Regional Director of Kanpur Area Pollution Control Board T U Khan told PTI here today that this step was taken after a meeting between tannery owners and members of Pollution Control Board.
The step has been taken to ensure that no hazardous chemicals flow into the water body in which millions of Hindu devotees take a ritual bath every year during this time, Khan said.
Kanpur has about 400 tanneries out of which 236 are currently operational. Tannery owners have assured that wet cleaning work would be stopped in a phased manner for 18 days between January 12 to March 7.
"On the occasion of holy bath in Ganges from Makar Sankranti to Mahashivratri, all 236 tanneries in the city will remain closed for 3 days in different phases.
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Imran Siddiqui, Director of Super Tannery, said "Although we will incur losses to the tune of Rs 200 crore but respecting the pious occasion we will shut down the work for 18 days.