GEC Alang Report (Main Document Part II)

Ecological Restoration and Planning for
Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat
8
8.1 INTERTIDAL ZONE
HEAVY METAL POLLUTION
Heavy metals are among the best known and most 8.1.1 Methods
widely studied pollutants in an aquatic system.
However, the behaviour of heavy metals in Heavy metals were estimated both from water
sediments varies according to the physico-chemical (dissolved) and sediments of intertidal zones at
nature of the aquatic system. The Gulf of five different sites viz. N-Control, N-ASSBY, M-
Khambhat (Cambay) represents a semiestuarine ASSBY, S-ASSBY and S-Control. Dissolved
condition. When the river-water/surface runoff heavy metals (Fe, Mn and Zn) were estimated
carrying the pollutants from onshore comes in using ICP Emission Spectrophotometer. However,
contact with saline water, a flocculation of the 0.01 M HCl were used to extract heavy metals
organic and inorganic dissolved species begins as from the < 500 µm fraction of sediments and
a result of chemical as well as electrostatic analysed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd,
interaction (Aston and Chestner 1973; Rasid 1974; using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Eckert and Sholkovitz 1976; Boyle et al. 1977; (AAS).
Sholkovitz et al. 1978 and others). A general
phenomenon during mixing is a large scale
removal of dissolved metal species from water. 8.1.2 Heavy metal distribution
Flocculation of dissolved organic and inorganic Higher concentration of Fe and Mn were recorded
matter during the mixing is an important removal from the ASSBY areas as compared to the control
mechanism for Fe, Mn, Al, P, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb sites (Table 8.1). This highlights the input of the
and Mo. Accordingly, both suspended and bottom metals into the intertidal water from the ASSBY
sediments in the Gulf of Cambay act as a sink for activities. However, most of the other dissolved
most of the pollutants introduced from the heavy metals were recorded below detection limit
mainland. Thus analysis of the sediment and water of the instrument and thus considered under the
provide knowledge regarding state of heavy metal safe limits.
pollution in the Gulf around Alang Shipbreaking
Yard.
Table 8.1 Distribution of major dissolved heavy
Sites Fe (µg/l) Mn (µg/l) Zn (µg/l)

N-Control 127.4 20.1 51.5
N-ASSBY 248.0 188.5 61.5
M-ASSBY 200.0 61.0 56.0
S-ASSBY 128.8 28.6 30.2
S-Control 124.8 25.7 38.0
Similarly, relatively high concentration of heavy

metals was recorded from the sediments at
ASSBY areas than the control sites (Table 8.2).
This further substantiate the above view that ship
breaking activities are polluting the intertidal
zones through the inputs of heavy metals.
100
Table 8.2 Distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of intertidal zone
Metals (µg/kg) N-Control M-ASSBY S-Control

Pb 90 1230 420
Ni 830 2810 1910
Cd 80 1700 310
Zn 80 1830 700
Fe 860 27860 7590
Mn 540 23320 8180
Cu 960 12380 8410
Cr 370 12300 10920
metals: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cd. The
8.2 OFFSHORE ZONE
geostandards used as reference material were
Canadian Soil standards viz., SO-1, SO-2, SO-3
8.2.1 Methods and SO-4 (Govindaraju 1994).
Water and sediments (both suspended and bottom)

were collected during April `97 along five transects
8.2.2Nature of sediments
viz., N-Control (Ghogha), N-ASSBY (along plot
No. 156/158), M-ASSBY (along plot No. 1), S-
ASSBY (along plot No. 84C) and S-Control It is widely recognised that various geochemical
(Gopnath). Each transect started from the coastline components prefer certain grainsize fractions and
(0 km) and ran up to 5 km in the sea. In each that the mineralogy govern the interaction between
transect, sampling was done at 0, 1st, 3rd and 5th solid phase and the dissolved constituents in
km point. Bottom sediments were collected by grab natural system (Salomons and Förstner 1984). The
sampler, packed in pre-washed polyethylene particle size distribution of sediments and their
packets, sealed and transferred to the laboratory, mineralogical characteristics are thus the major
where they were oven dried at 40 oC. Water with variables to consider in any kind of study related
suspended sediments were collected in 10 litre to the sediments and their environmental
plastic bottles at 50 to 100 cm depth from the water implications.
surface, and were then allowed to settle. The
suspended sediments were then separated by The dominating fraction in the bottom sediments
decantation and dried at 40 oC in an oven. Water were the silt which varied from 60 to 75% of the
for heavy metal analysis were collected in 250 ml total distribution. The sand fraction was always
plastic bottles and were acidified with analar grade less than 6%. The clay fraction varied from 15 to
HCl acid. 30% of the total size distribution in the sediments
Both suspended and bottom sediments were treated (Islam 1986).
with deionized distilled water three times, to avoid
the excess sodium chloride. They were then dried The total suspended matter (TSM) in the Gulf
to room temperature and grinded in an agate varied from 0.22 to 4.53 g/l (Islam 1986). April
morter to powder form (<50 µm). The total and July shows the highest TSM. However, the
digestion of sediments was done following the grain size of suspended sediments were practically
procedure of Loring and Rantala (1992), and the similar both spatially and temporally. The grain
samples were analysed in the solution form using size of suspended sediments also showed that silt
AAS at the School of Environmental Sciences, and clay were the dominating fraction constituting
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The more than 90% of the total distribution. Generally,
samples were analysed for the following heavy the bottom sediments have coarser fraction slightly
higher than the suspended sediments. The size
101
distribution of sediments (Islam 1986) also shows The enrichment of heavy minerals and the nature
that nearly half of the distribution spectrum of of clay minerals are two significant criteria which
bottom sediments overlaps the distribution determines the abundance of heavy metals in a
spectrum of suspended sediments, which suggests sediment mass. The Gulf of Cambay sediments
that the bottom sediments are also capable of show that the dominant clay mineral in both
demobilisation. The fine grained sediments have a suspended and bottom sediments is
large surface to mass ratio, and thus provide wide montmorrilonite. Montmorillonite in suspended
space for metal adsorption. This fine sand, silt and sediments ranges from 76 to 83% of the total clay
clay size class, as suggested by Mantei and Foster minerals, while illite constitutes 9 to 18%, chlorite
(1991), is fine enough to accumulate higher 4 to 5% and kaolinite constitutes 3 to 5% (Islam
quantity of metal as well as large enough to resist 1986). There is an overall homogeneity in the
transport and have longer residence time in the distribution of clay minerals all over the coast. The
aquatic system. cation exchange capacity (CEC) of different clay
minerals are as follows:
Montmorillonite 80 to 150 meq/100 gm

Illite 10 to 40 meq/100 gm
Kaolinite 3 to 15 meq/100 gm
High CEC of montmorillonite is due to its high

specific surface area which ranges from 700 to 800
X 103 m2/kg, compared with much lower values
for kaolinite 15 to 40 X 103 m2/kg. This suggests
that montmorillonite has the highest scavenging
capacity by ion exchange. The mineral assemblage
in the Gulf of Cambay shows that the sediments
possess significant scavenging potential of heavy
metals from sea water.
8.3 HEAVY METAL

CONCENTRATION IN
SEDIMENTS
Heavy metal concentration in both bottom and

suspended sediments are presented in Table 8.3
to 8.8. The concentration of heavy metals in global
standard shale is presented in Table 8.9.
102
Table 8.3 Distribution of Fe (µg/g) in the sediments.

