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PMC to launch drive against stray pigs from September 10
The municipal commissioner has directed the regional ward offices to start the drive from September 10 in their respective areas.
In the wake of large-scale complaints of pig menace from residents, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will start a drive to capture stray pigs from September 10. The civic authority has instructed pig rearers to shift the animals outside the municipal limits. Elected members across party lines had recently raised the issue of stray dog and pig menace with the PMC.
Saurabh Rao, Pune municipal commissioner, assured the elected members that the administration would take strict action against pigs and sort out the issue in the coming weeks. The civic administration admitted to not being able to do much regarding the stray dog case citing legal obligations.
As promised to the elected members, the PMC had issued newspaper advertisement warning pig owners to shift the animals outside the municipal limits or face action.
The advertisement states that as per the Maharashtra Municipal Act chapter 14(22) (3), the municipal administration can kill pigs if found within civic limits and the owner cannot claim any compensation.
The municipal commissioner has directed the regional ward offices to start the drive from September 10 in their respective areas.
Complaints of pig menace have been received mainly from Hadapsar, Sadesatrana Nali and Ahmednagar road areas. The pigs are damaging the drainage lines and are also seen in chawl areas. The menace has been causing nuisance and increasing the health hazards in the city as the pig rearers allow the animals to stray and do not take care of them. There are also reports of pig owners attacking the civic staff when they try to capture stray pigs.
The PMC also approved a tender to carry the pig control programme in the city.
