New Delhi, July 29: The Supreme Court today directed speedy completion of the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and other facilities at the Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) for faster rehabilitation of closed tanneries. A bench comprising justice m b shah and Justice A R Lakshmanan directed the West Bengal government to forthwith give effluent discharge connection to the CETP catering to all tanneries which were ready for commencing their manufacturing activity.

The court also asked the build-operate-transfer party Dalmiya and co to construct and commission the second power station in the complex to make available adequate power to relocated industries.

The apex court, taking note of the discharge of waste water by the tanneries into River Hoogly and the filth generated by them, had ordered closure of all tanneries operating in the residential areas and directed their relocation in the CLC.
The bench asked the private party to file a detailed affidavit on the allotment of land to new units in zones 1 to 8 which were reserved for relocation of closed tanneries and posted the matter for further hearing on August 14.

Bureau Report