SS Norway awaits the ship breakers at Alang, August, 2007
Demographics
As of the 2001 Indian census,[2] Alang had a population of 18,464. Males constitute 82% of the population and females 18%. Alang has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with 89% of the males and 11% of females literate. Seven percent of the population is under 6 years of age.[citation needed]
Economy
Mithi Virdi nuclear power plant
Mithi Virdi (or Viradi) was a proposed site consisting of six nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 6,600 MW about 3km (2mi) north of the ship breaking beach.[3]
The proposed nuclear plant faced heavy opposition from the local population. As a result, the plans were cancelled and ultimately relocated to Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh.[4] The area around the formerly-proposed plant is known for growing some of the highest-quality kesar mango trees.[citation needed]
N. Sundaresan was the founder of Alang Ship Recycling Yard in 1983,[8] the shipyard is believed to have acquired a total of US$110.6billion in aggregate value, including total assets. Its growth has prompted its extension northeast towards Sosiya in Gujarat, and it is now often referred to as the Alang-Sosiya Yard.[9][10]
In popular culture
On the Road to Alang[11] is a 2005 documentary on passenger ships scrapped at Alang, by Peter Knego of Maritime Matters.[12]
