25 March 2018

Gujarat high court notice over ship-breaking at Dandi coast:


AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court has issued notices to concerned state authorities and a ship-breaking firm for starting to dismantle a cargo vessel at Dandi shore in Valsad.

The 180-metre long cargo vessel MV Infinity washed ashore at Dandi coast in September 2016 after it was to supposed to be anchored at the Alang Ship-breaking Yard for recycling.

A PIL in the high court has taken exception to the ship-breaking activity at the Dandi coast without environment clearance and without following any labour laws. The petitioner submitted before the court that after the bulk carrier was anchored on Dandi coast, it was auctioned for recycling. One M/s Chaudhary & Sons bought the ship for dismantling and the recycling activities began also.

The petitioner contended that for breaking a ship, nod is necessary under environment laws and factory laws so that the surrounding environment does not get affected and the welfare of the workers is taken care of. Certain permissions are required under the Ship Breaking Code, 2013, which were not obtained before the ship-breaking began. Hence, ship-breaking activity without any environment clearance should not be permitted outside the ship-breaking yard.

Further hearing on the issue is posted on April 4.

Source: times of india. 22 March 2018

No comments: