The move came after the Delhi High Court slammed civic authorities this month for failing to round up cows -- considered holy by Hindus -- and ordered officials to pay 2,000 rupees ($46) to any one who brings in a stray.

“We can now keep track of cows and see where they are and try to curb the problem of cows moving around in the streets,” C.B. Singh, a veterinary officer with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, told Reuters.

The microchips -- costing about 500 rupees each -- would be planted in the cow’s digestive tract.

There are an estimated 35,000 cows and buffalo in the capital and its surrounding areas.

Cattle pounds in New Delhi have filled up since this month’s court order, with people eager to receive rewards for chasing down cows in traffic.

A woman broke her arm this week after a cow being chased by bounty hunters slammed into her.

Officials said unauthorised dairy farms were one of the main causes of cattle on the streets. If a cow is captured, the owner has to pay 10,000 rupees as a fine to get it released.

“Now with a microchip in them, cows can be caught more quickly,” Singh said.