80 hutments gutted in Sector 102 blaze

FIREFIGHTERS SAID THAT 15 SMALL GAS CYLINDERS THAT WERE USED BY RESIDENTS EXPLODED, FUELLING THE FIRE

- Leena Dhankhar

Leena Dhankhar [e-mail] GURUGRAM: Two days after firefighters doused the flames at the Bandhwari landfill, the site continues to smoulder, blanketing nearby localities in thick, toxic smoke. The persistent fumes are leading to deteriorating air quality and have triggered widespread health concerns, particularly in areas surrounding the landfill. Gurugram recorded an air quality index of 270, classified as "poor", whereas neighbouring Delhi and UP districts recorded "moderate" AQIs.

The blaze, which began on April 26, has consumed over 3.5 lakh litres of water so far. Despite round-the-clock deployment of fire tenders and civic teams working for extended hours, the fire's after-effects remain unabated.

Adding to the crisis, another massive fire broke out at the Dhanwapur garbage dumping site near Khandsa at 3.30am on Tuesday. The blaze reduced four acres of mixed solid waste to ashes and destroyed the makeshift homes of several ragpicker families. Residents, already struggling with foul air from Bandhwari, are now contending with the toxic haze from a second site. Despite warnings to the authorities about the dangers of unchecked open dumping next to Khandsa Mandi and residential colonies, preventive measures were not taken.