Ghazipur Landfill Fire: NGT Says Dump Sites In Cities Are Like 'Time Bombs', Constitutes Joint Committee Headed By Former Delhi High Court Judge

Noting that the dump sites in Delhi and other cities are like time bombs, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken serious note of the recent fire incidents at Ghazipur Landfill site causing severe air pollution in the area.

A bench headed by Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel also constituted a Joint Committee headed by Justice S.P. Garg, former Judge of the Delhi High Court with members from Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Department of Urban Development (Delhi), East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Disaster Management Authority and District Magistrate and DCP, East Delhi.

"DPCC will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The Committee may hold its first meeting within one week, undertake visit to the site, interact with the stakeholders, ascertain the factual situation and suggest further course of action after interaction with the concerned stakeholders. It may consider the landfill dump as isolated and vulnerable site which requires On-site and Off-site fire and other disaster management plans," the Tribunal ordered.

It said "Situation in Delhi may be more serious having regard to the size of the garbage dump and its location in densely populated area. This requires constitution of a multi-department Committee of concerned Departments and responsible prompt action at higher levels of the Administration."

"The dump sites in Delhi and in other Cities are like Time Bombs because they constantly generate explosive gases like methane which may escape through vertical and lateral ways posing constant threat of explosion."

Noting that it is a matter of concern that such incidents are taking place elsewhere also and that there is potential for the same wherever legacy waste remains unremediated, the Tribunal was of the view that there is statutory timeline expected to be followed strictly.

The Tribunal therefore directed that the report may be furnished within one month with a copy to the Chief Secretary, Delhi, who may file response with comprehensive plan about the course of action proposed in the matter.

"It is made clear that the authorities are free to take further remedial action without waiting for the report of the Committee or orders of this Tribunal," it said.

The matter is now listed for further consideration on May 27, 2022.

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