Transects Bottom sediments Suspended sediments
0 km 1 km 3 km 5 km 0 km 1 km 3 km 5 km
N-Control 75190 77220 -- -- 81060 75400 76590 79250
N-ASSBY 78200 -- 78480 81550 83510 84980 78060 75050
M-ASSBY 84420 59940 70850 77710 82600 83020 80090 80160
S-ASSBY 79460 66660 78760 71970 82880 75890 84490 69590
S-Control 71550 59240 68190 44620 81410 74700 77500 77570
Table 8.4 Distribution of Mn (µg/g) in the sediments

N-Control 1290 1180 -- -- 1290 1510 1460 1920
N-ASSBY 1250 -- 1290 1250 1390 1390 1630 1710
M-ASSBY 1350 1110 1170 1170 1580 1400 1720 1660
S-ASSBY 1320 1690 1340 1210 1250 1740 1220 1320
S-Control 1150 1790 990 1640 1120 1910 1450 1460
Table 8.5 Distribution of Zn (µg/g) in sediments.

N-Control 108 112 -- -- 130 90 112 180
N-ASSBY 120 -- 100 110 203 124 173 129
M-ASSBY 273 73 112 86 391 130 203 147
S-ASSBY 100 98 136 71 163 374 171 108
S-Control 129 81 105 63 140 114 134 120
Table 8.6 Distribution of Cu (µg/g) in sediments.

N-Control 106 84 -- -- 100 112 100 116
N-ASSBY 106 -- 87 77 128 109 106 119
M-ASSBY 186 64 74 90 109 112 116 116
S-ASSBY 106 77 90 71 122 119 116 100
S-Control 109 84 77 61 103 106 93 109
Table 8.7 Distribution of Pb (µg/g) in sediments

N-Control 12 20 -- -- 8 22 16 25
N-ASSBY 22 -- 20 23 20 14 14 15
M-ASSBY 26 17 14 15 29 15 14 12
S-ASSBY 12 11 11 12 17 20 12 14
S-Control 15 12 14 15 19 12 22 17
103
Table 8.8 Distribution of Ni (µg/g) in sediments.

N-Control 111 69 -- -- 96 87 75 87
N-ASSBY 81 -- 81 63 87 75 81 81
M-ASSBY 84 63 84 72 111 90 81 87
S-ASSBY 66 63 63 72 84 78 87 87
S-Control 84 54 60 63 87 81 78 84
Table 8.9 Concentration of metals (µg/g) in standard shales.
Iron 46700
Manganese 850
Zinc 95
Copper 45
Lead 20
Nickel 68
Source: Turekian and Wedepohl (1961)
The total metal concentration in the bottom
sediments varied from 59200 to 84400 µg/g for Fe,
0.10 to 0.18% for Mn, 71 to 273 µg/g for Zn, 64 to
186 µg/g for Cu, 11 to 26 µg/g for Pb, and 54 to 111
µg/g for Ni. Although most of the off-shore stations
shows a similar distribution pattern of heavy metals,
the five coastline stations represented significant
differences in the concentrations at least for few
elements in the bottom sediments.
Zinc, Cu and Pb were relatively high in

concentration in bottom sediments at 0th km from
the shoreline at M-ASSBY (Fig. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
respectively). The higher concentration of these
metals here may be due its location at the very
vicinity of the shipbreaking yard which may
contribute heavy metals to the sediments.
The distribution of heavy metals in suspended

sediments also showed a similar trend like that in
bottom sediments. At 0th km from the shoreline of
M-ASSBY, higher concentration of Zn, Pb and Ni
were observed compared with other transects (Fig.
8.4, 8.5, 8.6 respectively).
104
0 th km 1s t k m
40 0
3 rd k m 5t h k m
30 0
µg/ l
20 0
10 0
0
N -C o ntro l N -Alan g M-A lan g S -A lan g S -C ont rol
8.1 Zn concentration in bottom sediments
0th km 1 st km
2 00 3rd km 5 th km
1 50
µ g/l
1 00
50
0
N-C on trol N-Ala ng M-Ala ng S -Ala ng S -C on trol
Fig 8.2 Cu concentration in bottom sediments
30 0t h k m 1s t k m
3rd k m 5t h k m
25
20
µ g/l
15
10
0
N-Co ntro l N-A lan g M-A lan g S -Alan g S -C o ntro l
Fig 8.3 Pb concentration in bottom sediments
105
0th k m 1 s t km
4 00
3rd km 5 th km
3 00
µg /l
2 00
1 00
0
N-C on trol N-Ala ng M-A lan g S -Alan g S -C on trol
Fig 8.4 Zn concentration in suspended sediments
0t h k m 1 s t km
20 0
3rd k m 5 th km
15 0
µg/ l
10 0
50
0
N -C o ntro l N -Ala ng M-Alan g S -Ala ng S -C o ntro l
Fig 8.5 Cu concentration in suspended sediments
0 th k m 1 s t km
35
3 r d km 5 th km
30
25
20
µ g /l
15
10
0
N -C ont rol N -Alan g M -Alang S - A la n g S -C o nt rol
Fig 8.6 Pb concentration in suspended sediments
106
It is to be noted here that at 0th km from the shoreline

at M-ASSBY was the longest running shipbreaking
plot, and is situated longitudinally at the middle of
the shipbreaking yard. Thus input from the
shipbreaking yard would be significant in this plot.
The off-shore stations and other stations along the
coastline shows relatively uniform concentration
of heavy metals due to their well mixing by off-
shore currents.
Generally the suspended sediments show higher

concentration of heavy metals compared to that of
the bottom sediments due to granulometric effect
of the sediments.
8.3.1Interelemental relationship
The correlation coefficient matrix for heavy metals

in both bottom and suspended sediments are
presented in Table 8.10 and 8.11.
Table 8.10 Correlation coefficient matrix for bottom sediments
Cu Fe Mn Ni Pb Zn
Cu 1.00
Fe 0.57 1.00
Mn -0.03 0.45 1.00
Ni 0.45 0.38 -0.28 1.00
Pb 0.49 0.40 -0.13 0.13 1.00
Zn 0.91 0.56 -0.09 0.33 0.55 1.00
Table 8.11 Correlation coefficient matrix for suspended sediments
Cu Fe Mn Ni Pb Zn
Cu 1.00
Fe 0.32 1.00
Mn 0.15 -0.37 1.00
Ni 0.73 0.27 -0.14 1.00
Pb 0.64 -0.01 0.29 0.39 1.00
Zn 0.75 0.21 0.25 0.41 0.50 1.00
107
Copper shows good positive correlation coefficient

with Fe in bottom sediments (n = 17) suggesting a
common source mineral (viz., Chalcopyrite) for
these elements. Good positive correlation also can
be observed between the pairs Cu-Zn (r = 0.91),
Fe-Zn (r = 0.56), and Zn-Pb (r = 0.55) in the bottom
sediments. However, in suspended sediments (n =
20) good positive correlation has been observed
between the pairs Cu-Ni (r = 0.75), Cu-Zn (r = 0.75)
and Cu-Pb (r = 0.64) which suggest their co-origin.
Correlation coefficient between elements, which
are known to behave similarly in sedimentary
environment (viz., Fe and Mn) is very poor in the
samples analysed. This suggests that, the
sedimentary geochemical behaviour of the
elements have been musked by anthropogenic
input in the study area. However, a detail elemental
analysis of the sediments would have revealed the
source of heavy metals in the study area.
8.3.2Quantification of heavy metals
8.3.2.1 Metal ratio
It is common practice to express the metal ratio

with respect to average shale to represent the
degree of pollution (Förstner and Wittmann 1981).
Metal ratio with respect to standard shale are
presented in Table 8.12, 8.13 and 8.14, both for the
bottom and suspended sediments.
The metal ratio for Fe in almost all bottom and

