The court observed that several vessels carrying ammonium nitrate dock at Paradip port
Cuttack: The Orissa high court has sought clarification from the Centre on whether safety advisories issued for ships carrying ammonium nitrate are being strictly followed at ports, particularly by Paradip Port Authority (PPA).While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, in its May 13 order observed that ammonium nitrate is a “highly inflammable and explosive” substance and any lapse in its handling could endanger public safety and port infrastructure.The HC order was released online on Friday.The bench referred to an advisory issued by the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways on Sept 8, last year prescribing stringent safety measures for ports dealing with ammonium nitrate cargo. Among the key instructions, the advisory mandates that ships carrying more than 5,000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate should be shifted from the port area to mid-sea anchorage after the day’s unloading operations and brought back the next day for resumption of discharge work.The bench noted that the PIL, filed by Forum for Integrated National Security, Mumbai, raises “serious concern on the safety and security of the citizenry of the country”, particularly in relation to vessels transporting large quantities of the chemical through Indian ports.Appearing for the Union govt, the deputy solicitor general of India, Prasanna Kumar Parhi, sought time to obtain instructions on whether the advisory has been formally adopted and implemented or whether any separate policy decision has been taken by the Centre on the issue.Observing that several vessels carrying ammonium nitrate dock at Paradip port, the bench said the presence of the port authority was necessary for effective adjudication of the matter and accordingly, issued the notice notice to PPA.The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 21.
