BBMP launches Rs 2.88-crore plan to feed chicken, rice to 5000 stray dogs
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has rolled out a Rs 2.88-crore annual programme to feed non-vegetarian meals—chicken and rice—to around 5,000 stray dogs in few areas of the city.
The civic body aims to curb the city’s rising dog bite cases, currently ranging from 500 to 1,500 per month, through this dog-feeding plan, as reported by Deccan Herald on Friday.
The BBMP will spend Rs 22 per dog per day, which includes transportation and distribution costs. The budget reportedly covers around 5,000 street dogs, including transportation costs.
“Many people find the initiative amusing, but it is not. We have consulted experts before drawing up the plan,” DH quoted BBMP Special Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore as saying. He noted that the programme would be implemented in areas with frequent dog bite incidents.
Previously, BBMP had urged citizens to voluntarily feed strays at their own expense. However, with limited public participation, the civic body decided to allocate funds directly for the programme.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. Critics argue that BBMP should focus on core civic issues rather than animal feeding. Dog lovers, however, have welcomed the initiative.
Prema Prasad, a Koramangala resident who feeds over 150 dogs daily, said it had become very expensive to feed street dogs, and BBMP’s intervention was a positive step. “So far, the civic body’s animal husbandry wing has spent money on many unnecessary activities. This is a much-needed change,” DH quoted her as saying.
“When dogs have full stomachs, conflicts are reduced. We must treat them as our own,” she said, urging BBMP to also consider providing small shelters to ensure the animals' safety and well-being.
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Pune airport runway restored after IAF aircraft snag; ops resume
Pune (PTI): The runway at Pune airport, which was temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, has now been restored and declared operational, the Air Force said on Saturday.
The authorities at the Pune International Airport had earlier said that around 10.25 pm on Friday, a fighter aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during landing, causing the runway to be blocked.
As many as 91 flights of airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa, and Air India Express, were affected due to the incident, they said.
Earlier on Friday night, the Air Force had stated that the runway at Pune airport was temporarily unavailable following an incident involving one of its fighter aircraft. The aircrew are safe, and there is no damage to civil property, it had said.
"The runway at Pune Airport, which was temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an Indian Air Force aircraft, has now been restored and declared operational. All necessary safety inspections and clearances have been completed. Operations are resuming in a phased manner," it said in a post on X.
Flight operations at Pune airport are being gradually restored. The situation has been brought under control with the highest priority given to the safety of citizens, a Defence PRO said.
