August 22nd, 2006
Following recent controversy about vessels with toxic waste such as asbestos being dismantled in Alang, risking the health of workers there, meetings have been held to amend guidelines in order to stop the litigation that often takes place against ships that are coming in to the yard for dismantling.
The technical committee discussing the amendments was appointed by the Supreme Court in conjunction with officials from the state. The meeting went on for two days, and if successful the amendments to guidelines could make procedures far more straightforward and could really cut down on legal implications, according to officials.
One official stated: ‘If the ship coming in fulfils the conditions laid in the document, it would be allowed dismantling at Alang. This will end the cycle of courts being approached every time a ship is purchased. It will be beneficial both for labour and the industry.’
In the past environmental groups have expressed great concerns about the ships being dismantled at the yard, stating that there are not proper facilities to protect workers against the harm that the toxic waste on board the chemicals can cause.
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