Delhi boosts Dog sterilisation capacity amid rising stray concerns
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated construction of additional kennels at a dog sterilisation centre in southwest Delhi’s Najafgarh to address overcrowding and improve stray dog management, officials said on Thursday. The project, being executed at the Bijwasan sterilisation centre run by an NGO, is expected to accommodate an additional 450 to 500 dogs every month , significantly boosting capacity under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme .
According to officials, around Rs 28 lakh has been allocated for the construction of 14 new kennel units , with work having begun about 15 days ago and scheduled for completion within 60 days . Each unit, measuring approximately 7 by 8 feet, is being built under a covered truss structure, with a tin shed covering the entire plot. The layout includes seven units on each side separated by a central corridor, with grills installed up to a height of seven feet to ensure ventilation and protection from weather conditions.
The expansion is aimed at strengthening sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drives by increasing intake capacity. The MCD had earlier proposed an additional shelter at Bella Road with 40 kennels and, in January, announced plans to establish kennels at five new centres while expanding infrastructure at five existing facilities.
The move comes amid rising public frustration over stray dogs in Delhi, with residents frequently reporting concerns related to dog bites, safety, and disturbances. Similar challenges persist across other metro cities. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation continues its ABC programme but faces infrastructure constraints. Bengaluru’s Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and Chennai’s Greater Chennai Corporation have ongoing sterilisation drives, though gaps in coverage remain. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation also runs similar initiatives, but uneven implementation highlights the need for stronger, sustained efforts across urban centres.