United News of Bangladesh

Despite the rise in new variants of Covid-19 in the neighbouring country India, passport holders were reportedly crossing the border through Hili land port without undergoing any form of medical screening. Bangladesh’s health authorities have issued alerts at all river, land and international airports, calling for strict screening and adherence to health safety protocols following the new variant of the coronavirus that continues to spread across various regions of India  However, these directives appear to be largely ignored at the Hili immigration checkpost. Mosammat Amina Khatun from Sirajganj, said “I’m heading to India for medical treatment. I heard here that COVID-19 is spreading again in India. I’m scared, but I have no choice.” Gokul Chandra, another Bangladeshi passenger, said, “I’ve been in India for a long time for medical reasons. There’s growing fear due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. I was worried I might catch the virus while seeking treatment. When I arrived at the Hili checkpost, I didn’t see any medical team, nor did anyone ask me anything. Given the situation, health checks and safety measures are essential for those coming from India.” Covid-19: Railways Ministry urges Eid holidaymakers to wear masks Bhagirath Sarkar, an Indian citizen, who was returning home through Hili, said, “I was visiting relatives in Biral of  Dinajpur district. Now I’m heading back. Nobody asked me anything about my health at the checkpost. A few days ago, my family called from home and told me COVID-19 was spreading again. So I’m rushing back.”  

In a unique and compassionate initiative, local school and college students have been engaged as volunteers to help distribute home-cooked meals to inmates at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj during the Eid festivities. To make the food inspection and distribution process faster and more efficient, the prison authorities have enlisted students from nearby educational institutions to assist prison guards. According to prison officials, during Eid and other major festivals, the relatives of inmates bring special meals to share their joys with their loved ones.  Ensuring the safety and proper distribution of this food is a time-consuming and labour-intensive task. In response, some local students have volunteered to support the process, they added. A senior prison official told UNB that this is a pilot initiative. Under the supervision of trained prison guards, the students are assisting not only with distribution but also with checking, inspecting, and ensuring that food is handed over to inmates in an orderly manner. Central Jail Football Cup: Jamuna Bhaban inmates lift trophy beating Monihar in final One student from a local college, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “At first I was a bit nervous, but now I feel this is part of our social and humanitarian responsibility.” “Inmates are human, too. Being able to do something for them is an honour,” the student added. The move has sparked debate in some quarters, with critics expressing concern about involving students in activities related to such a sensitive environment. Addressing these concerns, Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Mohammad Motahar Hossain told UNB that this is the first time local students have been involved in such an initiative. If it proves successful, the model may be applied in other prisons across the country. He clarified that the students are not entering the inside prison premises.  “They are working from outside the secured areas and are always accompanied by our security personnel. They are not interfering with the duties of prison guards, only providing humanitarian support," he said.  Firing takes place as inmates try to escape Ctg central jail

Scattered like green islands across the shifting waters of the Brahmaputra, Kurigram’s chars are places of both breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking neglect. These remote sandbars—isolated, unstable and often invisible on development maps—are home to lives shaped by river erosion, poverty, and sheer resilience. Here, every morning is a challenge. For the families who call these chars home, dawn does not signal a fresh start—it begins another chapter of survival. For children growing up in these forgotten lands, childhood is not a time for dreams but for duty. With hunger pressing and families stretched thin, little hands grasp hoes before they hold pencils. At the break of day, tiny feet rush across muddy fields—not to schoolyards but to farmland. They plough the soil, irrigate crops, or work side by side with adults harvesting paddy. “They start early,” said farmer Taher Ali of Char Shoulmari. “Many work with their fathers, plowing or irrigating, while some help harvest rice.” These children grow up not just near the land, but with it. By the time they’re barely into their teens, they’ve mastered the movements of farming: mounding soil around potatoes, harvesting rice with speed and precision. Their bond with the earth is intimate, born of necessity, grounded in survival. Shyamal Polli Slum Fire: Dwellers watch their dreams turn into ashes In a world where textbooks are a luxury, education becomes a rare privilege. “My son is in Class Four,” said Selina Khatun of Kodalkati Char, “but if he doesn’t work, we won’t have food.” School, for many, is a fragile dream—often extinguished too soon.Some carry schoolbags in the morning and farm tools in the afternoon. Others drop out entirely, crushed under the weight of responsibilities far beyond their years. Girls often shoulder an even heavier burden. They care for siblings, cook, clean, fetch water—tasks that fill their daylight hours and steal their right to learn or play. Yet even here, amid hardship, joy finds a way. In the soft glow of evening, the charlands echo with the thud of a football, the shout of a goal. A dozen boys gather barefoot in the sand—torn sandals, tattered clothes, no coaches, no gear. What they lack in equipment, they make up for in passion. “Some boys from our chars now play football at the district level,” said Shariful Islam, a volunteer from Char Jatrapur. Their determination is a silent protest against the poverty they were born into, against the indifference they endure. Weaving Dreams: A Jamdani artisan’s tale of passion and perseverance in Chandpur  

