Bhopal | August 7, 2025 — Street dogs have emerged as the top civic concern in Bhopal, with over 32% of all complaints to the Mayor’s Helpline between July 1 and August 5 related to stray dog issues. Of the 4,078 total complaints, 1,335 were about street dogs, making it the most commonly reported issue.
Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai has taken a proactive stance, personally calling complainants and directing officials to provide updates on pending cases during weekly review meetings. During her visit to the helpline call centre on Tuesday, she issued strict 24-hour resolution orders for all dog-related complaints.
Child Mauled in Kolar Hills
The issue escalated after a 2-year-old child was critically injured in a dog attack at Signature City, Kolar Hills. The child was immediately hospitalized in serious condition. Residents allege that repeated complaints about the stray dog menace in the area have been ignored by authorities.
Other Common Complaints
Aside from dog-related issues, the Mayor’s Helpline also received:
- 363 complaints about street lights
- 263 regarding smart lights
- 112 civil issues
- 90 sewage blockages
- 85 building permission queries
- 84 water supply concerns
- 80 public health complaints
- 51 encroachment cases
- 7 about stray cattle
Of the total complaints, 2,951 have been resolved, while 1,127 remain pending.
Need for More ABC Centres
Dr. D.P. Singh, head of the BMC’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, stressed the need for more ABC facilities to control the stray dog population in the long run. He noted that funding from the central government is awaited to expand the project.
