27 cattle mkts to set up in Dhaka

The capital will see 27 cattle markets operating ahead of Eid-ul-Adha this year, with 11 to be managed by the Dhaka South City Corporation and 16 by the Dhaka North City Corporation, officials said.

DSCC officials said 11 temporary cattle markets will be set up across different parts of southern Dhaka.
However, sacrificial animal trading will not take place at the permanent Sarulia cattle market this year after the site was acquired by the Water Development Boardfollowing an inter-ministerial decision.

According to DSCC Chief Property Officer Mohammad Mobashwer Hasan, the Sarulia market was initially included in the first lease notice, but later removed through a revised tender after reviewing government documents.

He also said nine of the 11 DSCC markets received bids above the government-fixed lease value, while two markets failed to attract satisfactory offers and may go through a fresh tender process.

The temporary DSCC cattle markets will be located in areas including Postogola, North Shahjahanpur, Rahmatganj, Amulia Model Town, Shyampur-Kadamtali, Aftab Nagar, Kajla, Dayaganj, Banasree, Brothers Union area and Golapbag.

On the northern side of the capital, DNCC will operate 15 temporary cattle markets alongside the permanent Gabtoli cattle market. The markets will be set up in Mirpur, Kalshi, Mohammadpur, Uttara, Bhatara, Mahakhali, Badda and Boro Beraid, among other locations.

A DNCC official said bids above the government-fixed rates have so far been received for seven markets, while the remaining tenders are still being reviewed.

Sources from the two city corporations said cattle trading will continue for five days, including Eid-ul-Adha. Authorities, however, fear that traders may start bringing animals and selling them before the official schedule, as happened in previous years.

Officials said both city corporations will need strong preparations to manage traffic congestion, transportation of sacrificial animals, sanitation, waste removal, water supply and public health issues during the Eid period.