Massive fire breaks out at Bandhwari landfill in Gurugram

Gurugram, Jun 25 (PTI) A massive fire broke out at the Bandhwari waste management site on Gurugram’s Faridabad Road on Thursday, prompting the deployment of multiple fire tenders and raising concerns over air pollution in nearby areas.

The blaze spread rapidly, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky, officials said.

Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident. Given the scale of the fire, eight fire tenders were deployed from Sector 29, Sohna and other nearby fire stations, officials said.

Firefighters are engaged in efforts to bring the blaze under control.

Officials said extinguishing the fire has proved challenging because of smouldering gases trapped beneath heaps of garbage. Fire

crews are using water jets, soil and Poclain machines to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading further.

The incident has triggered concern among residents living in nearby areas.

Several residents complained of breathing difficulties and eye irritation due to the dense smoke emanating from the landfill site. They also expressed concern over the sharp rise in pollution levels in the area.

This is not the first fire at the Bhandwari landfill, which has witnessed several major blazes in the past.

Despite receiving nearly 2,400 metric tonnes of mixed waste everyday, the landfill continues to face concerns over scientific waste processing and remediation, officials said. PTI COR MDO MDO