The Hindu Business Line : Work on Ambur-Vaniyambadi leather cluster on track

The modern MBR-RO (membrane bio reactor-reverse osmosis) technology is being used for the project, perhaps for the first time in leather sector in the country.

Kolkata , Sept. 12

Implementation of the Centre's Rs 67.33-crore Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (IIUS) for leather clusters in the Ambur-Vaniyambadi belt (in North Arcot district) of Tamil Nadu is well on course and likely to be completed by August 2007.

Bulk of the costs are being met through a Government grant, with the balance coming from the various stakeholders in the area.

Waste-water recycling

The project involves setting up of a network of advanced waste-water recycling plants and other effluent treatment infrastructure to help the leather units in the area achieve zero discharge and sludge disposal facilities.

Leather industry has been identified as a major thrust area for exports, and in generating employment in rural India.

The modern MBR-RO (membrane bio reactor-reverse osmosis) technology is being used for the project, perhaps for the first time in leather sector in the country.

Talking to Business Line here recently on the pace of the project, being implemented through Ambur Economic Development Organisation Ltd (AEDOL), a newly formed SPV, Mr Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman of Council for Leather Exports, and a major exporter from the region, said the tendering process for all major works, including that for the main plant, was nearly over.

He said the SPV was formed to take advantage of the schemes being implemented by the Central Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), for integrated infrastructure development programmes, particularly to enable the industrial cluster meet their aim of zero discharge by recycling the treated water, and also meet other environmental standards set by the PCBs.

Mr Ahmed said IL&FS was the project developer for upgrading and implementing zero discharge facility, and a major part of the technical guidance tendering, installation and implementation of the project is being taken care of by Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company Ltd (TNWICL) for IL&FS.

He said work order for modification of the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) and pipeline and pump station, estimated to cost Rs 13.25 crore, has already been issued. The sludge disposal facility, namely the secure land fill system, being implemented by the CLRI, Chennai, is expected to cost Rs 6 crore.

Pointing out that at present there were three functioning CETPs, one each at Maligaithope and Thuthipet in Ambur for the leather cluster in and around the area, and one at Valayampet at Vaniyambadi.

These need upgradation to match the norms prescribed by the TN PCB, he added.

The leather industries in the area, owing to poor monsoon conditions, are forced to buy water for treatment processes etc. at a heavy cost.

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