Central team to inspect ship Platinum II near Alang

BHAVNAGAR(Guj):(PTI) A three-member team from the Union government, including head of the Radiology safety Division from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board ( AERB), will inspect ship Platinum-II, anchored near Alang and allegedly carrying toxic and radioactive substance, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) officials said.

"A three-member team from the Central government has arrived here and are on their way to inspect the Platinum II ship," the officials said.

"The team includes a senior officer each from the Ministry of Environment, Steel and Dr S A Hussain from the AERB," they said, adding officials of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) are also accompanying the team.

According to sources, Platinum II is anchored near Gopnath some 40 nautical miles from the Alang coast.

The Central team is here as part of the inquiry ordered by the Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh last week after Indian Platform on Shipbreaking (IPOS) alleged that Platinum-II (previously known as S S Independence and S S Oceanic) was loaded with toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated material, asbestos as part of its construction along with radioactive substances.

When asked if there was any damage to ship Platinum II while anchoring, the GMB officials said that they did not have any information in this regard.