Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
During the city’s garbage crisis in 2018, the municipal corporation dumped thousands of metric tonnes of waste (called as legacy waste) in an open space adjacent to the Padegaon waste processing site. However, no further processing of the waste was carried out. The garbage heap has been catching fire intermittently ever since, and for the past eight days, the waste has reportedly been burning continuously.
As a result, more than 50,000 residents in nearby areas have been forced to endure smoke and foul odour. The issue triggered heated discussions during Monday’s standing committee meeting, where corporator Amit Bhuigad warned that he would bring the garbage to the municipal corporation office and set it ablaze there if the issue was not resolved.
A ground report published by Lokmat Times on Monday highlighted the ongoing fire at the garbage dump near the Padegaon depot and detailed the severe hardships faced by local residents due to the smoke pollution. Taking note of the report, Bhuigad questioned the administration over the delay in extinguishing the fire.
He stressed that residents from Mhada Colony, Gloria City, Lalmati, Qasambari Dargah and nearby areas were suffering because of the unbearable smoke and stench, with some even selling their properties and moving away. “Life has become miserable for the citizens,” he remarked.
Deputy Commissioner Nandkishor Bhombe responded that the fire was being controlled daily with the assistance of the fire brigade and assured that the blaze and smoke would be completely brought under control by Tuesday morning.
However, Bhuigad remained unconvinced and reiterated his warning to dump and burn the garbage directly at the municipal corporation office if the situation persisted. He also demanded that the garbage depot be shifted away from residential areas to a remote and uninhabited location.
Methane gas causing recurring fires
According to sources, the waste at the Padegaon site has remained untreated for the past eight years. Over time, methane gas forms naturally within the garbage. During summer, even a slight rise in temperature can ignite the methane, causing spontaneous fires.
Officials said this is precisely what has been happening at the Padegaon dump yard. Even after the fire is extinguished, it reignites the next day because embers continue to smoulder beneath the surface despite repeated water spraying. Sources added that processing the accumulated waste is the only permanent solution available with the municipal corporation.