The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Blue Lady, the Norwegian ship containing 1240 metric tonnes of toxic asbestos, to enter Indian territorial waters. However, it has directed that it be anchored at Alang port in Gujarat for inspection by the Indian authorities.
The vacation bench, comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice C K Thakker, allowed the application filed by the central government, seeking permission for the entry of the ship into India.
Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Centre, assured the court that all safety norms related to environmental pollution will be adhered to and also pleaded that the inspection was not possible unless and until the ship was permitted to arrive in Gujarat.
Sanjay Parikh, counsel for the petitioner NGO Research Foundation For Science, however, oppposed the entry of the ship on the grounds that the hazardous waste in the ship was yet to be decontaminated.
The court, however, did not permit the dismantling of the ship till further orders.
It may be noted that the ship had started from Malaysia and came to India via Dubai. Neighbouring Bangladesh has already refused entry to the ship. At present it is anchored 120 km away from Indian territorial waters.
© 2025