For the devotees, Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id), the festival on which muslims sacrifice animals, may turn out to be a “costly” affair this year, with the prices of sacrificial animals likely to go up by 30 to 40 per cent. Two days before Id, an average-sized goat is available for around Rs 7,000, though a similar animal was selling for about Rs 5,000 last year. Shortage of stock, incr-ease in fodder prices and transportation char-ges, are said to be the reasons for the rise.

Fifty per cent of the goats and sheep are brought to the city from states like Chhattisga-rh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while the rest come to the city from the neighbouring districts. The cost of transportation has had a major impact on the prices. Mohammed Saleem, vice-president of the Jamiat-e-Quraish, the umbrella body of meat traders in the city, says, “Though the prices are high, we do not expect a dip in sales.”

Mohammed Atif, a merchant who brings sheep and goats from the districts says, “Last year, we bought a goat that weighed 14 to 15 kg for Rs 4,000 from Kurnool. This year, we had to shell out `6,000 for a goat of the same size.” Expectations of dip in prices are rife as a large number of animals would reach the city markets by Saturday night or Sunday. In the city, the major sheep and goat markets will be held in Jiaguda, Mehdipatnam, Balak-pur, Chengicherla, Bowenpally etc.

Meanwhile, the modern abattoir at Chengicherla (beef section) and the retail beef shops within the limits of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation will remain closed on October 7 and October 8, on account of Bakrid.