MUMBAI, May 25 -- With just days left for Bakra Eid, Deonar Abattoir, among Asia's largest slaughterhouses and livestock markets, is witnessing an unusual and worrying sight: empty lanes, anxious buyers and soaring prices. Every year during the eight-day Bakra Eid rush, the Deonar market witnesses business estimated at nearly Rs.700 crore, with thousands of goats arriving from across western and northern India and premium animals fetching anywhere from Rs.20,000 to well above Rs.1 lakh. But this year, traders say the market has slowed dramatically due to a severe shortage of livestock and unprecedented price escalation due to inflation, heatwave deaths and rumours of lockdown. On Sunday, large sections of the market wore a deserted look as buyers walked away after being quoted steep prices for goats, many of which have doubled compared to previous years. According to Gulrez Sharif Qureshi, national secretary of the All India Jamiatul Quresh, which represents the Qureshi community, traditionally associated with the meat industry, around 127,000 goats had arrived at the Deonar abattoir till Sunday, compared to nearly 188,000 goats during the same period last year. "This time the cost of goats is much higher. The goats coming from Gujarat have stopped for some reason and many goats are dying due to the heatwave while being transported. There is no goat available below Rs.30,000 for this Eid. Earlier they were sold at Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000," he said. Mumbai traditionally receives large numbers of livestock from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana ahead of Bakra Eid. Premium breeds such as Beetal goats from Punjab and Haryana, known for their meat quality and size, are especially favoured by affluent buyers. However, traders said supplies from several states have sharply reduced this year. "We are falling short of nearly 70,000 goats. These are the most expensive rates seen in the last 25 to 30 years. Inflation, heatwaves and rumours surrounding a possible lockdown have all affected the market," Qureshi added. For many lower-income Muslim families in Mumbai, Bakra Eid is often the only occasion in the year when the household consumes premium-quality mutton. Many families begin saving small amounts almost a year in advance to buy an animal for qurbani. This year, however, soaring prices have placed the festival beyond the reach of many households. "Middle-class families are under pressure this year. Many people who earlier planned a budget of Rs.25,000 are now forced to spend Rs.40,000 or settle for much smaller animals," said Nadeem Qureshi, a buyer. Bakra Eid is expected to be observed on May 28 (Thursday), with traders hoping for more arrivals over the next two days. Qureshi alleged that vehicles transporting goats have faced obstruction on routes leading into the city. "The transport vehicles are being caught in Vasai and Marol markets by so-called gaurakshaks," he said. Amid concerns over supply shortages and rising tensions, the Maharashtra government has stepped in with a series of directions aimed at easing transport and trade ahead of the festival. State chief secretary Rajesh Agrawal directed police authorities to take legal action against local miscreants who stop vehicles transporting animals. He also clarified that taking action against animal traders solely for carrying animals in numbers exceeding prescribed limits was illegal. MLA Rais Shaikh, who attended a high-level meeting chaired by Agrawal at Mantralaya last Tuesday, said the meeting included legislators from various political parties representing Mumbai's minority community, representatives of the State Khatik Federation, and senior officials from the administration and police department. "On the occasion of Bakra Eid, the slaughter fee at the Deonar slaughterhouse has been reduced from Rs.200 to Rs.20. Additionally, the number of designated places for qurbani in Mumbai has been increased from 70 to 109," Shaikh said. He added that the state has also temporarily relaxed rules regarding animal tagging during the festival period. The impact of the shortage is being felt beyond Mumbai. Across Pune's seasonal Bakra Eid markets, traders said goat prices have risen by nearly 20% to 40% compared to last year. Traders said small goats that sold for Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000 last year are now priced from Rs.15,000 onwards....