Preparations begin to set up sacrificial cattle markets in the city marking Eid-ul-Azha amid COVID-19 pandemic as the authorities of two city corporations in Dhaka have finalized 24 cattle markets.
Due to the corona virus pandemic, the people of the country celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr sitting at home in compliance with the restrictions. For the same reason, the city dwellers are concerned about ensuring social distance at the Qurbani market as panic is now prevailing among the countrymen.
However, the tender notices issued by the two city corporations also did not mention any guidelines on hygiene and the concerned officials of the two cities said that they are thinking that the situation of this Eid is different from the previous time. They will focus on ensuring hygiene in the cattle markets. The management of the cattle market will be arranged in accordance with the government instructions.
Meanwhile, 24 sacrificial cattle markets are being set up at the places designated by the two city corporations of the capital. Of these, 10 will be set up in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) while 14 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Besides, selling of cattle will continue at Gabtali's permanent cattle market.
According to the latest information, tenders have already been called for the lease of the hut. Other arrangements are also underway. But worrying but true, there is no hygiene message anywhere in the organization. It is not even mentioned anywhere in the tender.
Sources at the DNCC and DSCC informed the Bangladesh Post that tender has been invited after finalizing 14 spots for cattle market under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) while 10 spots have been selected for trading sacrificial animals under the areas of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
However, the DNCC has not yet able to finalize the tender for leasing out the cattle markets. Their preparations are going on. It is expected that they are likely to invite open tender by Sunday.
Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, is likely to be celebrated in Bangladesh on August 1, subject to moon sighting. Muslims in the country, however, take preparation to purchase animals 15 days ahead of the festival. Besides, the authorities of city corporations take necessary preparation for the Eid-ul-Azha.
Sources said that the DSCC published a notice inviting tenders for leasing out its 14 makeshift cattle markets on June 14. Under the first phase, the last date for purchasing tender documents is June 28 and the last date for submitting the tender documents is June 29.
Under the second phase, the last date for purchasing tender documents is July 8 and the last date for submitting the tender documents is July 9. Under the third phase, the last date for purchasing tender documents is July 19 and the last date for submitting the tender documents is July 20.
Tender invited for the makeshift cattle markets in DSCC areas are Open Space at Postogola Shamshan Ghat area, Open Space adjacent to Shyampur Balur Math, Open Space adjacent to Khilgaon Meradia Bazar, Open Space adjacent to Armanitola Ground, Balur Math in Gopibagh and Open Space adjacent to Kamlapur Stadium, North Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha field, Open Space adjacent to Hajaribagh Institute of Leather Technology Ground, Open Space from Kamrangirchar Islam Chairman Bari to South Buriganga Embankment, Open Space adjacent to Donia College in Jatrabari, Open Space adjacent to Dhupkhola Ground, Dholaikhal Truck Stand area adjacent to Sadek Hossain Khoka Ground, Open Space at DSCC's Aftab Nagar Eastern Housing Block-E, Block-F, Block-G and Block-H, and open space at Section 1 and 2, Open Space of Amulia Model Town and Open Space adjacent to Rahmatganj Playground at Lalbagh.
The DSCC has published the tender to finalise leasing out these cattle markets. The leasing out price for the Open Space adjacent to North Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Field has been fixed at Tk 8,69,555, while the leasing out price for the Open Space adjacent to Hajaribagh Institute of Leather Technology Ground has been fixed at Tk 1,07,0,6,000.
The leasing out prices for the Open Space from Kamrangirchar Islam Chairman Bari to South Buriganga Embankment has been fixed at Tk 5,72,400, Open Space at Postogola Shamshan Ghat area at Tk 31,69,400, Open Space adjacent to Shyampur Balur Math at Tk 1,02,11,335, Open Space adjacent to Khilgaon Meradia Bazar at Tk 1,09,39,800, Open Space adjacent to Armanitola Ground at Tk 1,65,28,054, Balur Math in Gopibagh and Open Space adjacent to Kamlapur Stadium at Tk 87,20,685, Open Space adjacent to Dania College in Jatrabari at Tk 1,54,40,667, Open Space adjacent to Dhupkhola Ground at Tk 46,81,334, Dholaikhal Truck Stand area adjacent to Sadek Hossain Khoka Ground at Tk 26,87,807.
The leasing out price for the Open Space at DSCC's Aftab Nagar Eastern Housing Block-E, Block-F, Block-G and Block-H, and open space at Section 1 and 2 has been fixed at Tk 66,25,000, Open Space of Amulia Model Town at Tk 11,15,650, and Open Space adjacent to Rahmatganj Playground at Lalbagh at Tk 11,73,350.
However, a large part of the number of animals slaughtered in the country throughout the year is during Eid-ul-Azha. And these markets attract large numbers of people, which will increase the risk of the spread of corona virus.
Asked about the hygiene rules of the market, Rasel Sabrin, chief property officer of the DSCC, said the market management would be fixed in consultation with the health department. This depends on the situation. Because it is not yet known what the situation will be like in the future.
On the other hand, Mozammel Haque, chief property officer of North City, said the market would be run in accordance with the government's hygiene rules. Predictions are not going to be made this year. Besides, if the area is declared a red zone after the start of the cattle market, it will be blocked. Then the market will not be allowed to jam. But there is still plenty of time, let's see if the situation improves.
The two city corporations consider the implementation of hygiene rules at the cattle market as a big challenge. In this case, they will be given the condition to implement the hygiene rules to the lessee. Besides, police assistance will be sought to ensure hygiene including social distance at the animal market.
