Units' turnover in Calcutta Leather Complex to double soon: Minister

New infrastructure, renovation of existing facilities and new tanneries will lead to turnover of the units at the Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) doubling to Rs 27,000 crore in the next few years, West Bengal Finance and Industries Minister Amit Mitra said on Tuesday.

The complex at Bantala is poised to become the world's largest leather cluster, employing more than 6 lakh people, in the next few years, he said.

At present, there are 300 tanneries in CLC and 40 leather goods manufacturing units are operational. After installation of the new infrastructure, 200 more tanneries and 230 more leather units and footwear park can be set up on the 230 acres available.

"As a result, the turnover of all units in CLC which is around Rs 13,500 crore at present will become Rs 27,000 crore within next few years," Mitra said.

The minister on Tuesday handed over offer letters of land allotment to 25 big tanneries at a programme at Bantala. Due to limitation on extraction of underground water, out of 230 acre available land, 70 acre land is being allotted to 28 big tanneries, 97 medium and 62 small tanneries in the first phase.

"The government is all set to spend Rs 540 crore for massive infrastructure development at Bantala. Our intention is to turn the leather hub into the world's largest," he said.

--IANS

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