The Delhi government on Thursday described the simmering fires at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfill sites as “unusual” and constituted a three-member committee to investigate at these fires amid conce
The Delhi government on Thursday described the simmering fires at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfill sites as “unusual” and constituted a three-member committee to investigate at these fires amid concerns that toxic fumes may offset any gain from the odd-even car rationing scheme.
City transport minister Gopal Rai said the committee, which has one senior official each from transport, environment and urban development departments, has been asked to submit its report within three days to the AAP government.
The minister said the fact-finding committee will also probe whether someone was behind these incidents, even as the AAP and the BJP indulged in blame game over the issue.
“In the wake of repeated fires at landfill sites in the last few days, we have constituted a three-member committee to investigate the fires at landfill sites. It will submit its reports within three days,” Mr Rai said.
The minister claimed that usually no fire is reported at landfill sites every year, but during the ongoing second phase of the odd-even scheme, fires were frequently being reported at these sites, which is “unusual.”
“This committee will probe if someone is behind this fire at the landfill sites or it takes place usually every year,” Mr Rai said, adding the local sub-divisional magistrates will also assist the fact-finding committee.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee, which is the environment watchdog for the city, had issued notices to the civic bodies for burning the garbage at these landfill sites. East and North Delhi Municipal Corporations had been penalised by the watchdog in February over fire at the landfill sites, which the corporations have refused to pay.
The pollution control panel, in its notice to the MCDs, dated February 11, had slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 per day, saying burning can occur only if there is an ignition initially provided “deliberately or negligently” by someone.
The Delhi government also indicated that it may file an FIR against the two civic bodies. City environment minister Imran Hussain visited the Bhalswa landfill site on Thursday and said that he has instructed the DPCC to file an FIR and impose fresh penalties on the MCDs. “From now onwards, 15 fire tenders will be deployed round-the-clock at the Bhalswa site,” Mr Hussain tweeted.
Accused by the ruling AAP of purposefully setting fire to a landfill, the BJP hit back at the AAP government saying that its odd-even scheme has failed and thus its indulging in politics to “mislead people.”
The city produces 8,360 metric tonnes of waste daily but the existing capacity of its all three landfill sites stands at 4,660 MTD, all of which are operating beyond their saturation point.
The NDMC has rejected the possibility of any “mischief,” saying preventive as well as remedial measures are regularly taken by the civic body to avoid incidents of fire or smouldering at the landfill site.
