PC-1 to relocate 300 tanneries of Sialkot

LAHORE
THE Environment Protection Department (EPD) Punjab has started preparing PC-1 for Sialkot Tannery Zone (STZ) where over 300 tanneries will be shifted and environmental concerns will be addressed according to the international standards.
Over 300 tanneries are operative in different areas of Sialkot District, which are causing various kinds of pollutions to untreated wastewater, solid waste and animal hides. It is pertinent to mention here that there is not a single proper waste water treatment facility at any of the tanneries.
Officials said STZ project was jointly started in 2002 by the Sialkot District government, EPD, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Sialkot Tannery Association (STA). The purpose of this project was to relocate over 300 tanneries to a zone having common effluent treatment plant and proper environmental management facilities.
The estimated cost of the STZ project was around Rs four billion out of which two billion was being spent on the infrastructure development such as road network while rest of Rs two billion would be spent on the STZ. On Friday, Provincial Secretary EPD Dr Iqbal Chauhan visited Sialkot and convened a meeting at the DCO office regarding the project. Officials said the meeting reviewed the progress of the STZ project. It was informed during the meeting that the road network would be completed by the end of 2015.
Officials said the PC-1 had also been prepared for the construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plant while during the meeting Secretary EPD Dr Iqbal directed tree plantation around the STZ during the next plantation season. Dr Iqbal also directed de-silting of Dugri Drain-2 within the next two months.
Naseemur Rehman, EPD Director, talking to The News, said the protection of environment was a primary responsibility and the government was providing all technical support to stakeholders.
He said Rs 294.5 million (75 percent of total land cost) would be provided as soft loan to the company for the purchase of land and the remaining cost would be arranged by the company through its own resources. He said it was also decided that the STAGL would repay the loan in five equal yearly installments with a three-year grace period. In the light of the above decisions, the government released the balance amount of Rs 204.5 million in 2009 to the district government for the purchase of land under the Land Acquisition Act.
After the establishment of the STAGL under the company’s ordinance, Khambranwala site was selected for the establishment of the STZ. The STAGL has acquired land measuring 394.18-acre for the STZ near village Khambranwala, district Sialkot. The master plan of the STZ has been prepared. Boundary wall has been completed at a cost of Rs19.21 million.
Engineering estimates for different components of the project have been prepared. Demarcation of roads and plots has been completed. Work has been awarded to a private company. Construction of road infrastructure is underway.
Contractor has to complete the construction of 5-km of 90-ft wide and 120-ft wide roads by 1/1/2015. The pace of work is slow which needs to be enhanced. The construction of main gate of the STZ has started and expected to be completed in February 2015, Naseemur Rehman said.
The request for improvement/widening of approach roads to the STZ has been submitted to the Communication & Works Department through Gujranwala division commissioner for consideration.
The Gepco officers have visited the site for power supply. Around 800-metre area around the tannery zone has been declared buffer zone by the district government to stop residents.
Transfers: The Punjab government has issued a notification of transfer and posting of officers on Friday.
According to the notification Additional Secretary to Admin (S&GAD) Masood Mukthar has been transferred and posted as Staff Officer to Chief Secretary Punjab vice Suqrat Amaan Rana who already has been transferred. Special Judicial Magistrate Ahmedpur East and Assistant Commissioner Jatoi Saqib Zafar replaced each other. Services of Hassan Mahmood (awaiting posting) have been placed at the disposal of Senior Member Board of Revenue for further posting.
Meanwhile, Secretary I&C Saqib Zafar has been given additional charge of the office of Secretary Services and General Assistant Revenue Hafizabad Saeed Ahmed Khan has been given additional charge of the office of Assistant Commissioner Pindi Bhatian.