Date:16/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/16/stories/2004091602691700.htm

Back AP: Ship-breakers dispute claims of environmental damage

Our Bureau

Kakinada , Sept. 15

SHIP-BREAKING is ecologically safe and quite suitable for Kakinada coast and there is no room for apprehensions on any count, according to the Andhra Pradesh Ship-breakers' Association.

At a press meet here on Wednesday, Mr Jagadish Parekh, President of the association, said the issue was being politicised and a hue and cry was being raised even though the Union Government and the Supreme Court as well had given clear-cut guidelines on ship-breaking industry.

Besides, there were also international guidelines on the activity issued by agencies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

``We are not criminals and law-breakers. We are willing to abide by all the laid-down norms and guidelines and that has been made clear time and again to the State Government and all concerned. Regarding apprehensions over the possible ecological damage and the likely adverse impact on fisheries, several experts, both in India and abroad, have gone into the issue and come to the conclusion that the activity is not hazardous. By sticking to the guidelines, it can be pursued profitably,'' he asserted.

Mr Parekh said his firm had broken 28 ships in India and abroad and he was submitting a thesis in the Mumbai University on ship-breaking activity. "The apprehensions expressed by some so-called ecologists over the oil leaks from ships and the toxic materials have been proved to be unfounded. They are labouring under certain pre-conceived notions. Ship-breaking has proved to be a great boon to Gujarat and it will flourish here as well, given a chance. Fishermen will be greatly benefited,'' he said.

Referring to Kakinada, he said the stretch from Vakalapudi to Uppada along the beach was ideal for the activity, due to the existence of Hope Island, the quality of sand, the absence of rocks and sand bars and the intercontinental shelf of 10 degrees.

"The ships can be beached without much difficulty and taken apart. There will be large-scale local employment and crores of revenue for the State as well as the Union Government,'' he said.

He said the Gujarat Government was earning Rs 2,000 crore per annum in the form of sales tax and port charges and the Union Government Rs 8,000 crore through the Alang ship-breaking yard.

Mr Parekh expressed the hope that the Andhra Pradesh Government would take the right decision and he has sought the co-operation of all political parties, the local fishermen and the public. "It is highly profitable and quite safe. It poses no threat to fisheries,'' he said.