Criticism Over Cattle Market Under Metro Rail Built During Awami League Government

The establishment of an illegal cattle market beneath a metro rail station in the Diabari area of Mirpur, Dhaka, has sparked widespread discussion and criticism among the public. Allegations have emerged that several BNP-backed local individuals and activists are operating the cattle market in violation of regulations.

According to local sources, setting up cattle markets or tying cattle beneath metro rail stations is strictly prohibited. However, recently, cattle were seen being kept under a station in the Uttara area under the name of a “Smart Cattle Market.” Images and videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, triggering public outrage and concern.

Urban planners, transport analysts, and conscious citizens say that placing a cattle market beneath a modern and sensitive infrastructure like the metro rail is not only visually inappropriate but also poses serious threats to safety and discipline. They believe the situation could obstruct passenger movement, increase the risk of accidents, and create environmental pollution around the station area.

The metro rail project was implemented during the tenure of the Bangladesh Awami League government as a landmark initiative aimed at easing Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion and modernizing the city’s public transportation system. The advanced electric transit system brought significant improvements to urban commuting and was widely praised as a symbol of national development and modernization.

However, the use of space beneath such a major development project for cattle trading has now created fresh social and political controversy. Many are questioning how effectively the concerned authorities are protecting the environment, discipline, and image of the metro rail system, which has long been regarded as a symbol of modern urban management in Bangladesh.

The issue has also drawn strong reactions on social media. Many users have described the situation as unfortunate, arguing that an infrastructure project representing modernization and progress should not be turned into a center of disorder and mismanagement through political influence.