suspended sediments lies between 1 and 2. The
metal ratio for Mn lies between 1.65 to 2.98 in bottom
sediments and between 1.86 and 3.20 in suspended
sediments. The ratio for Zn is more than 1 in 70%
of bottom and in 95% of suspended sediments.
Copper shows the highest of all metal ratios relative
to standard shale in both bottom and suspended
sediments. Lead shows a negative enrichment
except at 0th km from the shoreline at M-ASSBY
and N-ASSBY. Nickel in all suspended sediments
show ratio more than 1, while in 53% of bottom
sediments Ni ratio is more than 1.
The metal ratio thus shows a higher concentration

of Cu in sediments. Most of the metals show higher
concentration at 0th km of M-ASSBY.
108
Table 8.12 Metal ratio for Fe and Mn relative to standard shale
Transects Fe Mn
N-Control Bottom 1.61 1.65 -- -- 1.52 1.39 -- --
Suspended 1.74 1.61 1.64 1.70 1.52 1.78 1.72 2.26
N-ASSBY Bottom 1.67 -- 1.68 1.75 1.47 -- 1.52 1.47
Suspended 1.79 1.82 1.67 1.61 1.64 1.64 1.92 2.01
M-ASSBY Bottom 1.81 1.28 1.52 1.66 1.59 1.31 1.38 1.38
Suspended 1.77 1.78 1.71 1.72 1.86 1.65 2.02 1.95
S-ASSBY Bottom 1.70 1.43 1.69 1.54 1.55 1.99 1.58 1.42
Suspended 1.77 1.63 1.81 1.49 1.47 2.05 1.44 1.55
S-Control Bottom 1.53 1.27 1.46 0.96 1.35 2.11 1.16 1.93
Suspended 1.74 1.60 1.66 1.66 1.32 2.25 1.71 1.72
Table 8.13 Metal ratio for Zn and Cu relative to standard shale

Transects Zn Cu
N-Control Bottom 1.14 1.18 -- -- 2.36 1.87 -- --
Suspended 1.37 0.95 1.18 1.89 2.22 2.49 2.22 2.58
N-ASSBY Bottom 1.26 -- 1.05 1.16 2.36 -- 1.93 1.71
Suspended 2.14 1.31 1.82 1.36 2.84 2.42 2.36 2.64
M-ASSBY Bottom 2.87 0.77 1.18 0.91 4.13 1.42 1.64 2.00
Suspended 4.12 1.37 2.14 1.55 2.42 2.49 2.58 2.58
S-ASSBY Bottom 1.05 1.03 1.43 0.75 2.36 1.71 2.00 1.58
Suspended 1.72 3.94 1.80 1.14 2.71 2.64 2.58 2.22
S-Control Bottom 1.36 0.85 1.11 0.66 2.42 1.87 1.71 1.36
Suspended 1.47 1.20 1.41 1.26 2.29 2.36 2.07 2.42
Table 8.14 Metal ratio for Pb and Ni relative to standard shale
Transects Pb Ni
N-Control Bottom 0.60 1.00 -- -- 1.63 1.01 -- --
Suspended 0.40 1.10 0.80 1.25 1.41 1.28 1.10 1.28
N-ASSBY Bottom 1.10 -- 1.00 1.15 1.19 -- 1.19 0.93
Suspended 1.00 0.70 0.70 0.75 1.28 1.10 1.19 1.19
M-ASSBY Bottom 1.30 0.85 0.70 0.75 1.24 0.93 1.24 1.06
Suspended 1.45 0.75 0.70 0.60 1.63 1.32 1.19 1.28
S-ASSBY Bottom 0.60 0.55 0.55 0.60 0.97 0.93 0.93 1.06
Suspended 0.85 1.00 0.60 0.70 1.24 1.15 1.28 1.28
S-Control Bottom 0.75 0.60 0.70 0.75 1.24 0.79 0.88 0.93
Suspended 0.95 0.60 1.10 0.85 1.28 1.19 1.15 1.24
109
8.3.2.2 Geoaccumulation Index

(Igeo)
The geoaccumulation index proposed by Müller

(1979) for the quantification of metal accumulation
in sediments was calculated for the sediments of
Alang. The geoaccumulation index is expressed
as
Igeo = log2 (Cn/1.5 X Bn)
where Cn is the measured concentration, Bn is the
background value (average shale) of elements n;
and 1.5 is the background matrix correction factor.
The factor 1.5 is used for variations in the
background data due to lithogenic effects. The
geoaccumulation index consists of seven grades
as shown in Table 8.15.
Table 8.15 Igeo class with respect to sediment quality (Müller 1979)
Igeo class Sediment quality

0 Unpolluted
1 Unpolluted to moderately polluted
2 Moderately polluted
3 Moderately to highly polluted
4 Highly polluted
5 Highly to very highly polluted
6 Very highly polluted
The geoaccumulation indices for different metals

at individual stations are presented in Table 8.16,
8.17 and 8.18 for bottom and suspended sediments.
With respect to Fe, 70% of bottom sediments
samples lie within unpolluted to moderately
polluted category; the remaining samples are not
polluted with respect to Fe. The Igeo values for
Mn and Cu in all stations lie between unpolluted to
moderately polluted category in both bottom and
suspended sediments. The bottom and suspended
sediments are not polluted with respect to Zn, Pb
and Ni.
110
Table 8.16 Igeo values for Fe and Mn at Alang
Transects Fe Mn
N-Control Bottom 0.10 0.14 -- -- 0.02 -0.11 -- --
Suspended 0.21 0.11 0.13 0.18 0.02 0.24 0.20 0.59
N-ASSBY Bottom 0.16 -- 0.16 0.22 -0.03 -- 0.02 -0.03
Suspended 0.25 0.28 0.16 0.10 0.12 0.12 0.35 0.42
M-ASSBY Bottom 0.27 -0.22 0.02 0.15 0.08 -0.20 -0.12 -0.12
Suspended 0.24 0.25 0.19 0.19 0.31 0.13 0.43 0.38
S-ASSBY Bottom 0.18 -0.07 0.17 0.04 0.05 0.41 0.07 -0.08
Suspended 0.24 0.12 0.27 -0.01 -0.03 0.45 -0.06 0.05
S-Control Bottom 0.03 -0.24 -0.04 -0.65 -0.15 0.49 -0.37 0.36
Suspended 0.22 0.09 0.15 0.15 -0.19 0.58 0.19 0.20
Table 8.17 Igeo values for Zn and Cu at Alang

Transects Zn Cu
N-Control Bottom -0.40 -0.35 -- -- 0.65 0.32 -- --
Suspended -0.13 -0.66 -0.35 0.34 0.57 0.73 0.57 0.78
N-ASSBY Bottom -0.25 -- -0.51 -0.37 0.65 -- 0.37 0.19
Suspended 0.51 -0.20 0.28 -0.14 0.92 0.69 0.65 0.82
M-ASSBY Bottom 0.94 -0.97 -0.35 -0.73 1.46 -0.08 0.13 0.42
Suspended 1.46 -0.13 0.51 0.04 0.69 0.73 0.78 0.78
S-ASSBY Bottom -0.51 -0.54 -0.07 -1.01 0.65 0.19 0.42 0.07
Suspended 0.19 1.39 0.26 -0.40 0.85 0.82 0.78 0.57
S-Control Bottom -0.14 -0.82 -0.44 -1.18 0.69 0.32 0.19 -0.15
Suspended -0.03 -0.32 -0.09 -0.25 0.61 0.65 0.46 0.69
Table 8.18 Igeo values for Pb and Ni at Alang
Transects Pb Ni
N-Control Bottom -1.32 -0.59 -- -- 0.12 -0.56 -- --
Suspended -1.91 -0.45 -0.91 -0.26 -0.09 -0.23 -0.44 -0.23
N-ASSBY Bottom -0.45 -- -0.59 -0.38 -0.33 -- -0.33 -0.70
Suspended -0.59 -1.10 -1.10 -1.00 -0.23 -0.44 -0.33 -0.33
M-ASSBY Bottom -0.21 -0.82 -1.10 -1.00 -0.28 -0.70 -0.28 -0.50
Suspended -0.05 -1.00 -1.10 -1.32 0.12 -0.18 -0.33 -0.23
S-ASSBY Bottom -1.32 -1.45 -1.45 -1.32 -0.63 -0.70 -0.70 -0.50
Suspended -0.82 -0.59 -1.32 -1.10 -0.28 -0.39 -0.23 -0.23
S-Control Bottom -1.00 -1.32 -1.10 -1.00 -0.28 -0.92 -0.77 -0.70
Suspended -0.66 -1.32 -0.45 -0.82 -0.23 -0.33 -0.39 -0.28
111
8.4 CONCLUSION
Presently deposited unconsolidated bottom and

