UPSIDC identifies land for shifting of Kanpur tanneries
The ball on relocation of these leather tanneries was set rolling by Yogi Adityanath government when during a meeting on pollution of Ganga on April 16 it told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to shift these British-era tanneries that release toxic wastes into the river.
Around 400 leather tanneries in Kanpur, which are a major source of pollution in Ganga, would be relocated soon.
The UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) has identified 700 acre land in Ramaipur village located approximately 15 kilometers away from Kanpur for shifting of these tanneries.
The proposal, which was discussed at a meeting presided by chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar, is yet to get the State cabinet’s nod. Upset over the development, tannery owners have decided to oppose the move and petition both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and call on them next week.
The ball on relocation of these leather tanneries was set rolling by Yogi Adityanath government when during a meeting on pollution of Ganga on April 16 it told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to shift these British-era tanneries that release toxic wastes into the river.
These tanneries cluster in Jajmau area of Kanpur employ over two million people. The NGT was informed that the existing industrial clusters at Jajmau and Unnao required establishment of an entirely new Common Effluent Treatment Plant with a separate chromium recovery plant and separate pipelines. “There is no other alternative except shifting of these tanneries, if we want to rejuvenate Ganga. Shifting of the leather units requires a strong will. The residents living near tanneries have to face the foul smell emanating from these units which is injurious to their health,” says noted advocate M C Mehta, who had filed a PIL for cleaning of river Ganga before the Supreme Court in 1985. In 2014, the case was transferred by the apex court to NGT, which is now seized with the matter.
In a detailed report covering various aspects of contamination in the river, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had informed the NGT that the Ganga, spanning a distance of 543 km between Haridwar and Kanpur, was affected by 1,072 seriously polluting industries which were releasing heavy metals and pesticides. At present, 823.1 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage and 212.42 MLD of industrial effluent flows into the river while three of the four monitored Sewage Treatment Plants were non-compliant with the set standards, it said.
Experts, however, point out that tanneries comprise only one aspect of many critically polluting industries identified by the CPCB, which also needed to be looked into. UPSIDC sources said the shifting of these tanneries would be undertaken in a phased manner as the state government would have to make proper arrangements and provide their owners with all facilities.