Elections may come and go but one problem that has continued to irk Delhi’s voters over the past few decades is the mountains of garbage which continue to grow in its landfill sites at Ghazipur, Okhla, and Bhalswa.
In 2022, Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised to clear the landfill sites of Ghazipur, Okhla, and Bhalswa by 2023 while campaigning for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) poll. However, instead of removal or redevelopment of these sites, the toxic fumes from these garbage dumps have continued to adversely affect the atmosphere of the national capital.
The AAP had come to power after ending 15 year rule of BJP in MCD in December 2023. However, the situation does not seem to be improved as people living near these sites are still struggling with stench and poor living conditions.
Interestingly, AAP is in power in both the MCD and the Delhi government. And the local opposition candidates are likely to point this out to the voters of the area with Delhi Assembly polls just weeks away.
Speaking to Tehelka.com, a local resident said that Bharatiya Janata Party and AAP are busy trading barbs and none of them is stepping up to address the issue.
“As soon as I approach the Ghazipur landfill stretch, I have to hold my breath, the stench is unbearable. While the BJP and AAP are busy trading barbs, neither is stepping up to address the issue,” said Himanshu Rawat.
Same is the situation at Bhalswa landfill area. The residents of Bhalswa are grappling with an insurmountable crisis involving towering garbage and water shortages.
Suman Devi, a long-time resident of the locality here said, “We have no choice but to live here. The landfill is so close to our homes, and it has caused so many health problems. It’s hard to keep our families safe when the air and water are so polluted.”
Another resident of the locality said that the landfill is a symbol of neglect and it’s time the authorities take responsibility.
“The condition here is unbearable. We live amidst waste and filth, and yet, we fight for our basic rights,” Rajesh Yadav said.
Recently, there has been uproar in MCD house over the unfulfilled promises of ruling AAP concerning landfills.
Leader of Opposition in the MCD Raja Iqbal Singh accused the AAP of failing to fulfil its promise of eliminating the Bhalswa landfill by December 2024. Highlighting the party’s “false promises,” the BJP councillor criticised AAP’s handling of Delhi’s landfill crisis and alleged that the city’s waste management has worsened under their governance.
Senior Congress leader Jagjivan Sharma said that the AAP government has made only false promises which were never fulfilled.
“I would just say that this government makes false promises for the electoral benefit and never fulfills them when the time comes. People should compare Congress’ work and AAP Govt work done in Delhi and then they should decide who to vote and bring to power,” Sharma said.
Meanwhile, Amit Kumar, Director (P&I) MCD told Tehelka.com that work is in progress to solve the landfill problems of these areas. “The work is being done and it is in progress,” Kumar said and asked for a detailed query to be submitted.
As per the report by MCD to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) in 2024, the Ghazipur landfill holds 8.40 million tonnes followed by Bhalswa at 5.45 million tonnes and Okhla at 3.4 million tonnes
