Ghazipur Landfill Fire Incidents: Delhi High Court Expresses Concern Over Air Pollution, Seeks Action Taken Report

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the recent fire incidents at Ghazipur Landfill site in Delhi's East district, causing severe air pollution in the area.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla said,

"A fire broke out at the said site on 28 March, 2022 and 9 April, 2022, leading to burning of hazardous waste dumped at the said landfill site which in turn led to huge smoke generation leading to severe air pollution in the area."

The development ensued in a suo moto matter concerning the rising problem of air pollution in Delhi.

The Bench has directed the State to file a status report and an action taken report over the incident. The authorities have also been asked to disclose the reasons for the outbreak of fire on the landfill site, steps taken to extinguish the same and how they are proposing to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

The reports are directed to be filed within 3 weeks and to be shared with amicus curiae in the matter, Senior Advocate Kailash Vasdev.

During the hearing, the Court also refused to entertain an intervention application, claiming that the fundamental rights of the applicant had been infringed due to the above said incidents.

"This is a suo moto proceeding. Whatever has to come in these proceedings must be channelled through the amicus..." the Bench said.

As the applicant asserted that the matter involved infringement of fundamental rights, the Bench said, "File your own petition if you want to."

Accordingly, the application was withdrawn.

Case Title: Court On Its Own Motion (Air Pollution In Delhi) V. Union Of India & Ors.