High price, poor sale

A traffic police at Gabtoli bus station rushes to the middle of the busy thoroughfare to save a frightened sacrificial bull, as it got loose from its owner on their way home from Gabtoli cattle market. Photo: Shafiqul AlamHelemul Alam

Sales of sacrificial animals in the capital have been surprisingly slow in the lead up to Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest Islamic festival of the year.

With just two days left before the "festival of sacrifice" begins, sales at the markets failed to gain momentum until yesterday afternoon.

Very few customers were seen at Nayabazar, Dhupkhola or Kamalapur cattle markets, and several people said they came as onlookers rather than with the intention to purchase.

However sale prices have been higher as compared with last year and cattle traders remain hopeful there will be a surge in the number of sales today.

Shamsul Haque brought 16 cows from Jhenidah to Dhupkhola playground but did not sell any until yesterday afternoon.

He said, "We are selling our cows for around Tk 5,000 extra this year."

Ferdous Ahmed from Sutrapur told The Daily Star that he spent Tk 45,000 on two cows last year, but this year two cows cost him Tk 51,000.

Prices will increase further if Indian cows fail to arrive in time at the markets before Eid, said Shajahan, a trader from Kushtia who is selling his cattle at Nayabazar market.

The most expensive cow at Nayabazar cattle market costs Tk 8 lakh.

It is owned by Ashraful Islam, who said he brought it to the market from Kushtia after fattening it for two years.

He has already been offered Tk 4 lakh from a potential buyer.

Despite a High Court directive against setting up cattle markets on the roads, huge traffic congestion has occurred in Armanitola, Nayabazar and their adjoining areas due to the presence of unauthorised markets.

Dhaka City Corporation issued 15 leases for makeshift cattle markets, including those at Armanitola (Nayabazar), Meradia Bazar, Jhigatola-Hajarobag, Rahmatganj, Dhupkhola, Balurmath (adjacent to the Brothers Union Sporting Club in Kamalapur), Banarupa Housing Project at Khilkhet, and the open space adjacent to the Taltala (Khilgaon) bus stand, Agargaon (adjacent to the LGED Bhaban) and at the DCC on the south side of Outfall Staff Quarters.

Although the DCC initially invited tenders for 10 cattle markets, last-minute permission was given for five additional markets, which include those at Dholaipar schoolfield, Moitri Shangha in Uttar Shajahanpur, the field of Dholaipar High School, the open space near Bonani-Kakoli rail gate and at Azampur Government High School in Uttara.