Holding

The Court ordered the formation of a Technical Expert Committee and directed that its recommendations be treated as an operative code until a comprehensive statutory framework is enacted.

Summary

The Supreme Court, hearing Writ Petition (Civil) No. 657 of 1995 filed by the Research Foundation for Science, examined the recurring environmental and occupational hazards associated with ship‑breaking activities at Alang. The Court noted that the controversy over the ship Clemenceau had been resolved but the broader issue of infrastructural adequacy and pollution control remained. It ordered the Union of India to constitute a Committee of Technical Experts (including retired naval officers and specialists from NIOH, ITRC, IITs and CPCB) to assess the yard’s infrastructure, identify deficiencies and recommend remedial measures. The Court directed that the Committee’s recommendations be treated as an operative code until a comprehensive statutory code is framed, and that relevant authorities (Gujarat Maritime Board, State Pollution Control Boards, Customs, NIOH, AERB, etc.) oversee implementation. The order also incorporated earlier recommendations from the 2005 Research Foundation case, emphasizing de‑contamination, hazardous waste classification, and strict monitoring, and directed the Central Government to notify the overseeing authorities within three weeks. The petition was disposed of with the Court’s directives.

Issues considered

The adequacy of infrastructural facilities and environmental safeguards at the Alang ship‑breaking yard.
Whether the Government should constitute a Technical Expert Committee to evaluate and recommend norms for ship‑breaking.
Whether the Committee’s recommendations should be operative as a code pending formal legislation.
The applicability of existing environmental statutes and regulations to ship‑breaking activities.

Legislation cited

Environment (Protection) Act

Subjects

ship breakinghazardous wasteenvironmental lawoccupational health and safetytechnical expert committeecode of practiceasbestosPCBspublic interest litigationmaritime regulations

Judgment

RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE A
\I.

UNION OF INDIA AND ANR.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2007

(DR.ARIJITPASAYAT ANDS.ff. KAPADIA,JJ.)
B

{ Ship Breaking-Hazards Associated with-On direction by Supreme
Court, Union of India constituting a Committee of Technical Experts (TEC)
to suggest infrastructural stability and adequacy of Ship Breaking at Alang C
Ship Breaking Yard-Norms recommended by TEC....:_Approved by Court-
Held: It is desirable that the Government of India formulates a comprehensive
Code incorporating the recommendations-Until the Code comes into play,
the recommendations shall be operative by virtue of this order-Until further
orders, the o«icials
'JJ'
and Institutions mentioned in the order shall oversee the D
arrangements-Ecology-Disposal of hazardous waste-legislation-
Amendment in relevant statutes suggested

Research Foundation for Science Technology National Resource Policy
v. Union of India and Anr., (2005) 10 SCC 510, referred to.
E
CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION : Writ Petition (Civil) No. 657 of l 995.

Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

WITH
S.L.P. No. (c)l6175of1997 C.A. No. 7660of1997.
F

Suo moto Cont. Pet. (C) No. 155 of 2005 in W.P. (C) 657 of 1995.

Gopal Subramanian, R. Mohan, ASGs, Manjit Singh, J.S. Attri, AAGs,
Mukul Rohtagi, TS Doabia, Sanjay Parikh, A.N. Singh, Jitin Sahni, Ravinder G
Reddy, S. Udaya Kumar Sagar, Bina Madhavan, Mahesh Agarwal, Vinod
Ravani, Gaurav Goel, Rishi Agrawala, E.C. Agrawala, Atul Y. Chitale, Suchitra
~.-
A. Chitale, S. Srivastava, A.· Subba Rao, Satyakam, Ashok Bhan, Kiran

749 H
"{
I

750 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 9 S.C.R.

A Bhardwaj, Rajni Ohri Lal, DS Mahra, Ajay Shanna, Vijay Panjwani, Manoj
Saxena, Rajnish Kr. Singh, Rahul Shukla, TV George, KN Madhusoodhanan,
R. Sathish, Minakshi Sarrna (for Mis Corporate Law Group) Anukul Raj,
Rituraj Biswas, Gopal Singh, U. Hazarika, Satya Mitra, Sumita Hazarika, V.G.
Pragasam, S. Joseph Aristotle, S. Prabu Ramasubramanian, JR Das, Swetaketu
B Mishra, SR Mohanty (for Sinha & Das), Sanjay R. Hedge, Amit Kr. Chawla,
Vikas Bansal, Anil Kr. Jha, Khwairakpam Nobin Singh, Hemantika Wahi, Pinky,
Shivangi, Sangeeta Singh, Raj Panjwani, D.N. Goburdhan, Pinky Anand,
Ramesh Singh, Nina Gupta, Neha Sharma, Swigin George, A. Subhashini. P.
Parmeswaran, B. Vijayalakshmi Menon, Shomona Khanna, Gaurav Agrawal,
A. Mariarputham, Aruna Mathur, Anil Katiyar, Ashok Mathur, Bina Gupta, B.
C Krishna Prasad, Binu Tamta, D.N. Mishra, Ejaz Maqbool, K.B. Rohtagi, Manik
Karanjwala, J.B. Dadachanji & Co. Pramod Swarup, Pradeep Misra, Riku Sarma
(for Corporate Law Group) Sushma Suri, Urrnila Sirur, Shakil Ahmed Syed, 1S.
Janani, Ravindra Kumar, Rakesh K. Sharma, Radha Shyam Jena, Anitha Shenoy,
BV Bairam, Jay Savla, Atishi Dipankar, V.N. Raghupathy, Jayshree. Wad (for
D J.S. Wad & Co.), Nikhil Nayyar, Vibha Datta Makhija, Kamlendra Mishra,
Yashraj Dingra, Ashwani Bhardwaj, Asha G·. Nair, K.K. Gupta, Anil Kumar Jha,
Vijay Pratap Singh, Aruneshwar Gupta, Manish Kumar, K.B. Rohrtagi, A.
Subhashini, Neha, Rakesh K. Shanna, Anil Shrivastav, Vikrant Singh Vais,
Kamlendra Mishra, Mohanprasad Meharia, Ajay Sharma and Yashpal Dingra
for the appearing parties.
E
The Order of the Court was delivered by

DR. ARIJIT PASA YAT, J. I. By order dated 17.2.2006 in the.present
W.P.(C) No.657/1995 this Court passed the following order:

"It is brought to our notice that the ship Clemenceau has been
F
directed to be taken back to France. Therefore, immediate controversy
relating to Clemenceau ship seems to be over. But the problem is a
recurring one. First and foremost requirement as of today is to find
out the infrastructural stability and adequacy of the ship breaking
yard at Alang. It has to be found out whether the same are operational/
G operating in a way that environmental hazards and pollution are
avoided and/or equipped to meet the requirements in that regard. For
that purpose, it is necessary to constitute a Committee of technical
experts who can, after obtaining views and inviting suggestions from
those who would like to give them to find out whether the infrastructure
as existing at Alang presently is adequate. If according to the
H
'Y'

RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv. U.0.1. [PASAYAT,J.] 751

Committee, it is not adequate it shall indicate the deficiencies, and A
.~
shall also suggest remedial measures to upgrade the infrastructural
facilities. For this purpose, Union of India shall, as early as practicable,
constitute a Committee of technical experts, some of them having
Navy background, preferably retired officers, The Committee shall
submit its report to this Court within eight weeks. The expenses of the
Committee shall be met by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
B
Since at various points of time various guidelines have been indicated,
it would be appropriate if they are properly codified to be followed
{ scrqpulously by all concerned including the Government authorities.
The matter is adjourned by ten weeks"

2. Subsequently, time for submission ofreport was extended from time
c
to time. It appe11rs that in compliance with the aforesaid order the Ministry
of Environment and Forests after getting views of the concerned ministries
and organizations constituted a Committee for recommending on issues relating
to Ship Breaking. In terms of order of the Ministry dated 24.3.2006 the
Committee was headed by the then Secretary, Ministry of Environment and D
Forests and comprised of experts from reputed organizations like National
J Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad, Indian Toxicological ...
Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow, retired Naval Officers, Academicians from
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) of Kharagpur and Chennai and Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Committee after examining various
materials and details has submitted its report. During its various sittings,
E
agencies and individuals were called for discussions. They included the
Gujarat Maritime Board (in short 'GMB'), Department of Ports, Govt. of Gujarat,
representatives of Alang-Sosiya Ship Breakers' Association (in short 'ASSBA

. ,,. Breakers'), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (in short 'GPCB'), Department of
Customs, Alang, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (in short 'DISH' F
of Govt. of Gujarat), Representatives of Workers at Alang Sosiya Yard, Assistant
Labour Commissioner, Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Ltd. (in
short 'GEPIL'), operators of Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (in short
'TSDF') at Alang. The Committee as it appears from the reports has undertaken
a very elaborate and detailed study of the problems and has also suggested
valuable norms and solutions. It has focused on. the "Hazards Associated G
with Ship Breaking" under this broad head. Reference has been made to
hazards in ship breaking industry, occupational and health issues, primary
-',-
preparation and breaking, occupational health hazards associated with different
stages of ships, secondary breaking and sorting and handling of hazardous
materials. It has also focused on ships of special concern and the assessment H
752 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R.

