Alang, located on the Gujarat coast about 50 km away from Bhavnagar is home to the largest ship-breaking facility in the world. Alang, a graveyard for 450 ships a year that are no longer fit for use, is the largest ship-breaking industry in the world. The yard is growing each year since 1983 and generates an estimated?6,000 billion. It was started by the state to provide employment for large numbers of unskilled workers. Now, the yard employs locals as well as cheap laborers from all over the country.
Ship-breaking refers to the process of dismantling, or breaking up the vessel. It involves removing all the equipment and gears from the vessel and then cutting it down into smaller parts. Prior to 1983, this activity was carried out by select shipyards in Taiwan, Mexico and Spain. Alang offers a cheap way for these countries to dispose their waste due to their strict environmental laws and human-rights issues.
India has become the leader of ship-breaking industries in the world, despite its minimal rules on paper. Pakistan and Bangladesh follow, both of which are still weak purely due to size.
Alang is home to 173 plots that are used for the recycling and demolition of old equipment. The activity directly employs 30,000 unorganised workers in Alang.
But the city is still paying a price. This industry is a bit of a mystery because of the structural complexity and the environmental, health and safety issues. It is a hazardous industry to work in because workers are exposed to toxic chemicals, and substances like lead, asbestos, mercury, chlorofluorocarbons and polychlorinated bisphenyls are disposed of into the environment. The marine environment has also been contaminated by oil spills. Even basic services like water, toilets and shelters are difficult to access for the workers. The migrant workers are not eligible for any of the government schemes that were implemented in the village areas around ship-breaking yards.
In a 2014 study, commissioned by National Human Rights Commission, it was found that 470 deaths “reported” between 1983 and 2013 had occurred. Another worker died in December 2012 as a consequence of a fire which broke out when tankers were dismantled.
It is worth mentioning that the Final Report by the Technical Experts Committee appointed by the Supreme Court has exposed the pitiful situation of these workers.
The average number of fatal accidents per year in India’s shipbreaking industry is 2.
These facts confirm Alang’s reputation as a highly dangerous and unsafe industry that violates human rights.
India has frequently ignored environmental standards in order to expand its economic participation. Alang has a sad history because of the laxity and improper application of environmental standards, as well as delays and corruption.
A study of “Blue-Lady’s” journey to Alang (2006) ports provides valuable insight on how these concerns have conflicted with economic objectives. It also shows how India has stood up for environmental and social concerns.
Last year, the same vessel was denied entry by the Bangladeshi government due to hazardous waste on board. It was denied entry to Indian waters by the Supreme Court of India the first time it tried, but allowed on humanitarian grounds as the monsoon approached. It was beached in Alang after about 25 days, violating the Supreme Court’s order. During that time it was sold by a shipbreaking business in Alang so as to avoid having to decontaminate the ships prior to being scrapped, and this was against Supreme Court’s orders.
The owners of the ship would have had to pay a staggering amount of 30 million euros if they decontaminated their vessel in Germany before the dismantling. In order to offset the cost of the decontamination, the ship’s owners sold it to Bridgend Shipping at an outrageous price of $ 10. The real value was, of course, paid off record. The controversial ship was estimated to contain around 1,700 tonnes asbestos which is radioactive-Americium 241. Asbestos can be inhaled and ingested for decades, posing a possible cancer threat to those working near the ship.
Alang has become an official facility for the storage of radioactive materials, toxic wastes and gases poisonous, as well as unusual oil. The screams against development can now be heard from Alang. Alang’s fame is at odds with the aspirations of a 21st-century country. The grim reality of Alang’s past and present is brought to light in spite of its development.
Due to the lack of environmental regulations, India’s Ship-Breaking Industry is flourishing. Short-sightedness would dictate that this activity is viewed as an opportunity to progress and gain economic benefits. India needs to remember that it is not only about meeting global standards. It also has to be mindful of its values in terms of the environment and human life. By focusing solely on trade and not taking into account welfare concerns, it is detrimental to the economy.
