CitizensForCleanAirBharat

Citizen movement to reduce NCR Gurugram Air Pollution. Ground level experience since 2012. Making Civic authorities to act by highlighting problems & solutions.

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

Khandsa MCG Waste Collection and Dumping Site, Sector 37 Gurugram Waste Fire | Day 3 #Update

The fire at Gurugram’s designated municipal waste collection and dumping site in Khandsa continues to generate significant smoke impacts for nearby residents.

Current status:
• Fire brigade teams remain engaged in firefighting operations.
• MCG has deployed smog guns to support suppression efforts.
• Residents in surrounding areas continue to report smoke exposure.

The deployment of more than #100firetenders over three days underscores the severity and scale of this incident. The continuing smoke, extensive spread of smouldering industrial and municipal waste, and sustained emergency response reflect a major environmental event with implications for air quality, public health and waste-management governance.

While recognising the extraordinary round-the-clock efforts of #firefighters and the arrangements being made by MCG officials for waste clearance and fire suppression, this episode once again raises #criticalquestions.

Why does a designated Municipal Corporation waste facility continue to remain vulnerable to fires of this magnitude? Why are waste storage and handling practices still failing to eliminate recurring fire risks? Why does Haryana continue to rely on centralised collect-transport-dump models that concentrate enormous volumes of mixed waste at single locations, despite years of evidence that such systems create persistent #pollution and #firehazards? And why have best practices for waste segregation, decentralised processing and scientific waste management and industrial waste management not yet been implemented at the scale required?

Once the fire is extinguished, a transparent investigation should assess the emissions released, the waste involved, the reasons for the fire’s scale and persistence, and compliance with applicable waste-management and environmental regulations and future preparedness to prevent such health and environmental hazards

Whether #smouldering, #burnt or #unburnt, the waste accumulated at this site represents a significant #pollutionlegacy for Gurugram.

@NayabSainiBJP ji @cmohry @csharyana We hope @MunCorpGurugram is provided the resources and support necessary to establish decentralised waste-management systems, reduce the burden on centralised dumping sites, and implement best practices for waste segregation and storage.

We also hope @HspcbS receives the necessary direction and empowerment to effectively monitor industrial waste management and investigate longstanding concerns regarding waste disposed of at this site.

Previous updates:

#Day1 : https://t.co/39uO9a7OJU

#Day2 : https://t.co/tUH2r9LT42

@Haryana_spcb @DC_Gurugram @gurgaonpolice @ulbharyana @InfrageoHaryana

#AirPollution #WasteFire #PublicHealth #Gurugram #Haryana #Accountability #Jawabdehi

@MoHFW_INDIA @MoHUA_India @moefcc @PrinSciAdvGoI @India_NHRC @avneeshkhandsa @PTI_News @PradeepIAS_HR

[Ruchika Sethi @SethiRuchikaT]

On World Environment Day, Gurgaon residents continue to face persistent air pollution and recurring waste fires in their neighbourhoods.

Khandsa Khatta fire aftermath: even after 24–30 hours, smoke continued in the area. MCG Joint Commissioner was present on site for supervision

Can’t say this enough- @cmohry @MoHUA_India must empower local administration @MunCorpGurugram @DC_Gurugram @HspcbS to execute decentralised, scientific waste management and ensure strict enforcement of Industrial waste and municipal waste handling.

We are repeatedly exposed to smoke from waste burning in our city and this happens to be a designated municipal dump site.

