EDMC fined Rs 40 lakh over Ghazipur landfill fire

New Delhi: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 40 lakh on the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), saying its "carelessness" was the major reason behind the fire at Ghazipur landfill site four days ago.

A section of the landfill site had caught fire on Sunday evening, worsening pollution levels in the area.

A DPCC team later inspected the landfill site managed by the EDMC and submitted a report. It stated that the civic body had not made any arrangements to prevent such incidents at the site, Environment Minister Gopal Rai

said.

He said the civic agency's carelessness was the major reason behind the fire, which "extensively contributed to air pollution" in the area.

The DPCC noted that fires have been reported from Ghazipur landfill in the past too, which indicates lack of measures taken and vigilance observed by the EDMC to prevent such incidents .

The DPCC inquiry revealed that it was carelessness that directly contributed to this fire. We have also asked the EDMC to prepare a detailed report on the necessary steps being taken to prevent such incidents, the minister said.

The DPCC in its notice to the EDMC said it has "not only ignored the Environment Protection Act of 1986, but also violated the directions of the National Green Tribunal on the matters of solid waste management or garbage management".

Environment Minister Gopal Rai had on Tuesday said that strict action against the civic body was in the cards, following the Sunday fire and a report submitted by the DPCC fixing responsibility.

A team of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) inspected the landfill site managed by the EDMC and submitted a report. It states that the civic body has not made any arrangement to prevent such incidents at the site, Rai had said.

The minister had said the DPCC has also written to various agencies, asking them to monitor all such sites where fire may break out due to rising temperature. He had also urged the Centre to develop action plans to reduce pollution levels in the northern states.