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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Prayagraj plans largest animal birth control, anti-rabies drive
Sangam city is set to launch its largest-ever animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) drive to tackle the growing menace of stray dogs in urban areas. Newly constructed Animal Birth Control Centre in Rasulabad area of Prayagraj . (HT PHOTO) From high-end colonies to densely populated localities, the stray dog issue has become a daily concern for residents. Municipal authorities admit a steady rise in dog bite cases and road accidents involving stray animals, heightening public concern—especially children and senior citizens. According to some estimates, more than 700 dog bite cases occur daily within the city limits of Prayagraj alone. New infrastructure to support ABC-ARV efforts In a proactive move, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set up an Animal Birth Control Centre in Rasulabad. A second facility in the same area has recently been completed and is scheduled to begin sterilization and vaccination operations starting August, said officials. Constructed by the Construction and Design Services (C&DS) wing of Jal Nigam at a cost of ₹1.85 crore, the new center includes modern amenities such as an operation theatre, pet salon, kennels, community kitchen, park, pet shop, office, preparation room, dormitory, and pantry. 'The center is capable of sterilising up to 32 animals per day,' said Rohit Kumar Rana, project manager, C&DS. Targeting 75% of stray dog population As part of its broader strategy, PMC is initiating a citywide ABC-ARV campaign, aiming to cover 75% of the estimated 1.13 lakh stray dogs in the next six years. The municipal corporation has already started the tendering process through a Request for Proposal (RFP) to bring onboard a qualified agency or NGO to implement the project. 'This initiative is critical to ensure the safety and well-being of city residents,' said Dr Vijay Amritraj, veterinary and animal welfare officer, PMC. 'We plan to sterilise and vaccinate the stray dog population in a phased and systematic manner.' Annual goals and standards To meet the programme's objectives, around 18,000 surgeries will need to be performed annually within PMC limits, including providing adequate post-operative care. All procedures will follow standards prescribed by the Animal Welfare Board of India. As of now, 4,540 dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated in Prayagraj, according to municipal data. Role of implementing agency The selected agency or NGO will be required to deploy: At least two qualified veterinary doctors (each with experience in 500+ ABC-ARV surgeries), four paravets, four dog catchers and drivers for designated dog vans. While PMC will provide the dog vans, the operating agency will bear all operational, maintenance, fuel, repair, and wage costs. All dog bite cases must be reported to the nearest government hospital. The implementing agency must also maintain a mortality rate below 0.5%, with evaluations conducted after every 500 surgeries, said officials.
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Back to glory: Literary Park to celebrate Prayagraj's rich legacy
In a move to preserve and promote Prayagraj as a centre of literary and cultural heritage, a dedicated literary park is all set to come up in Sangam city soon. Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, was once known as the influential centre of literary creativity in Hindi and Urdu. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has already initiated the process in this regard, and the Construction and Design Services (C&DS) division of Jal Nigam has been designated as the implementation agency for this project, said officials. The proposed park would come up near the existing Shivalaya Park in the Arail area of Prayagraj, and the land for it has already been identified. Being constructed over two-and-a-half acres of land, the park would come up at a cost of over ₹12.03 crore. The funds have been sanctioned, and the first installment of over ₹6.01 crore has been released. 'The park's construction will start in June and will be completed within a year,' said Rohit Kumar Rana, project manager, C&DS. Prayagraj has been known not only as a religious city but also for its literary and cultural heritage. It has a rich literary history, serving as a major centre for Hindi and Urdu literature, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. It has been home to many literary giants and has a strong tradition of book-reading and literary events. Many prominent writers, including Munshi Premchand, Mahadevi Varma, Sumitranandan Pant, Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala', Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Upendra Nath 'Ashk', and Harivansh Rai Bachchan, are associated with Prayagraj. But in the last few decades, not much effort has been made to develop or conserve it, concede officials. The construction of a literary park is an effort in this very direction so that local citizens and tourists can get information about this heritage, they maintain. C&DS project manager Rohit Kumar Rana said that first, a Saraswati Pavilion will be constructed in the park, in which statues of 16 major Hindi litterateurs will be installed. A Triveni Amphitheatre will also be constructed here, where cultural events will be held. There will be a huge library-cum-convention hall inside the park, which will have a collection of literature created by these litterateurs and their memories, he explained. The official said that there will also be a book-selling centre inside this park so that literature lovers can buy the books of the noted litterateurs to take with them. There will also be a kids' zone for children in the park. A food plaza will also be constructed for snacks and beverages like tea, coffee, fruit juices, and soft drinks, he added.