A of hazardous wastes and potentially hazardous materials. It has also referred
to occupational health and safety issues at Alang-Sosiya Yard and the
asbestos related issues. Reference has been made to studies conducted by
National Institute of Occupational Health and Workers evaluation of State
and the Demonstration facility for Asbestos Removal. It has categorized the
B "ships of special concern" as follows:
3. Table-2.1. Categories of Ships of "Special Concern"

SI.No. Category Nature of Essential
Concern Infrastructure and
Precautions
c Necessary

I. Warships Large quantities Adequate
of PCBs, ACMs infrastructure at the
yard to handle the.
identified quantities,
D adequate ·approved
infrastructure of
disposal facilities
nearby, adequately
trained staff, strict
E monitoring by SPCB/
Sl\1B

2. Large Passenger Large quantities Adequate
Liners of PCBs, ACMs infrastructure at the
yard to handle the
F identified quantities,
adequate approved
infrastructure of
disposal facilities
nearby, adequately
trained staff, strict
G
monitoring by SPCB/
SMB

3. Nuclear Powered Residual Radiation Monitoring by
Ships Level AERB/Health
H Physics Department
RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv.U.0.1.[PASAYAT,J.] 753

of BARC of residual A
radiation level and if
found higher than the
pennissible Emits to
recommend measures
for decontamination.
B
Reactors, cores and
all radioactive wastes
(
to be removed by
owner before last
voyage for breaking·
c
4. Deep Draft Ships Distance from Extra precautions in
requiring to be the Beach during transferring
beached at l.5 beaching hazardous
K.M. or more materials or materials
from the shore containing
base line hazardous D
substances to avoid
spillage into the sea.

5. IMDG Hazardous Adequate
Residues in infrastructure at the
Cargo Tanks yard to handle the
E
identified quantities,
adequate approved
infrastructure of
disposal facilities
nearby, adequately F
trained staff, strict
monitoring by SPCB/
SMB

6. FPSO/Offshore Beaching Extra precautions in
Platfonns difficulties transferring G
hazardous materials
or materials
containing hazardous
substances to avoid
spillage into the sea.
H
J•

754 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R

A 4. The recommended process for anchoring, beaching and breaking
needs to be quoted:

"3. Upon entry into the Port area, a ship is allowed to be anchored
by dropping one or more anchors to the seabed. This prevents drifting
of the ship, tethers it to one spot, and enables boarding from boats.
B A ship at anchor may lift its anchors, and sail away. Anchoring of
ships is thus fully reversible.

Beaching refers to running aground on the beach a ship meant for
breaking by the beaching method. This ship is sailed into the beach
under its own power or is towed by barges. A beached ship is
c rendered immobile, and cannot usually be refloated. Beaching is thus
irreversible.

"Ship Breaking" is_ the process of dismantling a vessel's structure
for scrapping or disposal whether conducted at a beach, pier; dry dock
or dismantling slip. It includes a wide range' of activities, from removing
D all gear and equipment to cutting down and recycling the _ship's
infrastructure. -),

It may be mentioned that a ship at anchor, or while otherwise
afloat, requires to be fully manned, with at least generators running.
These involve significant costs. There is little possibility of hazardous
E materials embedded in the ship's equipment or structure being released
to the environment, till the stage of ship breaking. Accordingly, the
Committee considered that it is not necessary to require ships to
remain outside Port limits, or outside the territorial waters, or the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), pending decision on its being -·
F permitted to anchor, or beach.

3.1. Recommended Process for Anchoring:

The ship owner or recycler should submit the following documents
well in advance of the arrival of the ship for recycling for a desk
review by the SMB in consultation with SPCB and Customs
G
Department:

(a) Name of the Ship --:->-
(b) IMO Identification No.

