Effluent treatment plant to be commissioned next week

Trichy: The much-delayed common effluent treatment plant (CEPT) is finally set for commissioning next week and it has come up at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore.

With this, the effluent discharges from the tanneries on the outskirts of Tiruchirappalli will be treated, providing the much-needed relief to the people in the surrounding areas.

According to VSM Varis Mohaideen, secretary, Trichy Tanneries Association, the CEPT would benefit all the eight tanneries in the region, which soak over 18 tonne of skins and hides per day.

The plant has come up at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore. Of this Rs 1.78 crore had been contributed by the tannery owners, Rs 27 lakh by way of investment subsidy granted by the Centre and Rs 75 lakh has been provided by the Tamil Nadu government.

The project was earlier taken up in the early 90s but ran into trouble owing to various reasons including stringent pollution rules laid by the high court, free import policy and excessive export duty imposed on leather products.

Meanwhile, the number of tanneries dwindled to eight from 24 units in the area, he said. A garden is also being developed at the plant site, which will be irrigated by the treated water.

Mohaideen claimed that the tanneries at Trichy were not hazardous since the units use vegetable extracts commonly known as East India leather technology for processing skins.

The Trichy Tanners Association has also sought assistance from the Centre for the establishment of a second treatment plant by adopting the reverse osmosis process. The project requires an investment of Rs 6.6 crore and the Centre has accorded its in-principle approval, he added.