CPCB directs TAW Tannery to close operations

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

T Abdul Wahid Tanneries (TAW), one of the largest exporters of leather to America and Europe, is under the scanner of Central Pollution Control Board after its tannery in Solur Village in Ambur has been directed to be shut down for non-compliance of norms.

The unit has been directed to close all manufacturing activities with immediate effect and the operations could be re-started only after getting written permission from CPCB.

Central Pollution Control Board took the action after a team of scientists from CPCB's Regional directorate in Bengaluru found that the tannery, which is engaged in processing of semi-finished leather so as to produce finished leather, did not have consent from Tamil Pollution Control Board to operate after the earlier consent to Operate expired on March 31, 2018.

The inspection report had stated that the unit has applied for renewal of consent on April 2018. The report also found that the online contionious monitoring system with respect to flow meters is yet to be activated and connectivity to CPCB server is yet to be established.

It has also directed TAW to construct adequate shelter for storing dust collected from the bag filters of the plant and to dispose it to authorised agents and maintain record on the same. The report also wanted TAW to restudy the water circulation system adopted in the spray drier and minimise sudden load to Effluent Treatment Plant.

It is learnt that CPCB has directed the chairman of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited to disconnect the power supply of TAW with immediate effect. It has also written to the state pollution control board to ensure compliance of CPCB directive.

T Abdul Wahid Tanneries is located strategically between Chennai and Bangalore and consists of Tannery 1 & 2. Tannery 1 is a well equipped tannery with state-of-the-art machinery procured from the best manufacturers. The product lines processed in here are goat skins, cow calf and cow hides, with processing facilities from beam house upto crusting. Equipped with a state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant (ETP) with a 2 stage reverse osmosis system and chrome recovery plant (CRP) the tannery focuses on the importance of environmental protection.

Tannery 2 is equipped with world class post tanning and finishing operations to cater to the requirements of top brands in the industry. A Research and development (R&D) division of the tannery plays a key role in continuously developing and catering to the ever changing trends of the fashion and leather industries. Officials from the company could not be contacted.