National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled " Major Fire Erupts At ... vs Court Commissioner: Ms. Katyayni on 10 July, 2025
Item No. 14 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 481/2024
News item titled " Major fire erupts at Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site smoke
engulfs region" appearing in the Hindustan Times dated 21.04.2024
Date of hearing: 10.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Court Commissioner: Ms. Katyayni, Adv. (Court Commissioner)
Respondent: Mr. Saurabh Balwani, Adv. for CPCB
Ms. Puja S. Kalra & Mr. Virendra Singh, Advs. with Mr. Mula Singh, EE,
SLF, MCD
Mr. Kush Sharma, Adv. with Mr. Dinesh Jindal, Law Officer, DPCC
(Through VC)
Ms. Jyoti Mendiratta & Ms. Ananya Basudha, Advs. for DM (East)
ORDER
1. In this Original Application, registered suo motu, the Tribunal is broadly considering the issue of management of solid waste in Ghazipur landfill site.
2. In terms of the order dated 07.03.2025 passed by the Tribunal, the Advocate Commissioner had visited the site and submitted the report dated 29.03.2025 and the relevant disclosure made by the learned Advocate Commissioner was extracted by the Tribunal in the proceeding dated 02.04.2025 as under:
i. It is mentioned that the maximum permitted height of the landfill was 40 meters, but due to continuous waste accumulation, it has now exceeded 60 meters. This was recorded on the basis of information provided by Mr. Zawar Kazim, AE (SLF/G).
1 ii. The site is located within a densely populated area, with Hindon River Canal and Drain No. 1 running directly behind it.
iii. The MCD officer present on the spot had informed that in 2019, the total waste at the site was 100 lakh MT, which is now reduced to 85 lakh MT. She has submitted that no documentary proof of this was shown at the time of inspection. iv. Referring to the photograph on page 297, she has pointed out that an area of 5 acres was stated to be reclaimed, but on inspection, it was found that two trommels were operating on the reclaimed area.
v. She has also referred to page 311, which contained reply to as many as 31 questions put by the Advocate Commissioner to the officers on the spot. Referring to Question No. 4 she has stated that, no clear answer in respect to the land recovered has been given and it was only stated that in 5 acres, a significant quantity of legacy waste was removed for WTE plant.
vi. She has also shown photograph no. 9 on page 300, photographs no. 16 and 17 on page 304 and has submitted that the solid waste is spilling over to the canal flowing by the side of landfill site because no boundary wall has been constructed. Similarly, there is no boundary wall towards the road (Slaughter house side).
vii. Referring to photographs no. 10 and 11 on page 301, she has submitted that claim of MCD that 5 Acres of land has been reclaimed is incorrect and it appears that no land has been reclaimed.
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viii. Referring to photograph no. 5 on page 298 she has submitted that the vertical methane vents have been put but there is no system of collecting the methane and the same is being freely released into the atmosphere.
ix. Referring to photograph no. 7 on page 299, she has submitted that the C & D waste has been dumped at various places in the landfill site and also on the top of landfill site. x. Referring to the photograph on page 303, she has submitted that there is no proper facility for management of leachate and the leachate/livestock drain is discharging into drain no. 1 and eventually into river Yamuna. Referring to photograph no. 14 on page 303, she has also submitted that the leachate tank is partially tapped; therefore, the leachate is flowing towards the drain and which is finally flowing towards river Yamuna.
xi. She also pointed out that no lining or base was prepared before starting the dumping at the site, and it being a low-
lying area, the dumping started without any preparation. She further submits that on one side of the landfill there is a fish market, on the other side there is a slaughter house, poultry Mandi and Livestock market. She has submitted that there is a dairy right next to the landfill site from these supply is made to the entire Delhi-NCR Area.
3. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has filed the reply dated 09.07.2025 responding to the observations of the Court Commissioner as under:
" Sl. Observations MCD's Replies
No.
1. Weigh Bridge at the Entrance
1.1 All the unsegregated waste is The waste, in both segregated and
brought by MCD trucks from parts unsegregated forms, is collected 3 of East Delhi by MCD trucks from various parts of East Delhi.
1.2 The trucks are weighed at the Yes, the trucks are weighed at the
bridge to ascertain quantity of bridge to ascertain quantity of
waste per day. waste per day.
