Countdown begins at Dhaka cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

With Eid-ul-Adha only days away, cattle markets across the capital have started taking on the familiar festive atmosphere ahead of the 28 May celebration.

Across Dhaka, temporary enclosures are being built with bamboo poles, giant canopies are going up, and truckloads of cattle are arriving one after another. Traders are busy securing prime spots, and tending to their animals ahead of the expected rush of buyers.

Visits to markets in Gabtoli, Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club ground and Amulia Model Town showed preparations gathering pace, even though trading has yet to begin in full swing.

At the Shahjahanpur Maitree Sangha Club ground market under Dhaka South City Corporation, labourers were seen constructing bamboo enclosures under the afternoon sun while cattle were being unloaded nearby. Some traders were feeding water to the animals, while others spread hay or poured water over the cattle to keep them cool.

For many traders, securing a good location inside the market has become a key concern. Spots near entrances or in front rows usually attract buyers first, leading to an unofficial competition over space.

"Those who arrive early get the best spots. That's why I came ahead of time," said trader Shahidul Islam, who came from Rajshahi. "Now we are letting the animals rest. Once buyers start arriving, there won't be time for that."

Many traders were also seen grooming their cattle to make them more attractive to buyers, with some oiling the animals' horns and others brushing their bodies.

People involved in market management said Dhaka's cattle markets are expected to become fully operational within the next two to three days, when thousands more sacrificial animals from across the country are likely to arrive in the capital.

According to relevant sources, more than 3,600 cattle markets will be set up nationwide this year, including 24 in the capital. Of these, 11 temporary markets will operate under Dhaka South City Corporation and 12 under Dhaka North City Corporation, alongside the permanent Gabtoli cattle market.

Temporary markets under Dhaka South will be set up in areas including Postogola, North Shahjahanpur, Rahmatganj Club ground, Amulia Model Town and the Shyampur-Kadamtali truck stand area.

Meanwhile, Dhaka North will arrange temporary cattle markets in areas such as Khilkhet, Mirpur, Kalshi, Merul Badda, Bashila, Uttara Diabari, Kanchkura and Bhatara.

Meanwhile, the government has imposed restrictions on setting up cattle markets in border areas.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the country has 1.23 crore sacrificial animals available this year against an estimated demand of 1.01 crore, leaving a surplus of more than 22 lakh animals.

Dhaka South administrator Abdus Salam said no cattle markets would be allowed to operate illegally on roads or in unauthorised locations this year.

He added that arrangements had been made to ensure smooth cattle trading for buyers, while special measures had been taken at every market for the proper disposal of sacrificial waste.