Traders unload cows from a truck near a cattle market in the Shamshan Ghat area of Postogola in the capital as livestock from different parts of the country arrive ahead of Eid-ul-Azha for sacrificial animal markets. The photo was taken on Thursday. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam Cattle markets are set to buzz with activity in the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as farmers and seasonal traders have already started bringing sacrificial animals to makeshift trading points.
Official trading will begin on May 25.
According to data, 24 cattle markets, including the permanent one at Gabtoli, will be set up in Dhaka this year under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Officials say the permanent cattle market at Sarulia under the DSCC will not operate this year as the site was acquired by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
The DNCC will have 12 temporary cattle markets alongside the permanent one at Gabtoli, while the DSCC has taken initiatives to set up 11 makeshift ones.
City corporation sources say tenders for eight of the 12 temporary markets under the DNCC have already been floated, while lease procedures for the four others remain suspended due to local disputes.
On the other hand, tenders for all 11 temporary markets under the DSCC have been issued.
According to DNCC sources, four temporary markets are yet to receive lease bids. The government-fixed price for the market at the Bhattara Sutibhola Khal area has been set at Tk 31.276 million.
The price for the vacant land market beside the 40-foot road in Mohammadpur's Basila area has been fixed at Tk 19.62 million.
The official lease price for the vacant land market beneath the Elevated Expressway beside Khilkhet Bazar has been set at Tk 15.1 million, while the market beside Merul Badda kitchen market has been priced at Tk 1.4 million.
Meanwhile, the evaluation of bids for the remaining eight markets will be finalised in a day or two.
DNCC Chief Estate Officer Mohammad Shawkat Osman told The Financial Express the submitted tenders were being scrutinised.
He said fresh tenders would be invited for the markets that failed to receive bids.
He also confirmed that sacrificial animal trading would continue at the permanent Gabtoli market alongside the temporary ones.
Meanwhile, DSCC sources say the Sarulia permanent market was initially included in the tender notice.
However, the city corporation had to republish the notice excluding the market following objections from the BWDB.
Officials say the DSCC is considering allocating an alternative market ahead of Eid.
Among the DSCC temporary markets, the vacant riverside area west of Postogola crematorium has been fixed at Tk 28.548 million, while the market at North Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club has been priced at Tk 19.182 million.
DSCC Chief Property Officer (additional charge) Mohammad Mobashwer Hasan told The Financial Express the cattle markets were receiving strong responses from bidders and competition among participants remained high, creating the possibility of earning significant revenue.
He said there was little risk of disruption at any market.
However, if any market fails to receive a leaseholder, the city corporation will operate it under its own management system.
Meanwhile, ignoring a High Court ban, preparations are once again underway to set up a cattle market at Aftabnagar.
A huge entrance gate for the market has already been constructed right at the entry point of the residential area, say local sources.
A cattle trader says 100-120 cows have already been brought to the Aftabnagar market.
The DNCC earlier assured that no cattle market would be allowed at Aftabnagar.
On Thursday, traders at the Basila cattle market under DNCC were seen tying bamboo poles and building enclosures under the scorching afternoon sun.
A short distance away, cattle were being unloaded from trucks.
Some traders were giving water to the animals, while others were spreading straw or pouring water on the cattle to help them cope with the heat.
For traders arriving at the market, securing a good location has become a major concern.
There is a silent competition to obtain spots near the entrance or in the front rows as those places attract buyers' attention first.
Artazul Islam, a trader from Meherpur, said, "Those who arrive early get better spots. That is why I came ahead of time to avoid hassle. Now we are letting the cattle rest. Once buyers start coming, there will hardly be any time left."
People associated with the markets said cattle bazaars across the capital were expected to become crowded within two to three days.
Thousands more sacrificial animals from different districts across the country are expected to enter Dhaka during that period.
The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) said the country's cattle farmers and seasonal rearers had prepared approximately 5.69 million cows and buffaloes, 6.63 million goats and sheep, and more than 1,500 animals of other species for ritual sacrifice.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has announced that the country has a surplus of around 2.4 million sacrificial animals for this Eid.
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