Following a massive fire at Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill site two days ago, the Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to impose a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). The Minister was also ordered action against officials who were on-duty at the time of the blaze. In a press conference, Rai said that the DPCC submitted a detailed report after examining the incident, and the investigation states that the EDMC bypassed all environment protection norms at the site.
“Only 21 trommel machines out of 25 were found working at the landfill, while the anti-smog guns were also not working. Only 17 out of 24 CCTVs meant for monitoring the landfill were functional. The CPCB had ordered construction of a boundary around the landfill but it has not been built till now,” said the Minister. Rai also said that in the DPCC report it has been discovered that the measures required to be taken by the EDMC for environmental protection were severely lacking. “Significant amount of negligence on the part of the MCD was found in terms of rules and regulations which must be followed to ensure a safe environment around the Ghazipur landfill site. Bio-mining is in process at the site, which can contribute to reducing the possibility of such incidents taking place in future,’ said Rai.
“The fire had spread over an area of around 400 square metres. Even 48 hours after the spark occurred and after the fire was extinguished, fumes continued to rise from the area engulfing the surrounding localities,” said Rai. “The CPCB has given directions and guidelines to demarcate the boundary of the Ghazipur landfill on all sides, but the construction of this boundary wall has not yet been completed.
This wall is required to prevent any outsider from entering the area and causing such horrific incidents in future,” said Rai. “An important joint meeting of the Environment Department along with the Revenue Department, Public Works Department, DDA, MCD, Fire Department, NDMC, DUSIB, and Delhi Cantonment Board is being called on April 4.
This meeting is being organised so that a campaign can be launched to put an end to such instances of fire and burning throughout Delhi, after which we will have a more detailed roadmap on measures to be taken,” said Rai.
Meanwhile, the Environment Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has also summoned the EDMC Commissioner on the question of the fire at the Ghazipur landfill. “The committee is chaired by MLA Atishi. The deposition has been scheduled for April 4 and the Commissioner will be asked to explain what steps have been taken to clear the Ghazipur landfill site and prevent fires,” said an official.
