New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s order to clear all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR within eight weeks has triggered a massive logistical race against time. But as civic bodies scramble to comply, experts warn that the clock may be ticking faster than the system can run.
The Numbers Game: How Big is the Challenge?
Estimates vary, but NGOs and civic records suggest Delhi-NCR is home to over 4–5 lakh stray dogs. In Delhi alone, the Municipal Corporation has identified more than 2 lakh strays, with Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad adding another 2–3 lakh. Capturing, transporting and housing such numbers in just 56 days would require hundreds of trained capture teams and thousands of shelter units.
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Shelter Infrastructure — A Massive Gap
Currently, the region has fewer than 25 operational shelters with a combined capacity of around 12,000 dogs, a fraction of what’s needed. Building new shelters with CCTV monitoring, kennels, veterinary facilities, and quarantine zones in under two months will demand unprecedented budget allocations and 24/7 construction.
Municipal officials estimate that one fully equipped shelter for 1,000 dogs costs ₹2–3 crore to set up and another ₹50–70 lakh annually to operate. Scaling up for even half the stray population would require ₹1,000–1,500 crore in immediate capital expenditure.
Manpower Shortage
Delhi-NCR has around 300–350 dog catchers currently on municipal rolls. Meeting the SC’s deadline could require 2,000+ trained workers, plus veterinary staff, drivers, and support teams. Hiring and training at this scale in weeks is virtually unheard of.
Rabies Control vs. Removal Debate
While the SC has suspended the “catch-neuter-release” model under ABC Rules, animal welfare organisations warn that removal without parallel vaccination may still leave humans vulnerable.
Confinement alone doesn’t prevent rabies spread unless there is full immunisation.
Senior Member, Animal Welfare Board Of India (AWBI)
Legal and Activist Resistance
NGOs have signalled plans to challenge the order, arguing it violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and past High Court rulings upholding ABC. A legal showdown could delay enforcement or force amendments to the SC’s directive.
Operational Plan Under Draft
Sources tell Apartment Times that municipal bodies are drafting a three-tier action plan:
- Emergency Catching Units – deploying extra teams hired on contract.
- Shelter Conversion – temporarily repurposing unused municipal buildings and warehouses.
- Inter-State Cooperation – sending some dogs to facilities outside NCR.
However, even insiders admit “full compliance in eight weeks is unlikely without extraordinary resources.”
Public Safety vs. Practical Feasibility
The order’s intent is clear: protect lives from an escalating dog bite crisis. But the question now is whether the system can execute without cutting corners and whether Delhi-NCR residents will see streets truly stray-free by the SC’s deadline, or just another half-finished promise.