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Toxic ship Platinum II inspected |
A three-member investigation team
has started inspection of the US ship Platinum II for toxic materials. The three-member
team comprising an official from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the
Steel Ministry and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will submit its report
by the end of the week. The team will inspect the ship and determine whether the
cargo on board is toxic for environment. The Platinum II is allegedly loaded with
highly dangerous toxic waste but was granted permission to dock earlier this month.
The government''s move has had environmentalists protesting. The US ship was given
permission to anchor on October 8 after a desk review wherein the Gujarat Maritime
Board (GMB), the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and the Central Customs
Department gave it clearance. However, Komal Kant Sharma, owner of Leela Ship
Breaking Company where Platinum II is supposed to dismantle, urged investigation
team members not to go by rumours. "I will go by the guidelines given by the Supreme
Court. The apex court had earlier granted permission to a ship, which had ten
times more asbestos on board and ten times more toxic than Platinum II. We are
capable of handling it. I urge team members not to go by rumours," said Sharma.
The Supreme Court had passed a ruling that ships should be broken down in the
country only after prior decontamination. Earlier in 2006, the Supreme Court had
stopped French ship Clemenceau from entering Indian waters because of 500 tons
of asbestos on it. In the same year, the court allowed Blue Lady, another French
ship for breakage. Alang is one of the leading centres of the worldwide ship breaking
and recycling industry. |
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