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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
BBMP to float tender for stray dog microchipping project, for third time
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to float a tender for the third time to microchip stray dogs, even as a charitable trust has moved the High Court to challenge the project. The matter is currently sub judice. According to the tender proposal, the project is estimated to cost ₹3.23 crore. Of this, ₹3.09 crore is allocated for procuring 1,62,817 microchips and ₹14.85 lakh is set aside for purchasing 50 microchip readers. A BBMP official overseeing the project explained that each microchip, measuring around 1–1.5 mm, will be injected into the first layer of a dog's skin near the neck using a hypodermic needle. This procedure will be carried out by specialists working under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. As the official noted, the selected contractor will be required to procure the microchips, which are not manufactured in India, and also provide software for storing and managing the associated data. 'Procurement will take place in phases as we complete implanting the previously procured microchips. We will inform the contractor in advance, and they will be responsible for supplying the next batch,' the official told The Hindu, adding that while there is no fixed deadline, the project is expected to be completed within one or two years. The contractor is also required to provide software services, which the BBMP will access for free for a period of one year. After that, the contractor will submit an annual cost estimate, and the BBMP will subscribe accordingly. According to BBMP officials, only two known contractors, one from Gujarat and one from Mumbai, currently meet the eligibility criteria. Suralkar Vikas Kishor, Special Commissioner (Health and Animal Husbandry), BBMP, stated that the first tender, floated in February last year, received no bids. A second tender was issued later that year and awarded to a contractor, but he failed to meet the software service requirements specified in the tender. Meanwhile, the BBMP conducted a pilot project in which microchips were implanted in 500 stray dogs. An audit conducted 15 days later showed no adverse effects on the dogs, and the chips functioned effectively, according to Mr. Kishor. Each microchip will contain a GPS tracker and a Unique Identification Number (UIN), enabling BBMP officials to locate microchipped dogs. The UIN will store data, including vaccination details, the dog's location, and photographs, all of which will be stored on a server accessible via the software. Animal rights activist Arun Prasad called the project illegal. 'ABC rules do not permit the implantation of microchips in free-roaming stray dogs. They only allow private dog owners to microchip their pets for identification purposes,' said Mr. Prasad. A Bengaluru-based charitable trust has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging the project. The case is currently under judicial consideration.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
BBMP clears doubts on midday meal for dogs
BENGALURU: Will street dogs be fed biryani? How can dogs be given chicken? Why can't the dogs be caught and kept in animal shelters? What is the benefit of the feeding programme? Why is BBMP spending taxpayers' money on feeding dogs? Will feeding increase the stray dog population? These are some of the questions asked by citizens after Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced it would feed stray dogs. Bangalore Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath questioned how the civic body can feed them chicken, and whether BBMP would be able to feed dogs in every city street. In response, BBMP has attempted to answer the questions and criticism. Recently, BBMP floated tenders to feed around 4,000 strays one meal a day, at 11am, at nearly 100 locations. As per the BBMP's meal plan, each dog would be fed 367.5gm of chicken rice, so the streeties get around 750 calories. As per BBMP's estimate, the feeding programme would cost Rs 2.88 crore a year. Clarifying doubts on dog feeding, Special Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry department Suralkar Vikas Kishor said, 'BBMP started feeding community (street) dogs during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a continuation of that effort, food was provided to a specific number of dogs last year as well. Based on lessons learnt from that programme, this year's initiative is an improvement and is also a statutory requirement as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, notified by the Animal Welfare Board of India.' Feeding reduces aggressive behaviour and dog bites, makes it easier to catch dogs for sterilisation and vaccination, boosting the effectiveness of animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination campaigns, and reduces the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, Suralkar said.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Palike to spend Rs 3 crore to feed stray dogs chicken, rice
BENGALURU: Every dog has its day. Certainly, at least, in Bengaluru. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is set to start first-of-its kind initiative in the country in terms of dealing with stray dogs. The palike will feed around 4,000 stray dogs once a day and supply chicken and rice to avoid aggression in animals. The municipality has invited tenders will be spending Rs 2.88 crore annually for the initiative and claims to control aggression due to lack of food and arrest scavenging among such dogs and control conflict. According to the Special Commissioner for the BBMP Animal Husbandry Department, Suralkar Vikas Kishor, this initiative of 'Feeding Service to Community Dogs' by BBMP is the first in India by any municipality. Food will be supplied to 500 street dogs at selected spots in each zone. The place will be cleaned after the feeding is done. 