T
he Indian city of Delhi faces major challenges in waste management, including an increasing number of landfills. These areas have become a major concern due to impacts on the environment and health. Some of the major garbage dumps in Delhi are:
Gazipur Dumpsite: Ghazipur Dumpsite is perhaps the worst, it is one of the largest dumpsites in Delhi and has been its flair for many years. It receives thousands of tons of garbage every day and has become a mountain of garbage. Fires and explosions have occurred on the site, posing a serious risk to nearby residents and the environment.
Okhla Dumpsite: Okhla dumpsite located in South Delhi is another important dumpsite in the city. Like Ghazipur, it is operating beyond capacity, causing environmental and health problems in nearby communities.
Bharaswar Landfill: Located in North Delhi, Bharaswar Landfill receives most of the city’s waste. It also faces problems similar to other landfills, including fires and landfills.
Narela-Bawana Landfill: This landfill is newer compared to other landfills and was built to ease the load on the existing site. However, it still faces challenges in waste management and environmental sustainability.
The government and various organizations are making efforts to solve the waste problem in Delhi. These include waste separation measures, recycling plans and plans for waste-to-energy projects. But the situation remains difficult and more solutions are needed to solve the problem effectively and permanently.
Height of Ghazipur landfill
The height of Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is over 65 meters (about 213 feet). However, it is worth noting that the height of the landfill may change over time due to the constant disposal process and cultivation. Waste has been steadily increasing over the years, causing safety and security concerns for surrounding residents and the surrounding ecosystem.
Ghazipur Dumpsite Collapse
In September 2017, the Ghazipur Dumpsite in Delhi suffered a massive collapse. Many people, including garbage collectors working in the area, died due to the collapse. The collapse occurred due to excess waste and unstable conditions at the landfill.
The collapse highlights the urgent need for better waste management and urgent measures needed to tackle the risks associated with overflowing landfills in Delhi. After this incident, there were renewed calls for tighter regulations, better waste disposal and the use of sustainable waste disposal solutions to prevent similar incidents in the past. Landfills are poorly managed or have exceeded their capacity. Regular monitoring and appropriate measures are necessary to reduce the risks associated with waste operations and ensure the safety of communities and the environment.
Ghazipur Landfill Delhi Government Works
The landfill has been of concern to the Delhi government and various environmental agencies due to its environmental and health impacts.
The Delhi government along with the city authorities are working on various measures to tackle the problems related to landfills in the city, including Ghazipur. These measures typically include segregating waste at source, promoting recycling and composting, and exploring alternative waste management technologies such as waste-to-energy plants
Ghazipur Mission of the Government of Delhi for Landfill Security
The Delhi government is working hard to clean up and manage the Ghazipur landfill, which has been in the limelight for flooding and poor environment. However, the specific targets for the maintenance of the Ghazipur landfill will vary depending on government policies and ongoing projects.
The Delhi government, along with the city and surrounding areas, have set goals and targets for waste management, including the cleaning and maintenance of landfills such as Ghazipur. These goals may include:
Try to reduce waste: Take steps to reduce waste in landfills through separation, recycling and mixing tests.
Waste Disposal: Develop strategies for the safe and efficient disposal of existing waste to landfills.
Prevention of more landfills: Enforce rules and regulations to prevent further expansion and overflow of the Ghazipur landfill.
Environmental Remediation: Take steps to reduce the environmental impact of landfills, such as soil remediation, groundwater monitoring, and air quality control.
Community Engagement and Awareness: Educate the public about the importance of waste management and encourage community participation in waste reduction and recycling.
Delhi CM says garbage removal from Okhla landfill falls short of target
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inspected Okhla landfill here on Wednesday and said: The work of construction and removal of waste is experiencing a decline after the intended purpose.
Despite the target of 1.8 million tons, it has been recorded that only 1.2 million tons of waste has been removed from the field so far.
Kejriwal said that there were 4.5 million tons of waste in the facility and the removal process started in November last year.
The target is to eliminate 3 million tons of waste by May 2024,” he told reporters, adding that a second organization will be assigned to carry out the removal of rapid waste.
The recruitment process is almost complete. However, the reason for the delay is that the MCD Representation Committee has not been formed yet. The Composition of the Committee The people must decide, the Supreme Court. The committee will be established once the court decision is issued. It has been received,” said the minister.
Delhi Chief Minister to inspect Okhla landfill
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inspected Okhla landfill on Wednesday to review the status of waste management and found that waste fell short of the target.
In response, CM Kejriwal announced that another agency would be engaged to clear the waste. He said 18 million tons of waste should have been removed from here so far, but only 12 million tons has been removed.
Delhi Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi, during his visit to Okhla Dumpsite; Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad and senior officials of MCD were also present.
After examining the garbage in Okhla, CM Kejriwal said that a mountain of garbage weighing 45,000 tonnes was found. It was said that on November 7, 2022, the process of clearing this mountain of waste began.
Our goal is to eliminate 30,000 tons of waste by May 2024. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are slightly behind the target. According to the target, currently 18 million tons of waste needs to be removed, but only 12 tons of waste can be removed. “Said CM Kejriwal.
Then he added. There are many reasons why goals are not achieved. In order to achieve our final goal, the process of recruiting new employees started with the previous organization, but the previous organization could not achieve this goal.
CM said that the recruitment process of the second staff has been completed. However, he said the delay was due to the lack of MCD group representation in the MCD.
Delhi Chief Minister said that the issue of formation of the panel was taken to the Supreme Court. After the court decision is taken, a committee will be formed and a second institution will be appointed, he said. Delhi Chief Minister said that the two institutions working together will achieve the target of eliminating 30 million tonnes of waste by May 2024
Ghazipur landfill public issue in Delhi
Delhi’s Ghazipur Landfill is a long-standing public concern for various reasons:
Health risks: The landfill releases unpleasant odors and toxic gases due to the decomposition of organic waste. These gases pose a serious health risk to nearby residents, leading to respiratory problems and other illnesses.
Air Pollution: Decomposing waste in a landfill releases methane and other greenhouse gases that contribute to air pollution in the region. In addition, on-site waste incineration exacerbates air quality problems, especially during the winter months when atmospheric conditions worsen.
Water Contamination: Landfills can contaminate groundwater and surrounding water bodies by leaching toxic chemicals from decomposing waste. This contamination poses a risk to human health and the environment.
Traffic Congestion: The constant influx of garbage trucks to the landfill contributes to traffic congestion in the surrounding areas, further inconveniencing residents and commuters.
Aesthetic Concerns: The towering pile of garbage at the Ghazipur dumping ground is an eyesore and adversely affects the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding area. This can have economic impacts as it discourages investment and tourism in the region.
Safety Risks: The instability of the landfill poses safety risks, as evidenced by a collapse in 2017 that resulted in fatalities. There is a constant threat of further collapses or fires, threatening the lives of waste collectors and nearby residents.
Solving these public problems requires comprehensive and sustainable waste management solutions. This includes sorting waste at source, promoting recycling and composting, implementing stricter waste disposal regulations, investing in waste-to-energy facilities and engaging the community in waste management initiatives. In addition, there is a need for long-term planning and infrastructure development to reduce the city’s reliance on landfills and to shift to greener waste management practices.
