New Delhi: Quashing all allegations from the opposition in Delhi, AAP Minister Atishi said that the height and width of garbage mountains are continuously decreasing under AAP's regime. She added that it will take some time for the party to clear the 15 year of mess that the BJP has spread in Delhi. A massive fire has continued to engulf the Ghazipur landfill site in the National Capital since Sunday evening. Delhi Police has filled an FIR against unknown persons linked with landfill fire incident, reported PTI. The police said that an investigation is underway after registering a case at Ghazipur Police Station under sections 336 (endangering the safety of others) and 278 (creating a harmful environment) of the law. 


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With efforts underway to extinguish the flames of the dumping ground, the political blame-game has taken centre stage. As nearby residents are complaining of breathing difficulties this situation is not new. Last year, a similar blaze on March 28 required over 50 hours to be fully extinguished. In 2017, two people lost their lives when a portion of the garbage from the dumping yard collapsed onto an adjacent road.



What Is The Current Situation?  


Delhi Fire Service SO Naresh Kumar, while talking to ANI, said that there were no casualties. He mentioned that they received a call around 6 pm regarding the fire at the Ghazipur landfill, and 10 fire tenders were deployed, with four of them operating on the upper side of the mountain and the bowsers stationed at the bottom. He noted that the fire broke out due to gas produced in the landfill.  



In a post on X, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said that, as per instructions, all officers are present on the spot and everything is under control.  



Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Aaley Muhammad Iqbal, who was among those present at the spot, said in a post on X that he has inspected the site and given instructions to the officials, and five excavators are deployed at the scene. He further informed that the fire broke out due to the hot and dry weather.  


A Delhi Fire Services official told PTI, "We received a call regarding the blaze at 5.22 pm, and initially two fire tenders were pressed into service. Later, six more fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Firefighters are trying to douse the flames.  


Political Finger-Pointing Intensifies  


The political barb exchange between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) began soon after the incident. BJP leader Kapil Mishra, in a post on social media platform 'X', hit out at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. He wrote, “... Fraud Arvind Kejriwal fought the MCD elections by showing the photo of this Ghazipur landfill. This smoke is as poisonous as Kejriwal's lies and is endless.”  



Praveen Shankar Kapoor, spokesperson for the Delhi BJP, stated that the landfill fire has resulted in widespread smoke, causing discomfort for both residents and businesses in the vicinity. Despite Delhi CM’s promises to clear the landfill site by December 31 of the previous year, ahead of the 2022 MCD elections, the situation has worsened, with additional garbage being added instead of being cleared, reported PTI, citing a statement from the party.