NGT's concern / Said- Delhi's dumping site is like a time bomb, high level committee constituted for solution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concern over the repeated incidents of fire at Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi and said that these dump sites are like time bombs. The NGT has constituted a high level committee to find out the causes of fire at landfill sites and suggest solutions to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the fire incident at Ghazipur landfill site, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel observed that dump sites in Delhi and other cities are like time bombs as they are continuously producing explosive gases like methane.

The bench said that it is a matter of concern that such incidents are taking place not only at dump sites in Delhi but also in other cities. Fire incidents are more likely to occur in places where waste is not disposed of properly. This is the reason why the NGT has said that the statutory time limit for disposal of waste must be strictly adhered to.

The bench said that the situation in Delhi is likely to become more dangerous and dire as it is densely populated and the amount of garbage at the landfill site is very high. The NGT has termed the repeated incidents of fire at the Ghazipur landfill site as a serious threat to public health and the environment.

Third incident of fire in Ghazipur landfill since March 28

A massive fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site on Wednesday. This was the third incident of fire since March 28. Due to the fire, thick smoke covered the sky and the already polluted air in the surrounding areas became more toxic. Last year there were four fire incidents and in 2017 a major part of the landfill site was torn down on the road, leading to the death of two people.

Ghazipur landfill site spread over 70 acres: The Ghazipur landfill site spread over 70 acres was started in 1984. In 2019, the garbage dump site had become 65 meters high. The DPCC had imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) after the landfill caught fire on March 28.

High level committee constituted under the leadership of former Delhi High Court Justice SP Garg

The National Green Tribunal said that after considering all the facts, there is a need to constitute a multi-departmental committee of the concerned departments so that prompt action can be taken at the higher level of administration. Along with this, the NGT has constituted a high level committee under the leadership of former Delhi High Court Justice SP Garg. The committee includes Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Urban Development Department, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Disaster Management Authority and the concerned District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Delhi.

Called for first meeting in a week and report in a month

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was made the coordinating and nodal agency. The bench directed the committee to hold its first meeting in a week. Also ordered to visit Ghazipur landfill site and submit report in a month after holding talks with all stakeholders.

Also sought information about dump sites of other cities

The NGT has sought information from the CPCB on the status of landfill sites located in other cities, especially metros, in the country. Along with this, the CPCB has been asked to strictly implement the guidelines prepared to prevent the incident of fire. The bench has issued this order taking cognizance of the incident of fire at the dump site in Ludhiana. 7 people are reported to have died in this incident.