H (c) Flag
y
RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv. U.0.1.[PASAYAT,J.) 755
(d) Call Sign A
(e) Name of the Master of the Ship and his nationality
(t) List of the crew

(g) GRT/NRT/LDT of the ship with supporting documents
B
(h) Assessment of hazardous wastes/hazardous substances: In the
structure of the ship, and on board as far as practicable by reference
to the ship's, drawings, technical specifications, ship's stores, manifest,
in consultation with the ship builder, equipment manufacturers and
others as appropriate. In the case of ships of special concern, in
addition to identification and marking of all areas. containing hazardous C
wastes/hazardous substances, quantification of such wastes/
substances would also be necessary. '
After desk review by SMB/SPCB/Customs, a decision will be taken
regarding pennission for anchorage of the ships. In case, pennission D
is refused by any one of these three agencies, the ship owner would
be entitled to both a review and appeal. SMB and Customs Dept.
would separately notify the procedure therefor along with the time
frames and consequences of not adhering to the time frames. In the
case ofSPCB, while review would be done by an appropriate authority
of the SPCB itself, the appeal would lie with the CPCB since there are E
no specific legal provisions governing this. Once a decision is taken
to accord pennission for anchorage, instructions for safe anchorage
would be issued by the SMB.

3.2 Recommended Process for Beaching:
;,.
For obtaining beaching permission, the recycler has to submit
F
documents as per Annexure - I of the GMB notification dated 05th
July 2003. At anchorage, the ship would be boarded by representatives
of Customs Dept./ SPCB/ Explosives Dept/AERB to verify the
submissions/data provided for desk review. If considered necessary,
an adequate and representative sample may be used for the verification. G
For oil tankers, Gas Free and Fit for Hot Working certificate should
also be submitted in resP.ect of oil cargo tanks and slop tanks.
n
After verification, beaching pennission will be given by SMB based
on clearance granted by all the above/concerned departments/agencies.
Again in the event of refusal to grant permission for beaching the H
756 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R.

A ship owner shall be entitled to a review and appeal on the lines of
provisions governing anchorage. Thereafter, the recycler pays customs
duty and takes charge of the ship.

3.3 Recommended Process for Breaking:

B The ship recycling plan is an important document. It has two
components i.e. Ship Specific Dismantling Plan, and Recycling Facility's
Management Plan. To obtain permission for recycling, the recycler is
currently required to submit application in Form 2 of GMB's notification
dated 05th July 2003 along with the documents specified therein. In
addition, the. ship recycler should also submit a Dismantling Plan and
c a copy of the Recycling Facility's Management Plan, along with
approval of SPCB therefor.

3.3.1. Recycling Facility Management Plan:

Before granting authorization to the recycling facilities, the SPCB
D should ensure that the Pl~n has been adopted by the Board, or the
appropriate governing body of the company, and· should include:

(a) A policy with focus on adequate worker safety and the protection
of human health and environment the establishment of goals leading
to the minimization, and ultimately elimination of the adverse effects
E on human health and the environment caused by ship recycling.

(b) A system for ensuring the implementation of the requirements set
out in national regulations, the achievement of goals set out in the
policy of the company, and a commitment to continual improvement
of the procedures used in ship recycling operations.
F
(c) Identification of roles and responsibilities of supervisors,
contractors, and workers.

(d) A programme for appropriate training of workers and availability
of adequate PPEs and material handling equipment.
G (e) An emergency preparedness and response plan for the plot.

(f} A system for monitoring the performance of the ship recycling
operations. .J-

(g) A system for reporting how, the ship recycling operations would
H be performed, including system for reporting discharges, emissions,
RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv.U.0.1.[PASAYAT,J.] 757.

and accidents causing damage or potential to cause damage to A
workers' safety, human health and the environment, due to handling
of hazardous wastes, and materials containing hazardous substances.

3.3.2. Ship Specific Dismantling Plan:

Before starting the recycling process, the recycler should submit a B
Dismantling Plan to the authorities, which should include:

(a) Details about the ship, and in particular, a fair assessment of
hazardous wastes/hazardous materials.

(b) Ship breaking schedules with sequence of work.
c
(c) Operational work procedures.

(d) Availability of material handling equipment and PPEs.

(e) Plan for removal of oil and cleaning of tanks.

(f) Hazardous waste handling and disposal plan . D
. (g) "Gas-free and fit for hot work" certificate issu,ed by the Department
of Explosives, or any competent agency authorized by the Department
of Explosives.

(h) Identification and marking of all non-breathable spaces by the E
Recycler.

(i) Identification and marking of all places containing/likely to contain
hazardous substances/hazardous wastes.

