More than 1500 ships received for breaking at Alang in four years

New Delhi, 5 August 2013

Gujarat’s Alang ship breaking yard received 1514 ships for breaking during last four years. Mumbai and Kerala are other places where ship breaking activity takes place in India, however both of them together broke less than 200 ships in same period.

According to reply given by the minister of steel Shri Beni Prasad Verma in Lok Sabha today 348 ships were received for breaking at Alang Sosiya ship breaking yard in Gujarat during 2009-10. In 2010 this figure was 357, in 2011 it was 415 and in 2012 it was 394.

58 ships were received for breaking at Mumbai in 2009, 57 in 2010, 73 in 2011. In Kerala 5 ships were received for breaking in 2009, 2 ships in 2010 and 1 in 2011.

The minister stated that before bringing the vessel, it is ensured that the vessel is properly decontaminated. In this regard necessary certificates from surveyors are obtained. In Alang ship breaking yard some waste material is incinerated and some others are land filled. As per the Factories Act 1948, State Factories Inspectorate enforces relevant rules and regulations to avoid safety related hazards and unhygienic working conditions while undertaking ship breaking activities. Besides, helmet, safety shoes, aprons, goggles are provided to the ship breaking workers. Fire fighting pumps are also installed.