls in March 2025.
These animals, once confined to outer areas, now idle on roads and expressways. They feed on garbage near trash collection points and roadside shrubs, including in central Delhi. Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma said their presence affects traffic and increases accident risks. The problem is also linked to illegal dairies that have not moved to planned colonies.
Stalled expansion plans
Despite a Delhi government announcement last year to build a shelter in each of the 13 districts, not a single new facility has opened. Sites were identified at seven locations, but no progress followed. Six shelters were set up in the late 1990s. One was closed early, and another, the Acharya Sushil Muni Gaushala, shut in 2018 due to mismanagement and high cow mortality.
Under the current system, the MCD's veterinary department catches stray cattle and hands them to shelters approved by the animal husbandry department. The government pays 40 rupees daily for each stray cow's upkeep, 20 rupees from the MCD and 20 from the Delhi government. Shelter operators have complained of pending payments and rising costs.
Sharma said a letter would be written to the Delhi government seeking land for new shelters so cattle can be shifted off the streets.
