Alang Beach remains a graveyard of hazardous ships

Note:Jayanthi Natarajan's reply regarding ships hazardous chemicals are not being allowed into India for dismantling purposes is factually incorrect. Several years have passed but since the Draft Code regarding ship breaking incorporating safety, health and environmental management considerations was ready but it is yet to be finalized. It appears that her officials are not giving her the true picture of Alang beach where more than 200 ships are standing in violation of the Supreme Court's order.

Gopal Krishna
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests
19-December-2011 17:13 IST

Disposal of Toxic Wastes

The ships loaded with hazardous chemicals are not allowed into India for dismantling purposes. Ship breaking activities are carried out as per the directions issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition 657/95 in September 2007 with regard to safety, health and environmental considerations.

As per orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 17-02-2006, a Central Technical Committee (CTC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests was set up to regulate various activities of ship breaking industries. The CTC gave its recommendations covering all aspects of ship breaking. These recommendations are operative by virtue of the aforesaid Supreme Court Order dated 6-9-2007.

Guidelines to mitigate the environmental impacts due to ship breaking activities have been formulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and circulated to all the State Pollution Control Boards and the Pollution Control Committees in Union Territories for implementation. Ministry of Steel, Government of India is preparing a National Code regarding ship breaking incorporating safety, health and environmental management considerations.

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan gave this information in a written reply to a question by Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivaji in Lok Sabha today.

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