Industries, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today spoke to journalists after inspecting the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at the BSCIC Leather Industrial Estate in Harindhara, Savar. Photo: BSS

SAVAR, May 29, 2026 (BSS) - Industries, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said that the decision to relocate the tannery industry from Hazaribagh to Savar was right, but the relocation process itself was flawed and marked by "classic mismanagement".

"An industry that produces a high level of waste should only be set up in a place equipped with proper effluent treatment facilities. Although the decision to shift the tanneries from Hazaribagh to Harindhara in Savar was right, but the process was not properly executed," he told journalists after inspecting the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at the BSCIC Leather Industrial Estate in Harindhara, Savar this afternoon.

The minister said the industry had been relocated through "classic mismanagement", resulting in the failure to ensure that the effluent treatment plant functioned at its projected capacity, while many tannery operators also struggled to survive.

"Neither has the treatment plant become functional at its projected capacity, nor have all the relocated industries managed to survive. Many industrial establishments disappeared midway through the process," he added.

Abdul Muktadir said the government is now focusing on restoring the CETP to its projected daily treatment capacity of 25,000 cubic metres by identifying necessary improvements.

"We are assessing what changes are required to restore the treatment plant to its intended capacity and what measures are needed for chromium recovery, which we will undertake," he said.

The minister said the government is also working to revive tannery enterprises that became inactive or marginally operational after relocation and eventually suffered heavy liabilities and financial losses.

"We are exploring ways to turn these loss-making enterprises into profitable ventures again. In cases where owners have lost interest or capacity to continue the business, we are considering how to attract new investors," he added.

Industries Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman and BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam, among other senior officials, were present during the visit.