SC allows 'Blue Lady ' to enter India, to undergo inspection

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Norwegian Ship 'Blue Lady,' containing
1240 metric tonnes of toxic asbestos, to enter Indian territorial waters
with the directions that the ship be anchored at Alang port in Gujarat for
inspection by the Indian authorities.

The vacation bench comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice CK
Thakker allowed the application filed by Central government seeking
permission for the entry of the ship into India.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Centre,
assured the court that all safety norms related to pollution of the
environment will be adhered to and also pleaded that the inspection was not
possible unless and until the ship was permitted to arrive in Gujarat.

Sanjay Parikh counsel for the petitioner NGO 'Research Foundation for
Science", however, opposed the entry of the ship on the grounds that the
hazardous waste in the ship was yet to be decontaminated.

The court, however, rejected the contention of the petitioner and accepted
the suggestion made by an expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court
and directed that all safety norms be strictly implemented.

The court, however, did not permit the dismantling of the ship till further
orders.

It may be noted here that the ship had started from Malaysia and came to
reach its present destination via Dubai. Neighbouring Bangladesh has already
refused entry to the ship. At present it is anchored 120 km away from Indian
territorial water.

Earlier also French Government had to recall its ship containing similar
toxic hazardous substance after the Supreme Court refused entry to the ship.

Counsel for Central Pollution Control Board, Vijay Pajwani, pleaded that
hazardous waste rules pertaining to import of such toxic waste must be
strictly complied with.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1713384,000900040003.htm