New kennels to increase capacity at Najafgarh dog centre

NEW DELHI: To address overcrowding at dog shelters, the MCD has begun construction of additional kennels at a dog sterilisation centre in southwest Delhi’s Najafgarh, officials said on Thursday.

The kennel is expected to accommodate an additional 450 to 500 more dogs every month, they said. The project, being executed at the Bijwasan sterilisation centre run by an NGO, involves the construction of 14 new kennel units. “Around Rs 28 lakh has been allocated to the engineering department of the Najafgarh zone,” an official said, adding that construction began about 15 days ago and is expected to be completed within 60 days.

Each kennel unit, measuring approximately 7 by 8 feet, is being built under a covered truss structure.

“A tin shed will cover the entire plot. There are seven units on each side with a central corridor in between. Grills will be installed up to a height of seven feet,” the official said. He added that the design ensures proper ventilation and protection from weather conditions.

Officials said the expansion is aimed at strengthening the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme by increasing the intake and sterilisation capacity of stray dogs. Meanwhile, the civic body had earlier proposed another shelter at Bella Road with 40 kennels to further enhance capacity at ABC centres.

In January, the MCD had also announced plans to set up kennels at five new centres and expand infrastructure at five existing sterilisation facilities to accelerate sterilisation and anti-rabies

vaccination drives.