20200129 Fire at Kalyan dumping ground, twelfth time in four years
India Jan 29 2020 “Other”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire at Kalyan dumping ground, twelfth time in four years
Updated: 2020–01–30
KALYAN: A major fire broke out on two sides of the Adharwadi dumping ground in Kalyan (W) on Wednesday afternoon, causing thick smoke to spread in a 1km radius. Fire officials fighting to control the blaze said it would take another 24 hours to tame the flames.
This is twelfth time in the last four years that this ground caught fire. Locals in the area, that has a number of residential complexes, government offices and schools, complained of breathing problems due to the smoke.
Kalyan fire officials said the fire began around 12.30pm and spread due to heavy wind from the creek-side. Two fire tenders were sent to the spot, but as it spread two more were sent. Several water tankers were also used to control the fire. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) fire officer Namdev Chaudhari said, “All efforts are under way to control the fire. It may take another 24 hours.”
For the last decade, locals have been demanding that the dumping ground be closed as it causes health issues. KDMC began operating the dump in 1984, and around 650 tonnes of waste is dumped there every day.
Locals said the ground was filled to capacity years ago and continued dumping leads to considerable pollution.
To close the Adharwadi dump, KDMC started setting up two waste segregation and composte projects in Umbarde (350 tonnes) and Barave (200 tonnes). Deputy engineer at waste management department, KDMC, Milind Gaikwad, said: “The Umbarde project is complete. The Barave one is on hold as locals moved court against it. Once the road-widening at Umbarde is done by March this year, work on the site will start.” Another KDMC official said for the Adharwadi ground to be closed, locals will have to wait four to five years till the Barave project is complete. – Pradeep Gupta
Web Source: The times of India