Amravati has over 30,000 stray dogs, but sterilisation tender stalled by model code of conduct

The number of stray dogs in Amravati city keeps growing, and incidents of dog bites have created fear among residents. The city is estimated to have more than 30,000 stray dogs, but their sterilisation is once again stuck on paper.

The municipal corporation had floated a tender to sterilise 3,000 dogs with a fund of Rs 50 lakh. The model code of conduct for the teachers' constituency election has put a brake on the tender. Notably, this is the fourth time the tender process has been run, and according to information available, only one contractor has responded.

Packs of stray dogs are seen in various neighbourhoods, markets, the railway station, the bus station, and around schools and hospitals. With dog bite incidents rising, citizens are repeatedly complaining to the municipal corporation. The sterilisation and vaccination drive needs to be speeded up to keep the dog population in check.

The municipal corporation has set a target of sterilising 3,000 dogs by March 2027, and Rs 50 lakh has been arranged for it. The tender process had been completed before the code of conduct came into force. The tender was to be opened on September 28, but could not be opened because of the code of conduct. Given the estimated number of dogs in the city and the proposed sterilisation figure, questions are being raised about how much real impact the drive will have.

More than 2,000 dogs are reported to have been sterilised and vaccinated through the previous contractor. However, that contractor's bills for 2025 are understood to be still unpaid. Questions are therefore being raised about why a process for a new contract was run while payment on the old one is pending.

Tenders had been floated three times earlier under the dog birth control programme. The process was run a fourth time, but once again only one contractor has submitted a bid. A further decision will be taken after the contractor's documents and eligibility are examined. This information has not been officially confirmed so far.

At a glance: the estimated dog population is over 30,000, the new sterilisation target is 3,000 dogs, the fund is Rs 50 lakh, the tender is in its fourth round, one contractor has responded, and the work deadline is March 2027. The main problems are dog bite incidents, slow sterilisation and unpaid bills.