Residential areas of Dhaka now free from cattle markets

Residents of residential areas in Dhaka are feeling relieved as they will not have to face the long-standing hassle of sacrificial cattle markets this year, according to Dr. Nabil Ahmed, a resident of Banasree C-Block.

For years, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had been setting up temporary cattle markets in the vicinity of his home. However, the decision has been changed this year, freeing local residents from two weeks of dealing with cattle, waste, and the chaotic noise surrounding the markets.

The leasing terms of the City Corporation explicitly state that cattle markets cannot be set up in residential areas or places that obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement; instead, they must be positioned in large, open spaces. Despite these regulations, the City Corporation continued to establish markets in the Banasree and Aftabnagar residential areas year after year. In response, residents of these two areas filed a writ petition in the High Court to halt the practice. Although the court ordered a ban on cattle markets in residential areas before the previous Eid-ul-Adha, the directive was ignored at the time. This year, however, no markets are being set up in these two residential areas, bringing much-needed comfort to the locals.

Urban planners have also viewed the ban on markets in residential areas as a positive step. Commenting on the matter, urban expert Professor Dr. Aktar Mahmud stated that while delayed, stopping cattle markets in residential areas is a welcome move. He noted that markets will inevitably be set up during Eid, but the City Corporation must ensure that citizen movement is not disrupted.

While temporary markets in residential areas have been suspended, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is introducing markets in four new locations this year. An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, verbally attributed the addition of these markets to political demands. The official mentioned that with a party government in power, certain political demands naturally arise, and it is on this basis that markets are being introduced in new locations.

This year, a total of 15 temporary markets will be set up under Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 under Dhaka South City Corporation. Among these, the leases for seven markets in Dhaka North have been finalized. These locations include the Eastern Housing area in Mirpur-6, Kalshi Balur Math in Mirpur, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, the Iqra Madrasa area in East Hazipara, Diabari in Uttara, the Rehmannagar residential area adjacent to Kichkura Bazar, and the area near the Khalpara checkpost under Khilkhet Thana.

On the other hand, leases for eight markets have been finalized in Dhaka South, while the leasing process for the remaining locations is still underway. The finalized temporary markets for Dhaka South include Postogola, Uttar Shahjahanpur, Amulia, Shikdar Medical, Kajla Bridge, Banasree, Brothers Union, and Golapbagh.