Kamruzzaman Bablu :
The much-debated relocation of tannery units from Hazaribagh area in the city to the newly-built ‘Savar Leather Park’ is not possible before ensuing Eid-ul Azha, although the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently expressed her displeasure over the unnecessary delay, sources said.
They said, the government and the tanners’ places blame game about the decision of shifting tanneries. As a result, the shifting procedure remains indecisiveness.
However, as per the agreement, the government was supposed to establish a Central Effluent Treatment plant (CETP) at the industrial park to ensure the liquid waste to be discharged by the tanners. It will flow into the nearby river.
But according to tanners business, only two units out of 20 of the CETP have been completed but they are not ready to operate now. Construction of another unit is completed but the machinery has not been installed yet.
Only two factories, Apex Tanneries and Reliance Tannery had their machinery installed while three to four others have brought their machinery to their factories. Construction of the most of the establishments is under way.
“We can start processing the rawhides now, but the CETP is not ready yet,” Shafiqul Islam, an official of Apex Tannery, told the New Nation on Monday.
Above all, the CETP construction work has remained suspended since March 16 due to fund shortage.
Construction of the sewerage line that will carry waste water into the CETP has also been sluggish.
“Although the authorities have given water and electricity connections but are yet to ensure gas connection at the leather estate.” Md Hazrat Ali, chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (Bscic) said recently.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu recently claimed that the two units of the CETP were able to treat the waste of 40-60 factories.
The minister also warned that the tanners of strict action if they did not relocate the units immediately. “The government will not allow any dillydally over the shifting process.”
About non-availability gas connection, Amu claimed that they were ready to give gas connection. “But no one has applied for gas connection,” he added.
The government decided to transfer the tanneries from Hazaribagh amid pressure from local and international rights groups and environmental activists, and buyers because of their hazardous effects on public health and environment, especially the Buriganga River.
It has allocated plots to 155 tannery owners at the industrial park established on a 200-acre land.
The much-debated relocation of tannery units from Hazaribagh area in the city to the newly-built ‘Savar Leather Park’ is not possible before ensuing Eid-ul Azha, although the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently expressed her displeasure over the unnecessary delay, sources said.
They said, the government and the tanners’ places blame game about the decision of shifting tanneries. As a result, the shifting procedure remains indecisiveness.
However, as per the agreement, the government was supposed to establish a Central Effluent Treatment plant (CETP) at the industrial park to ensure the liquid waste to be discharged by the tanners. It will flow into the nearby river.
But according to tanners business, only two units out of 20 of the CETP have been completed but they are not ready to operate now. Construction of another unit is completed but the machinery has not been installed yet.
Only two factories, Apex Tanneries and Reliance Tannery had their machinery installed while three to four others have brought their machinery to their factories. Construction of the most of the establishments is under way.
“We can start processing the rawhides now, but the CETP is not ready yet,” Shafiqul Islam, an official of Apex Tannery, told the New Nation on Monday.
Above all, the CETP construction work has remained suspended since March 16 due to fund shortage.
Construction of the sewerage line that will carry waste water into the CETP has also been sluggish.
“Although the authorities have given water and electricity connections but are yet to ensure gas connection at the leather estate.” Md Hazrat Ali, chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (Bscic) said recently.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu recently claimed that the two units of the CETP were able to treat the waste of 40-60 factories.
The minister also warned that the tanners of strict action if they did not relocate the units immediately. “The government will not allow any dillydally over the shifting process.”
About non-availability gas connection, Amu claimed that they were ready to give gas connection. “But no one has applied for gas connection,” he added.
The government decided to transfer the tanneries from Hazaribagh amid pressure from local and international rights groups and environmental activists, and buyers because of their hazardous effects on public health and environment, especially the Buriganga River.
It has allocated plots to 155 tannery owners at the industrial park established on a 200-acre land.
