₹10 Crore Master Plan to Tackle Stray Dog Menace in Solapur

Solapur, Correspondent

In a major initiative to address the growing menace of stray dogs and accelerate their sterilisation, the Solapur Municipal Corporation has drawn up an ambitious plan involving an investment of nearly ₹10 crore.

The Standing Committee has approved a proposal to allocate an additional ₹7.20 crore in the 2026–27 budget for stray dog sterilisation and the construction of a dedicated shelter facility. The proposed centre will be developed on a 4.5-acre plot opposite the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Degaon and will have the capacity to accommodate 1,000 dogs.

The total estimated project cost, including GST, stands at ₹9,99,96,638. The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the city's infrastructure for managing stray dogs.

The Standing Committee meeting was held on Monday, November 2, under the chairmanship of Ranjita Chakote. Five proposals related to civic amenities were approved during the meeting, with the additional funding for stray dog sterilisation and the proposed shelter centre emerging as key decisions.

The committee approved the allocation through the reappropriation of available funds and provision in the revised budget, subject to fund availability. The shelter centre proposal will now be forwarded to the General Body for final approval.

35,000 Stray Dogs, But Only 18 Sterilisation Surgeries Daily

Solapur is estimated to have approximately 35,000 stray dogs. Increasing the pace of sterilisation is considered essential to managing their population.

However, the Municipal Corporation currently performs an average of only 18 sterilisation surgeries per day. This limited capacity poses a significant challenge to controlling the city's stray dog population.

To address the situation, the civic body plans to establish a comprehensive shelter facility on 4.5 acres at Degaon.

The proposed centre will have 100 kennels, each designed to accommodate 10 dogs, providing shelter for up to 1,000 dogs at a time.

The facility will include infrastructure for sterilisation, surgical procedures and the overall management of stray dogs. Special emphasis will be placed on developing the necessary veterinary and operational facilities.

Project Cost Nears ₹10 Crore

According to the project report, the proposed expenditure includes the following components:

The proposed Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre and operation theatre will provide dedicated infrastructure for sterilisation procedures and veterinary treatment.

Requirement of 60 Employees; Only Eight Currently Available

While the proposed shelter centre is expected to strengthen the city's infrastructure, a shortage of manpower remains a major concern.

Currently, the concerned Municipal Corporation department has approximately eight personnel, including two doctors and four assistants, working on stray dog management.

However, according to the sanctioned staffing structure, approximately 60 employees are required to manage the operations effectively.

This highlights the need not only to construct the shelter but also to recruit or deploy adequate veterinary doctors, support staff and other personnel to increase the number of sterilisation surgeries.

Without sufficient manpower and operational resources, the proposed infrastructure alone may not deliver the intended results.

Zoo, Water Supply and Road Development Works Also Approved

Apart from the stray dog management project, the Standing Committee approved and reviewed several other civic development proposals.

Food supply for animals at Mahatma Gandhi Zoological Park

The committee reviewed the work order details for the supply of food to animals at Mahatma Gandhi Zoological Park.

The rates finalised for M/s Unnati Construction include:

• Chicken: ₹240 per kg

• Buffalo meat: ₹230 per kg

• Eggs: ₹5 per piece

₹4 Crore Water Supply Maintenance Works

The committee also approved an annual contract involving four contractors for the maintenance and repair of the water supply system under Divisional Offices No. 1 to 8 and the main municipal office.

A tender process worth approximately ₹4 crore has been undertaken for the repair and special maintenance of DI and MS pipelines, along with the supply and installation of sluice valves.

Road Concretisation at Jannatul Firdaus Cemetery

The committee reviewed the work order for concretisation of roads at Jannatul Firdaus Cemetery in Ward No. 22.

It also approved the appointment of Shrikant Sidram Bhole as contractor at the approved tender rates for routine maintenance and minor repair works under Divisional Office No. 6.

Will the ₹10 Crore Plan Finally Bring Relief to Solapur Residents?

The Municipal Corporation's proposed investment marks a significant step towards addressing the city's stray dog management challenge. However, the gap between the estimated population of 35,000 dogs and the current sterilisation capacity of just 18 surgeries per day remains substantial.

The success of the initiative will depend on the timely construction of the shelter centre, adequate staffing, increased sterilisation capacity and effective implementation of the proposed measures.

With the proposal now awaiting final approval from the General Body, Solapur residents will be watching closely to see whether the ambitious ₹10 crore master plan translates into tangible relief from the growing stray dog problem.

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