Dhaka to have 27 cattle markets for Eid-ul-Adha

A total of 27 cattle markets will be set up in the capital ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Adha this year, with 11 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 16 under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), according to officials of the two city corporations.

DSCC Chief Property Officer (Additional Duties) Mohammad Mobashwer Hasan told BSS that as many as 11 temporary cattle markets will operate under the Dhaka South City Corporation this year. 

However, no sacrificial animal trading will be allowed at the permanent Sarulia cattle market this year as the area has been acquired by the Water Development Board, according to an inter-ministerial meeting. 

Initially, Sarulia was included in the first lease notice issued by DSCC, but after reviewing documents from the inter-ministerial meeting, a revised tender notice was published excluding the market, he added.

The DSCC official also said that nine of the 11 cattle markets received bids higher than the government-fixed lease value, while satisfactory bids were not received for the remaining two markets. Fresh tenders may be invited for those two markets.

The temporary DSCC cattle markets will be set up at the vacant riverbank area west of Postogola crematorium, vacant land beside Maitree Songho Club in North Shahjahanpur, vacant space of Rahmatganj Club, vacant land in Amulia Model Town, and the vacant area at Shyampur-Kadamtali truck stand.

Markets will also be set up at vacant land in Aftab Nagar (Eastern Housing) Blocks E, F, G and H under Sections 1 and 2, vacant land adjacent to Shikdar Medical and Amin Mohammad Group premises, unused roadside areas from Kajla Bridge to the Matuail Mridha Bari water pump, vacant roadside space from Dayaganj Rail Crossing to Jurain Rail Crossing, vacant land near Mostamaji intersection in Banasree Housing, vacant land on the southeast side of Brothers Union Club, and vacant land north of Golapbag Outer Staff Quarters.

Meanwhile, in addition to the permanent Gabtoli cattle market, 15 more temporary cattle markets will be set up under the Dhaka North City Corporation.

The DNCC temporary markets will be located at Mirpur Section-6 (Eastern Housing), the 16-bigha vacant field at Mirpur Kalshi Balur Math, adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, vacant land beside Merul Badda kitchen market, and vacant land beside Ikra Madrasa in East Hazipara.

Other markets will be set up on vacant land beside the 40-foot road in Boshila, Mohammadpur; at Bowbazar adjacent to Diabari Sectors 16 and 18 in Uttara; from Bhatulia Saheb Ali Madrasa to Ranabhola Avenue and the Ranabhola sluice gate area in Sector-10 Uttara; at Rahman Nagar residential area adjacent to Kanchkura Bazar; on the western side of Mastul Checkpost; vacant land beside the Suti Bhola canal in Bhatara; vacant land in Bonorupa Residential Project; Mahakhali T&T ground; vacant land of Swadesh Property under Badda police station; and vacant land owned by Bashundhara Group at Boro Beraid.

A DNCC official told BSS that bids higher than the government-fixed rates have so far been received for seven markets, while the remaining tenders are still under review. Final decisions are expected soon.

According to sources from both city corporations, cattle trading at the markets will continue for five days, including Eid al-Adha.

However, as in previous years, there are concerns that trading may begin before the officially scheduled time. 

In past years, traders allegedly violated lease conditions by bringing animals and starting sales ahead of schedule.

Officials concerned said the two city corporations will need to take additional preparations this year to manage the transportation of large numbers of sacrificial animals, waste disposal, traffic congestion and public health measures.

They stressed the importance of coordinated management to ensure security, adequate water supply, quick waste removal and smooth traffic movement, especially at the temporary cattle markets.