New Delhi: An inquiry has been ordered
into reports that an allegedly radioactive contaminated ship
from the United States has anchored at the ship-breaking yards
of Alang in Gujarat, the government said on Wednesday.
"We have got complaints that a radioactive
contaminated ship has anchored at Alang. We have already
ordered an inquiry into the matter and hope to get the report
within the next two days," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh
told reporters here.
He, however, said that as per reports the ship has
"only" anchored but was not breached or dismantled at the
yard.
"We are also trying to find out the ownership of the
ship," Ramesh said reacting to the allegations by an NGO
Indian Platform on Ship-breaking that the ship has been given
permission to anchor after clearance by Gujarat Maritime Board
and Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
Demanding that the ship be sent back to the US, Gopal
Krishna of Indian Platform on Ship-breaking said it is an
"international fugitive" vessel.
"This 682-foot ocean liner is loaded with an estimated
210 tons of toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated
material and an estimated 250 tons of asbestos as part of its
construction, which is lethal to the health of the workers as
well to the environment," he added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 22:05