BSS, Dhaka

Authorities yesterday said they are set to allow 19 makeshift cattle markets within the purviews of Dhaka north and south city corporations on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

According to officials concerned, 10 of the cattle trading stations would be set up within the purview of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and nine others under the range of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

The DNCC and DSCC officials said they have floated open tenders to allocate the space for the cattle markets under lease agreements for five days.

They said the city corporations will not allow any makeshift cattle market outside the designated places.

Both the city corporations also urged all sacrificial animal sellers to bring and sell their cattle from designated places.

“We have [so far] received bidders’ responses for setting up seven makeshift cattle markets under our jurisdiction,” said DSCC Chief Executive Officer Dr M Zillur Rahman.

DNCC Public Relations Officer Farzana Bobi, on the other hand, said they floated tenders for setting up 11 makeshift cattle markets under its jurisdiction but were yet to open the received documents from bidders.

The cattle markets, she said, would start operating three days ahead of the Eid day, though they could run for five days.

Officials of both the city corporations’ security arrangements would be in place, and leaseholders would face punitive actions for violating rules described in government guidelines.

The officials said due to a court directive, the popular markets at Aftabnagar and Meradia would not be allowed this year.

Under the DNCC purview, the permanent market at Gabtoli will function alongside temporary ones in Bosila, Mirpur, Khilkhet, and Badda.

Under the DSCC purview, markets will be set up in locations such as the open space at North Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club and Sadek Hossain Khoka Field.

Both city corporations have pledged to ensure proper management of the markets and strict monitoring of waste disposal throughout the Eid season.