Will Dhaka’s cattle markets be ready before Eid?

With only 12 days left before Eid-ul-Azha, both the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have yet to complete the tender process for temporary cattle markets in the capital.

According to the two city corporations, 20 cattle markets -- including the permanent one at Gabtali -- are scheduled to be set up across Dhaka this year.

In previous years, both city corporations would have completed the leasing process for cattle markets by this time.

Eid-ul-Azha is likely to be observed on June 7, subject to moon sighting, leaving very limited time for preparations.

DSCC is particularly lagging behind the schedule, as ongoing protests demanding the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the city corporation's mayor have severely disrupted DSCC's operations.

We haven't been able to provide any services for several days. We can't even access our files. Due to the blockade, we can't finalise cattle market leases or issue work orders.

— Shahjahan Mia DSCC Administrator

Due to the protests that have shut down Nagar Bhaban, no lease has been finalised in the DSCC areas this year.

Cattle traders, who usually arrive early to secure prime spots at the market, are facing uncertainty.

City corporations typically invite tenders for market leases and re-tenders if bids are unsatisfactory. But time is running out for DSCC as the protests continue.

According to the DSCC officials, of the 11 designated cattle markets under their jurisdiction this year, the one at Aftabnagar has been cancelled due to a boundary dispute with DNCC, while the Meradia market is not being set up due to legal complications.

Of the remaining nine, none of the tenders have been finalised due to the administrative shutdown.

An official from DSCC's Estate Department said 80 percent of the leasing process is complete for five markets, with only the work orders pending. These markets are the open space beside Maitree Sangha Club in North Shahjahanpur, the riverbank west of the Postogola cremation ground, Rahmatganj Club open space, north of Amulia Aligarh Model College, and east of the Institute of Leather Technology in Hazaribagh.

For three other markets -- east of Dania College, near Chan Tek Women's Madrasa, and Sadeque Hossain Khoka Playground in Dholai Khal -- tenders have been opened and the highest bidders selected, but no further action has been taken.

Tender boxes for two more markets -- Kadamtoli Truck Stand in Shyampur and the eastern open space of Kamalapur -- were scheduled to be opened on May 22 but remain pending due to the protests, causing uncertainty over whether these markets will be set up.

"Due to the closure of operations at Nagar Bhaban due to the protests, we haven't been able to complete the leasing process," said Hasiba Khan of DSCC's Estate Department. "Once the protest ends, we'll proceed as instructed by higher authorities."

DSCC Administrator Shahjahan Mia also acknowledged the ongoing administrative paralysis, "We haven't been able to provide any services for several days. We can't even access our files. Due to the blockade, we can't finalise cattle market leases or issue work orders."

Meanwhile, DNCC has made partial progress, completing the tender process for two of its 11 markets -- Mostul (300 Feet) and Tejgaon.

Re-tender notices have been issued for six markets -- near Vatara-Sutivola canals, Uttara Diabari, Eastern Housing area, Mohammadpur Bosila, near Vaturia Saheb Ali Madrasa, and Kalshi Balurmath

New tender notices have also been published for the open spaces near Kachkura Bazar and Khilkhet.

A re-tender has also been issued for the Gabtali market.

Contacted, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said they aim to complete the tender process for all cattle markets by May 28.