Environment Minister Gopal Rai on March 30 directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to impose a fine of ₹50 lakh on the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and take action against officials responsible for a massive fire at the Ghazipur landfill site two days ago.
It has also been decided to plan a campaign against open burning of garbage and fires at landfill sites, Mr. Rai said at a press conference.
“We had asked the DPCC to submit a fact-finding report. They have submitted a detailed report today which points to carelessness on the part of the municipal corporation,” Mr. Rai said.
There’s smoke emanating from the fire spot even after 48 hours of the incident. High temperature and methane gas produced from the rotting garbage led to the fire, he said citing the report.
The report talks about the sluggish pace of biomining of legacy waste at the site. Only 21 trommel machines are being used there in place of 25, Mr. Rai said.
The anti-smog gun deployed at the site is not functioning. Of the 24 CCTV cameras installed there to monitor such fires, only 17 are operating, he said.
The construction of a boundary wall to thwart entry of unauthorised persons at the landfill has not been completed yet, the Minister said.
“In view of these shortcomings, the DPCC has been asked to impose a fine of ₹50 lakh on the municipal corporation and take action against officials responsible,” he said.
“We have also decided to convene a high-level meeting of departments concerned on April 4 to plan a campaign to stop burning of waste and fires at landfill sites,” he added.
