The much awaited Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) has hit another roadblock. The state power utility West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) has stopped issuing application forms to tanneries for electricity connection, thus bringing relocation into a standstill, according to tanners in the city.
The action by the SEB is a direct fallout of the inadequate infrastructure at CLC. WBSEB is yet to receive the necessary clearance from M L Dalmiya & Co (MLD), the BOT party which is executing the project, for providing electricity connection to tanneries.
SEB was unwilling to take any more application before MLD certifies that necessary power-related infrastructure for relocating tanneries has been put up. At least one more large transformer and five to six small transformers were needed.
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So far only 36 tanneries have been able to file applications for power connections. Shifting units have also made the situation complex by underdeclaring their requirement to WBSEB.
Many of them have quoted lower requirement to evade high fixed charges for high tension line and in consequence their applications have been canceled, sources close to the development said.
MLD is responsible for planning and executing the infrastructure for electric connection within CLC. It includes building at least 22 step down sub-stations within the complex and wiring individual units among others. So far only one sub-station has been put up by MLD.
SEB on its part has already built a sub-station outside CLC at a cost of Rs 10 crore. It include a step down transformer for 132 KV to 33 KV. MLD is expected to build at least five 33 KV to 11 KV step down transformers and 17 11 KV to 440 volt transformers within CLC to cater to consumers. So far it has only put up one 33 KV to 11 KV transformer.
The BOT party and the state government have committed themselves to Supreme Court to make necessary arrangement for 523 relocating tanneries of Tiljala, Topsia and Tangra by October 31, 2002.