Two days ago, as festive lights brightened the skies of Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, darkness descended on Jamal Ahmed’s life. A private firm executive, Jamal (not his real name) met with a road accident in the city’s Matuail area. With multiple injuries and fractured bones, he was rushed to a nearby private clinic, where he received little more than first aid and an urgent piece of advice --to consult a specialist without delay. But in Bangladesh, catching hold of a specialist during Eid is like chasing a vanishing star. Even though Jamal managed to secure an appointment with an orthopaedist for 7 pm  the same day, his suffering had only just begun. Upon reaching the clinic on time, he found himself in a sea of patients — injured, ailing, desperate — all waiting in silence and pain. For more than two excruciating hours, Jamal, nursing his battered limbs, sat in the crowded waiting room, hoping his turn would come. This ordeal, however, is no anomaly. In Bangladesh, securing an appointment with a specialist even on regular days is a feat — during Eid, it turns into a miracle. When the country slips into a celebratory mood, hospitals often descend into eerie silence. The hum of medical activity is replaced with the hushed cries of unattended patients. At the clinic where Jamal waited, nearly 90 percent of the physicians were away, immersed in the bliss of the Eid holiday. For patients, however, there is no Eid, no joy, only a test of endurance amid trauma and tears. Silent Walls, Absent Healers: 46 health centres deserted in Sunamganj A sweeping 10-day holiday began in Bangladesh on June 5 this year, blanketing the nation in a celebratory calm. But at hospitals like Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the calm feels more like abandonment. No specialist could be found on site, though emergency needs kept rising like the tide. Footage recorded off-camera captured the deserted hallways and empty chairs that should have been occupied by physicians. Recognising the gravity of this recurring crisis, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has stepped forward, issuing a set of comprehensive directives to ensure that the Eid-ul-Azha break does not translate into unrelenting misery for patients. Eid or Not -- Care Must Continue We have divided doctors’ leave according to DGHS instructions. Emergency services will remain available round the clock,” said Ashraful Islam, Deputy Director of DMCH. “Given the long holiday and Dhaka Medical’s consistently high patient load, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted service.” Dr Mizanur Rahman, Superintendent of Kuwait Moitri Hospital, echoed similar assurance. “Outpatient services will remain closed from June 6 to 8 only. However, the ICU, labour room, ambulance, and other emergency services will remain operational. Patients will be served special meals on Eid day. June 5 will be a regular service day, and all departments will reopen from June 9 to 12. The hospital will remain closed on June 13 but reopen from June 14, including Saturday, even if other offices are shut.” To address the challenge in earnest, DGHS has laid down 16 vital instructions for public hospitals and a pair of key directives for private ones. These aim to guard the uninterrupted rhythm of essential healthcare across the nation. Key Directives from DGHS at a Glance: Emergency departments must ensure the presence of duty doctors — additional physicians may be assigned as needed. Labour rooms, emergency operating theatres, and diagnostic labs must remain open around the clock. Staggered leave schedules before and after Eid are recommended to maintain adequate staffing. Heads of institutions must approve leaves with an eye on public interest and the continuity of emergency services. Necessary district-level staff coordination is to be arranged, notifying civil surgeons or divisional directors beforehand. Department heads are tasked with supervising daily activities and ensuring essential diagnostic services like X-rays and labs are active. Hospitals must maintain an adequate stock of life-saving medicines, IV fluids, reagents, and surgical supplies. Ambulance services must operate at all times. Security coordination with local law enforcement is mandatory to ensure hospital safety. Fire safety measures must be strictly enforced. Institutional heads should remain in communication with on-duty staff and exchange Eid greetings. If the head is on leave, a designated officer must take charge, with contact details submitted to higher authorities. Mass exodus from Dhaka begins as 10-day Eid holiday kicks off Special meals should be arranged for in-patients on Eid, with senior officials personally overseeing the distribution. OPDs are not to remain closed for more than 72 hours — flexibility is granted but the core rule stands. For private hospitals: a. Ensure 24/7 emergency and maternity services led by registered doctors. b. Provide necessary initial care and help arrange transport for referred patients. c. Notify the DGHS immediately of any emergencies or adverse incidents. Dr. Moinul Ahsan, Director at DGHS, told UNB, “We’ve also issued two key guidelines for private hospitals since we don’t have the same level of regulatory control over them. These include ensuring 24/7 emergency and maternity services under registered physicians.” Hope Amidst the Haze With these measures in place, health officials are hopeful that the spectre of past Eid holidays — marked by silent corridors, tearful waits, and untold anguish — will be replaced by a more responsible and responsive healthcare service. The challenge is formidable, but so is the resolve. For Jamal Ahmed and thousands like him, even a moment’s delay can mean a lifetime of suffering. Holidays must not become hurdles in the path of healing. As the nation celebrates Eid, its hospitals must remember -- pain does not take a vacation.