suspended sediments in and around Alang
Shipbreaking Yard were composed mainly of fine
sand, silt and clay, and the clay mineral assemblage
were dominated by the montmorillonite group.
These sediments have the potential to trap heavy
metals because of their large surface to mass ratio
and high cation exchange capacity (CEC). The
study area represents a semiestuarine condition
where flocculation, adsorption-desorption
processes are active due to the presence of highly
ionised sea water.
There was higher concentration of Cu in the study

area. However, all other metals shows a ratio of
around 1. At 0th km of M-ASSBY, the metals show
a relative enrichment. The Igeo values shows that,
the sediment quality ranged between unpolluted
to moderately polluted category with respect to Fe,
Mn and Cu. The sediments were not polluted with
respect to Zn, Pb and Ni concentration.
Thus it can be concluded that although the

sediments in and around Alang have the potential
to trap a large quantity of heavy metals, they are
still mostly unpolluted with respect to heavy
metals. The sediments may show higher pollution
if kept unmonitored for a long time.
112
9 9.1 METHODOLOGY
A team of social scientists made frequent visits to

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS ASSBY site to gather information from primary and
secondary sources. Data on ship-breaking activity
Impact of ship-breaking activity offshore and on at Alang, composition of labour force, regulatory
intertidal zones was analysed and discussed in mechanism, process of breaking, storage and
Chapter 6 and 7. While it appears that the offshore transportation, etc., was gathered from GMB and
impact - say, at a distance of five kms -has been the ship breakers' association. Data relating to living
minimal so far, the intertidal zone ]is experiencing conditions, life style, health status, etc. of workers
some pressure on its environmental quality. One was collected through direct interviews and
of the major contributing factors in polluting the through a detailed questionnaire given at a widely
intertidal zone is the discharge of waste generated publicised medical camp. This was reinforced by
due to very large human presence in and around another systematic sample survey of socio-
ASSBY. The situation onshore is worse as we shall economic conditions of workers by a separate team
presently see. under the leadership of an eminent social scientist.
Data were collected from workers' settlement as well
The shipbreaking activity, as mentioned in Chapter as from the eleven villages in the neighbourhood.
1, was shifted out of Taiwan and Korea due to its A firm of consulting architects and planners was
labour intensive character. When wages shot up also retained to help in analysing the current
in those countries with their burgeoning haphazard settlement and for evolving future
economies, the shipbreaking activity, in search of approach to the problem. Discussions with the
cheap labour and with practically no regulatory informed people at the site and empirical
mechanism, found strong foothold in three observation helped in further validating the data.
countries of the Indian subcontinent, viz., India, In order to know the economic impact of ASSBY on
Pakistan and Bangladesh. Among the three its neighbouring villages, data was collected from
countries, India (and, Gujarat in particular) is in a the following 11 villages (Table 9.1, Fig. 9.1) falling
position to take a large share of this growing within its 10 km radius.
business due to the country's vast unsatiated
domestic market for steel. In this emerging
scenario, which has been discussed at length in
Chapter 3, it is absolutely essential that the human
factor is given due importance to optimise the
economic benefits of ASSBY by obtaining less
expensive steel for non-critical uses with negligible
capital outlay.
As part of this study social scientists have examined

the economic impacts of ship-breaking activity on
neighbouring villages and on rerolling industry in
nearby industrial towns and more particularly the
onshore environmental impacts due to unplanned
growth of a large human settlement without proper
housing facilities and civic amenities. In this
chapter, we shall attempt to deal with the onshore
impact of the entire ship-breaking activity on
resident communities and on overall environment.
113
Table 9.1 Proximity of villages* to ASSBY
Villages Distance from

ASSBY (km)
1 Alang-Manar 0.5
2 Sosiya 0.5
3 Bharapara 3.0
4 Mathavda 4.0
5 Mandva 6.0
6 Jaspara 7.0
7 Padari (Gohil) 7.0
8 Sathara 8.0
9 Kathava 8.0
10 Chopada 8.0
11 Piparla 10.0
* Villages name as spelled in District Census Handbook, Bhavnagar.
The data analysis has been done with the help of

simple statistical techniques, like, percentage ratios,
moving averages, etc. The tools used for the
purpose of data collection are summarised below:
Target group Tools used

a) Neighbouring Villages i) Village Information Schedule
ii) Impact Assessment Schedule
b) Workers i) House Hold Survey Schedule
ii) Health and Hygiene Survey Schedule
c) Ship-breakers i) Self-administrated Questionnaire
d) Public and Private agencies and i) Personal Interview
leading informants
114
Fig. 9.1. Neighbouring villages of ASSBY
115
Manar villages, no other village demonstrates any

9.2 NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES significant demographic change over a decade. This
could be due to relatively modest availability of
Different villages were studied for their housing and civic amenities in these villages and
demographic profile, infrastructure facilities and most of the work force having migrated from distant
association with ASSBY in terms of employment areas, speaking different languages having shown
generation. preference to live close. It should also be noted
that the entire workforce of about 30,000 people in
ASSBY area was not covered in the 1991 census. It
9.2.1 Demography is obvious, therefore, that the census data do not
reflect the true demographic scenario of the site. In
other words different linguistic and cultural
The demographic profile of the neighbouring
background of the workforce and the logistic sectors
villages (Tables 9.2) shows that except for Alang-
have led to minimising the direct physical impact of
ASSBY on the villages.
Table 9.2 Population change in the neighbouring villages of ASSBY
Village Area No. of Households Population

(ha) 1981 1991 1981 1991
Alang-Manar 1745.22 548 1292 3611 8774
Sosiya 778.65 264 316 1869 2115
Bharapara 424.84 087 141 660 1053
Mathavda 813.87 238 298 1570 2110
Mandva 709.00 157 210 1042 1255
Jaspara 1021.60 245 265 1675 1783
Padari (Gohi) 950.19 276 342 1964 2033
Sathara 658.56 331 405 2286 2657
Kathava 411.80 145 232 1203 1608
Piparla 737.18 422 505 2823 3235
Source: District Census Handbook 1991, National Informatics Centre, Rajkot.
approach road linking ASSBY with the Bhavnagar-
9.2.2 Amenities and infrastructure Veraval coastal highway. Several other villages in
the neighbourhood enjoy such road link resulting
Along the 8-10 km long coastal strip of the ASSBY in better economic benefits from ASSBY largely
more than 500 service sector establishments have because of relatively easy access to the yard for
mushroomed on the other side of the service road commuting people. In this context, it is interesting
situated at the back of the shipbreaking plots, which to note that though Sosiya is less than one km
cater to the daily needs of ASSBY workforce. The away from ASSBY, it lost part of its work force in
social infrastructure of ASSBY includes a bank 1991 as compared to that of 1981. It is recently that
branch, a police station, a Red-cross dispensary, a the Sosiya side of ASSBY is linked to the developed
couple of public sanitary block, an overhead tank component of shipbreaking yard through a bridge
for water supply and the administrative blocks of constructed on Manari river. Similarly, Alang village
Gujarat Maritime Board. is also very poorly connected with the major
approach road. Though, ASSBY enjoys proximity
The ASSBY has been developed on the coastal of Alang as a village site, the whole village
land of Alang and Sosiya villages. But both these settlement is situated far away from ASSBY. It is
villages are poorly connected with the major largely because of this that Alang perhaps reflects
relatively lower economic impact due to growth of
116
ASSBY.
It is village Manar on the major approach road that

has shown significant demographic change during
1981-1991 (No such change is recorded in the
census handbook for Manar village as it was
merged with Alang village for the purpose of census
operation). This suggests that daily commuting
facilities have been a critical factor in transmitting
the impact of ASSBY in favour of its neighbouring
villages.
9.2.3 Employment due to ASSBY
The worker population of almost all villages
Table 9.3 Distribution of workers in neighbouring villages of ASSBY
Workers
Village Total Cultivators Agricultural Household Other
Labours Industries Categories
1981 1991 1981 1991 1981 1991 1981 1991 1981 1991
Alang-Manar 1268 5544 601 602 440 492 61 8 166 4443
Sosiya 952 554 379 263 521 174 14 4 38 113
Bharapara 368 548 298 375 63 151 4 0 3 22
Mathavda 526 1041 248 569 211 390 14 7 53 75
Mandva 371 448 135 96 192 237 15 23 29 101
Jaspara 497 559 304 336 120 165 8 9 65 49
Padari 537 764 318 364 160 278 35 12 24 116
Sathara 882 966 449 476 290 254 28 15 115 221
Kathava 463 840 261 541 173 202 12 1 16 96
Piparla 1214 1142 615 532 487 446 38 21 74 143
Source: District Census Handbook 1991, National Informatics Centre,Rajkot.
further divided into wage employment and self

recorded some rise during the decade (Table 9.3). employment. Table 9.4 gives an account of workers
The ASSBY workers are clearly divided into two of nearby villages who get wage employment in
groups. The major group comprises of the migrant the ASSBY related service-sector grown along the
workers who are engaged in shipbreaking activity. approach road as well as the service road of ASSBY.
The other is a relatively minor group which As shown in the table, approximately 5500 workers
comprises of local people engaged in handling and of neighbouring villages were found engaged in
selling of cabin materials salvaged from broken the service sector at the time of field survey.
ships and catering to the variety of daily needs of
ASSBY workers. This group of workers can be
117
Table 9.4 Workers of neighbouring villages employed in service sector of

ASSBY
Villages No. of workers

1 Alang - Manar 1400
2 Sosiya 500
3 Bharapara 450
4 Mathavda 900
5 Mandva 325
6 Jaspara 300
7 Padari (Gohil) 325
8 Sathara 700
9 Kathava 125
10 Chopada 325
11 Piparla 050
activity on self employment basis. Approximately

It seems that since the 1991 census a sizeable 400 households of nearby villages were gainfully
number of workers from neighbouring villages have engaged in activities like selling cabin materials,
moved over to the service sector. The larger number running petty shops in ASSBY area, selling water,
shown for Alang-Manar villages in 1991 census milk and vegetables to Alang workers and running
under other categories reflect the number of ASSBY small artisan activity in making cabin material
workers who lived in other villages due to better saleable in rural markets. The estimated number of
infrastructure at Manar. jobs created by ASSBY for workers of its
neighbouring villages reaches upto 57% of the total
Table 9.5 provides information on the households workforce of these villages.
which were found engaged in ASSBY related
Table 9.5 Number of households engaged in ASSBY related activities
Village Artisan Milk Water Selling Petty Misc. Total

Activity Supply Supply Cabin Shops Materials
Alang-Manar 4 22 21 15 50 10 132
Sosiya 2 9 11 3 20 4 49
Bharapara 2 5 0 0 25 3 35
Mathavda 1 6 0 25 15 3 50
Mandva 1 10 0 0 17 2 40
Jaspara 1 0 0 6 25 2 34
Padari 2 9 0 22 15 1 49
Sathara 0 8 0 175 75 0 258
Kathava 3 10 0 12 20 0 45
Chopada 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Piparla 1 0 0 0 15 0 16
TOTAL 18 79 32 258 277 27 699
118
Beyond the ASSBY's neighbourhood of 10 km 9.2.4 Land use pattern

radius, if the entire triangle of Alang, Bhavnagar
and Sihor is taken into account, the growth of The growth of ASSBY has brought changes in the
ASSBY may be found to have supported flow of pattern of land use. It was found during the field
investments in more than 150 downstream industrial survey that some of the agricultural land parcels
units in re-rolling sector and in manufacturing of were brought under non-agricultural uses,
oxygen. Over 6000 workers are employed in these particularly those adjacent to the road or more
downstream industrial units. Besides, over 600 favourably exposed to the site of ASSBY. For
trucks daily operate carrying ship-plates to re-rolling example, some 15 to 17 plots of agricultural land of
mills from Alang and LPG and oxygen cylinders to Manar village and 125 to 130 plots of Mathavda
ASSBY. Over 100 trailers and equal number of small were developed for selling the cabin material of
passenger vehicles operate for the transportation broken ships. Cultivable and gouchar lands were
of goods and people to and from ASSBY. All put diverted for these plots. As a result of changing
together the transport sector provides employment landuse pattern, the land price in some of the nearby
to around 5000 people. villages appreciated significantly (Table 9.6).
Maximum price appreciation was noticed in the case
of agricultural land of Alang, Mathavda, Kathava,
Sosiya and Mandva villages and more particularly
for the survey numbers falling on the roadside or
Table 9.6 Change in land prices in neighbouring villages of ASSBY
Village Index of Unit price in 1996

(base year 1981:100)
Alang 1000
Manar 300
Sosiya 650
Bharapara 175
Mathavda 1000
Mandva 650
Jaspara 200
Padari 200
Sathara 150
Kathava 600
Chopada 150
Piparla 150
119
exposed favourably to the site of ASSBY. to be validated. Keeping this in view an independent
Development of ASSBY has not brought any survey led by an eminent social scientist was also
significant pressure on the existing stock of houses conducted following the random sampling
in nearby villages except in case of Manar. In all, procedure. The sample for the second survey was
197 housing units were occupied by workers larger. Despite the two different mode of sampling,
engaged in shipbreaking in four villages. Of these, there was a fair degree of similarity in data collection
150 units were occupied in Manar, when the field in both surveys. Hence, the results presented below
survey was undertaken. Manar experienced are generated by integrating the findings of both
appreciation in the property price to the measure of the studies.
approximately 300 percent in 1996 as compared to
the prices prevailing in early 1980s. In other villages
the land price appreciated marginally. 9.3.1 COMPOSITION
Mainly four divisions of labour were observed

9.3 PROFILE OF WORKERS among workers, viz., Battiwala - the labourers with
specialised skills of gas cutting; Malpani, the skilled
As part of this study, a sample survey was labourers for grading and separating iron, brass
undertaken, based on reporting at a medical camp, and copper; Helper - a person who helps Battiwala
to assess the various facets of human presence at the time of cutting the plates of ship; and,
such as living condition of workers, their age Platewala, the person who moves cut plates from
groups, educational level, status of health, native within the plot to the loading place. Other ancillary
state, factors of motivation, occupational health and services are being provided by Jodiwala, Crane
safety. However, this study based on response of Operator, Cleaners, Loaders, Sweepers and
those who voluntarily came to the specially Chowkidars. Table 9.7 gives break up of categories
organised medical camp after due publicity needed of workers.
Table 9.7 Category of workers involved in ship breaking activity
S.N. Category of Work Percentage