1.3 Waste received was around The waste, in the range of 2400-
2361.45 TPD (on inquiry the 2600 MT per day, is collected by
officials reported that Okhla Plant MCD trucks from various parts of
is under some maintenance so all East Delhi in both segregated and
fresh waste is being dumped at unsegregated forms. Out of this,
Ghazipur, even the part that is approximately. 700-1000 MT of
sent to Okhla). waste goes to the WTE plant in
Ghazipur. Approximately. 500-800
MT of waste was going to the WTE
plant Okhla till April 2025 (now
stopped as the requirement is
fulfilled by its surrounding zones.). The rest of the waste goes to the dumpsite.
2. Trommel near the SLF entry Waste processing through Waste processing through biomining was going on at 3 biomining is going on at 3 different different location at the landfill location at the landfill site i.e. near site with the help of trommels and Gate No. 1 (opposite fish mandi), human labour. These two near Gate No. 2 (Live Stock market trommels were seen near the entry side), and near Gate No. 1 of the SLF office (opposite fish (towards Slaughter house side).
mandi) Total 24 Trommels (12 sets of two trommels) are installed at these locations. The bio mining by these trommels, more than 10000 MT waste is being processed and dispose off from the dumpsite.
Relevant photos are attached as Annexure-C It is to be noted that this is the The 5 acre area was partially same area claimed to have been cleared by September 2024. rememdiated and reclaimed from However, due to space constraints the landfill. and in the interest of fire prevention and safe operations, this reclaimed area is currently being utilized for bio-mining and other essential activities. It is evident from pictures that Trommels are stationed on the ground, which exhibit that land is reclaimed.
3. Garland drain for leachate Such drains have been created to The garland drains have been create a passage for leachate, created for a passage for leachate, especially during high flow especially during high flow seasons like monsoon and alter seasons like monsoon and later diverted to the tank. It was diverted to the tank. The collected informed by the MCD officials that leachate is being sent to Okhla the collected leachate is being sent LTP for treatment and some is also to Okhla plant for treatment and used for sprinkling on the landfill.
4some is also used for sprinkling on The drains are utilized fully during the landfill. rainy days.
However, it is pertinent to note that the leachate drain was partially tapped.
4. Heaps of waste on the landfill (Photo only) The heaps of waste are a normal feature at Landfill site.
5. Vertical Methane vents Vertical methane vents could be The Perforated pipes have been seen at few places at the landfill installed in freshly deposited site. It is nom collected but simply MSW to safely release methane let out in the atmosphere. gas, thereby reducing the risk of instant fires due to sudden methane release. The installation of a complete methane collection system is not presently feasible due to space limitations and past unsuccessful attempts at similar projects (e.g. GAIL project).
It is submitted that substantial and effective measures have been implemented to prevent fires at the Ghazipur dumpsite. Notably, since the April 2024 incident, no further fire incidents have occurred, despite challenging heat wave conditions.
6. Cracks develop on the top of the landfill Cracks have developed on top of The Cracks at the landfill site the landfill site (facing the fish commonly develop, which are mandi) rectified as and when noticed. The cracks observed on top of the landfill site (facing the fish mandi) have been rectified by cutting the affected area and terrace type approach has been constructed.
7. C&D Waste Dumped on top Construction and demolition waste The C&D waste and inert material was found dumped at various have been strategically placed at places on the landfill site. It was various points across the landfill informed that C& D waste is kept to assist in fire suppression in to douse off fire. case of any outbreak. This is precautionary measure adopted for controlling fire.
8. Tanker sprinkling waste to mitigate dust Few tankers were noticed Two tankers for sprinkling water sprinkling water on the landfill to mitigate dust pollution are pathways to eliminate dust deployed round the clock in three pollution. shifts of 8 hours.
9. Trommel towards canal/drain I Two trommels were in operation Presently, 8 Trommels (4 sets of on the canal side of the site, two trommels) are operating near where no boundary wall was Gate No. 2 (Live Stock market present. side). For the construction of boundary wall, the UD 5 department of GNCTD has been requested to provide the sufficient budget for construction of boundary wall.
