A massive fire broke out at North Delhi’s Bhalswa landfill on Tuesday. Over 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
According to Delhi Fire Service officials, smoke was reported around 5 pm that later spread into a massive fire. “We received a call at around 5.47 pm. Initially, there was only smoke but later due to wind fire erupted. 12 fire tenders are present at the spot. Our aim is to ensure that fire does not spread to residential areas,” said, CL Meena, Assistant Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Service.
Locals who live near the Bhalswa dump yard have been reporting breathing problems after the fire. Bhalswa dump yard sending a dense plume of smoke into the sky and exacerbating the already polluted air in nearby areas.
Udayveer, a local who lives near the dump yard, said: “We are not able to breathe and see properly. Government should take proper action on the situation of the dump yard here.”
Another local, Rambhawan also spoke about the poor visibilities of eyes and said: “We are not able to see properly. Government should take action on this. However, the livelihood of thousands of people is dependent on this.”
Delhi’s Gyan Sarovar School has been temporarily closed following the fire. Narayana, Community organiser said: “It is not safe to keep children here because of the smoke coming out of the fire. We have decided to keep the school closed for a week.”
Earlier in the day, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed that soon after the incident, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been instructed to inquire and submit a report within 24 hours.
Rai accused the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of negligence over the fire. “The people of Delhi are facing landfill fire due to MCD’s negligence and 15 years of BJP’s corruption. We ordered Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Tuesday to inquire and submit the report within 24 hours. We will make a decision on this matter after his report comes,” Rai said.
Further hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the minister said: “If they had worked on this, these garbage mountains would not have been here.”
He said the BJP people should first go to the Bhalswa landfill and survey what they have done in the last 15 years. “If they had driven bulldozers there for 15 years, these mountains of garbage would not have stood today.”