Chennai, 18 July (H.S.):The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has expanded its network of designated community dog feeding locations from eight to 40, extending the initiative to all 15 civic zones across Chennai. The move is aimed at promoting organised feeding practices while complying with Supreme Court directions on the management of community dogs.

The newly notified feeding points are spread across several parts of the city, including Royapuram, Kolathur, Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Teynampet, Besant Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Perungudi, Palavakkam, Neelangarai, Thoraipakkam, Karapakkam and Sholinganallur. Several zones now have multiple authorised locations to improve access for animal feeders.

The expansion comes nearly seven months after the GCC identified its first eight designated feeding areas following the Supreme Court's directive to urban local bodies to earmark specific places for feeding community dogs. The Corporation had then announced plans to establish at least two such feeding locations in every zone.

Officials said the expanded network is expected to reduce indiscriminate roadside feeding and encourage people to use designated locations, helping improve sanitation while ensuring the welfare of community dogs.

Although the number of authorised feeding sites has increased significantly, civic infrastructure at the locations remains limited. Signboards identifying the approved feeding spots have been installed only at a few places, while none of the sites currently has shelters or covered structures to facilitate organised feeding or prevent littering during adverse weather.

The Corporation is also preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) to regulate the maintenance and use of the feeding zones. Public awareness remains a challenge, with many volunteers continuing to feed dogs on roadsides instead of using the authorised locations.

GCC Veterinary Officer J. Kamal Hussain said the civic body would continue identifying additional feeding sites while ensuring that signboards are installed at all approved locations. He added that officials were also examining the feasibility of constructing covered shelters and framing detailed operational guidelines to improve hygiene and maintenance.

Residents, however, have sought stronger monitoring and better infrastructure, arguing that advisory measures alone would not be sufficient to address concerns over waste disposal, sanitation and the upkeep of the designated feeding areas.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman