Ports to be equipped with radiation leak scanners: govt to HC

New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) The Indian government on
Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it has decided to
equip all sea ports across the country with radioactive
radiation leak scanners by next year to ensure that no
radioactive scrap is shipped into the country.
The union government gave this assurance to the bench of
Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Snajiv Khanna of its
intention to install radiological detection equipment at all
ports across the country in response to a plea.
The assurance was given by the Shipping Ministry counsel
Jhum Jhum Sarkar that the government would install the
scanners by 2012-end.
Following the submission by Sarkar, the bench disposed of
the PIL and said "health hazards cannot be tolerated in a
civilised society. People are well informed that the radio
active substances not only cause damage to the environment but
also to human beings."
The PIL was filed by advocate Pritika Kumar who had also
sought a direction to the city government to seal the Mayapuri
market where exposure to radioactive material Cobalt-60 in
April last year had claimed one life while 11 others were
taken ill.
Kumar had sought sealing of the Mayapuri market until the
area is completely decontaminated.