AI Structured Summary
Not yet generated for this judgment
Judgment
This OA is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled “Will the tide turn for the ship that ran aground in Vizag?” published in ‘The Hindu’ dated 29.10.2023.
The news item report mentions that the environmentalists have raised concerns over the rusting MV MAA as plan to convert it into a floating restaurant awaits clearance. As per the said report, Bangladesh vessel MV MAA ran grounded at the beach Tenneti Park, in Visakhapatnam, on October 13, 2020 and after passing of almost 1,111 days the vessel is still there due to adverse whether condition under the influence of a depression in the Bay of Bengal. As per the report, due to high salvage costs, the owners do not intend to take it back. The report also discloses that the State Government has announced that it would be converted into a floating restaurant. The report also states that the Tourism Department had approached the Forest Department for using the forest land to build a road from the beach to the ship and the Forest Department has given permission to use 0.55 hectares of forest land for road purposes. As per the report, the ship is rusting and causing environmental pollution. The ship contains lot of pollutants and in course of time the entire area might be polluted, if it is not maintained or salvaged immediately.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental laws.
Hence, following are impleaded as respondents in this OA:
i. Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority through its Member Secretary.
ii. Ministry of Shipping through the Secretary.
iii. Department of Forest, State of Andhra Pradesh through the Principal Secretary.
iv. District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam.
Learned Counsel for Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority appearance on advance notice has sought four weeks’ time to file the report.
Let notice be issued to the respondents who are not represented today for filing their response at least one week before the next date of hearing.
Since the matter relates to Southern Zone Bench, of the Tribunal, therefore, the OA is transferred to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai for further appropriate action in accordance with law. Registry is directed to transfer the original record of this OA to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai.
List before the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai on 05.01.2024.