Landfill sites fire caused by generation of methane, unknown

The recent incidents of fire at the Bhalaswa and Ghazipur landfill sites, which the AAP had described as a "conspiracy" to derail the odd-even scheme, was caused due to generation of methane and "unknown" human error, a Delhi government committee has observed.
The four-member committee, headed by Special Secretary (Environment) Kulanand Joshi, submitted its report to the government after visiting the two garbage dump sites and the Yamuna flood plains behind Rajghat Power Station, where the fire took place.
"Cause of fire which was observed on April 23, 2016, due to generation of methane from decomposition of garbage and unknown human error which might have taken place at site in the absence of Fire Prevention Plan," it observed.

The committee, among its other observations, said burning was observed at Bhalaswa and Ghazipur in February as well. No fire tenders are stationed at the landfill sites and no safety measures are taken for the people working at the site, it said.
It said the Delhi Development Authority maintains no vigil in the 'O' zone area, which comprises Yamuna and the river front. The government had earlier said the fire incident was a "sabotage" attempt.
"We don't have evidence to prove our claim but question is automatically raised when fire is reported at three points at the same time at the forested area behind Shanti Van. The entire incident indicates indicates something is wrong," Transport Minister Gopal Rai told reporters.

While imposing fines on NDMC and EDMC in February for instances of fire, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had observed that the plea that methane generated at landfill site is responsible for the burning can occur only if there is an ignition initially provided "deliberately or negligently".

The three sites at Bhalswa and Ghazipur, commissioned in 1984, and Okhla, in 1996, are not designed as per the Municipal Solid Waste Rules of 2000 and lack authorisation from the DPCC but continue to function as civic bodies cites lack of land to set up new garbage dumping grounds.
The committee report also indicted the corporations saying the landfill sites have no standard operating plan including fire prevention or gas extraction facility or leachate treatment plant to prevent fire instances.

"Gas extraction facility exists on pilot plan basis in 10 acres by GAIL which needs to be installed for whole area for mitigation of burning instances," it said on Ghazipur.