Prompt and timely action against the illegal cattle markets in the city has led to increased visitors at Asia's biggest cattle market this year, as some one million Karachiites has so far visited the market set up at Super Highway. People from every nook and corner of the city thronged the cattle market soon after its official inauguration.
This year a big change has been noticed, as the government facilitated to set up main maweshi mandi in the city.
Actions against illegal roadside small markets were taken by police and city administration in different areas. Commissioner Karachi as stated at the inauguration that in co-ordination with the cattle market administration, special arrangements have been made to facilitate the people in purchasing and selling the sacrificial animals at the biggest cattle market of Asia. The measures taken by the administration of city government will lead to a fair and healthy environment for the people selling and purchasing sacrificial animals.
Regarding the main cattle market on Super Highway near Sohrab Goth, the commissioner had said that it was their prime responsibility to keep the Asia's biggest cattle market safe and secure for both the customers and sellers. 'We have requested the police and Rangers for additional patrolling in surroundings.
The administrator of the market Rana Imran said that the arrival of sacrificial animals continues to rise in Karachi with each passing day, the main cattle market on Superhighway is currently drawing more visitors than actual buyers.
More than 175,000 cows and buffaloes, over 30,000 goats and around 1000 camels have so far arrived from the up-country at the cattle market. Last year the market witnessed arrival of over 250,000 cows, 90,000 goats and 3,200 camels.
He said that the Cow mandi has been set up on 950 acres. This year, cow mandi and goats and camels mandi have been merged allocating 200 acres for goat mandi. Cow mandi has total 29 blocks; out of which five blocks have been designated as VIP blocks, whereas the goat mandi has one general and one VIP block.
He said that only charges the cattle merchants have to pay are: Rs 1000 for cow/camel and Rs 600 for goat. 'Against this nominal fee they are being provided with a lot of free facilities including space with security arrangements, free 16 liter drinking water per animal (8 liter in morning and 8 liter afternoon), for all the cattle,
No additional fee is being charged for space provided to the sellers. The cattle merchants are being given space as per the availability on first come first serve basis," he added.
To facilitate people, the administrator added, Habib Metro Bank has opened its branches at the mandi. "A complaint center to instantly resolve all issues will be there to help people,' he added.
Imran said that they know that millions of people will be coming to the mandi to buy animals and they have to facilitate them which is the reason a number of facilities have been added and established at the mandi so that people can easily shop around without any sort of hassle.
"This is the first time that female janitors have been appointed to keep the ladies bathroom clean, giving more comfort to the female visitors,' he added. Another first in the mandi is the amusement park which has been built in the mandi for children.
"Prayers places have also been arranged throughout the market. We are also doing our best to beautify the mandi. For water storage, in addition to cemented tanks, fiber tanks have also been placed in the mandi for the proper storage and supply of water. Fiber tanks are easy to move so that all areas of mandi will have sufficient storage of water," said the administrator. Besides this, he added, the administration was providing free parking to all vehicles to facilitate customers and visitors, while extensive security arrangements were being ensured.