Chapter IX PREVENTION OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY INLAND VESSEL

(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, designate the list of chemicals, any ingredients or substance carried as bunker or as cargo, or any substance in any form discharged from any mechanically propelled inland vessel, as pollutants. (2) The owner or master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel shall discharge or dispose of the sewage and garbage in accordance with such standards and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. (3) No mechanically propelled inland vessel shall cause pollution by discharging or dumping of pollutants designated under sub-section (1): Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to the discharge dump or emission of such oil or oily mixture, hazardous chemical or obnoxious substance or any other pollutant, as the case may be, from a mechanically propelled inland vessel for the purpose of securing the safety of any mechanically propelled inland vessel, preventing damage to another mechanically propelled inland vessel, cargo or saving of life at inland waters.

(1) The Central Government shall, by rules made in this behalf, specify the standards of construction and equipment of the mechanically propelled inland vessels to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. (2) The State Government shall appoint or authorise such officers to ensure construction, installation and maintenance of equipment of all mechanically propelled inland vessels and issue certificate of prevention of pollution, in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. (3) Every mechanically propelled inland vessel, which has been constructed and equipped in compliance with this Chapter shall be issued with a certificate of prevention of pollution in such form, validity and content as may be prescribed by the Central Government. (4) Every mechanically propelled inland vessel shall carry on board a valid certificate of prevention of pollution and shall furnish the same on demand by concerned officers appointed or authorised under this Chapter.

(1) The Central Government shall, by rules made in this behalf, specify the conditions for construction, use and maintenance of reception facilities for the containment of pollution and removal of pollutants arising from spillage or discharge arising from mechanically propelled inland vessels at all cargo terminals or passenger terminals. (2) The owner or operator of all cargo terminals or passenger terminals shall provide reception facilities to discharge oil, oily mixture, hazardous chemicals, sewage or obnoxious substances at such cargo or passenger terminal, as the case may be, in compliance of sub-section (1). (3) The owner or operator of all cargo terminals or passenger terminals, providing reception facilities shall receive charges, at such rates as may be prescribed by the State Government. (4) For the purposes of minimising the pollution already caused, or for preventing the imminent threat of pollution, the Central Government or such other officer appointed by the State Government may, by order in writing, direct the owner or operator of cargo or passenger terminal to provide or arrange for the provision of such pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials, at such cargo and passenger terminal, as may be specified in such order. (5) The owner or operator of the passenger or cargo terminal shall submit a report of compliance to the Central Government or such other officer appointed under sub-section (4), in such form as may be prescribed by the State Government. (6) The owner, operator or master of any mechanically propelled vessel used or plying within inland waters, shall discharge the pollutants at the port reception facilities in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

(1) The State Government may appoint or authorise such officers as surveyors to inspect any cargo or passenger terminal lying within its respective jurisdiction. (2) The surveyor authorised under sub-section (1) may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any cargo or passenger terminal to— (a) ensure that the provisions of this Chapter are complied with; (b) verify whether such cargo or passenger terminal is equipped for pollution containment and removal, in conformity with the order of the State Government or any of the rules made under this Chapter; and (c) satisfy himself of the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent pollution. (3) If the surveyor, on inspection, finds that the cargo or passenger terminal is not provided with the required pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials, he shall give a notice in writing pointing out the deficiencies and the recommended remedial measures to rectify such deficiency, that is identified during the inspection, to the owner or operator of such cargo or passenger terminal, as the case may be. (4) No owner or operator of such cargo or passenger terminal, as the case may be, served with the notice under sub-section (3), shall proceed with any work at such cargo or passenger terminal, until he obtains a certificate signed by the surveyor to the effect that the cargo or passenger terminal, is properly provided with the required pollution containment equipment and pollutant removing materials in conformity with the rules made under this Chapter.

(1) The State Government shall direct any designated authority or such other authorised officer appointed under Chapter XIII to conduct investigation into incidents of pollution. (2) The State Government shall update the Central Government with such information or report of the court, if so directed by such court concerned, on incidents of pollution that occurs within its jurisdiction.