Most Dhaka city cattle markets near busy roads

Almost all the locations leased out by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) for setting up temporary cattle markets are either playgrounds or open spaces near busy roads, though the Local Government Division (LGD) has ordered not to use such places.

On the other hand, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has leased out the open space between Uttara 11 and 13, which caused traffic chaos on Janapath Road in the previous years.

DNCC had initially decided to lease the space between Sector 15 and 16, but it later stuck to the previous place because Sector 15 and 16 fall outside its territory.

DSCC has leased out 10 locations for Tk 44 million and DNCC rented out five spots for Tk 59 million.

In an August 31 order, the LGD asked the city corporations not to lease out the field of any education institution, playground, and open space beside rail tracks, roads and highways because it causes public sufferings and accidents.

The LGD letter also warned of legal action against those who would not comply.

According to the Playground, Open Space, Park and Natural Reservoir Conservation Act, such places cannot be used otherwise -- it cannot be rented and leased out or cannot be handed over for any other purpose.

Taking public sufferings into account, DSCC last year did not lease out Armanitola playground as the lessee had occupied the adjacent, busy Dholaikhal Road.

But the move had little impact last year as the temporary cattle market at Sadeque Hossain Khoka Playground occupied Dholaikhal Road. 

When the supply of cattle increases, the lessees give traders the adjacent roads to keep the animals, said Moslehuddin, manager of an automobile parts shop on Dholaikhal Road.

"The whole traffic management system of Dholaikhal, Narinda, Gendaria and Doyaganj roads breaks down due to the influx of cattle," he said, adding that the market affected his business.

Miraj, a Laguna driver, is also dissatisfied because he drives from Babubazar to Jatrabari via the road.

"My earning will drop," he said. "While people expect a good income ahead of the festival, I will have to struggle to meet daily expenditure."

Other cattle markets have the same scenario.

Chief Estate Officer of DSCC Khalid Ahmed said, "We haven't leased any new location. All these spots were leased out in previous years, and we informed it to the Local Government Division."

In this year's statement, the LGD said its order restricting setting up of markets in those specified places was defied repeatedly, which was unfortunate.

"It is a very important matter. Legal action will be taken against non-compliance," the order read.

In a visit last evening, this correspondent saw cattle kept beside the rail tracks in Balurmath of Gopibagh, violating the order.