Thousands of Eid-bound travellers are enduring immense suffering on a 30-kilometre stretch of the Barishal-Faridpur highway, from Bhanga upazila to Faridpur town. The road, damaged by countless potholes and craters, has turned the journey home into a painful experience. The highway is in such disrepair that traffic moves at a crawl. Vehicles break down frequently, stranding passengers in the heat and dust. What should be a joyous time is instead marked by frustration and fear. As night falls, the slow movement of traffic adds another layer of anxiety. Travellers worry about falling victim to muggings and robberies in the darkness. Facelifted unfit vehicles to be barred from roads during Eid: Home Adviser Fear travels with them as silently as their thoughts. Md Abdul Jalil, Superintendent of Police in Faridpur, sought to reassure the public. “Night patrols have been increased along the affected highway stretch to ensure the safety of Eid travellers. There is no reason to panic.” Locals say the suffering did not start overnight. The road has been neglected for years. After recent heavy rain, the potholes grew wider and deeper, making travel even more dangerous. People from Faridpur and at least 10 neighbouring districts are affected. Many point fingers at the Roads and Highways Department, accusing it of doing little to fix the worsening condition. Drivers and transport operators say their vehicles often suffer damage. The broken road slows their pace and drains their pockets. Delays are long. Tempers run short. Abul Hossain, a microbus driver heading to Dhaka, shared his story. “I was heading to the airport to pick up someone. From Bhanga to Faridpur, the road condition is so bad that I couldn’t drive over 15 km per hour. If a highway is in such condition, robbery and other issues become a real threat.” Bridge collapse amid heavy rains snaps road link in Munshiganj; locals suffer Other passengers echoed the same fears. They spoke of discomfort, uncertainty and the constant worry of being targeted at night. They urged authorities to fix the road immediately and ensure better safety for travellers. Superintendent Abdul Jalil said the troubled highway has been divided into four zones to strengthen patrols. “If anyone faces any issues or notices anything suspicious, they should immediately inform the police,” he added. Shafiqul Rahman, sub-divisional engineer of the Faridpur Roads and Highways Department, said emergency repair work is in progress to make the road temporarily passable. For now, though, the journey home remains long and hard. Eid is meant to be a celebration. But for thousands, it begins with hardship on a broken road.  

This is for the first time in history that with a rare 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday beginning on Thursday, Bangladesh is witnessing one of the largest mass movements of people in recent times as millions begin their journey from Dhaka and its adjoining areas to celebrate the festival with their loved ones. Although the official Eid journey is to begin from today (Thursday), the exodus started informally from May 30, when educational institutions across the country went on holiday.  But, the rush reached its peak on Wednesday—the last working day before Eid—as people started leaving Dhaka from noon onward.Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday, (June 7).  Due to the extended holidays, particularly from Wednesday through early Saturday, tens of millions are expected to leave the capital.Terminals across Dhaka, including Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Kamalapur Railway Station and various inter-district bus stations, have been overcrowded for the surge in passengers since Wednesday morning.Though there is no specific statistics about the number of people who will leave the mega city Dhaka and its adjoining areas for celebrating the upcoming Eid, the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF), said nearly 20 million people are expected to leave Greater Dhaka during this Eid break—around 10 million of whom are departing from Dhaka city alone.