1 Mukadam 7.86
2 Battiwala 39.30
3 Jodiwala 13.10
4 Helper 21.83
5 Crane Driver 2.63
6 Oil Cleaner 0.87
7 Loader 3.49
8 Malpaniwala 4.80
9 Chowkidar 6.12
Total 100.00
120
The survey indicates that out of total 361 workers

surveyed, there was preponderance of workers from
three states, viz., UP. Orissa and Bihar, together
accounting for 94.5% (Table 9.8). Although ASSBY
is in Gujarat, only two workers from Gujarat were in
shipbreaking activity at the time of survey. However,
as shown earlier a large number of local people,
particularly from nearby villages, are engaged in
various service sector activities.
Table 9.8 Statewise Distribution of workers.
State Number %
U.P. 158 43.77
Orissa 106 29.36
Bihar 77 21.33
M.P. 4 1.11
Kerala 3 0.83
Rajasthan 3 0.83
Gujarat 2 0.55
Bengal 2 0.55
No. Resp. 2 0.55
Delhi 1 0.28
Haryana 1 0.28
Nepal 1 0.28
Maharashtra 1 0.28
Total 361 100.00
Most of the workers (94%) have migrated without

their families. Majority of the workers belong to
farming families (Table 9.9) with a very low monthly
income of about Rs. 1200.00 (Table 9.10).
Table 9.9 Worker's occupation at their native places
SN Occupation Category Percentage

1 Farming 72.05
2 Farm Labour 18.35
3 Animal Husbandry 2.61
4 Artisan 5.24
5 Any other 1.75
Total 100.00
121
Table 9.10 Demography of workers' families at their native places
S. N. Demographic Parameters Average

1 Size of the family 10.5
2 Number of adult males in family 3.9
3 Number of adult females in family 2.8
4 Number of children in family 3.7
5 Number of earning members in family 2.8
6 Family Income (Rs. per month) 1218.0
Further, the majority of the workers comes from

large families, i.e., average family size of over ten,
and own a kachcha house/hut (Table 9.11 and 9.12).
These figures indicate that the workers in their
native places live under grim poverty.
Table 9.11 Workers family house types at their native places
S. N. Type of Houses Percentage

1 Pucca 17.46
2 Kachcha 51.98
3 Huts 25.76
4 No response 4.80
Total 100.00
Table 9.12 House ownership of workers at their native places
SN Ownership Pattern Percentage

1 Own house 75.98
2 Rented House 20.09
3 No response 3.93
Total 100.0
122
Majority of workers belong to adult unmarried

group (Table 9.13 and 9.14). However, about 2.5%
of total workers were found to be below 15 years of
age, undermining the laws against the child labour
which requires that children below 16 years of age
should not be engaged in hazardous tasks.
Table 9.13 Age-wise distribution of workers
Age Number %
Below 15 9 2.49
15 to 18 2 0.55
18 to 21 81 22.44
Above 21 269 74.53
Table 9.14 Marital status of workers
S.N. Marital Status Percentage

1 Married 26.20
2 Unmarred 73.26
3 Widower 0.44
Total 100.00
9.3.2 Literacy
Table 9.15 indicates that the literacy rate among

ASSBY workers is higher than average literacy rate
of India. Further, it was much higher than average
literacy rate in UP, Bihar and Orissa. This indicates
that these workers are better qualified and more
enterprising. Obviously this is not the case of
forced or 'push' migration. This factor is further
corroborated when we see the income data.
Table 9.15 Educational levels of workers.
Education Number %
Illiterate 86 23.82
Upto primary 82 22.71
Upto High School 115 31.86
More than H. School 8 2.22
No response 70 19.39
Total 361 100.00
123
9.3.3 INCOME PATTERNS
Table 9.16 indicates that almost half of the workers

earn annual income of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000, and
about 40% workers earn more than Rs. 25000 per
year. The difference in the income could be
attributed to the skill of the labourer.
Table 9.16 Annual income of workers
Income (Rs. per year) Number %

Less than 20000 34 9.42
20000-25000 177 49.03
25000-30000 10 2.77
30000-35000 29 8.03
35000-40000 94 26.04
Above 40000 17 4.71
Total 361 100.00
The savings figures indicate (Table 9.17) that

majority of workers save more than Rs. 10,000/- per
year, mainly by restricting their expenditure on
housing. The workers, mainly from Bihar, Orissa
and U.P, contributed about 40 to 50% of their
savings to the families left behind in their native
places.
Table 9.17 Annual savings of workers
Savings (Rs. per year) Number %

Upto 1000 29 8.03
1000-2000 6 1.66
2000-3000 6 1.66
3000-5000 10 2.77
5000-10000 77 21.33
Higher 244 62.05
No savings 9 2.49
Total 361 100.00
124
9.3.4 Living conditions
Though the workers earn more, there is a tendency

to save more by spending less, especially on
housing (Table 9.18, Plate 9.1).
Table 9.18 Monthly expenditure of workers on housing
S. N. Expenditure (Rs. per month) %

1 Below 100 23.58
2 100-200 17.90
3 200-300 10.93
4 300-400 5.68
5 400-500 3.49
6 500 and above 3.49
7 Zero expenditure 34.93
Total 100.00
A vast majority (96.2%) of workers live in small either log or ferrous scrap gathered from the waste
huts (Table 9.19), each having the size of about 100 of the shipbreaking industry. The huts are without
sq.ft. These huts are like slum dwellings where five ventilation or adequate air circulation. During the
to six persons live with an average floor space of rainy season they do not have any protection
about 22 sq. ft. (Table 9.20). The hut is generally against wind or rain. No hut has attached toilet
used only for sleeping purpose and often they sleep facility. In the same way not a single
in shifts. The hut is a Kachcha structure made from accommodation has either water or sewerage facility.
Table 9.19 Accommodation types used by workers
Type Number %
Kachcha 11 3.2
Pucca 2 0.6
Hut 334 96.2
Total 347 100.00
125
PLATE 9.1 SLUM DWELLING AROUND ASSBY
126
Table 9.20 Average floor space available to a worker in a hut
S.N. Kholi-type Space (sq. ft.) available

1 Large 33
2 Medium 27
3 Small 22
The workers do not purchase much furniture. Only The housing scenario is so alarming at Alang that
7.2% of workers have one cot each. Rest of them very few workers bring their families. It is evident
sleep on bare ground. Only a few workers (3.05%) from Table 9.21 that only around 6% workers lived
have transistor radio sets and still very less (0.55%) with their families. Though around 32 percent of
have TV sets. Not a single worker has a cupboard the workers had their own accommodation at
and thus their belongings, mainly clothes, lie open ASSBY, they did not find the living environment
on a string. convenient for bringing their families.
Table 9.21 Workers staying with families at Alang
S.N. Worker's stay Percentage

1 With families 6.1
2 Without families 93.9
Total 100.0
The housing situations at Alang, has not for them, about 52 percent of them feel that they
discouraged respondent workers to the extent that would like to bring their families if a worker's colony
they have stopped thinking in favour of bringing is developed at Alang (Table 9.22).
their families to Alang. When asked whether they
would like to bring their families if a colony is built
Table 9.22 Preference of workers for staying with their families in a housing
colony at Alang
S.N. Preference Percentage

1 With family 52.28
2 Without family 33.18
3 Uncertain 13.54
Total 100.00
127
Majority of workers have settled down at ASSBY that more than 85 percent of workers covered under
as approximately 40 percent of them stay at Alang the survey do not enjoy job security. This has given
for more than 6 years (Table 9.23). Only 18 percent them a status of casual workers and discouraged
workers have come recently to work in ASSBY. them from thinking in favour of settling down in
What worries them is perhaps the job security. ASSBY area permanently.
The information contained in Table 9.24 shows
Table 9.23 Worker's length of stay at Alang
S.N. Period of Stay (years) Percentage

