Court Verdict Threatens World's Largest Shipbreaking Yard

India's recent Supreme Court  ruling for an import ban on all hazardous, toxic waste, imports into the country, may force shipbreakers Alang to shut down

“Alang may have to stop operations if the direction of Apex Court on banning import of all hazardous and toxic wastes under the BASEL Convention is implemented,” president of Ship Recyclers Association, Vishnu Gupta said.

However, it is to be noted that hearing the same case earlier, the Apex Court had issued two directions in 1997 and 2003, add the DNA report.

“According to SC guidance, a committee was set up and there are 18 guidelines which ship breakers follow at the time of import, beaching and breaking so as to avoid any hazardous or toxic wastes,” Gupta added.“As the Supreme Court’s recent order has created confusion, only Union government can clarify the matter.

The Central Government is also directed to ban import of all hazardous/toxic wastes which had been identified and declared to be so under the BASEL Convention and its different protocols.

The Central Government is also directed to bring the Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, in line with the BASEL Convention and Articles 21, 47 and 48A of the Constitution,” the bench said in its order on July 6. “If this is the case than there is anomaly and we will need further clarification in this regards.