The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued Statutory Direction to eliminate the open burning of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and prevent fire incidents at Sanitary Landfill (SLF) sites and dumpsites.
The directive outlines a two-pronged approach to curb the release of harmful pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, SO₂, CO, Dioxins, and Furans, which are commonly emitted from waste burning.
I. Tackling Legacy Waste and Preventing Landfill Fires
CAQM has instructed NCR states and agencies to intensify efforts to manage legacy waste at landfill and dumpsite locations through the following measures:
- Identification and risk assessment of all landfill sites.
- Bio-mining and bio-remediation of old waste piles, in line with time-bound plans approved by the Supreme Court.
- Mandatory CCTV surveillance, proper fencing, and installation of methane gas detectors to monitor potential fire hazards.
- Thermal monitoring using non-contact infrared thermometers to track temperature deviations.
- Increased patrolling, especially at night, to prevent unauthorized access.
- Quarterly fire safety audits and regular mock drills.
- Provision of adequate fire-fighting infrastructure, such as hydrants, water tankers, earthmovers, and chemical fire extinguishers.
- PPE kits and safety training for all workers handling waste at these sites.
II. Managing Fresh MSW to Prevent Open Burning
To address the frequent open burning of fresh municipal and biomass waste, CAQM directed strict compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and introduced the following actions:
- Comprehensive collection, segregation, and processing of MSW.
- Enhanced night-time surveillance at vulnerable points, particularly during winter.
- Zero-tolerance enforcement at collection centers and transit points.
- Increased patrolling by enforcement teams to catch violations.
- Year-round processing of horticultural waste, especially during the autumn season.
- Active public awareness campaigns and engagement with RWAs, shopkeepers, and local associations to discourage open burning.
- Regular capacity-building programs for sanitation workers.
Strict Monitoring and Accountability
All Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have been directed to submit quarterly compliance reports to CAQM. Failure to comply may invite penal action under Clause 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021.
CAQM has reiterated that these directions are supplementary to existing guidelines and court orders, and aims to bring uniformity in enforcement, enhance accountability, and improve fire-risk preparedness across the NCR.
The Commission has urged all stakeholders to strictly implement these directives to prevent environmental degradation caused by open waste burning and fires at landfill sites.
