The official lease process is still pending, nevertheless sacrificial animals have already begun arriving at several makeshift cattle markets in Dhaka city ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, creating confusion and hardship for traders and farmers as well.
Though the cattle trading is officially permitted for only five days including Eid day, it was found that many cattle markets under both Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have already started receiving animals.
A total of 19 temporary markets have been approved this year—ten under DNCC and nine under DSCC.
Traders and local farmers have started bringing in cattle 3–4 days early, ahead of the lease finalisation. As a result, they face a difficult situation as most of the markets still lack basic infrastructure and services. Many lease tenders were still incomplete as of Tuesday (May 27). Early-arriving traders are, therefore, to cope without facilities like electricity, water, security, or sanitation.
In several areas, including Hatirjheel and Uttara, unauthorised cattle sales have already started. At Hatirjheel’s metropolitan bridge area, Samari Cattle Farm has set up a lit-up sales centre with 70–75 head of cattle.
Farm in-charge Wahiduzzaman Irfan said they target to sell around 200 head of cattle through two centres, with 60% already sold.
However, unauthorised cattle trading along the roadside is causing traffic disruptions.
Local private driver Ujjal said that two cattle markets along Hatirjheel Road frequently led to traffic congestion. From the loading of cows onto trucks to buyers waiting in their parked vehicles, the entire process causes prolonged blockages on the road. At Uttara Diabari market, hundreds of cattle were found on-site even though there were no official leaseholders, service centres, or offices present. Similar scenes were observed at the Shahjahanpur-Khilgaon rail gate market.
Pabna traders Shahin Hossain and Idris Paramanik, who brought 48 head of cattle to the market on May 26, described miserable conditions with no water, electricity, or toilets. Shahin added, “I’ve been coming here since 2015, but I’ve never seen such mismanagement. We fear theft at night and suffer from water shortages during the day.”
Naogaon trader Asharuzzaman said his 40-member team arrived on May 25 with 120 head of cattle, spending over Tk 5,000 just on water for animals, cooking, and bathing.
Other traders like Abdul Latif reported animals falling sick due to extreme heat and a lack of oversight. “Neither city officials nor leaseholders are visible,” he said.
While police patrols were seen during the evening, their daytime presence was almost nonexistent. Local journalist Mahfuz Khokon alleged that before the lease was finalized, a local political leader, Kafil Uddin, had already occupied the market area, misleading traders into offloading their cattle early.
In response, Shafik, an aide to Dhaka city north unit BNP joint convener and Rashid Group managing director Kafil Uddin Ahmed, said: “The tender is being reissued today (Tuesday). We may or may not win it. The final decision lies with the City Corporation. But our team, along with the local police, is ensuring security.”
City Corporation officials claim preparations are underway for security, cleanliness, and traffic control at all markets.
However, DNCC confirmed that the Diabari market lease has not yet been finalised.
DNCC Estate Officer Farzana Khanom said that the bidding process has just begun and necessary steps are being taken.
Repeated attempts to contact DSCC Deputy Secretary and Chief Property Officer Kaiser Mohammad Farabi for comment were unsuccessful.
On the ground, however, the early arrival of cattle combined with the lack of finalized leases has led to disorder, logistical sssissues, and significant suffering for farmers and traders alike.
