Editorial
Relocating tanneries
No excuse for inordinate delay
The continuing delay in relocating Hazaribagh tanneries to Savar is inexcusable. One of the reasons for Buriganga's extremely bad state is the effluents that run off into this river which is the lifeline of the capital. All the leather factories should have been moved to the new location with an ETP set up in the new leather estate by February 2010, according to a Supreme Court order.
However, last year the government had sought two years as grace period from the court, which will also be over next year.
It is unimaginable that there is no palpable action on the nearly Tk.500 crore ETP project even after three months that the contract was signed with a foreign firm in February this year. It is a pity that the government is yet to start construction of the buildings to house the ETP.
Clearing Hazaribagh is contingent upon the construction of the ETP, without which relocation of the tanneries and leather factories will make no sense at all.
The government can ill afford to drag its feet on relocating the Hazaribagh tanneries to the designated spot in Savar for more than one reason. For apart from putting a stop to disgorging tannery effluents into the Buriganga river and settling damages claimed by tannery owners and looking into other related issues, it will also be a race against time. The project must be completed ahead of 2014 keeping an eye on EU's compliance requirements.
Given its urgency, it is hoped that the government will consider the matter with highest priority and complete the project within the stipulated time.
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