Madurai: Residents and daily commuters in Madurai continue to face severe safety hazards and traffic bottlenecks as stray cattle roam unchecked through residential streets and public areas. While Madurai corporation has been conducting periodic impounding drives, residents say the scale of enforcement is too sluggish to curb the growing menace.Corporation data from June shows that 94 stray cattle heads have been impounded in municipal pounds, with owners facing fines totaling Rs 4,14,500. However, residents point out that impounding fewer than 100 animals over several months does little to clear major thoroughfares of the herds which routinely block traffic and endanger two-wheeler riders.D Raghavan, president of Gomathipuram Resident’s Welfare Association, said the corporation’s cattle impounding vehicles operate only in the mornings. “Most of the troubles we face with cattle are at night, when they lie down and block the road and visibility is poor. Cattle are left to roam in the evenings and despite fines being paid, the problem persists,” he said.“Navigating Vaigai riverbank roads and interior lanes after dark has become a nightmare because bovines suddenly step out into oncoming traffic, leading to frequent near-misses,” said K Karthikeyan, a resident of Anna Nagar. “Fining owners a few thousand rupees clearly isn’t working because the same animals are back on the streets within days after the fines are paid,” he added.Shopkeepers and pedestrians echo similar frustrations, noting that uncollected garbage and open waste frequently attract cattle into commercial hubs, creating unhygienic conditions. “Sometimes the cattle get aggressive near market stalls and block the entire footpath, forcing elderly people and schoolchildren to walk onto busy roads to avoid them,” said M Selvi, a resident near Simmakkal.While Madurai corporation reiterates its warning that cattle owners must confine their animals to private sheds or face public auctions or transfers to gashalas for repeat offences, residents say sporadic crackdowns are insufficient to resolve the problem.A senior corporation official said cattle catching and impounding activities will be increased in the coming days. “Apart from fines, repeat offenders will have their cattle seized and auctioned off rather than be returned,” the official said.