This Article is From Oct 16, 2009

It's Gujarat vs Centre over 'toxic' ship

Ahmedabad: In a case that brings back memories of the French sea liner Clemenceau, which had been recalled by the French government over environmental concerns, another ship of Indian ownership is being held off the Gujarat coast.

Activists say the ship contains not just harmful asbestos, but also hazardous radioactive material. But the Gujarat government insists that the ship is safe enough to be dismantled at its Alang shipyard. The decision now lies with the Union Environment Ministry.

The Gujarat government's cleared the entry of Platinum 2, an 18,000-tonne ship, headed to Alang for dismantling.

In a statement to NDTV, the Gujarat government says: "All agencies including GPCB have carried out inspection of the ship and the fears that its radioactive are unfounded. The Alang shipyard is capable of handling the asbestos carrying material and the chemical paints on board. The GPCB has already given its no objection to the dismantling of the ship at the yard under the Supreme Court guidelines on ship breaking."

Activists are questioning the Gujarat government's decision, asking why the asbestos was not removed before the ship headed to Alang.

The activists say it's the background of the ship that has fuelled suspicion. The Platinum II was formerly called the SS Independence and later Oceanic, this was to evade the protesting environmental activists.

The Union Environment Ministry says the Gujarat government's decision apart, it's yet to clear the entry of the ship.

As the standoff between the state and the Centre continues, there are fears that the ship which is around 30 nautical miles off the Alang coast could sink, as the tug maneuvering it has broken down. Worries that will hopefully speed up the decision on the boat.
.