10. On-going Bio mining of waste (at the land claimed to be reclaimed) (Photo only) Due to space constraints and in the interest of fire prevention and safe operations, The previously reclaimed area is currently being utilized for deployment of trommels for bio-mining and other essential activities. Everday around 10,000 MT of waste is bio mined.
11. On-going Bio mining of waste (at the land claimed to be reclaimed) According to MCD, this area is Yes, due to space constraints and claimed to have 5 acres of land in the interest of fire prevention reclaimed from the landfill site. and safe operations, the However, based on both a closer previously reclaimed area is inspection and an aerial view, I currently being utilized for bio- believe that no land has been fully mining and other essential reclaimed at this location. As seen activities. The pics taken by LC in the image, the area remains itself evidences/exhibit that under bio-mining, with two Trommels are stationed on land trommels still in operation. reclaimed. This is due to space constraint.
12. Bio Mining of waste (Photo only) Yes, the Bio-mining is in progress at various locations of the Landfill site Ghazipur.
Approximately 85 lakh MT of waste was available in March 2025. The legacy waste at the site is being systematically bio-mined.
Presently, more than 11000 MT per day is being disposed of from the dumpsite. The targeted timeline for complete clearance is 2028.
13. Bio Mining of waste Bio-mining was in progress on the Bio-mining is in progress on the canal side using two trommels. canal side/ Slaughter house side. Officials stated that an additional Presently, 8 Trommels (4 sets of two trommels would be two trommels) are operating at operational soon. this location.
14. Leachate tank (partially tapped) alongside the livestock drain A leachate tank was positioned Two leachate storage tanks of near a small drain by the livestock 50,000 litres capacity each have market/mandi. Although it was been constructed at two separate claimed that the leachate is being locations on site. All leachate is tapped and diverted to the tank, it collected in these tanks and appeared to be only partially transported to the Okhla Leachate captured. Treatment Plant. A portion of the leachate is also utilized on-site. The issue of leachate discharge into nearby drains has been effectively controlled and tapped.
615. Leachate/livestock drain discharging into Drain No. 1 and eventually into Yamuna ji 15.1 The livestock mandi drain is seen Yes, there is a livestock mandi to exit towards Drain No. 1. located near Drain No. 1, where a drain exits for storm water and for the discharge of the Livestock Market/mandi. This drain is connected to Drain NO. 1.
15.2 A pipe can be noticed protruding The pipe noticed protruding out out from the leachate tank. from the leachate tank during the visit of Hon'ble Court Commissioner has been closed.
Now the leachate has been fully segregated by creating a kuchha drain dedicated for the leachate flowing towards the leachate collection tank. Relevant photos are attached as Annexure-D.
16. No boundary wall towards canal side (Photo only)
17. No boundary wall towards road side (slaughterhouse side) At two locations around the At various points, the boundary landfill site, the boundary wall wall is missing. In this regard, it is was missing-one near the Hindon submitted that correspondence is Canal/Drain No.1 and the other being made with GNCTD for the near the MCD Slaughterhouse. allocation of a budget of Rs. 24.17 This poses a significant risk, as a crores. Recently a letter vide No. potential landfill slide could CE(Project/DEMS/MCD/2025- endanger people and vehicles. 26/SLF/G/D-45 dt. 30/04/2025 Additionally, the lack of a has been written to UD boundary allows unauthorized department for providing the access, raising security concerns necessary budget. and the possibility of miscreants The work of the missing portion of igniting a fire. boundary wall would be taken up as soon as the budget is made available to MCD.
18. Storage of WTE The storage of the WTE was The quantity in the storage of the full (Primary pits and RDF pit- WTE plant depends on the intake total capacity 16000 tons) of waste and its usage. So the quantity in the storage varies from time to time.
19. Power generation at WTE 19.1 WTE is operated by M/s Ever Yes Enviro (2020), installed capacity of 1300 TPD 19.2 Operational capacity is around Operational capacity of WTE Plant 800-850 TPD (it was informed that is approximately 800-850 TPD, very soon the plant will operate at which is the nameplate capacity. full capacity) Presently, the plant is operating at optimal capacity.
19.3 Incinerable waste after Yes segregation is around 400-500 TPD.
19.4 10-11 MW/hour generation, out of Yes this around 8.5 MS/hour is exported to the grid.