G) Confirmation to the effect that ballast water has been exchanged F
in the high seas The tasks should address all the three phases of
recycling, i.e.

(i) Preparation phase

(iI) Dismantling phase

(iiD Waste stream management.
G

(k) Asbestos being a major area of concern, the scheme for removing
asbestos, and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) on board, and
on shore, should be specifically provided. The plan should include
arrangements for handling treatment and disposal Locations having H
758 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 9 S.C.R.

A asbestos/ACMs should be marked before commencing dismantling
operations.

(I) Systems and procedures to be followed to document and keep track
of all hazardous waste generated during recycling, as well as hazardous
substances found on board the ship, and their transport to the disposal
B facility or registered recycling facility should be provided."

5. It has also suggested sequence of steps/process for grant of clearance
by SMB/SPCB/Customs Department for ships destined for dismantling at
Ship Breaking Yards. The same reads as follows:

C (i) The removal of asbestos dust and fibres and its handling should
be done in a wet condition.

(ii) On shore removal of asbestos should be done. in enclosures
maintained under negative pressure, with filters for outgoing air and
wastewater. The applicable BIS specifications should be adhered to in
D .respect of such enclosures.

(iii) For ships of "Special Concern", where asbestos/ACMs quantities
are the Special Concern, asbestos/ACMs removal on board should be
done in enclosures maintained under negative pressure with
arrangements for filtration of outgoing air and wastewater. For other
E ships, the practice of wet removal of asbestos on board may be
adequate with the use of appropriate PPEs.

(iv) The asbestos and broken pieces of ACM's sheets/panels thus
removed should be packed in leak proof synthetic packets and disposed
of at secured landfills where the packets should be solidified by
F mixing with cement. Recovered and usable ACMs sheets/panels may
be sold for reuse as permitted by law.

(v) PPEs like masks under positive pressure (or masks or respirators
meeting BIS specifications for asbestos handling) should be provided
to all the workers engaged in asbestos removal.
G
(vi) Asbestos fiber concentrations should be monitored regularly.

6. The report contains recommendations on management of occupational
safety and health issues and handling of hazardous materials and hazardous
wastes. The report also identifies the stake holders. It is pointed out that the
H agencies responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations in Gujarat
RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv. U.0.1.[PASAYAT,J.] 759

~ are GMB, DISH, Govt. of Gujarat, GPCB, Customs and the Petroleum Safety A
Organisation. Reference has also been made to Workers Welfare issues.
Summary of the recommendations has been categorised into four categories
i.e. immediate, short term, medium term and long term.

7. We have heard learned counsel for the parties at length. There is
unanimity that the report is a comprehensive one. Certain suggestions have B
been given by Mr. Parekh to the effect that there should be additional
precaution for de-contamination. It is suggested that before leaving port in
a foreign country a certificate that it is totally de-contaminated should be
obtained. We find many practical difficulties in accepting this suggestion. In
fact the decontamination aspect has been taken care of in the report. The C
authorities in India can without the certificate at the stage of anchorage verify
and come to a conclusion that if the ship is contaminated same is to be sent
back.

8. In Research Foundation for Science Technology National Resource
Policy v. Union of India and Anr., [2005] I 0 SCC 5 I 0 while dealing with the D
aspect of ship breaking. It was noted as follows:

(2) Ship-breaking:

We accept the following recommendations of HPC:

"(I) Before a ship arrives at port, it should have proper consent from E
the authority concerned or the State Maritime Board, stating that it
does not contain any hazardous waste or radioactive substances.
AERB should be consulted in the matter in appropriate cases.

{2) The ship should be properly decontaminated by the ship owner
prior to the breaking. This should be ensured by SPCBs. F
(3) Waste generated by the ship-breaking process should be classified
into hazardous and non-hazardous categories, and their quantity should
be made known to the authority concerned or the State Maritime
Board.
G
...... __, (4) Disposal of waste material viz, oil, cotton, dead cargo of inorganic
material like hydrated/solidified elements, thermocol pieces, glass wool,
rubber, broken tiles, etc. should be done in a proper manne1, utilising
technologies that meet the criteria of an effective destruction efficiently
of 99.9 per cent, with no generation of persistent organic pollutants, H
760 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R.