1 Less than 1 17.87
2 1 to 5 42.29
3 6 to 10 21.99
4 More than 10 17.85
Table 9.24 Worker's job status
S.N. Job Status Percentage

1 Permanent 14.41
2 Non-permanent 85.59
Total 100.00
9.3.5 Victuals workers spend between Rs. 600 and Rs. 900 per
month on their food (Table 9.25). Moreover, looking
It is rather revealing that the workers in ASSBY to the number of vegetables, fish and fruit vendors
spend good amount on their food. Only about 1 and the grocery stores selling food items inference
percent of workers, spend less then Rs. 300/- per can be drawn that workers engaged in shipbreaking
month on their food items. More than 64% of do not stint on food.
Table 9.25 Expenditure of workers on food items
S.N. Expenditure (Rs. per month) %

1 Below 300 0.9
2 300-600 13.5
3 600-900 64.2
Total 100.0
128
The ASSBY workers - like most others who are to caters to the worker's need of these items. More
engaged in physically demanding as well as than 50 percent of workers, spend more than Rs.
hazardous work - are accustomed to spend more 200 per month on above items (Table 9.26).
on tea, beatel leaves, tobacco etc., for quick
relaxation during the long laborious and sometimes
monotonous working hours. Against each
shipbreaking plot, an average 3-4 shops are located
Table 9.26 Expenditure on refreshment items
S.N. Expenditure (Rs. per month) %

1 Below 100 18.8
2 100-200 31.0
Total 100.0
Safe drinking water is rare. Between two ship- Count (SPC) of pathogens in different categories
breaking plots a cement tank is constructed in of samples was found higher than their safe limits
which mobile water tankers refill the water. Some for drinking water. The coliform density varies from
plot owners have dug their own wells, from which mere presence (+) to abundant (+++). While saline
labourers fetch water manually. There are no proper coastal and marine areas do not support their
sanitation and drainage facilities; the labourers survival for more than 24 hours, the estuarine water
have to go to closeby open places for toilet. at Alang contains a significant number of coliform.
Poor drinking water and drainage facilities lead to This indicates the overloading of faecal materials
recurrence of water borne diseases around ASSBY. in the estuarine water. Other pathogens like
Water samples collected from this area recorded Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp. and
the presence of various pathogens (Table 9.27). Staphylococcus spp. have also been observed in
Most probable number (MPN) and Standard Plate the coastal and marine water of the study area.
Table 9.27 Pathogens population in the waters of ASSBY
Pathogens Drinking Freshwater ASSBY ASSBY

Water (Marine) (Control)
Average MPN 196 612 169 29
(nos./100ml)
Average SPC (x102) 293 11453 172 451
Coliforms ++ +++ ++ +
Salmonella spp. + + + +
Clostridium spp. + + + +
Staphylococcus spp. + - + -
129
compensation. Though the problem of worker's

9.3.6 Health and hygiene safety is very much at the core, there are several
diseases which regularly hit the workers at Alang.
Health and Hygiene of those who work and stay Our approach, in this study, was not restricted to
at ASSBY need urgent attention. Shipbreaking is study the cause and effect of occupational hazards
prone to occupational health hazards - typical of in shipbreaking activity but also to take into account
the nature of work of breaking the ships through the total working and living environment.
the oxy-acetylene gas cutting method. Loss of
limbs or lives is not uncommon in this industry. The District Leprosy Control Unit of Bhavnagar
Small cuts and burns are received often by workers has organised four check up camps for ASSBY
and rarely a complaint is made for such injuries. It workers, between September 1995 and August 1996
is believed that such losses are computable and examining total of 20,000 workers. The high
the laws regarding compensation are more or less presence of both MB (infectious) and PB (non-
clear. Therefore, shipbreaking at Alang is not a infectious) types of leprosy cases were identified
special case of occupational risks. among ASSBY workers (Table 9.28). These cases
reflect poor hygienic and cramped living conditions
But this is an oversimplification of the problem. of workers who share common accommodations.
We need to look beyond the calculus of loss and
Table 9.28 Number of leprosy cases among the workers of different states.
Type Orissa Bihar U.P. Other Total

States
MB 28 11 11 02 52
PB 53 35 52 02 142
Total 81 46 63 04 194
Source: Leprosy Control Unit, Bhavnagar District, Bhavnagar
A private qualified medical practitioner has occasions when the team visited his hospital, all
established 10 bed hospital with X-Ray facilities the ten beds were found occupied by patients
in ASSBY area. He supplied detailed information suffering from burns, fracture, fever, etc.
of incidence of diseases based on 939 cases The team met a few non-qualified medical
reported to his hospital during a period of two practitioners who have set up their 'clinics' along
months. Of these, 175 cases of serious nature were the ASSBY service road. These doctors hail from
referred to Bhavnagar for further treatment. His U.P., Bihar and Orissa and have a close bond with
estimate of deaths of workers due to accidents their patients due to common language and regional
while undergoing shipbreaking activity ranges background. Information drawn from different
between 2 to 5 per week on an average. Since sources suggest that unqualified practitioners may
official record of such deaths is not available, this be about 100 in number at ASSBY. They seem to
could be a case of exaggeration. During the study have thriving practice.
team's visits to ASSBY, cases of fatal and non-
fatal injuries were mentioned in general terms. The The Red-cross society of Bhavnagar has
same medical practitioner also found high rate of established a clinic with one doctor. The team was
morbidity among the employees who worked after informed that this clinic treats 25-30 cases of out-
5.0 p.m. due to extreme exhaustion. On two door patients everyday. This clinic has no facilities
130
for indoor patients. Its expansion was, however, at ask for compensation for the loss of their
planning stage. functioning. Inhalation of burnt fumes of carbon
monoxide and carbon dioxide cause respiratory
Further, during the survey it was recorded that many ailments after some time-lag. Falciperum-malaria,
of the workers suffered more than one ailments. typhoid, etc. are caused because of poor hygiene
Different types of ailments and their frequencies and non-availability of potable water. Tables 9.30
are presented in Table 9.29. The Table shows that and 9.31 record the frequency of diseases and
all ailments identified during the camp had no direct accidents occurred to workers in the last one year.
relationship with shipbreaking activity. For example, It is revealing that 78 percent of workers complained
back-pain, chest pain, hydrocil, skin ailment or about the recurrence of ailments in a period of one
respiratory diseases manifest after a long gestation year.
period. It is obviously difficult for any worker to
Table 9.29 Incidence of diseases
S. Diseases/Ailments No. of affected Percentage of

N. workers Diseases Affected
workers
1 Alimentary Canal related 50 26.19
diseases
2 Skin Ailments 44 23.04
3 ENT related 41 21.47
4 Pain in waist/back 33 17.28
5 Eye 32 16.75
6 Respiratory 28 14.66
7 Chest pain 21 10.99
8 Orthopaedic 20 10.47
9 Teeth 18 09.42
10 Fever 11 05.76
11 Hydrocil 04 02.09
12 Hb-deficiency 03 01.57
13 Central Nervous system 02 01.05
14 Cardio Vascular 01 00.52
Source : Medical camp, January 12, 1997, Alang
Table 9.30 Frequency of diseases in last one year
Frequency No. of workers Percentage

Once 40 17.47
Twice 179 78.17
Thrice 10 4.36
Total 229 100.00
131
Table 9.31 Accidents occurred to workers

