Submit report on cause of fire, CPCC asks civic body

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1

The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) has asked the Municipal Corporation (MC) to submit a report on the cause of the fire that broke out at the Dadu Majra waste dumping ground yesterday.

After the incident came to their notice, officials of the CPCC visited the spot and informed the higher-ups that the fire was huge, said Debendra Dalai, vice-chairman, CPCC.

Dalai said a letter had been written to the MC Commissioner seeking a report on the fire incident and the MC had also been asked to take precautionary measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

The Fire Department received information about the fire at 2.30 pm yesterday and immediately, six fire engines were pressed into service. The local police barricaded roads from both sides of the dumping ground and did not allow vehicles near the site.

Smoke emanating from the waste led to huge inconvenience to residents, especially those residing in and around Dadu Majra. They complained of breathing problems and itching in their eyes due to the smoke.

An official said waste could have caught fire due to hot weather conditions, which often cause fire at the dumping ground. After every two to three months, fire incidents are reported from the ground. The last fire incident in February witnessed huge smoke for three to four days.