Residents of Udhagamandalam have urged the District Collector to initiate steps to tackle the cattle menace in the town.

In an appeal to Innocent Divya, the residents said a large number of cows, goats and horses move around freely in important junctions including Commercial Street, Main Bazar, Lower Bazar, Edinsons Road and Botanical Gardens hindering traffic movement.

“A similar situation existed few years ago. The administration then started levying penalty of Rs. 500 and issuing tokens to the owners of the animals that were moving around in the roads.

The situation improved. However, now a large number of cattle are being spotted in the main roads causing hardship to motorists and general public,” they said and appealed to the Collector and Municipal Commissioner to take action in this regard.