BBMP to Introduce Stray Dog Feeding Scheme in Bengaluru

Bengaluru (Karnataka), July 11 — In a progressive approach towards animal welfare in the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing to start a daily BBMP stray dog feeding programme. Under this initiative, approximately 50,000 stray dogs will be served nutritious meals comprising chicken rice and other non-vegetarian fare every single day.

In order to realize the BBMP stray dog feeding scheme, the BBMP has floated a tender worth ₹2.8 crores to cover the entire city across eight administrative zones. Each zone will take care of approximately 400 to 500 stray dogs. As per officials, the meals will be cooked following veterinary guidelines, ensuring that each dog receives 700 to 750 calories daily.

According to the Special Commissioner, Suralkar Vikas Kishore, a detailed proposal has been submitted for final clearance. “I hope this plan will be cleared by the commissioner, after which we will float the tenders. The quantity of food shall be strictly followed according to the veterinarians’ recommendations,” he said.

According to BBMP officials, the initiative has come up against increasing reports of stray dog aggression. As Kishore says, “If stray dogs are fed, they rarely bite.”

Already, the programme was put to initial trial runs in certain wards of the city. Each dog, according to the plan, will be fed once a day at an estimated cost of ₹22.42.

The tender states that service providers must establish kitchens within BBMP limits. These kitchens will prepare and distribute meals, ensure cleanliness at the feeding places, and submit periodic operational reports.

While there are approximately 2.8 lakh stray dogs in Bengaluru, the first phase will cover only 2% of the total populace. Depending on the results and effectiveness of the pilot phase, BBMP may consider scaling this initiative.

Meanwhile, in another civic development, municipal workers of Karnataka held a symbolic protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. They were demanding the withdrawal of the Logsafe attendance system, filling the vacant posts numbering over 6,000, and putting an end to what they call “fine suspensions for trivial reasons.”

Civic staff also demanded fewer marshals on duty and called for seniority-based promotions for engineers, among other requests.