Tanneries from Kolkata and surrounding areas look likely to miss the deadline of February 2002 to move to the new purpose-built leather complex at Bantala, according to local newspaper reports. The 1,100 acre complex was built to contain tanneries from the city and outlying districts such as Tangra, Topsia and Tiljala and includes an effluent treatment plant intended to improve problems connected with pollution.

The deadline was set by the Supreme Court after delays by the tanneries, but they in turn claim that it is the government that is causing the problems. A spokesperson from the Tanners Association said that the government had failed to complete the necessary infrastructure at the site.