16 of 26 cattle markets leased for Tk48cr as Eid-ul-Adha nears; Diabari, Kajla top list

Highlights: 

• 15 cattle markets in Dhaka North, 11 in Dhaka South to be set up 
• 16 cattle markets already leased for nearly Tk48cr 
• Uttara Diabari cattle market leased for record amount of Tk14.15cr
• Matuail cattle market tops list with Tk4.35cr in Dhaka South
• Leased markets earn over Tk9cr against base valuation

As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, Dhaka's two city corporations have moved to set up 26 temporary cattle markets across the capital, with leasing already completed for 16 markets.

According to officials from Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations, the total lease value of the 16 markets stood at Tk47.91 crore, an increase of Tk9.69 crore against the base valuation of Tk38.22 crore set by the government. 

Among all leased markets, the highest bid was recorded for the cattle market at Boubazar adjacent to Sectors 16 and 18 of Uttara Diabari under Dhaka North. The market was leased for Tk14.15 crore to SF Corporation, owned by Sheikh Farid Hossain.

In Dhaka South, the highest bid came for the market stretching from Kajla Bridge to the Matuail Mridha Bari water pump area. It was leased for Tk4.35 crore to Mohammad Shamim Khan, owner of KB Trade in Jatrabari.

This year, the two city corporations have planned to erect 26 cattle markets in total, including 15 in Dhaka North and 11 in Dhaka South. Of the northern markets, one will be permanent and the remaining 14 temporary.

City corporation sources said this year lease prices exceeded valuations in most cases, reflecting strong competition among bidders. 

According to the Dhaka North sources, lease agreements for eight markets have so far generated Tk24.46 crore. In addition to the lease value, leaseholders must pay an extra 10% fee for waste management and market cleaning. The official valuation for these markets was Tk22.62 crore.

In Dhaka South, eight leased markets posted Tk23.44 crore against the expected valuation of Tk15.59 crore. 

Among the other leased markets under Dhaka North, the Eastern Housing cattle market in Mirpur Section 6 was leased for Tk1.79 crore.

The vacant land market at Kalshi Balur Math in Mirpur was settled for Tk30.11 lakh, while the market adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute was leased for Tk3.87 crore.

The market beside Ikra Madrasa in East Hazipara was leased for Tk13.53 lakh. Another market near Kachkura Bazar in ward 44 was leased for Tk27 lakh.

Meanwhile, the cattle market near the Mastul Checkpoint in Khilkhet's ward 43 was leased for Tk3.07 crore. The market stretching from Bhatulia Saheb Ali Madrasa to Ranabhola Avenue in Uttara was leased for Tk88 lakh.

In Dhaka South, the cattle market on vacant riverbank land beside the Postogola crematorium was leased for Tk4.01 crore.

The market at North Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club grounds was leased for Tk3.12 crore, while the market at Amulia Model Town fetched Tk2.15 crore.

Another major market near Shikdar Medical on Amin Mohammad Group land was leased for Tk4.20 crore.

Other leased markets under Dhaka South include the Green Banasree Housing market near Mostamaji Mor, leased for Tk70.20 lakh, the Brothers Union Club adjacent market leased for Tk3.01 crore, and the Golapbagh Outfall Staff Quarter market leased for Tk1.90 crore.

Sources said leasing procedures for the remaining nine cattle markets were still ongoing.

Last year, Dhaka South operated nine temporary cattle markets, while Dhaka North had 10 markets in total.