Waste fires - public health hazard -affecting everyday life in Gurugram. Infact citizens across india stand weaker in health with exposure to the carcinogens released from burning plastic waste

@CAQM_Official @CPCB_OFFICIAL
@HspcbS

Sharing yesterday’s detailed ground update for context:

https://t.co/BstD4sCTao

And on World Environment Day, the word ‘environment’ feels disconnected from the lived reality in our neighbourhoods.😔

#WorldEnvironmentDay #Gurgaon #AirPollution #WasteManagement #PublicHealth

@mlkhattar @NayabSainiBJP
@Rao_InderjitS @RaoNarbir @avneeshkhandsa

[puneet mehta @puneet_mehta]

@cleanAirBharat @cmohry @sumedhasharma86 @MihikaShahh @berwaltweets @BhavreenMK @hridayeshjoshi @AB_Hazardous @snehamordani @GauriSarin @avneeshkhandsa There has been daily plastic and garbage burning in sector 81, and no official is bothered to look into it. Lives at stake here

[Ruchika Sethi @SethiRuchikaT]

Khandsa waste fire and Bandhwari are not separate stories.

They are part of the same system.

One shows fire and smoke. #toxicair
The other shows what it means to live with it every day and the leachate #toxicwater

In Bandhwari, a father breaks down speaking about his son’s cancer. A villager says:

“हमें बेवकूफ़ बनाया गया है…”

Across these sites, the core issue is not just response to fires and waste dumps - it is the scale of waste being generated, how it is managed, and what it is doing to public health and the environment.

We also need to understand something important: when such incidents are properly examined and their scale and impact are clearly understood, it helps ensure that local authorities can actually be supported with the right attention, resources, and response capacity.

In other words, transparency is not about blame. It is about strengthening systems so that cities are better equipped to respond, prevent recurrence, and protect public health.

We need to seriously ask:
How much waste is avoidable?
How much can be reduced, segregated, and safely processed?
And what systems are required to ensure this does not repeatedly end in fires and exposure?

After the Khandsa fire, we have written to MCG, HSPCB and other authorities seeking clarity on waste composition, emissions, health advisories, monitoring, and prevention systems.

If we do not reduce the problem at source, we will keep managing its consequences.

These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a structural gap that needs urgent attention.

#Khandsa #Bandhwari #Gurugram #Haryana #WasteManagement #PublicHealth #AirPollution #WasteMinimization

@MoHUA_India @moefcc @ulbharyana @cmohry @MunCorpGurugram @DC_Gurugram @OfficialGMDA
@CAQM_Official @PrinSciAdvGoI
@CPCB_OFFICIAL

@avneeshkhandsa @priyanka_dmehta

https://t.co/3jtzAfYHYI

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

200 fire tenders deployed and 15–18 hours of constrained response, with initial firefighting operations limited due to inability to enter the site.

The disaster management response system should have been activated in time. This incident should be examined as a case study to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and response capacity - including at the level of the CMO and Environment Ministry.

Deeply concerned for Khandsa villagers and residents, and the wider Gurugram community affected by prolonged exposure.

https://t.co/FYs6ZvSY36

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

The Sector 37C / Khandsa waste fire has received media coverage, but several critical questions remain unanswered.

Residents endured days of smoke while 200 fire tenders were reportedly deployed. Yet there has been no detailed explanation from Municipal Corporation Gurugram or the Haryana State Pollution Control Board regarding the waste involved, emissions released, health impacts, and accountability.

Importantly, was any health advisory issued to Khandsa villagers and shopkeepers, or evacuation guidance provided on day one when the fire continued raging through 15+ hours and beyond, with 100+ tenders already deployed?

Questions regarding industrial waste management at this site have been raised for years. If concerns existed about industrial waste collection, segregation, and handling, what action was taken? Were previous warnings and notices acted upon?

This was not only a firefighting issue- It is a public-health, environmental, and governance issue.

The public deserves transparency, a thorough investigation, and clear answers.

@CAQM_Official @CPCB_OFFICIAL @moefcc @HspcbS @MunCorpGurugram @DC_Gurugram @DC_Gurugram

#Gurugram #WasteFire #IndustrialWaste #AirPollution #PublicHealth #Accountability #GurgaonWasteFires

[Chandra @Chandra47434701]

Until dumping of waste is stopped such fires will reoccurr in regular intervals & public health menace will persist.@caqm @mlkhattar @byadavbjp @MoHUA_India @sumedhasharma86.Remedy lies in source segregation,composting,biomethanation,cutting down plastic..

