NDMC Advances Major Dog Shelter Project in Moti Bagh
The New Delhi Municipal Council has taken a significant step toward improving animal welfare infrastructure in the capital by approving the development of a comprehensive dog shelter facility at the old veterinary hospital in Moti Bagh. This initiative represents a substantial upgrade from existing arrangements and addresses long-standing concerns about stray dog management in urban areas.
Expanded Shelter Capacity and Modern Facilities
Officials confirmed that the council has initiated the tendering process to hire an agency for transforming the rear portion of the Moti Bagh building into a full-scale shelter. While the site previously housed a modest facility accommodating approximately 30 aggressive dogs, the renovated structure will dramatically increase capacity to over 500 animals.
The project, budgeted at approximately Rs 50 lakh, encompasses facade development, internal repairs, and courtyard improvements, with completion expected within three months. Following Supreme Court directives, the shelter will feature distinct sections including an open, fenced space for non-biting stray dogs collected from educational institutions, office complexes, and various premises.
Additionally, the facility will include separate kennels specifically designed for 300 rabid and attacking dogs, ensuring proper segregation based on behavioral characteristics. Modern amenities will include a designated feeding area and a fully equipped operation theatre to support medical interventions and sterilization procedures.
Comprehensive Feeding Point Network Established
In parallel with the shelter development, NDMC has implemented a systematic feeding program across its jurisdiction. The council has identified and earmarked 100 designated feeding points distributed throughout its 14 administrative circles.
These locations cover major markets, public parks, religious establishments, and residential colonies, creating a structured network to address stray dog nutrition needs. Officials emphasized that the feeding point selection involved extensive consultation with residents welfare associations, market associations, and local community representatives to ensure appropriate placement and community acceptance.
To further streamline stray dog management, NDMC has mandated the appointment of nodal officials by institutions, hospitals, and office complexes. This measure aims to establish clear accountability and communication channels for addressing complaints related to stray animals within various premises.
MCD's Parallel Initiatives Face Implementation Hurdles
While NDMC progresses with its Moti Bagh shelter, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's comparable initiative for a large dog shelter in Dwarka Sector 23 has encountered significant delays. Officials revealed that a Rs 3.8-crore project designed to accommodate 1,500 dogs was prepared some time ago but remains pending approval from the commissioner.
Once authorized at the commissioner level, the proposal must still be presented before the municipal house for final endorsement, indicating multiple procedural stages remain before implementation can commence.
Microchipping and Sterilization Program Awaits Final Approval
In its budgetary allocations, MCD has earmarked Rs 20 crore for an ambitious microchipping and mass sterilization program targeting Delhi's stray dog population. This innovative approach involves implanting microchips—each comparable in size to a grain of rice—into the neck area of dogs to create a comprehensive digital database.
The microchips will store essential information including approximate age, physical characteristics, residential area or ward, immunization schedule, and responsible NGO details for vaccination tracking. All data will be uploaded to a centralized portal accessible to MCD officials, enabling more efficient monitoring and management of sterilized and vaccinated animals.
Despite the budgetary allocation and detailed planning, this program also awaits final administrative approval before implementation can begin, highlighting the bureaucratic challenges facing large-scale animal welfare initiatives in the capital.
The contrasting progress between NDMC's advancing Moti Bagh shelter and MCD's stalled Dwarka project underscores the varying implementation capacities across Delhi's municipal bodies, even as both recognize the growing need for systematic stray dog management solutions in India's densely populated capital city.
