Some of the 154 tanneries in the city's Jajmau area, closed about a year ago for "polluting" river Ganga, might restart their operations, albeit under some conditions, after the National Green Tribunal passed an order to this effect.
In an order passed on December 10, the NGT said some of the tanneries can be allowed to operate under condition that the river is not polluted by their activities, T U Khan, Regional Officer, Pollution Control Board (PCB), Kanpur, said.
"As of now the order is with the state PCB Lucknow. Once the order comes to Kanpur we will know which tanneries are to be allowed to reopen and and under what condition," Khan said.
"We will ensure they follow the conditions and operate."
Sources said about three dozens of tanneries might be allowed to operate in the first phase.
About a year ago, power supplies to these tanneries were cut and they were closed as they were found polluting river Ganga, Khan said.
The decision rendered tannery owners and workers jobless who approach the state government.
Subsequently, an NGT team visited here and the order has come after that.
