Due to the tannery industry, the Hazaribagh ground has become poisonous. Once a large amount of Chromium, Lead, Arsenic and other harmful metals mixed with the ground and as per reports, the extent of pollution of the earth has reached from 8 feet to 20 feet, vitiating the subterranean water.
To improve the situation, efforts have been taken to remove the sullied earth and bring in fresh earth.
As per RAJUK’s information, though Hazaribagh has the biggest tannery, no Effluent Treatment Plant, ETP, was set up here.
As a result, contaminated water and effluent used to fall into the Buriganga River, which adversely impacted the earth, water and the air.
RAJUK statistics say, every day, around 75 metric tonnes of solid waste and 21600 cubic feet of liquid waste fell in the rivers, which has severely damaged the surrounding environment.
Environment specialists have said, “Chromium is a slow spreading poison and instead of being destroyed, it spreads to adjacent areas.”
Therefore, RAJUK wants to develop the land following examples in Singapore and Japan. Under the project, earth up to eight feet will be removed and replaced with fresh earth.
Meetings have been held with local land owners who have responded favourably.
For this work, RAJUK is assessing three systems, personal initiatives of land owners, agreement between land owners and developers and agreement between land owners and RAJUK.
One of the three systems will be used to develop Hazaribagh area.
Reportedly, several loan providing agencies and the government are interested to fund this project.
Under the project, the existing 874 buildings may be demolished and 40-45 multi storied buildings constructed which will feature mosques, playing fields, tannery clinic, library, hospital, bazaar and schools.
A 6 megawatt solar mega plant may be placed on the building along with other facilities to store rain water and purify air.
Director of RAJUK’s Detail Area Plan, DAP, Md Ashraful Islam, told Bangla Tribune, “Before the development begins, plans are being made and these will reflect the opinion of tannery owners and local residents.”
“In China, Japan, India, Thailand and South Korea, urban development projects have been successful and following those examples, we want to transform Hazaribagh into a modern city.”