In a decisive move to tackle one of the major contributors to air pollution i.e. open burning of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) /Open biomass generating Particulate Matter (PM₁₀& PM_2.5) and other harmful gaseous pollutants (NO₂, SO₂, CO, Dioxins, Furans, etc.) in the region, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) via Direction No. 91 has issued comprehensive directions under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021, aimed at eliminating fire incidents in Sanitary Landfill (SLF) sites, dumpsites, and open burning of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)/ biomass across the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Commission has directed the concerned agencies in the NCR to take appropriate actions under two broad categories with a view to prevent fire incidents and resultant high levels of air pollution:

I. Management of legacy waste at Sanitary Landfill Sites and Dumpsites – prevention of fire incidents

All concerned agencies as mentioned under various statutes relating to solid waste management have been directed to ensure compliance with the Statutory Directions of the Commission. The Commission emphasizes that these directions are in addition to the existing directions issued by the Hon’ble Courts, MoEF&CC, CPCB or any other authority.

Further, all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for the respective NCR areas, have to submit a consolidated State wide report on prevention and control of sanitary landfill site and dumpsite fires and open Municipal Solid Waste/ Bio-mass burning in Delhi-NCR to the Commission in a prescribed format for the Quarterly Report. Non-compliance of the Directions of the Commission shall attract penal action in terms of Clause 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

With this direction, the Commission seeks to bring uniform enforcement, improved risk preparedness, and enhanced accountability across the region.

The Commission calls upon all stakeholders — especially Urban Local Bodies, SPCBs/ DPCC and other concerned agencies in NCR to ensure rigorous and strict implementation of the directions for preventing/ eliminating open burning of miscellaneous solid waste and to control the incidences of fires in the SLFs and MSW dumpsites.

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VM/GS

Incidences Press Release