Man stuck in slush from unauthorised cattle shed in Dombivli's Gograswadi, a year after schoolgirl's rescue

The problem of the slush and filth created by an unauthorised cattle shed in the Gograswadi area of Dombivli has come up again. A person has now got stuck in this same bog. A similar incident had occurred at the same spot in June last year.

Last June, a bull charged at a schoolgirl. As she ran in fear, she got stuck in the dung-filled bog that had built up over many years. Local residents had made great efforts to pull her out safely.

An unauthorised cattle shed has been operating in the area for many years. No hygiene norms are followed there, resulting in a severe stench and filth. Dung accumulated over the years has formed a large bog, and residents of the surrounding area have to bear the nuisance constantly.

Close to the shed are an ancient Krishna temple, a Panchmukhi and Dakshinmukhi Maruti temple, a large Jain temple and Prakash Vidyalaya. Hundreds of students, women and senior citizens pass through the area daily. Such filth and slush at a busy spot is a serious matter.

The filth is spreading a stench and worsening the mosquito problem. There is a risk of diseases such as dengue and malaria. Despite the issue being raised repeatedly, the municipal administration takes only temporary action. After the girl got stuck in the bog last year, too, similar temporary action was taken, but within a few days the situation was back to what it was.

According to local residents, several cows from the shed are brought to the temple area in the morning by different people. Devotees who come to pay respects to the cow feed them fodder there. After noon, the cows are taken back to the shed. Locals say money is being made from this. However, there appears to be no proper arrangement for the care and cleanliness of the cows.

Nobody objects to keeping cows, rearing calves or running a goshala. But the hygiene, health rules and public safety that go with it must be looked after.

Pitru Paksha is under way at present. Hindu residents are coming to the area out of faith to feed cows in memory of their ancestors. Devotees are also at risk because they cannot judge where the bog lies. The question being asked is who will take responsibility if a serious accident happens again.

Residents have some direct questions for the municipal administration. Why is no permanent action taken against the unauthorised shed despite repeated complaints? Why were no firm steps taken last year, when a girl's life was endangered? How long will the administration remain inactive even after another person has got stuck? Who is responsible for citizens' health and safety? And when will the animals be moved to a suitable place and the area cleaned?

The Gograswadi Goshala has its own authorised shed, where the animals are properly cared for and which causes residents no trouble. The question is why firm action is not taken against the unauthorised shed.

Residents demand that the animals be moved to a suitable place, the bog be cleaned out completely and care be taken that health is not put at risk. Residents of Gograswadi have endured this problem for years. They expect the municipal administration to fix responsibility and take urgent, permanent action.