Tannery village CETP: It’s all about delay | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 02, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 02, 2025
Tannery village CETP: It’s all about delay

Bangladesh

Rafiqul Islam
01 February, 2021, 12:10 pm
Last modified: 01 February, 2021, 12:22 pm

Related News

  • Tanners expect 10-15% less rawhide collection this year 
  • Eid brings no relief as exports slump, tariff pressures mount on tanners
  • Nutrition campaign held in Jamalpur on cooking demonstration
  • Stakeholders convene at BSCIC to discuss CMSM sector outlook
  • Minimum wage: Tannery workers demand immediate implementation, owners say 'impossible'  

Tannery village CETP: It’s all about delay

The Chinese contractor has not completed the two-year job in over eight years and seeks extension for a 12th time

Rafiqul Islam
01 February, 2021, 12:10 pm
Last modified: 01 February, 2021, 12:22 pm
The unusual delay in the construction of the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) at the Tannery Industrial Estate in Savar has long been causing pollution in the water of the River Dhaleshwari. The photo was taken recently. Photo: SALAHUDDIN AHMED
The unusual delay in the construction of the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) at the Tannery Industrial Estate in Savar has long been causing pollution in the water of the River Dhaleshwari. The photo was taken recently. Photo: SALAHUDDIN AHMED

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) – the project implementing agency – is in crisis over completing the construction of the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) at the Tannery Industrial Estate in Savar.

Chinese contractor JLEPCL-DCL JV has not completed the work even after receiving 11 time extensions. 

The last extension expired on 30 December and the company once again has asked for three more months till March 31 to complete the work.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

In this situation, the liquid waste of the tannery village cannot be treated properly and thus the water of the River Dhaleshwari is being polluted.

Tannery owners are also dissatisfied with the waste management.

Shaheen Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Tanners' Association (BTA), said that the delay in CETP construction is negatively impacting the tannery industry.

He called upon the authorities concerned to work quickly without wasting any more time.

On 11 March, 2012, the tender was awarded to JLEPCL-DCL JV through an international tender to build the CETP within two years.

The project cost was estimated at Tk477.46 crore, the construction time was 18 months and the commissioning and stabilisation time was another six months.

In 2003, the BSCIC undertook the project to build the Tannery Industrial Estate to relocate all the tanneries in Hazaribagh to Hemayetpur, Savar to save the River Buriganga from tannery waste contamination.

In 2017, all the Hazaribagh tanneries were shifted to Savar on the outskirts of the capital before the project was completed.

Jitendra Nath Paul, project director of the tannery village, told The Business Standard, "We are in a crisis over the delay in setting up the CETP. The contractor has not completed the work even though the time was extended many times before."

"The contractor has sought a time extension for a 12th time, saying that technicians could not arrive due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have forwarded it to the industries ministry. No decision has been made yet to extend the time," he added.

Noting that the contract with the company cannot be cancelled, he said that if the contract is scrapped, a new tender will have to be called, which is a very time-consuming process.

The contractor has also been informed about BSCIC's dissatisfaction with the repeated time extensions.

Currently, a trial run of four modules of the CETP is going on. When the work is completed, the CETP is expected to be able to treat 25,000 cubic metres of liquid waste every day.

In the first phase, the implementation period of the project was extended till 6 January, 2014. Then the time was extended by 10 months in the second phase, eight months in the third phase, and six months in each from the fourth to seventh phases.

The time was extended by three months in each of the eighth and ninth phases. In the tenth phase, the time was extended by 10 months.

The deadline was extended till 30 December in response to the eleventh application of the contractor to extend the time.

In the twelfth application sent to the project director, the Chinese contractor said, "The remaining work could not be finished before the deadline due to the dearth of Chinese technicians and skilled workers." 

"A requisite number of Chinese skilled workforce must be engaged – to put the finishing touches on the long-cherished project – [including] notable automation engineers, professional laboratory technicians and lecturers dedicated to holding workshops plus seminars as well as offering specialised hands-on training to BSCIC officials," he added. 

"In order to finish the project, we need to import the goods from China but we could not open an LC," read the application.

With the Chinese spring festival in February of 2021, Chinese nationals are reluctant to come to Bangladesh before that festive occasion because they are waiting to be reunited with their nearest and dearest ones to celebrate this traditional festival of utmost significance, the application further said.

Top News / Industry

Chinese contractor / CETP / Tannery / BSCIC

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph: TBS
    Controversial taxman Matiur’s rulings cost govt Tk1000cr in lost revenue
  • The second round of dialogue between political parties and the National Consensus Commission began at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital’s Bailey Road on 2 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Ali Riaz hopeful of reaching consensus charter by mid-July
  • Infographics: TBS
    54% of Bangladesh’s power subsidies benefit wealthiest 40%: IMF

MOST VIEWED

  • Showkat Ali Chowdhury, the chairman of Eastern Bank Limited (EBL). File photo
    Bank accounts of Eastern Bank chairman, his family frozen
  • Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Photo: Zia Chowdhury
    Airport officials instructed to pay close attention during baggage screening for all VIP and VVIP passengers
  • Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
    Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
  • The Standard Chartered bank logo is seen at their headquarters in London, Britain, July 26, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
    Standard Chartered Bank faces $2.7 billion lawsuit over alleged role in 1MDB fraud
  • File photo of Bangladesh Public Service Commission logo. Photo: Collected
    Repeat recommendations in 44th BCS spark vacancy fears
  • File photo of Chattogram Port/TBS
    Ctg port handles record 32.96 lakh containers in FY25, revenue hits Tk75,432 crore

Related News

  • Tanners expect 10-15% less rawhide collection this year 
  • Eid brings no relief as exports slump, tariff pressures mount on tanners
  • Nutrition campaign held in Jamalpur on cooking demonstration
  • Stakeholders convene at BSCIC to discuss CMSM sector outlook
  • Minimum wage: Tannery workers demand immediate implementation, owners say 'impossible'  

Features

Illustration: TBS

Ulan Daspara: Remnants of a fishing village in Dhaka

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Innovative storage accessories you’ll love

2d | Brands
Two competitors in this segment — one a flashy newcomer, the other a hybrid veteran — are going head-to-head: the GAC GS3 Emzoom and the Toyota CH-R. PHOTOS: Nafirul Haq (GAC Emzoom) and Akif Hamid (Toyota CH-R)

GAC Emzoom vs Toyota CH-R: The battle of tech vs trust

2d | Wheels
Women farmers, deeply reliant on access to natural resources for both farming and domestic survival, are among the most affected, caught between ecological collapse and inadequate structural support. Photo: Shaharin Amin Shupty

Hope in the hills: How women farmers in Bandarban are weathering the climate crisis

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Singapore police can now seize bank accounts to stop scams

Singapore police can now seize bank accounts to stop scams

1h | TBS World
What Crime Experts Are Saying About Violence Against Women and Rape

What Crime Experts Are Saying About Violence Against Women and Rape

13h | Podcast
Why is the 'Squid Game' so popular worldwide?

Why is the 'Squid Game' so popular worldwide?

14h | Others
Russia takes full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region

Russia takes full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region

14h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net