With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, cattle markets across Feni are bustling with life.  From dusty village corners to pop-up haats crowding urban alleys, the district is abuzz with a familiar blend of festivity, negotiation, and expectation—each hoofbeat echoing the spirit of sacrifice and tradition. According to district administration, this year, 112 markets have been set up across Feni’s six upazilas.  Trading officially began on May 30, and since then, the rush of buyers and sellers has only grown stronger.  Dhaka's cattle markets take shape as Eid-ul-Azha nears Rows of cows, goats, sheep, and even buffalo are lined up, their handlers negotiating prices and the rhythmic hum of market chatter. But while supply is abundant, buyers and sellers are finding themselves on opposite ends of the price debate. Price Dilemma “The cost of raising cattle has gone up a lot this year,” said Fazlul Haque, a seasoned cattle farmer from Fulgazi, gently patting a sturdy brown cow. “We’ve spent more on feed, medicine, and labour. So naturally, we can’t afford to sell at lower rates.” He isn’t alone. Farmers across the district echo the same concern. With feed prices shooting up and general inflation pressing hard, most say they’ve had to adjust their prices accordingly. Eid-ul-Azha: Cattle markets gain momentum in Madaripur On the other side of the negotiation table, buyers like Abdul Mannan said prices have climbed well above expectations.  “A medium-sized cow is selling for Tk 80,000 to Tk 1.2 lakh,” he said while scanning a group of animals at a haat in Sonagazi. “That’s 15 to 20 per cent more than last year. A small increase is fine, but this feels a bit too steep.” Yet, others concede the quality of the animals this year is commendable. “The locally-reared cows are strong and healthy,” said another buyer. “Given that, the prices might actually be fair.” Stronger Supply  Than  Demand  According to the District Livestock Office, Feni is more than prepared to meet local demand. The requirement this year stands at 82,336 sacrificial animals, while 87,227 are already ready for sale. Of these, 69,360 are cows, 1,667 buffalo, 13,243 goats, and 3,147 sheep. The average price of each cow is between Tk 80,000 and 5,00,000 and the price of a goat is between Tk 15,000 and 40,000. Accordingly, about Tk 1,500 crore of livestock can be sold at the greater Cumilla division market this time, according to officials’ forecast. District Livestock Officer Md Mozammel Haque said, "There is no fear of a shortage of sacrificial animals in Feni this time. Apart from the at least 5,000 registered farmers in the district, many are privately raising one or more sacrificial animals." The surplus isn’t new. Last year, Feni also saw supply outpace demand, even amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and the lingering effects of natural disasters. Last year, the demand for sacrificial animals in the district was 87,200 while, 90,250 cattle were raised commercially and domestically. Though devastating floods wreaked havoc across all six upazilas of Feni. A total of 35 unions were affected, resulting in the death of nearly 39,000 cows and goats and damage worth over Tk 396 crore to the district’s livestock and poultry sector, according to reports. Push for Better  Practices As Eid draws nearer, the cattle markets are not only growing busier, they’re also becoming more organised. Farms like Madina Agro are now offering buyers the option to purchase livestock early and house them until sacrifice day. “Customers can even use the live-weight system to determine the animal’s worth,” said Mahmudul Hasan Sabbir, the farm’s manager. Meanwhile, district authorities have taken steps to ensure cleanliness. Each market has designated waste dumping areas, mobile cleaning teams, and a 24-hour cleanup mandate once the haats close.  “Protecting the environment is a key priority,” said Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam. “We won’t allow Eid festivities to result in public nuisance.” The Department of Livestock is also providing training for both professional and seasonal butchers, along with awareness programmes on hide preservation and livestock handling. Keeping Trouble at Bay  Security is another major focus this year. From petty theft to extortion, cattle markets are known hotspots for crime. But Feni’s police say they’re prepared. “Special teams are already active to prevent extortion, snatching, and pickpocketing,” said Feni’s Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman. “We’re also monitoring rumours and other attempts to create artificial crises.” To further safeguard the market ecosystem, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stepped up vigilance along the frontier to prevent illegal cross-border cattle smuggling.  “In March and April, a total of 123 Indian cows were seized from different parts of Feni’s border,” said Lt Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain of BGB 4 Battalion. “This year, we are determined to keep the markets clean and fair.” Despite higher prices and recent hardships, the spirit of Eid-ul-Azha in Feni remains undeterred. The markets are full, the cows are healthy, and the hope among farmers is palpable. “This festival is about sacrifice,” said farmer Fazlul Haque. “And for us, it’s also about resilience. We’ve given everything to raise these animals. Now, we just hope people see the value in that.” As the district gears up for the final days before Eid, all eyes remain on the haats—where tradition, livelihood, and faith come together in a spectacle unique to the season. #With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan

Although Bangladesh Bank has released newly designed Tk20, Tk50, and Tk1,000 notes ahead of Eid, scheduled banks are unable to supply them, while they are being sold at inflated prices on the open market. A visit to Motijheel and Gulistan reveals traders sitting under the open sky, openly displaying and selling the new banknotes. Their prices have soared due to the high demand for these redesigned notes. A single Tk20 note is being sold for Tk50, a Tk50 note for Tk80, and each new Tk1,000 note is carrying an added premium of Tk50 to Tk60. Among bundles, Tk20 notes are the most sought after. Buyers are paying Tk1,200 to Tk1,500 more per bundle. Tk50 bundles come with an additional charge of Tk1,000 to Tk1,200. While there is no shortage of the new notes in the open market, banks appear to be completely out of stock. Even bank officials have been unable to obtain new notes for personal use. An official from a private bank in Dhaka, expressing frustration, said, “Only a handful of banks received the new notes after their release. Even though head offices of private banks have received them, branch offices are yet to get any.” BB to use shredding machine to destroy dilapidated bank notes At the head office of Sonali Bank in Motijheel, numerous people were seen hoping to collect the new notes. However, acquiring them from the bank has proven to be a difficult task. One such customer, Monirul Islam, said, “New notes are being sold at double the price right outside the bank. Yet the bank claims there’s a shortage. If the notes haven’t been properly released to the public, then how have so many ended up on the open market?” Habibur Rahman, who came to Gulistan to buy new notes for Eid, said, “It’s all part of a syndicate. Only in Bangladesh can something like this happen with currency. With no new notes at banks, we’re forced to buy them at double the price on the open market.” When asked how they obtained the new notes, most traders initially declined to comment. One trader in Motijheel, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed, “These new notes come directly from banks. Particularly, there’s strong collusion between some officials at state-owned banks in Motijheel and Gulistan and the traders. They are the ones supplying the new notes.” When asked about the profit bank officials make per bundle, the trader said, “Two days ago, I bought a bundle of Tk20 notes paying an extra Tk900. Now, they’re selling for Tk500–600 above face value. Same goes for Tk50 bundles.” Another trader in Gulistan explained, “No bank official sells the notes directly. They pass them on to a middleman group, which then sells them at even higher prices in Motijheel and Gulistan.” Bangladesh Bank began circulating new notes in a limited capacity from 2 June. Initially available at various bank branches in the capital, these notes are expected to reach district towns after the Eid holidays. Bangladesh Bank halts exchange of new notes for Eid Responding to the issue of open market sales, Bangladesh Bank’s Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain said, “There is no scope for the new notes to reach the open market directly through Bangladesh Bank. However, if a customer withdraws money and sells it on the open market, there is nothing we can do.” When asked whether some bank officials might be involved in this scheme, Arif replied, “If anyone has information that implicates bank staff, please share it. We will consult with the Governor and take strict action. Even I, as a Bangladesh Bank official, have not received any new notes. Yet, they are being sold outside the banks at inflated prices --it’s disappointing.” He urged all not to support this black market, saying, “Please do not buy new notes at higher prices. If customers refuse to pay extra, this syndicate will naturally collapse.”

