Decision makers:
1. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM,
2. Gopal Rai, Delhi Environment Minister,
3. Shelly Oberoi, MCD Mayor,
4. Md Iqbal, Deputy Mayor, Delhi Pollution Control Committee
5. Delhi pollution control committee
Demands:
Publicly release a concrete summertime action plan to manage landfill fires such as the one that took place on April 21st, 2024
Adhere to deadlines on clearing/flattening landfill site and share reports on the progress in clearing/flattening the landfill site
Ensure implementation of measures for segregation of waste at source
Conduct awareness drives on waste management
What is the issue?
A fire broke out at part of the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi, India’s largest garbage dumpsite –on Sunday, April 21, 2024. The fire that continued unabated for the 24 hours left Ghazipur’s residents gasping for air, with toxic fumes engulfing the neighbouring areas. The fire brought forth the inability of authorities responsible to clear and flatten the landfill site; as well as manage source-wise segregation of waste effectively.
The National Capital adds more than 10,000 tonnes of waste to its three major dumping sites at Ghazipur, Bhalaswa and Okhla; with Ghazipur being the biggest among all. It includes everything from vegetable peelings to glass bottles, plastic packaging, batteries, broken toys, discarded clothes and even construction waste.
Residents living in the surrounding areas have reported experiencing respiratory problems and itchy eyes. Due to the poor air quality and constant haze, most residents have no choice but to stay indoors. Consequently, children are unable to attend school.
An investigation is underway to unearth the cause of the fire, as 8 fire brigades stayed overnight to douse the flames. Reports also suggest that sprinklers are being used to ensure the ash and dust do not spread to the neighborhood areas.
While the cause of the fire is being investigated, experts claim it could be due to rising temperatures causing hot and dry weather conditions. Some have attributed the incident to the poisonous gases emanating from the region.
Back in 2022, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had set a deadline to clear the landfill site –December 31, 2023. However, this has not happened and has now been pushed to a later date.
More than 50% of the garbage dumped daily in Ghazipur, Bhalaswa and Okhla is biodegradable. With no strictly implemented system of rubbish segregation in Delhi – a city of 32 million people – the wet waste largely remains unsegregated and is left to rot. As it decomposes, it generates huge amounts of methane, a primary greenhouse gas.
The site ran out of space nearly a decade ago. Although the permissible limit for garbage dumping is 20 metres, these sites have turned into huge mountains – well beyond the permissible limit.
If urgent action is not taken to process the waste at the Ghazipur landfill site, it’s just a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode!
P.S. Support our work for a cleaner, more sustainable Delhi by making a donation of your choice here. Every contribution, no matter the amount, counts. Thanks for getting involved!
Sources
Decision makers:
1. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM,
2. Gopal Rai, Delhi Environment Minister,
3. Shelly Oberoi, MCD Mayor,
4. Md Iqbal, Deputy Mayor, Delhi Pollution Control Committee
5. Delhi pollution control committee
Demands:
Publicly release a concrete summertime action plan to manage landfill fires such as the one that took place on April 21st, 2024
Adhere to deadlines on clearing/flattening landfill site and share reports on the progress in clearing/flattening the landfill site
Ensure implementation of measures for segregation of waste at source
Conduct awareness drives on waste management
What is the issue?
A fire broke out at part of the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi, India’s largest garbage dumpsite –on Sunday, April 21, 2024. The fire that continued unabated for the 24 hours left Ghazipur’s residents gasping for air, with toxic fumes engulfing the neighbouring areas. The fire brought forth the inability of authorities responsible to clear and flatten the landfill site; as well as manage source-wise segregation of waste effectively.
The National Capital adds more than 10,000 tonnes of waste to its three major dumping sites at Ghazipur, Bhalaswa and Okhla; with Ghazipur being the biggest among all. It includes everything from vegetable peelings to glass bottles, plastic packaging, batteries, broken toys, discarded clothes and even construction waste.
Residents living in the surrounding areas have reported experiencing respiratory problems and itchy eyes. Due to the poor air quality and constant haze, most residents have no choice but to stay indoors. Consequently, children are unable to attend school.
An investigation is underway to unearth the cause of the fire, as 8 fire brigades stayed overnight to douse the flames. Reports also suggest that sprinklers are being used to ensure the ash and dust do not spread to the neighborhood areas.
While the cause of the fire is being investigated, experts claim it could be due to rising temperatures causing hot and dry weather conditions. Some have attributed the incident to the poisonous gases emanating from the region.
Back in 2022, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had set a deadline to clear the landfill site –December 31, 2023. However, this has not happened and has now been pushed to a later date.
More than 50% of the garbage dumped daily in Ghazipur, Bhalaswa and Okhla is biodegradable. With no strictly implemented system of rubbish segregation in Delhi – a city of 32 million people – the wet waste largely remains unsegregated and is left to rot. As it decomposes, it generates huge amounts of methane, a primary greenhouse gas.
The site ran out of space nearly a decade ago. Although the permissible limit for garbage dumping is 20 metres, these sites have turned into huge mountains – well beyond the permissible limit.
If urgent action is not taken to process the waste at the Ghazipur landfill site, it’s just a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode!
P.S. Support our work for a cleaner, more sustainable Delhi by making a donation of your choice here. Every contribution, no matter the amount, counts. Thanks for getting involved!
Sources