India: 91 Tanneries to remain closed till Kumbh

KANPUR: Changing its earlier decision on the tanneries’ operation on the roster basis, the state pollution control board has taken a strict action. The tanneries will now be opened after the Kumbh. Announcing the fresh decision, T U Khan, Board’s chief officer, said that owners of as many as 91 tanneries were made aware of the closure resolution with the state pollution control board.

There was essentially no noticeable check on the wastes flowing straight into the river. On inspection of the Wazidpur pumping station, it was found that the wastes were sidestepping into the river. Therefore the stern action for the closure of tanneries has been taken. Those will be operational only after completion of the fair. The roster system was also proved ineffectual as compliance was not satisfactory.

According to this arrangement, the tanneries were divided into three groups of 35, 29, & 27. Each group was told to run its units on allotted days. The time has been fixed from 12 pm to 4 pm. Even the district magistrate was upset at irregularities at the pumping stations during his inspection recently.