NHRC notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman, DPCC on reported fire and pollution due to slow pace of cleaning garbage heaps at Ghazipur and Bhalaswa landfill sites

New Delhi, 31st March, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report on the alleged slow pace of cleaning garbage heaps at Ghazipur and Bhalaswa landfill sites in Delhi. Reportedly, these catch fire every summer causing lot of hazardous air pollution the national capital.

Expressing serious concern, the Commission has issued notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairperson, Delhi Pollution Control Committee calling for a detail report in the matter within four weeks.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has observed that every human being has the basic human right to breathe clean air and live in a pollution free environment. Inhalation of toxic air and living in the polluted environment is a serious threat to people’s Right to Life and Right to Health.

The Commission has also observed that State is duty bound to take all appropriate steps to alleviate the sufferings of the common man by controlling and minimizing the pollution levels in Delhi, which does not appear to have been done as yet.

Reportedly, going by the present pace of clearing the garbage, the local population will be exposed to serious health hazards in the years to come. The hot winds will aggravate the fire and polluted air spread the adjoining areas leading to breathing problems.

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