A and complete containment of all gaseous, liquid and solid residues for
analysis and, if needed, reprocessing. Such disposed-of material should
be kept at a specified place eannarked for this purpose. Special care
must be taken in the handling of asbestos wastes, and total quantities
of such waste should be made known to the authorities concerned.
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board should authorise appropriate final
B disposal of asbestos waste.

(5) The ship-breaking industries should be given authorization under
Rule 5 of the HW Rules, 2003, only if they have provisions for
disposal of the waste in environmentally sound manner. All
authorisations should be renewed only if an industry has facilities for
c disposal of waste in environmentally sound manner.

(6) The State Maritime Board should insist that all quantities of waste
oil, sludge and other similar mineral oils and paint chips are carefully
removed from the ship and taken immediately to areas outside the
beach, for safe disposal.
D
(7) There should be immediate ban of burning of any material whether )...
hazardous or non-hazardous on the beach.

(8) The State Pollution Control Board (of Gujarat and other coastal
States.where this ship-breaking activity is done) be directed to close
E all units which are not authorised under the HW Rules.

(9) That the plots where no activitjes are being currently conducted
should not be allowed to commency any fresh ship-breaking activity
unless they have necessary authorisation.

F (10) The Gujarat PCBs should ensure continuous monitoring of ambient
air and noise level as per the standards fixed. The Gujarat PCBs be
further directed to install proper equipment and infrastructure for
analysis to enable them to conduct first-level inspection of hazardous
material, radioactive substances (wherever applicable). AER shall be
consulted in such cases.
G
(11) The Gujarat SPCB will ensure compliance with the new Gujarat
Maritime Board (Prevention of Fire and Accidents for Safety and )•-
Welfare of Workers and Protection of Environment during Ship breaking
Activities) Regulations, 2000, by the Gujarat Maritime Board and should
submit a compliance report to the Court within one year of the coming
H into force of the said Regulations.
RESEARCHFOUNDATIONFORSCIENCEv.U.O.I.[PASAYAT,J.] 761

(12) The notification issued by GMB in 2001 on gas free for hot work, A
should be made mandatory and no ship should be given a beaching
permission unless this certificate is shown. Any explosion irrespective
of the possession of certification should be dealt with sternly and the
licence of the plot-holder should be cancelled and the Explosives
Inspector should be prosecuted accordingly for giving the false B
certificate.

(13) A complete inventory of hazardous waste on board of ship
should be made mandatory for the shipowner. And no breaking
permission should be granted without such an inventory. This inventory
should also be submitted by GMB to SPCBs concerned to ensure safe C
disposal of hazardous and toxic waste.

(14) The Gujarat Maritime Board and Gujarat SPCB officers should
visit sites at regufar intervals so that the plot-owners know that these
institutions are serious about improvement in operational standards.
An inter-ministerial Committee comprising Ministry of Surface D
Transport, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of
Environment should be constituted with the involvement of labour
and environment organisations and representatives of the ship-
breaking industry.

(I 5) SPCBs along with the State Maritime Boards should prepare E
landfill sites and incinerators as per CPCB guidelines and only after
prior approval of CPCB. This action should be taken in a time-bound
manner. The maximum time allowed should be one year.

(16) At the international level, India should participate in international
meetings on ship-breaking at the level of the International Maritime F
Organisation and the Basel Convention's Technical Working Group
with a clear mandate for the decontamination of ships of their hazardous
substances such as asbestos, waste oil, gas and PCBs, prior to export
to India for breaking. Participation should include from Central and
State level.
G
(17) The continuation or expansion of the 1Alang ship-breaking
operations should be permitted subject to compliance with the above
recommendations by the plot-holders.
( 18) That the above conditions also apply to other ship-breaking
activities in other coastal States." H
762 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 9 S.C.R.

A 9. It is desirable that the Government of India shall formulate a
comprehensive Code incorpora\ing the recommendations anC:: the same has to
be operative until the concerned Statutes are amended to be in line with the
recommendations. Until the Code comes into play, the recommendation shall
be operative by virtue of this order. Until further orders, the officials of Gujarat
Maritine Board, the concerned State Pollution Control Board, officials of the
B Customs Department, National Institute of Occupational Health (in short
'NIOH') and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (in short 'AERB') shall oversee
the arrangement. The Collector of the district shall be associated when the
actual dismantling takes place. Within three weeks the Central Government
shall notify the particular authorities. The vetting of the documents to be
C submitted for the purpose of grant of permission for ship breaking shall be
done by the authorities indicated above.

10. It is ordered accordingly.

RP. Matters disposed of.

I