# Owners face fines as government acts on stray cattle on highways 2026-09-17T21:13:15+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The road transport ministry has issued a standard operating procedure to curb stray cattle and other animals on national highways and expressways, allowing fines and penalties for owners who abandon animals. The SOP follows a Supreme Court direction to the National Highways Authority of India to create a structured mechanism for safe removal of stray animals. Highway agencies such as NHAI and NHIDCL will identify stretches where stray animals are common, arrange transportation to shelters, and bear the cost. States and local authorities will maintain cattle-pound records, trace owners, and recover fees, fines and penalties under the Cattle-Trespass Act of 1871. Section 25 of the Act allows recovery of fines through sale of animals. Round-the-clock surveillance through patrol vehicles and traffic management systems will be deployed on designated stretches. In 2024, India recorded 19,082 crashes and 8,917 deaths under the run off the road category, which can include collisions with animals. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both sources report the SOP as a factual administrative response to a Supreme Court directive. Times of India leads with the penalties for owners and the 2024 crash data, framing the measure as a crackdown on negligence. Economic Times emphasises the constitutional bridge between state and central responsibilities and highlights the PM Gati Shakti platform, framing it as coordinated governance. Neither source criticises the government or questions implementation. The uniform neutral reporting suggests the story has no immediate political controversy, but the effectiveness will depend on how many state governments establish and maintain the required shelters and pounds. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with penalties and crash data, no editorialising - economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Emphasises intergovernmental coordination and technology Tags: Cattle-Trespass Act, NHAI, road transport ministry, Supreme Court Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/govt-issues-sop-to-penalise-owners-for-stray-cattle-on-highways/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/govt-issues-sop-to-penalise-owners-for-stray-cattle-on-highways/#story-in-brief