UNB, Dhaka :Though the extended deadline for the relocation of tanneries from the city’s Hazaribagh area expires today (Sunday), no sign was seen on Saturday to move those to the designated leather industrial park in Savar.Industry insiders said, it is impossible to meet the April-10 deadline, as the relocation of their factories will take a few more months. Visiting a number of tanneries in Hazarigbagh on Saturday, this correspondent found that no factory authorities started shifting machinery to the 200-acre Savar Tannery Estate.Many tanneries were seen continuing their operations with the rawhides they received earlier.But, the rawhide supply to Hazaribagh still remained suspended though the deadline was extended from March 31 to April 10, many alleged. Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners’ Association (BTA) Shahin Ahmed said it is possible for many tanneries to be shifted within three-four months next, while all tanneries to be relocated within this year. Apparently admitting that the deadline is going to be missed again, he said, “The tannery owners don’t sit idle. Despite having sincerity, it’ll not be possible for most tanneries to get relocated within a short time.”Shahin Ahmed claimed that the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Savar is yet to be ready for operation, an allegation denied by the Project Director of the Tannery Estate. Reliance Tannery started operation in Savar, but its effluents were supplied directly without treatment through the CETP, the BTA chairman said.
