HAL Airport Police Book Cattle Owner Over Road Obstruction in Marathahalli

The HAL Airport Traffic Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on August 10 against a cattle owner for allegedly allowing livestock to wander unattended near Kalamandir Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Marathahalli. The case was booked after repeated instances of loose cattle obstructing traffic and creating road-safety hazards along the busy thoroughfare.

Police booked the livestock owner under Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertains to negligent conduct with respect to public ways. The legal action marks a shift toward stricter law enforcement against cattle owners whose animals are left to roam freely on major city roads.

Traffic Police Inspector Firoz stated that the issue had become a persistent problem in the Marathahalli area. The livestock owner frequently left the cattle near nearby shops where food waste was being dumped outside. The animals would routinely gather around these garbage spots and subsequently wander onto the road, causing severe traffic obstructions.

Inspector Firoz explained that the presence of unattended cattle on busy roads poses serious safety risks to road users. Because cattle move unpredictably—often crossing lanes suddenly or standing directly in the middle of the carriageway—motorists are forced to hit their brakes unexpectedly or swerve into neighboring lanes, elevating the likelihood of vehicular collisions.

The inspector further noted that two-wheeler riders face particular risks from such unexpected obstacles, as sudden braking or swerving can easily cause riders to skid or lose balance. Additionally, when cattle gather around roadside eateries, shops, or garbage points, vehicles must slow down or maneuver around them, creating traffic pile-ups on already congested roads.

News of the FIR drew positive reactions from citizens and netizens, with members of the public praising the HAL Airport Traffic Police Station for taking action. Several commuters pointed out that similar enforcement measures are needed in other parts of the city, such as St John’s Road, Ajanta Road, Osborne Road, and surrounding streets, where loose cattle continue to present recurring hazards to motorists.