719.5 15-18% Ash is produced as by Yes product.
19.6 The fly ash/ash is sent to landfill Yes, the same is used to cover the MSW and on the approach roads.
19.7 Ferrous scrap is extracted from Yes the municipal waste and sold to the local scrap dealer.
20. WTE Plant Waste being segregated through Yes the belt.
21. Segregated waste for incineration Solid waste after segregation Yes (ferrous scrap separated) This waste will be used to feed the Yes furnace to generate power.
22. Leachate Treatment Plant Installed for in House generated Yes leachate only.
23. Treated leachate water Leachate generated at the plant is Yes treated at the in-house facility. And the treated water is used for irrigation, washing and other purposes.
Leachate inlet shows presence of Yes "
chromium, nickel, fluoride, oil and grease, ammoniacal nitrogen (outlet test report indicate that most of the heavy metals and oil & grease become 'BLQ')
4. A perusal of the above reply reveals that though the dump site Ghazipur receives the waste in the range of 2400-2600 MT per day, it is presently processing much lesser quantity, therefore, the untreated waste is adding to the legacy waste. The WTE plant in Ghazipur is presently utilizing only approximately 700-1000 MT of waste daily. The waste, which was going to the WTE Plant at Okhla till April 2025, has stopped. The gap in the receipt and treatment of the solid waste is reflected, yet without disclosing the details of filling this gap and the steps that will be taken to clear the legacy waste, the targeted timeline for complete clearance is stated to be 2028. The MCD is required to give full particulars along with the source of fund, the responsible agency and the phase manner, in which the waste at th quarterly remediated quantities and destinations for transferring mined out fractions 8
5. In the above report, the MCD has stated that through bio-mining by the Trommels, more than 10000 MT of waste is being processed and disposed of from the dump site. The MCD is required to provide full details of the resources available for the bio-mining, their utilisation along with supporting material, as well as the manner of disposal of the bio-mined waste/material in quantifiable terms.
6. The report states that a 5-acre area was partly cleared by September 2024. The MCD is required to disclose how this five-acre area has been cleared when there is a regular addition to the legacy waste on account of gap in waste processing. It is also required to disclose the quantum of waste that is presently lying in the Ghazipur site as legacy waste.
7. In the report, it has been disclosed that leachate collected from the site is sent to the Okhla LTP for treatment. The collection of leachate during the monsoon and post-monsoon period varies. The MCD must disclose the month-wise details of collection of leachate in the previous twelve months and the details of its transportation, such as the number of trucks deployed, their round trips and their capacity.
8. The report of the MCD also states that C&D waste and inert material have been placed at various points across the landfill. Learned Counsel for the MCD submits that to prevent fire, C&D waste has been spread over the dump. If that is so, MCD is required to disclose its feasibility while treating the waste mixed with C&D waste either through biomining or its segregation in Trommel or its use in WTE Plant.
9. In the report, MCD has stated that 8 Trommels are operating at Gate No. 2, therefore, it is required to disclose the operating hours of these Trommels, their capacity and performance, along with supporting 9 material. In paragraph 5.2 of the report, it has been stated that a kaccha drain has been made for leachate flowing towards the leachate collection tank. The possibility of contamination of groundwater and soil by flowing leachate in the kaccha drain exists; therefore, MCD is required to explain this.
10. The MCD in paragraph 19.2 of the report has disclosed the operational capacity of WTE plant as 800-850 TPD. It is required to explain how approximately 700-1000 MT of waste is going to the WTE plant in Ghazipur. The MCD is required to disclose its actual capacity and consented utilisation, along with the supporting materials such as daily electricity generated by it and the details of its utilisation/feeding into the central grid.
11. The above report also states that in the leachate, inlet presence of chromium, nickel, fluoride, oil and Grease, and Ammoniacal Nitrogen has been found in this leachate. The fly ash prepared from this leachate may contain these heavy metals, which is used for some other purposes; therefore, if the testing of the fly ash is done.
12. The MCD is directed to file a fresh report in the form of an affidavit within six weeks, responding to the observations made above.
13. List on 16.10.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Sudhir Agarwal, JM Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM July 10, 2025 Original Application No. 481/2024 dv..
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