Asbestos, PCBs and radioactive waste laden ship named Blue Lady cannot be safely decontaminated by Indian workers. The next date of hearing in in the illegal traffic of SS Blue Lady/SS Norway/ Hazardous Wastes matter is on 26th July, 2007 in the Supreme Court of India. The ship owners Star Cruise through its proxy buyers have indulged in fraudulent misrepresentation.
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Gujarat Maritime Board have to comply with the 14 October, 2003 Court order in the Hazardous Wastes case that makes prior decontamination of ships in the country of origin mandatory.
Panchayats (village councils) are the most important adversely affected party which are in the vicinity of Alang ship breaking yard besides the workers. As per the existing rules import and export of asbestos waste is banned in India. Ban Asbestos Network of India and Platform on Shipbreaking has raised the issue in India. It is a fact that the use of asbestos has been banned in some 45 countries.
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