The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to interfere with the recommendations of the technical experts committee (TEC) which had given its nod for dismantling the controversial toxic-laden Norwegian ship “Blue Lady” anchored at the Alang coast in Gujarat.

“Unless absurd or perverse, why should we interfere with the expert panel’s recommendations? It can’t be taken back. You tell us the solution,” a bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, told, Sanjay Parekh, counsel for Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Natural Resource Policy, an NGO opposed to the ship’s dismantling.

The apex court later reserved it verdict on granting permission for dismantling of the ship estimated to be carrying a cargo of 46,000 tonnes mostly toxic asbestos and steel materials.

Though Parekh sought to assail the report of the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) on the grounds that it failed to adequately address the issue of contamination, the apex court noted that the NGO was unable to suggest any alternative remedy, but was merely harping on sending  the ship back.

“It cannot go back. Other countries may not need steel, but we need steel. Otherwise people will go for mining,” the apex court observed during the arguments.

Last month, the TEC in a joint report submitted along with the Gujarat Government had given its nod for permitting dismantling the ship with certain conditions and recommendations.

The apex Court had earlier made it clear that dismantling of the controversial ship will not take place without its clearance.