Dadu Majra residents demand probe into fire incidents at dumping ground

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1

It is for the first time that a major fire broke out simultaneously at the waste dumping ground as well as the garbage processing plant, which are separated by a road.

Dadu Majra residents, who live at a stone’s throw from the dumping site, believed that the fire was deliberately caused to clear a huge chunk of unprocessed garbage. They said in a year, about 10-15 minor and major fire incidents took place at the dumping ground.

The Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and area residents have demanded a high-level inquiry into the whole incident.

“Waste collectors, along with some MC officials, have colluded to spark fire here. There should be a CBI inquiry to find out the cause of fire incidents. The agency should also investigate how much money has been spent on garbage processing,” said Dyal Krishan, president, Dumping Ground Action Committee.

Harjinder Singh, chairman of Dadu Majra Residents’ Welfare Association, alleged, “The authorities have failed to tackle the waste processing issue, thus they are plotting some or the other thing to get away with it.”

Congress councillor Satish Kainth today wrote to the UT Adviser-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer seeking a vigilance inquiry or an independent probe by a retired judge into the “ploy to cause fire.” He alleged that the MC misused crores in the name of clearing the waste, but the mountain of garbage still stood tall.

Calling it a dump of corruption, Prem Garg, convener, city AAP, said the civic body had signed a contract of about Rs34 crore with a private firm while claiming that the waste site would be cleared in 18 months. On the contrary, the situation has gone from bad to worse and people were forced to live under inhumane conditions. They have to bear with foul smell and itching eyes.

MC Additional Commissioner Anil Kumar Garg said, “Methane under the waste gets ignited when there is a high temperature. The gas is highly combustible.”

MC Medical Officer of Health Dr Amrit Warring said, “The fire first broke out at the dumping ground and due to wind, it spread to the processing plant. It is natural that a fire breaks out here, there is no other reason.”

Firemen told Chandigarh Tribune that the incident warranted a probe as it was not possible for the fire to spread to the plant when a double road separates it from the dumping ground.

Though the fire was brought under control yesterday, plumes of smoke persisted for the second day. Almost half of the city was affected with the smoke yesterday. People in some neighbouring areas faced tough time today too.