[Kavita @Kavita03348721]

@cleanAirBharat @ArunYadav0007 @cmohry @sumedhasharma86 @MihikaShahh @berwaltweets @BhavreenMK @hridayeshjoshi @AB_Hazardous @snehamordani @GauriSarin @avneeshkhandsa Inspite of previous waste fires at the waste Khatta, the incident happened again
Where r the officials?
Is there no one to take responsibility of waste management in the city
Is there an elected councillor any mayor, minister in the city?
Why is peoples health being undermined?

[Manas Human @manashuman]

Indian parents, solid waste mismanagement is one reason why your kids may want to live in another country. As @RaoNarbir also said, illegal plastic waste is also a big cause of #airpollution, because it is mostly burned, releasing dangerous toxins.

[Ruchika Sethi @SethiRuchikaT]

200 fire tenders deployed and 15–18 hours of constrained response, with initial firefighting operations limited due to inability to enter the site.

The disaster management response system should have been activated in time. This incident should be examined as a case study to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and response capacity - including at the level of the CMO and Environment Ministry.

Deeply concerned for Khandsa villagers and residents, and the wider Gurugram community affected by prolonged exposure.

@DC_Gurugram @MunCorpGurugram
@HspcbS @Haryana_spcb
@CPCB_OFFICIAL @CAQM_Official
@ndmaindia

@Rao_InderjitS ji @RaoNarbir ji :for information and coordination support and empower the local administration @PradeepIAS_HR @ulbharyana @csharyana

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

The Sector 37C / Khandsa waste fire has received media coverage, but several critical questions remain unanswered.

Residents endured days of smoke while 200 fire tenders were reportedly deployed. Yet there has been no detailed explanation from Municipal Corporation Gurugram or the Haryana State Pollution Control Board regarding the waste involved, emissions released, health impacts, and accountability.

Importantly, was any health advisory issued to Khandsa villagers and shopkeepers, or evacuation guidance provided on day one when the fire continued raging through 15+ hours and beyond, with 100+ tenders already deployed?

Questions regarding industrial waste management at this site have been raised for years. If concerns existed about industrial waste collection, segregation, and handling, what action was taken? Were previous warnings and notices acted upon?

This was not only a firefighting issue- It is a public-health, environmental, and governance issue.

The public deserves transparency, a thorough investigation, and clear answers.

@CAQM_Official @CPCB_OFFICIAL @moefcc @HspcbS @MunCorpGurugram @DC_Gurugram @DC_Gurugram

#Gurugram #WasteFire #IndustrialWaste #AirPollution #PublicHealth #Accountability #GurgaonWasteFires

[Jett @bhadana]

Thank you, My Lord, for keeping the Aravali shield zone intact and giving NCR a chance to survive till 2041.

I know trees are less fashionable than water sprinklers and smoke-sucking machines, but this mercy on the Aravalis feels nothing short of divine grace.

[Aditi Gupta @AditiGupta93]

@cleanAirBharat Same situation in sector 23 market as well.

[Aditi Gupta @AditiGupta93]

@MunCorpGurugram Day 5 of asking for masks and safety equipment for MCG workers and contractors. Their lung health matters. @cleanAirBharat @DC_Gurugram @AjayKumarIAS13 @PradeepIAS_HR @OfficialGMDA @ulbharyana @CPCB_OFFICIAL @leenadhankhar @mohitkumar369 #ShameOnMCG

[Gargi Rawat @GargiRawat]

For 3 days at age is burning, smouldering.. a you imagine the amount of toxic air pollution being released! Health crisis for those nearby #Gurugram #AirPollution #Haryana

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

MCG “fines” and “compensation” aren’t paid by ministers, officials or contractors. They are paid from public money.

Residents pay once through taxes, again through penalties arising from mismanagement, and a third time through the health impacts of pollution episodes such as this massive fire at the MCG waste collection and dumping site, unsanitary conditions in the markets as well as ongoing exposure to landfill leachate, dust, smoke and microplastic contamination.

