Residents said that with the onset of summer, such incidents could become a recurring nightmare
Gurgaon: More than 24 hours after flames first erupted at the Bandhwari landfill around 2 pm on Wednesday, the site continues to emit thick plumes of smoke, indicating that the fire remains active beneath the surface, smouldering through layers of waste.Fire brigades continued to arrive on Thursday afternoon, battling flames that have been subdued at the front but continue to rage unchecked at the rear of the landfill.MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the situation is under control, even as personnel stationed at Bandhwari admitted that conditions remain precarious.According to fire department officials, a crucial fire safety scheme, meant to be implemented by MCG four years ago, still exists only on paper. A committee constituted by National Green Tribunal in Oct 2022 drafted a fire safety plan for the site, which suggested installing methane gas detectors, monitoring the temperature at windrows with an infrared thermometer, and spraying treated leachate water on the waste when temperatures rise.
Its absence is now exacting a tangible cost, they said.Firefighters on-site described working under near-impossible conditions. Three fire brigades have already been rendered non-operational. “The reason: vehicles designed for stable, concrete terrain are being forced onto unstable landfill surfaces, leading to severe damage,” said Jai Narayan, fire safety officer.“Landfill fires continue for days. We are continuously sending fire brigades to the site.
If left unattended, plastic and other waste beneath the top layers — which have been extinguished — can reignite. So we cannot take that risk until the fire is fully controlled,” he added.Residents said that with the onset of summer, such incidents could become a recurring nightmare.“Our suffering is neither seen nor acknowledged by any govt authority. We are forced to breathe this toxic air. A meeting of villagers was convened today (Thursday), and we are still deciding on the further course of action.
Previous assurances by the ULB minister and MCG have not been fulfilled, so we will now take matters into our own hands,” said Manoj, a resident of Bandhwari.Maan Singh, a worker at the site, said, “Firefighting operations are ongoing, as the fire is still smouldering at the rear. Efforts are being made continuously to control the situation.”Dahiya held a meeting with concerned officials and reviewed the sequence of events.
He issued clear instructions to put in place all necessary and permanent arrangements at the plant to prevent such incidents from recurring.He directed officials to ensure regular and periodic water sprinkling on the waste heap, along with the effective implementation of other safety measures to minimise the risk of fire outbreaks. Fire department officials reiterated that MCG should have implemented the fire safety scheme designed years ago.On Thursday, the commissioner also issued an order implementing an immediate duty roster to ensure continuous surveillance and rapid response at the landfill — a measure that was also introduced following a fire incident in April 2025.Additional commissioner Ravinder Yadav and chief engineer Vijay Dhaka will oversee overall monitoring of the site.The order mandates that officials remain physically present during duty hours and conduct regular inspections of fire-prone and vulnerable areas. It also emphasises maintaining the operational readiness of firefighting equipment, including tankers and emergency response systems.Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant for early signs of smoke or heat build-up and to coordinate promptly with the fire department and other agencies in case of any incident.
