In a distressing turn of events, a fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site, a place designated for garbage collection, on Sunday evening in East Delhi, causing havoc for local residents. The entire area is now engulfed in the stench and smoke, spreading not only across Delhi but also affecting neighboring regions like Noida and Ghaziabad. Despite the efforts of over 30 fire brigade vehicles and other equipment, the blaze has not yet been brought under control, with several sections still ablaze.
Unfortunately, fires at major landfill sites like Ghazipur and Bhalswa in the national capital of Delhi are not uncommon occurrences. Every year, as the summer season intensifies and temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius, these landfill sites turn into infernos. The repercussions of these fires are not limited to the residents of Delhi but extend to those in Ghaziabad and Noida as well.
Local residents are bearing the brunt of this crisis. One resident expressed, "I live here, and the smoke is causing discomfort to my eyes... We are having difficulty breathing. The entire colony is distressed." Another resident from Noida lamented, "I am having difficulty breathing. The administration is being negligent... The smoke will have serious effects, especially on the elderly."
A local resident shared, "We have been facing this problem since the 1990s. We are struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, and burning sensation in the eyes. Even young children are suffering... There is a burning sensation in the eyes. We cannot go outside... Whether it's the Delhi government or the central government, no one is paying attention to our problems."
Praveen Shankar Kapoor, the spokesperson for the Delhi BJP, stated in a press release that as a result of the fire at the landfill site, smoke has spread throughout the entire area, causing inconvenience to residents and businesses. Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised to clear the landfill site by December 31, 2023, before the MCD elections in 2022, but instead of removing the garbage, more waste has been dumped here.
In 2019, the height of the Ghazipur landfill site was 65 meters, only eight meters less than the Qutub Minar. Last night, Deputy Mayor Ali Mohammad Ikbal visited the site and attributed the fire to dryness caused by the heat and weather. Excavators and fire engines are present to control the fire.
With the Delhi municipal elections scheduled for April 26 and the Lok Sabha elections on May 25, according to sources within the Delhi BJP, they plan to raise this issue among the public, especially among those living near these massive garbage dumps. Both Congress and AAP have fielded joint candidates under the banner of India Block. In such a scenario, BJP aims not to leave any stone unturned in targeting its opponents.
The recurring fires at landfill sites like Ghazipur underline the urgent need for better waste management practices and stricter enforcement of regulations. The health and well-being of citizens should be paramount, and immediate action must be taken to address this ongoing environmental crisis.
Leave Your Comment