#Jawabdehi #Gurugram #PublicHealth #WasteFire #Sanitation #GlobalCity #Taxpayer

@moefcc @CAQM_Official @CPCB_OFFICIAL @NayabSainiBJP @Rao_InderjitS @RaoNarbir

@Saumyacritic @AmarUjalaNews

[Bhavreen Kandhari @BhavreenMK]

Open garbage concessionaire truck/dust flying & residents left breathing it in. This is Arjun Marg, Defence Cly. Clearly SWM Rules exist on paper while @MCD_Delhi looks away. @SwachSurvekshan, perhaps it's time to step outside Navjivan Vihar & see reality across Delhi.

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

Why are food vendors and shopkeepers not being held accountable for violating Solid Waste Management Rules? Mixed waste is being dumped openly, worsening littering and pollution in Sector 56 HUDA Market.

Requesting immediate inspection and strict enforcement.

#Littering #WasteCrisis #Pollution #Sector56 #HUDAMarket

@MunCorpGurugram @HspcbN

[jagritijagat @jjagriti]

@MunCorpGurugram @OfficialGMDA @cmohry what is the the cleaning staff getting there salary for #hudamatket #sector56 @SwachSurvekshan . Why are single use still not banned in our city and why are there no action even now for reducing waste @CPCB_OFFICIAL @cleanAirBharat

[Mohit Gupta @mohitgupta1962]

The morning after the weekly mandi in my area. Why is the POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE never applied here? Vendors pay fees but leave behind a battlefield of trash for municipal workers to clear. We need strict enforcement and accountability! 🧹 @MC_Panchkula
@SwachhBharatGov

[Warrior Moms @Warriormomsin]

As long as waste segregation, decentralised processing & scientific disposal remain on paper, these disasters will keep repeating.
Once the flames are out, accountability cannot be extinguished with them. We deserve a transparent investigation, public disclosure of emissions, and a time bound plan to prevent another toxic dump fire. @PMOIndia

[Hridayesh Joshi @hridayeshjoshi]

गुरुग्राम के खांडसा डंपिंग साइट पर तीन दिन से जल रही आग केवल एक अग्निकांड नहीं, बल्कि हमारी कचरा प्रबंधन व्यवस्था की विफलता का प्रतीक है। 100 से अधिक फायर टेंडरों की तैनाती इस संकट की गंभीरता को दर्शाती है। सवाल यह है कि वर्षों से ज्ञात जोखिमों के बावजूद हम अब भी centralised collect-transport-dump ["इकट्ठा करो-ढोओ-फेंको"] मॉडल पर क्यों निर्भर हैं? हर ऐसी आग जहरीले धुएँ के रूप में नागरिकों के फेफड़ों में प्रवेश करती है। समाधान केवल आग बुझाना नहीं, बल्कि स्रोत पर कचरा को अलग करना (segregation) , प्रोसेसिंग और वैज्ञानिक तरीके से ठोस कचरा प्रबंधन को तत्काल लागू करना है। स्वच्छ हवा ज़रूरी है और इसके लिए जवाबदेही भी

[CitizensForCleanAirBharat @cleanAirBharat]

MCG “fines” and “compensation” aren’t paid by ministers, officials or contractors. They are paid from public money.

Residents pay once through taxes, again through penalties arising from mismanagement, and a third time through the health impacts of pollution episodes such as this massive fire at the MCG waste collection and dumping site, unsanitary conditions in the markets as well as ongoing exposure to landfill leachate, dust, smoke and microplastic contamination.

#Jawabdehi #Gurugram #PublicHealth #WasteFire #Sanitation #GlobalCity #Taxpayer

@moefcc @CAQM_Official @CPCB_OFFICIAL @NayabSainiBJP @Rao_InderjitS @RaoNarbir

@Saumyacritic @AmarUjalaNews

[Bhavreen Kandhari @BhavreenMK]

Ground reality⬇️