Finally, the state government is ready to set up three common effluent treatment plants(CETPs) in Ludhiana at the cost of Rs 325 crores. While the CETPs will be ready for operation in 15 months, the process to acquire land for these plants has been started, said S.S Channi, principal secretary, Industries and Commerce, during his visit to the city today.

Channi held a meeting with the Dyeing Industry Association members to apprise them of the details of the project. Reacting to the demand of the industry is to set up six CETPs, Channi said that three more plants will be set up in the next phase.

The total capacity of these CETPs will be 138 million litres per day (MLD), which, as per the government, will enough for the dyeing units.

Two CETPs will come up at Tajpur road while one at Bahadurke road.

Though Channi said the process to acquire the land for the purpose has already started, the state governmwent will need to iron out a few glitches while doing so. In Bahadurke area, the area MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik has thrown a spanner in government plans. He has categorically stated that till the time 40 villages of his constituency are not included in MC limit, he will not allow the acquisition of land for CETP.

T.R Mishra and O.P Makkar were among those representing the Dyeing Industry Association in the meeting.

After the land acqisition, the government will act as a mediator and the private players will be hired for construction of CETPs, who will later run the CETPs for 25 years on lease basis. Already, a number of players have evinced interest in setting up CETPs.