In the heart of Jashore’s Sharsha upazila, a symphony of hammers plays out across Navaron Rail Market amid the heat and haze of coal-fired forges. As Eid-ul-Azha looms on the horizon, the blacksmiths of this once-sleepy marketplace have entered their busiest season, an annual crucible of fire, faith and sheer physical endurance. Here, where iron meets flame and tradition melds with necessity, the artisans labour ceaselessly to craft the indispensable tools of Qurbani, the sacred ritual of animal sacrifice. Knives, machetes, choppers, and cleavers, each meticulously shaped by hand, gleam like polished silver under the dim glow of furnace light. The market is alive with an intensity found nowhere else in the calendar year. The clatter of steel on steel rings through narrow alleyways, echoing the devotion etched into every blacksmith’s soot-streaked brow. Inside smoke-filled workshops, orange embers flicker like fireflies in the gloom, casting light on the sinewy figures hunched over anvils. Exhaustion hangs thick in the air, yet the craftsmen work with unwavering resolve. From the first blush of dawn to well past midnight, the rhythm never breaks. Eid brings with it not just spiritual fulfilment, but also the hope of a financial reprieve for these hardworking souls. “We wait all year for this season,” says Robiul Islam, president of the Navaron Rail Market Blacksmith Association. “But it’s not as profitable as it once was. Prices for iron and coal have soared, but we dare not raise the rates for our customers. People are already struggling.” DMP Commissioner's strict directives for Eid-ul-Azha haat operations A large-quality sacrificial knife, he shares, now costs between Tk 500 and Tk 600. Smaller blades fetch Tk 150 to Tk 200, with larger machetes and choppers priced at Tk 400 to Tk 500 and Tk 300 to Tk 400 respectively. Despite the labour involved, margins remain slim. And then, there is the shadow of industrialisation. Mass-produced tools, mostly imported from China, are flooding the local market—sleek, cheap, and mechanically precise. “People often bring us their old blades to sharpen rather than buy new ones,” Robiul laments. “They trust our work, but the economics don’t favour us anymore.” Still, rows of freshly forged tools shimmer at storefronts, their gleaming edges a testament to artistry that no machine can replicate. Inside, shirtless workers—faces streaked with sweat and soot—pump bellows, strike iron, and shape steel, their muscles moving almost by memory. “This is our busiest time of year,” says one blacksmith, wiping sweat from his brow, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. “We are tired beyond words. But this is our duty—our service to the community. People need our tools for Qurbani. We cannot let them down.” Dhaka's cattle markets take shape as Eid-ul-Azha nears With each clang of metal, each spark that leaps into the night, the blacksmiths reaffirm a legacy steeped in resilience and quiet pride. As Eid-ul-Azha draws nearer, their tireless toil underlines a timeless truth: that in the fire of hardship, tradition is forged anew.

Temporary cattle markets have begun taking shape across Dhaka as preparations for Eid-ul-Azha gather pace. With traders arriving from across the country and designated haats filling up swiftly, the city is entering its annual phase of spirited livestock trade, complete with rising prices, surging crowds and makeshift pens sprawling into the skyline. The Qurbani haats, as they are locally known, appear each year ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to cater to the seasonal demand for sacrificial animals. Under the supervision of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the official markets are typically set up two to three weeks before Eid. This year, activity began in the final week of May, as traders from rural districts started arriving with cattle—mainly cows, goats, and buffaloes—while a limited number of animals have come from neighbouring India and Nepal due to stricter cross-border regulations. In 2025, city authorities have allocated 18 official cattle markets across Dhaka. These include Gabtoli—the city’s only permanent haat—as well as temporary sites such as Sadeque Hossain Khoka Playground, Dholaikhal, Basila, Kamrangirchar, Eastern Housing, Mirpur, and Uttara Sector 15. Alongside these, smaller unauthorised haats have started forming in some localities. A visit to several of these sites reveals rapid development. Most of the bamboo structures are already in place, while sellers and agro farm owners have marked their spaces with signboards. The city’s landscape is changing fast, with livestock-laden pickup trucks navigating busy streets and tarpaulin roofs emerging above makeshift pens. Eid-ul-Azha: Cattle markets gain momentum in Madaripur Jamal Hossain, a resident of Mirpur, shared his daily encounter with the Gabtoli haat,“I pass by Gabtoli every day on my way to work. The market is already packed, though it's still technically 'unofficial.' Prices are sky-high and negotiations are tough.” A cattle trader from Pabna highlighted the cost challenges this year. “Transport costs have increased this year. Fuel prices and tolls make it difficult for us to offer lower rates. Buyers expect miracles, but we’ve invested a lot,” he said. At the Dania College Open Market, Abbas Ali from Faridpur stood beside his six oxen and described the mood, “We are ready to sell. But selling in the beginning phase is rare. People are just roaming and discussing about the price.” He also pointed to rising local-level cattle prices, citing the cost of feed and transport. Preparation and Management City corporations have begun laying essential infrastructure at haat sites to ensure smooth operations. Efforts include clean water supply, waste management systems, mobile veterinary clinics, CCTV surveillance, and dedicated security patrols. Digital payment options are also being promoted to deter fraud and theft. Online cattle-selling platforms have grown in popularity, offering home delivery services and digital transactions to those preferring to avoid the crowded markets. Biggest cattle market in the southwest region running without lease