Bhalswa landfill is an overfilled landfill waste dumping site in Delhi, India; it is over Template:Convert high. The site opened in 1994 and was declared overfilled in 2006, but remains in use, receiving more than 2,300 tons dumped daily in 2021.[1][2] In 2022, the heap measured over 62 meters (203 feet).[3]
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has set a target to completely flatten and clear the Bhalswa site by December 2026 as part of its broader plan to eliminate Delhi's major landfills, alongside Okhla and Ghazipur.[4][5] Recent biomining operations at Bhalswa have been described as "rapid transformation" with the site's daily processing capacity increasing significantly as part of efforts to reclaim the land from the accumulated solid waste.[6] In addition to clearing legacy waste, the site has been designated as an emerging pollution hotspot, prompting intensified dust control and monitoring directives from city authorities to address environmental impacts.[7] The MCD has also invited proposals for the future use of land reclaimed from Bhalswa and other landfill sites, including potential development of parks, gaming zones, and other public or commercial facilities once remediation is complete.[8] The Delhi government and the MCD are also considering developing a new Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) on reclaimed land at the Bhalswa landfill. A feasibility study is being prepared to assess the proposal, which aims to reduce congestion at the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and improve inter-state bus operations.[9]
Impact
The site is a major source of environmental pollution, fire hazards, and public health and safety issues.[10][11][12] A 2022 study of groundwater surrounding the nearby Bhalswa Lake found none of the water was fit for consumption.[13] Prime Minister Modi has included removal of landfills in India's Clean India Mission.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Delhi's dilemma: What to do with its tonnes of waste?. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ↑ Vital to a clean world, scavengers left to plead for vaccine. The Frederick News Post(31 March 2021). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A trash heap 62 meters high shows the scale of India's climate challenge. CNN(11 December 2022).
- ↑ MCD seeks proposals for reuse of reclaimed landfill sites. The Times of India(2025-09-20). Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ↑ MCD's Biggest 2026 Challenge: Flattening Of 2 Of Its 3 Landfills. The Times of India(2026-01-02). Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ↑ Bhalswa Landfill: Speedy Bio-Mining Advances Towards Landmark Transformation | Science-Environment. Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ↑ Sood flags Bhalswa as emerging pollution hot spot, orders urgent dust control. Hindustan Times(2025-11-14). Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ↑ Gaming zones, parks: What MCD plans to do after legacy landfill sites are cleared in Delhi. The Indian Express(2025-09-27). Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ↑ Delhi govt, MCD look into ISBT at reclaimed Bhalswa landfill site. Hindustan Times(2026-02-02). Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ↑ Bachaikari of Bhalswa: Narratives of Waste Pickers from a Delhi Landfill. The Wire India.
- ↑ India's Mountains of Biomedical Waste. Global Health NOW.
- ↑ Satellite data finds landfills are methane 'super emitters'. Traverse City Record Eagle(11 August 2022). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ↑ Physicochemical Analysis of Groundwater Quality in the Vicinity of Bhalswa Lake in North West Delhi, India. Journal of Engineering Research({Template:Date).
Further reading
- Journals
- Chhibber, B. (2015). Challenges And Policy Responses To Hazardous Waste Management. World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues, 19(2), 86–99.
- Schindler, S., Demaria, F., & Pandit, S. B. (2012). Delhi's Waste Conflict. Economic and Political Weekly, 47(42), 18–21.
- News
- People living near Bhalswa landfill wait for clean streets to walk.
- Express Investigation: In groundwater near a Delhi landfill, heavy metals like lead and cadmium.
- Delhi: Massive fire breaks out in Bhalswa landfill; locals report breathing problem.
- Bhalswa landfill: a scar on residents' lives.
- Landfill shatters hopes of Bhalswa's men to find brides.
- In Pics: Residents Continue To Gasp For Clean Air As Bhalswa Landfill Site Remains On Fire. India Times(May 5, 2022).
- 9 days on, Delhi's Bhalswa landfill still on fire, DFS says longest operation yet.
- Bhalswa Landfill Symbolises BJP's "Mountain Of Failure".
- Delhi: Bhalswa fire releases toxic chemicals; locals demand landfill removal. Live Mint.
- Video
- Video: 15-stories-tall trash heap shows scale of India's waste crisis. CNN.
- Bachaikari of Bhalswa: Narratives of Waste Pickers from a Delhi Landfill. The Wire(November 16, 2022).
- Fire shrouds huge New Delhi landfill in smoke. NBC News(December 22, 2022).
External links
- S. Goswami and S. Basak. (May 27, 2021). Living Near Urban Landfills in India.
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