• Current Issue
  • Download Print Archives
  • SIGN IN
  • SUBSCRIBE
     

Down To Earth DownToEarth

  • News
  • In-depth
  • Videos
  • Book Store
  • Africa
  • Climate
  • Extreme Weather
  • Young Environmentalist

Alang: India's graveyard for ships

 
 

NEXT PHOTO ❯
Published: Thursday 10 May 2012
The workers' conditions are so bad that even the Centre has taken note of it. Earlier this year, the government ordered the Directorate General of Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) to conduct a radiology study on the impact of glass wool among the workers at Alang. Following this, guidelines are to be prepared which should be operational by June this year and are to be enforced  by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB)  Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

The workers' conditions are so bad that even the Centre has taken note of it. Earlier this year, the government ordered the Directorate General of Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) to conduct a radiology study on the impact of glass wool among the workers at Alang. Following this, guidelines are to be prepared which should be operational by June this year and are to be enforced by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Alang is known for using beaching method wherein a ship is brought to ground on the beach and dismantled right there. This technology is environmentally hazardous as allows toxic contaminates to spread through the air. Earlier this year, Japan had suggested a US $22 million project for the up-gradation of the ship-breaking yards of Alang, using the docking technology. The proposal has not yet moved forward because of apprehensions of the Alang recyclers who say it is financially unviable and will leave them in Japan's debt  Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Alang is known for using beaching method wherein a ship is brought to ground on the beach and dismantled right there. This technology is environmentally hazardous as allows toxic contaminates to spread through the air. Earlier this year, Japan had suggested a US $22 million project for the up-gradation of the ship-breaking yards of Alang, using the docking technology. The proposal has not yet moved forward because of apprehensions of the Alang recyclers who say it is financially unviable and will leave them in Japan's debt Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Ship-breaking at Alang has hit another record in the last one year where 38.60 million tonnes of light ton displacement or LDT was carried out (scrap removed from ships) against 28.20 million tonnes LDT recorded in 2010-11  Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Ship-breaking at Alang has hit another record in the last one year where 38.60 million tonnes of light ton displacement or LDT was carried out (scrap removed from ships) against 28.20 million tonnes LDT recorded in 2010-11 Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Environmentalists say companies do not take any precautions while breaking and handling end-of-life ships, which exposes workers and the environment to toxic materials. Ships need to be decontaminated because they have mercury, arsenic, asbestos and residual oil in ship hulls and holds  Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Environmentalists say companies do not take any precautions while breaking and handling end-of-life ships, which exposes workers and the environment to toxic materials. Ships need to be decontaminated because they have mercury, arsenic, asbestos and residual oil in ship hulls and holds Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Ship reaching Alang in January 2006 to be broken down and recycled. Alang is said to be best suited for this activity in India because of extreme high and low tides that assist beaching of ships  Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India

Ship reaching Alang in January 2006 to be broken down and recycled. Alang is said to be best suited for this activity in India because of extreme high and low tides that assist beaching of ships Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India

There are approximately 20,000 workers employed in the ship-breaking yards in Alang. Most of them are not given protective gear to minimise exposure to hazardous material   Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

There are approximately 20,000 workers employed in the ship-breaking yards in Alang. Most of them are not given protective gear to minimise exposure to hazardous material Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Alang dismantled the maximum number of ships, numbering 415, in 2011-12. Since its establishment in 1982, the shipyard has witnessed dismantling of 5,924 ships. Ships that come to Alang are broken and and sold for recycling through auctions. The remains of the ship include goods like sinks, frigdes, furniture, machinery and steel   Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Alang dismantled the maximum number of ships, numbering 415, in 2011-12. Since its establishment in 1982, the shipyard has witnessed dismantling of 5,924 ships. Ships that come to Alang are broken and and sold for recycling through auctions. The remains of the ship include goods like sinks, frigdes, furniture, machinery and steel Photographs by: Padmaparna GhoshAlso read: Oriental Nicety denied entry into India  

Alang ship-breaking Environmental hazard Workers' health Toxic Waste Asbestos Basel Convention Basel Convention Alang: India's …
Subscribe to Daily Newsletter :
SUPPORT US

We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.

Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.

NEXT STORY

DownToEarth

Down To Earth is a product of our commitment to make changes in the way we manage our environment, protect health and secure livelihoods and economic security for all. We believe strongly that we can and must do things differently. Our aim is to bring you news, perspectives and knowledge to prepare you to change the world. We believe information is a powerful driver for the new tomorrow.

Quick Links
  • India
  • World
  • Climate Change
  • Food
  • Health
  • Water
  • Agriculture
Quick Links
  • News
  • In - Depth
  • DTE Blogs
  • Videos
  • Photo Gallery
  • Focus Tag
  • DTE Photo Library
  • Publications
Info
  • About Us
  • Author Directory
  • Blogger Directory
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Refunds & cancellations policy
Hindi
  • प्रदूषण
  • ऊर्जा
  • जल
  • जलवायु परिवर्तन
  • प्राकृतिक आपदा
  • कृषि
  • नदी
  • फूड
  • अर्थव्यवस्था
  • वन्य जीव एवं जैव विविधता
  • विकास
  • स्वच्छता
  • स्वास्थ्य
  • विज्ञान
  • मौसम
 
 

© Copyright Down To Earth 2023. All rights reserved.

×
Social: Young Environmentalist News In-depth Extreme Weather Videos Book Store Africa Climate Agriculture Gobar Times डाउन टू अर्थ Download Print Archives
Air Pollution Data Centre Blogs India World Coronavirus Environment Agriculture Water Food Natural Disasters Waste Energy Wildlife & Biodiversity Economy Science & Technology Forests Health Cartoons Book Reviews Interviews Honeygate