S. N. Accidents Number Percentage
1 Occurred 90 39.3
2 Not occurred 139 60.7
Total 229 100.0
The team collected data on the body weight status of workers were found having normal weight as per
of workers who reported at the medical camp. The the standard weight chart prescribed with reference
standard weight chart was used to know the weight to varying age and height groups. Though only
loss caused either by morbidity, hardwork, two percent of them had more than normal or
nutritional deficiency or by all these factors put standard weight, almost 34 percent workers were
together. Table 9.32 provides information on the found having weight below the normal level. This
health status of workers using weight as a proxy situation is relatively better than the national
variable. It was interesting to know that 64 percent average.
Table 9.32 Weight status of ASSBY workers by age and height

Age Group Number in different groups
Normal Below Above Total
Normal Normal
18 to 22 21 12 2 35
23 to 27 24 10 1 35
28 to 32 17 17 1 35
33 to 37 28 6 0 34
38 to 42 22 13 0 35
43 and above 10 6 0 16
Total 122 64 4 190
Percentage 64.21 33.68 2.11 100
Further analysis of intensity of weight loss of percent suffered weight loss within the range of 6
sample workers highlights that 78 percent workers to 10 kg. It is also important to note that those who
who suffered weight loss were within the range of suffered weight loss, represented relatively younger
1 to 5 kg (Table 9.33). Whereas, remaining 22 age-groups.
Table 9.33 Distribution of workers having below normal weight

Underweight (kg) No. of Workers %
1 13 20.31
2 10 15.63
3 12 18.75
4 7 10.94
5 8 12.50
Sub-total (I) 50 78.30
6 4 6.25
7 2 3.13
8 1 1.56
10 2 3.13
11 1 1.56
13 3 4.69
16 1 1.56
Sub-total (II) 14 21.87
Grand Total (I + II) 64 100.00
132
9.3.7 Industrial safety

It is quite clear from the two surveys that the
No safety standards are observed either by workers workforce is predominantly from three states,
or by plot management. The survey revealed that namely, UP, Bihar and Orissa, which are generally
about 4% workers had met with accidents and 3% lower in all India averages of per capita income,
workers suffered burns atleast twice. Only a minor agricultural productivity, employment opportunities
proportion of workers (0.55%) suffered injuries more and in general social and economic development.
than twice. About 5.3% of workers have reported The labour force is predominantly rural, largely
orthopaedic injuries. However, it was seen that the depending on agriculture. A large percentage of
injuries which merit special attention relate only to workers earn about Rs. 2000/- or more per month
a few cases of burns. and have a tendency to save to assist the larger
family in the native place. An average worker has
Working hours are not fixed as about 38% workers strong family ties. He goes to his native place atleast
worked upto 8 hours; 54% workers worked between once a year despite long distance, preferably during
8 and 12 hours. About 7 workers have reported the agricultural season so that he can assist the
more than 12 hours of work. family physically also. He seems to shun all luxuries
and manages to live in sub-human condition. He,
The state of industrial safety was found to be poor however, knows that his main objective to earn and
as only very few plot owners provide safety save depends on his physical fitness and therefore,
equipments and articles, viz., shoes, cap, gloves does not stint on food and generally manages to
eye glasses, etc. Only a little population of workers remain physically fit.
(2.8%) have reported using helmets as safety
measures during the work. Only one worker was The selection of site at Alang for establishment of
reported using gloves, while, only two workers each a shipbreaking yard apparently had no reference to
reported using shoes and gas masks. Only three the development of area economy. This is precisely
workers reported having welding glasses. It is the reason why ASSBY looks as a graft over the
necessary to remember here that gas cutting is the entire sub-region. Nevertheless, growth of ASSBY
prime work here. While majority of workers have has exerted positive impact on nearby villages, more
acquired skills by experience, 8.9% workers reported particularly, in terms of employment generation. The
that had some training for such skills. ASSBY has brought about almost full employment
situation in its neighbourhood.
The nozzles of gas cylinders are made of rubber
where there is chance of melting due to heat and
consequent explosion. Seldom, shipowners beach
the ship without adequate inspection and start the
breaking process with oil in fuel tanker. The chances
of accident due to fire and explosion thus increase.
Controlling fire in the ship beached in water is not
easy. Special skills of fire control on ships have yet
to be developed at ASSBY. It is, however, not
proposed to make a detailed report of industrial
safety or management practices at Alang since that
would be outside the scope of this study.
Generally, the ship breaking industry falls under

Factories Act which must be followed. Some
labourers responded that the Provident Fund (PF)
is deducted by owners but no receipt is given. The
worker rarely knows his accumulation in Provident
Fund (PF). When a labourer resigns or changes his
work place, his accumulated amount in the PF is
rarely paid.
133

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Ecological Restoration and Planning for

Alang-Sosiya Ship-Breaking Yard, Gujarat

Table 8.1 Distribution of major dissolved heavy

Sites Fe (µg/l) Mn (µg/l) Zn (µg/l)

Similarly, relatively high concentration of heavy

Table 8.2 Distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of intertidal zone

Metals (µg/kg) N-Control M-ASSBY S-Control

Water and sediments (both suspended and bottom)

Montmorillonite 80 to 150 meq/100 gm

High CEC of montmorillonite is due to its high

8.3 HEAVY METAL

Heavy metal concentration in both bottom and

Table 8.3 Distribution of Fe (µg/g) in the sediments.

Table 8.4 Distribution of Mn (µg/g) in the sediments

Table 8.5 Distribution of Zn (µg/g) in sediments.

Table 8.6 Distribution of Cu (µg/g) in sediments.

Table 8.7 Distribution of Pb (µg/g) in sediments

Table 8.8 Distribution of Ni (µg/g) in sediments.

Table 8.9 Concentration of metals (µg/g) in standard shales.

Zinc, Cu and Pb were relatively high in

The distribution of heavy metals in suspended

8.1 Zn concentration in bottom sediments

Fig 8.2 Cu concentration in bottom sediments

Fig 8.3 Pb concentration in bottom sediments

Fig 8.4 Zn concentration in suspended sediments

Fig 8.5 Cu concentration in suspended sediments

Fig 8.6 Pb concentration in suspended sediments

It is to be noted here that at 0th km from the shoreline

Generally the suspended sediments show higher

The correlation coefficient matrix for heavy metals

Table 8.10 Correlation coefficient matrix for bottom sediments

Table 8.11 Correlation coefficient matrix for suspended sediments

Copper shows good positive correlation coefficient

8.3.2Quantification of heavy metals

8.3.2.1 Metal ratio

It is common practice to express the metal ratio

The metal ratio for Fe in almost all bottom and

The metal ratio thus shows a higher concentration

Table 8.12 Metal ratio for Fe and Mn relative to standard shale

Table 8.13 Metal ratio for Zn and Cu relative to standard shale

Table 8.14 Metal ratio for Pb and Ni relative to standard shale

8.3.2.2 Geoaccumulation Index

The geoaccumulation index proposed by Müller

Igeo class Sediment quality

The geoaccumulation indices for different metals

Table 8.16 Igeo values for Fe and Mn at Alang

Table 8.17 Igeo values for Zn and Cu at Alang

Table 8.18 Igeo values for Pb and Ni at Alang

Presently deposited unconsolidated bottom and

There was higher concentration of Cu in the study

Thus it can be concluded that although the

A team of social scientists made frequent visits to

As part of this study social scientists have examined

Table 9.1 Proximity of villages* to ASSBY

Villages Distance from

* Villages name as spelled in District Census Handbook, Bhavnagar.

The data analysis has been done with the help of

Target group Tools used

Fig. 9.1. Neighbouring villages of ASSBY

Manar villages, no other village demonstrates any

Table 9.2 Population change in the neighbouring villages of ASSBY

Village Area No. of Households Population