New Delhi: City’s first dedicated shelter for stray dogs, which was scheduled to become operational by the end of Nov, is unlikely to be ready anytime soon, with construction work put on hold due to restrictions imposed under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials said, “The work of establishment of a dog shelter at Sector 29 Dwarka was in full swing, but due to implementation of GRAP, the construction has been stopped for some time. At the project site, construction work of A Block has been completed, with a lintel of B Block shuttering work in progress. The construction of 19 rooms or kennels has been completed.” They added that work will resume after revocation of GRAP.MCD had laid the foundation stone for the facility in Dwarka’s Sector 29 in June this year, following Supreme Court’s directions on relocating stray dogs from public spaces, particularly institutional areas, and addressing concerns over aggressive dogs.The project is being developed on a 2.5-acre plot under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between MCD and GMR Group. Estimated to cost over Rs 3.7 crore, the GMR-funded project is expected to accommodate around 1,500 stray dogs.The delay means the civic body’s Nov deadline will be missed, as questions remain over how soon the city will have adequate infrastructure to house stray dogs in compliance with the court’s directions.According to officials, the shelter has been designed to allow vertical expansion in the future, if required. A large open area will also be provided for the dogs’ recreation.In Aug, MCD had also approached Delhi govt with a proposal seeking allotment of a five-acre plot at Ghazipur, adjacent to its veterinary hospital, for setting up another stray dog shelter. The civic body had earlier requested the govt to explore the possibility of creating similar facilities within its veterinary hospitals.With regard to that, officials said, “Response from department of animal husbandry is awaited. Meanwhile, veterinary department has identified one site at Bela Road Cremation Ground as well.”These developments happened amid heightened judicial scrutiny of the stray dog issue. In May, Supreme Court upheld its directions for removing stray dogs from institutional areas, including schools, hospitals and public transport hubs.
