Smoke continues to billow from the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi following a massive fire that erupted on Sunday evening.
Officials from the Delhi Fire Services have attributed the fire to gas generated in the dumping yard and confirmed that no casualties have been reported.
“Our teams are there and are working to douse flames completely. The fire call was received on Sunday evening at 5.22 pm. Initially we had sent two fire engines, but later eight fire engines were pressed into service,” the official said.
Residents residing near the national capital’s oldest and largest landfill have reported experiencing throat irritation and coughing due to the smoke. One resident noted that this isn’t the first instance of such a problem, as they’ve been experiencing it since the 1990s.
“We have been facing this problem since the 1990s. We are dealing with diabetes, BP, thyroid and irritation in the eyes. Even small children are suffering due to it… We are having irritation in the eyes. We are not able to go out… No one is paying attention to our problems, be it the Delhi government or the central government,” a resident told news agency ANI.
Another local resident expressed: “I live here and the smoke is causing discomfort to the eyes… We are also having difficulties in breathing. The entire colony is disturbed. Last time, when the landfill caught fire, there were casualties…”
While another resident complained that the administration has taken no action and urged the government to intervene in addressing the issue.
“We are facing difficulties in breathing due to the smoke caused by the fire. We are unable to talk due to pollution…The fire has been continuing since yesterday morning. The administration has not done anything…We want the government to solve the issue,” he stated.
Addressing the situation on social media platform X, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi stated, “As per instructions, all officers are present on the spot and everything is under control.”
BJP Slams AAP-Led Delhi Govt
Following the fire incident at the landfill, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, alleging that it had promised to clear the Ghazipur landfill site by the end of December last year but did not fulfil its commitment.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Praveen Shankar Kapoor, spokesperson for the Delhi BJP, said that due to the fire at the landfill site, smoke had spread throughout the area, causing inconvenience to residents and businesses.
Kapoor stated that during the 2022 MCD elections, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised to clear the landfill site. However, Kapoor added, instead of removing the garbage, more waste was added to the site.
(With inputs for agencies)
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