LUCKNOW, Nov. 23 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is yet to begin the removal and sterilisation drive for stray dogs, even after the Supreme Court directed states and Union Territories to clear such animals from high-footfall public places in the city. A ground check on Saturday found stray dogs at major hospitals, bus stations and railway stations, raising concerns over the delay. The Supreme Court, in its November 7 order, directed the removal of stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots and railway stations. It also said sterilised dogs must not be released back into these sensitive public areas. Animal welfare officer Abhinav Verma said the NGO working with LMC has now been asked to prioritise sterilisation around high-footfall zones in line with the directive. He said LMC issued dog licences worth Rs 30 lakh this year and collected Rs 2 lakh in fines from owners who did not obtain licences. Verma said vacant government plots are being identified for constructing shelter homes. "The Executive Committee has approved land allocation. Once the minutes are signed, we will finalise the land and start construction," he said. The shelters are planned on the outskirts to avoid disturbance in residential areas due to nighttime barking. An inspection at Charbagh bus station, Charbagh railway station and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) Hospital on Saturday found stray dogs roaming freely, showing the absence of operational shelters. This differed from LMC's earlier claims of compliance after the proposal for animal shelters was cleared. Shopkeepers outside Civil Hospital said no LMC team had visited the area for sterilisation. Dr Piyush Patel from Humane World for Animals said nearly one lakh dogs had been sterilised. "We are covering all areas simultaneously and not focusing on specific public spots. Our work continues across Lucknow," he said. Meanwhile, animal activist Charu Khare, who runs the Aasra shelter, said LMC is "misleading citizens" by announcing shelters without ensuring funds for operations....