The railway authority has asked all concerned to refrain from illegally setting up cattle markets beside rail lines or on land owned by Bangladesh Railway without its prior approval.

The request came in a message sent on Friday afternoon (16 May) by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, public relations officer of the Ministry of Railways.

It said the ministry has sent a semi-official letter to the deputy commissioners of districts where temporary cattle markets might be set up on railway land or next to rail lines for the coming Eid-ul-Azha, asking them to take the necessary steps.

The letter, signed by Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam, said temporary cattle markets are often set up on railway land and next to tracks without proper safety measures. This threatens the safety of the public and of train movement, and unwanted accidents on the line could disrupt train schedules during Eid travel, which is not acceptable in any way.

The letter added that the present government is highly sensitive about protecting public property and ensuring public safety, and in that context holds a firm position on stopping illegal cattle markets beside rail lines or on railway land.

If, given local circumstances, a cattle market next to a rail line is essential somewhere, the following conditions must be met:

• No market may be set up next to a rail line without prior approval from the railway.
• The leaseholder managing the market must build strong fencing of bamboo or other suitable material along the railway side, keeping a set distance.
• The fencing must be placed so that it does not obstruct trains and keeps people coming to the market safe.
• Under the overall supervision of the district administration, local police and the railway authority must coordinate to ensure train movement and public safety.

The deputy commissioners concerned have been asked to treat the matter as urgent, act quickly and inform the Ministry of Railways of the steps taken. The districts where temporary cattle markets might be set up on railway land or next to rail lines for Eid-ul-Azha are Moulvibazar, Bogura, Dinajpur, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Kushtia and Chuadanga.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.