Fire at Dadu Majra again, this time it’s massive

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 31

After a fire in February here, another major fire incident was reported from the waste dumping ground at Dadu Majra this afternoon.

It led to huge inconvenience to residents, especially those residing in and around Dadu Majra. Residents of Sector 38, 37, 25 and Dadu Majra complained of smoke entering their houses.

They complained of breathing problems and itching in their eyes due to the smoke. Commuters had to face a tough time as the smoke spread all over, even up to Sector 17 and 21.

Smoke was billowing out of the dumping ground at the time of filing of this report.

According to officials, they got information about the fire at 2.30 pm following which six fire engines were pressed into service. The local police barricaded roads from both sides of the dumping ground and did not allow vehicles to enter near the site.

Two tractor-trailers, which were meant for lifting waste inside the ground, caught fire and were damaged.

Jasmeet Singh, Sector 38 fire station officer, told Chandigarh Tribune, “We have controlled the fire on one side. However, the fire has spread to the other part of the dumping ground. More than the fire, it is the smoke that is causing trouble and coming in the way of the firefighting operations.”

He said it was suspected that the fire broke out due to hot weather, which often causes fire at the dumping ground. After every two to three months, fire incidents are reported from the dumping ground.

Firemen said had the MC thrown enough sand on the waste, such a major mishap would not have occurred. The corporation always claims that it covers the waste with sand, but things have not improved. The last fire in February saw smoke in the air for three to four days.

‘The air is poisonous’

Pankaj Gupta, president, Sector 38 (West) RWA, added, "The air is poisonous and there is a lot of smell. The MC and the UT Administration are still sleeping over the matter. Had this dumping ground been situated in the north area, they wouldn't have taken so much time to do the needful?"

A bike rider, Sumesh, said, "I had put on a helmet with a glass. I wore a mask too, but that too was of little help. It felt like as if there was a fire in a chemical factory."

Dadu Majra-based Joint Action Committee president Dyal Krishan suggested, "For years, the situation has been like this. Fire incidents are a norm here. The MC should have such an arrangement that the waste is processed at the respective Sehaj Safai Kendra only."

HS Lucky, chief spokesperson for the Congress, alleged that people were suffering because of the "apathetic approach" of the BJP-led MC in solving the dumping ground issue.

The BJP, however, claimed that it was the Congress that gave birth to the mammoth garbage dumping ground and the "ineffective" processing plant.