Noida's Horticulture Waste Crisis: Fires and Health Hazards Plague Residents
In Greater Noida, mounds of horticulture waste dumped near Junpat village have escalated into a critical health hazard, affecting nearly 20,000 residents across Mu 2, Theta 2, and adjacent villages such as Thapkheda, Makoda, and Jaitpur. The situation has been exacerbated by recent fires, with one blaze smouldering for nearly a week, releasing toxic smoke and fumes into the air.
Recurring Fires and Environmental Impact
Dry, windy weather and rising temperatures between January and April frequently ignite horticultural waste, leading to persistent fires. Last week, a fire at the Junpat dumping site required extensive efforts from the fire department to control, with deep pits on the lot slowing progress. By Wednesday, officials reported the blaze was largely contained, though some spots continued to smoulder. The exact cause remains unknown, and no case has been registered.
This incident mirrors past events, including a major blaze in March at a Sector 32 dumping site near the ISKCON temple, which took 10 days to contain. A similar fire at the same location in 2024 also required over a week to extinguish, highlighting a recurring problem in the region.
Health Complaints and Resident Frustrations
Residents have voiced severe health concerns due to the waste dumping. Mohit Bhati, a Junpat village resident, expressed frustration over the continued disposal of waste merely 400 meters from the village, despite multiple requests for intervention from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). He reported that smoke and fumes from the recent fire have caused breathing difficulties and eye irritation among locals.
"The foul smell from the waste is all-pervasive, making the situation unbearable," Bhati added, emphasizing the lack of effective measures to address the issue.
Authorities' Response and Broader Issues
GNIDA officials attributed the illegal dumping to locals rather than their contractors, pledging to investigate and resolve the matter promptly. However, complaints have also emerged from other areas, such as Noida's Film City (Sector 16A) and Sector 51, where residents noted vacant plots and roadsides being used for horticulture waste disposal, with fires exacerbating air quality issues.
On Wednesday afternoon, commuters in Sectors 16 and 51 navigated through thick smoke, with strong winds spreading the smog farther, forcing passersby to cover their faces. Sanjeev Kumar, RWA general secretary for blocks C to F in Sector 51, linked the problem to a recent sanitation workers' strike, which has led to filth accumulation.
"Whenever there's heavy leaf fall, these fires erupt, and air quality plummets, making it unbearable for us," Kumar stated, echoing demands for immediate action from local authorities to mitigate the health and environmental risks.
