A government committee on Thursday observed that the recent incidents of fire at the Bhalaswa and Ghazipur landfill sites, which the AAP had described as a “conspiracy” to derail the odd-even scheme,
A government committee on Thursday observed that the recent incidents of fire at the Bhalaswa and Ghazipur landfill sites, which the AAP had described as a “conspiracy” to derail the odd-even scheme, was caused due to generation of methane and “unknown” human error.
The four-member committee, headed by special secretary (environment) Kulanand Joshi, submitted its report to the government after visiting the two garbage dump sites and the Yamuna floodplains behind Rajghat Power Station, where the fire took place.
“Cause of fire which was observed on April 23, 2016, due to generation of methane from decomposition of garbage and unknown human error which might have taken place at site in the absence of fire prevention plan,” the committee observed.
The committee, among its other observations, said burning was observed at Bhalaswa and Ghazipur in February as well. No fire tenders are stationed at the landfill sites and no safety measures are taken for the people working at the site, it said. It said the DDA maintains no vigil in the “O” zone area, which comprises Yamuna and the river front. The government had earlier said the fire incident was a “sabotage” attempt.
“We don’t have evidence to prove our claim but question is automatically raised when fire is reported at three points at the same time at the forested area behind Shanti Van. The entire incident indicates something is wrong,” transport minister Gopal Rai said. While imposing fines on NDMC and EDMC in February for instances of fire, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had observed that the plea that methane generated at landfill site is responsible for the burning can occur only if there is an ignition initially provided “deliberately or negligently.”
