The Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), which is said to be the first of its kind in the sub-continent, will start treating industrial run-off in the Korangi industrial area by October this year, said Gulzar Feroz, chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association’s sub-committee on environment.
The plant, launched last year with an estimated cost of Rs520 million (US$10.6 million) is being constructed on 15 acres of land and about 60% of work has been completed. The plant would treat 20,000 cusecs meters industrial run-off per day. It is designed by the Pakistan Tanners Association with the Dutch government providing technical assistance.
The project has a unique distinction of being the largest environmental project that was initiated and implemented by the private sector in the country. Gulzar Feroz said the Ministry of Commerce has contributed about 67% or Rs347 million from its Export Development Fund (EDF) to the project, PTA around Rs136 million or 20%, the Netherlands and Sindh government have extended Rs20 million or 4% and Rs18 million or 3% respectively.
Although the whole project will be completed within three years, it will start initial operations by October 2002 and treat waste of some 200 industrial units daily. The treatment capacity of the plant is around 20,000 cusecs meters per day. He said the contract for the construction and mechanical works had been awarded to Pakistani engineers while the Dutch government is providing technical assistance for the plant.
Source: Daily ‘The News International’, Karachi
