DOT Desk: The government extended the tenure of the tannery relocation project in Savar from the city’s Hazaribagh for one more year, up to December 2020, from previously extended deadline of December 2019, reports New Age.
The extension was given at the National Economic Council executive committee meeting presided over by prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the planning commission. Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation which has been implementing the project for the last 16 years sought the extension to complete components like swear treatment plant, construction of main gate, setting up elevators and construction of dump yard and boundary walls.
Planning minister MA Mannan told reporters after the meeting that the project was expected to be completed by December although much time had already elapsed.
He also said that BSCIC, however, did not seek escalation of the project cost this time, but wanted reduction of cost by Tk 63 crore to Tk 1,015 crore from Tk 1,078 crore.
Last time, the project aiming at relocating tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar and treating effluent was extended in November 2017.
In 2003, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation under the industries ministry took the project at a cost of Tk 175.75 crore following directive from the HC.
The court directed to complete the works within two years.