Kerala govt. forms multiple committees to handle shipwreck related issues

A day after declaring the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck a State-specific disaster, the Kerala government has constituted multiple committees to handle associated matters, including engagement with MSC, owners of the container vessel.

“Engagement with MSC is immediately required for institutional arrangement to create the financial package for use by the State government for risk and damage assessment, management and remedial measures, including compensation,” the government noted in an order on Friday. This seven-member panel is chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance).

The Member Secretary, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), will act as the single nodal point for contact with MSC, it said.

The government has appointed the Special Secretary, Department of Environment, as the principal impact assessment officer. The officer will constitute and head a multi-disciplinary team which will look into impact assessment, restoration, and remediation across sectors.

For mitigating the impact of “potential coastal pollution,” the government has formed a two-tier institutional mechanism. The eight-member State-level panel is chaired by the Secretary, Science and Technology Department. “The committee shall take measures to guide pollution-control activities at district level by way of policy orders, advisories, making resource available and to support the Environment department in undertaking assessment studies for restoration and remediation,” the government order said.

The six-member district-level panels will be chaired by the District Collectors concerned.

Further, the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology has been designated as Principal Advisor to the Environment Department. The officer, along with a KSDMA member, will advice the State Pollution Control Board and the district administrations in matters related to eco-restoration and combating environmental pollution.

The government has declared the wreck of MSC ELSA-3 a State-specific disaster, “considering the potentially serious environmental, social, and economic impact of the ship wreckage.”

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Lighthouse and Lightships issued orders assigning a virtual AIS (Automatic Identification System) wreck marking for the wreck of MSC ELSA-3.

Published - May 30, 2025 08:48 pm IST