Damage to toxic ship Platinum II raises concern

Gandhinagar, Oct 19 : The hull of the Platinum-II ship, allegedly carrying toxic waste, was on Monday damaged, following which, it was grounded off the Alang Port in Gujarat.

Rescue efforts are on under the supervision of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to save the people on board.

There are reportedly nine onboard.

Meanwhile, a three-member team has arrived at Bhavnagar Port to inspect the ship for toxic materials.

The steel ministry’s advisor, Dr S A Hussain and Dr R K Singh from the Atomic Energy Commission are expected to reach the ship by this afternoon.

They will inspect the ship and determine whether the cargo on board is toxic for the environment.

The Platinum II is allegedly loaded with highly dangerous toxic waste but was granted permission to dock earlier this month.

The government’s move has had environmentalists protesting.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had passed a ruling that ships should be broken down in the country only after prior decontamination.

The US ship was given permission to anchor on October 8 after a desk review wherein the GMB, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and the Central Customs Department gave it clearance.

--ANI