'The initiative is a part of a larger goal of the elimination of rabies by 2030 in India. By feeding one time to community dogs, the BBMP aims at reducing the territorial aggression and fights among community dogs,' he said. At one designated point, reusable plates will be placed and provision will be made to feed at least five dogs. The service provider must clean the plates every day after the feeding, upload GPS location photo with time stamp after the the feeding on the VVS application or any other mobile application approved by BBMP and the service provider must maintain the record for feeding number of dogs fed every day, said a senior official from BBMP Animal Husbandry Department. The official also stated that there are over 2.5 lakh stray dogs in the BBMP limits and the dogs manage food by scavenging. Many compassion groups and residents are feeding dogs, however, not all dogs get the feed and hence BBMP has come up with the initiative, said Kishor.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Palike intensifies drive against rabies
BENGALURU: With the death of a 22-year-old kabaddi player due to rabies in Uttar Pradesh, the BBMP is now focussing on prevention of the disease through vaccination and awareness camps and by launching a drive to round up suspected rabid dogs in its limits. The palike's dog catching squad isolated 1,107 strays and found 673 of them to be rabid in the past four-and-a-half years. A senior veterinarian from BBMP's animal husbandry department said whenever dog bite complaints are received, the canine is caught and kept under observation and certain tests conducted. 'Normally in ten days, the rabid dog dies and its brain samples are sent for tests, while the body is disposed of scientifically. Based on the laboratory report, the palike launches a 'ring vaccination' drive in the locality where the rabid dog died and the canines there will be vaccinated to ensure the infection does not spread,' the veterinarian said. 'Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease that can be prevented through vaccination. It spreads through bites, scratches or saliva of the infected animals. Globally, an estimated 59,000 deaths are reported annually due to rabies, with dogs responsible for over 97% of the cases. A death occurs every nine minutes due to rabies, and nearly 40% of the victims are children aged below 15. Hence, it is important to get vaccinated if bitten by a dog,' according to BBMP's special commissioner for health Suralkar Vikas Kishor. An oral rabies vaccine is being developed by Bengaluru Veterinary College, according to the palike. As part of its rabies control initiative, the palike launched a campaign on Monday. During the campaign, special vehicles with health staff will visit all wards to educate people about rabies prevention. The palike will intensify its IEC activities related to zoonotic diseases by targeting school and college students. According to the palike, 2,37,803 dogs have been operated under its Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, and during its annual mass vaccination campaign since 2020-2021, 4,43,238 dogs have been vaccinated.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru's KR Market's underground parking lot set to get Rs 80-lakh revamp
1 2 3 4 Bengaluru: BBMP has invited tenders worth Rs 80 lakh to upgrade the dilapidated underground parking lot at KR Market, marking the start of a long-overdue transformation of one of Bengaluru's busiest commercial market zones. The underground parking lot, spanning nearly 1 lakh square feet, is currently in a state of neglect, filled with garbage, floods during rain and encroached by abandoned vehicles and autos. The upcoming revamp is part of BBMP's broader vision to decongest the market, streamline vendor operations and improve pedestrian safety and sanitation in surrounding areas. Suralkar Vikas Kishor, BBMP zonal commissioner (west), told TOI, "The underground parking has completely failed its purpose over the years. The condition is so poor that it's unusable today. This tender will help us revive the space for proper public utility. The parking space will be upgraded to a modern version with all facilities and maintained." BBMP has also proposed reorganisation of street vending in and around KR Market, with plans to launch a fresh survey. Over 100 officials will be deployed to assess vending patterns to identify duplicate usage of spaces by vendors through the day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia acima de 100? Tente esse truque antes de dormir Saúde Nacional Undo "Currently, the market area is spread through adjacent roads connecting to KR Market. Several vendors do business at different time zones based on the nature of their produce and demand. Also, we don't know the exact market boundaries," said Suralkar. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Other plans BBMP wants to keep the area clean as the market looks like a dumping yard with garbage piling up everywhere, despite pourakarmikas clearing it multiple times a day. "The idea is to create fixed 5x5ft vending spots that are shift-based, ensuring that only the permitted number of vendors are allowed to trade. We will be marking these spaces and assigning them to specific traders. Each vendor will also be required to maintain a personal dustbin, collect waste and dump it into BBMP vehicles," Suralkar said. BBMP will be installing 64 CCTV cameras and using geo-fencing to track sanitation responsibilities. Officials are also exploring the possibility of making parts of KR Market area vehicle-free during weekends, similar to Cubbon Park's traffic-free Sundays. Discussions are under way with traffic police and BBMP's brass to help improve walkability and safety. As part of the larger market upgrade, the Palike is considering reviving the defunct biogas plant near the flower market to manage wet waste on-site. "Given the volume of perishable waste KR Market generates daily, reactivating the biogas plant could be an effective waste-management solution. However, the current plant is destroyed and a new structure has to be built," the official added.
