Adampur on fire again wks after SC flagged landfill as nat’l case study

Bhopal: A major fire erupted again on Monday afternoon at the contentious Adampur solid waste management landfill site on the outskirts of Bhopal.The blaze broke out around 3 PM within a massive heap of waste, quickly shooting flames nearly 20 feet into the air. Thick black smoke spread across the sky, visible from as far as 10 km, sparking panic in nearby rural areas.The Supreme Court, hearing BMC's plea against a Rs 1.80 crore fine imposed by NGT three years ago for violations, had last month added teeth to the new Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which come into force from April 1, by ordering prosecution of every person,official and authority found contributing, abetting or neglecting in their statutory duties to be liable to be fined.Now on Monday, workers at the landfill alerted fire personnel stationed at the site after the blaze broke out. Four fire tenders already present began tackling the flames, later joined by an additional unit dispatched from the city. Strong winds fueled the fire's rapid spread, forcing firefighters to battle for nearly three hours before bringing it under control. Continuous water spraying from multiple directions eventually subdued the blaze. Commuters along Raisen Road and residents of nearby villages reported alarm as the dense smoke cloud lingered. Landfill staff also worked to clear waste around the fire zone to prevent further spread.The landfill currently holds an estimated thousands of tons of waste, with mounds rising 20–25 feet high. Fires here are frequent, often triggered by summer heat and gases generated within decomposing waste.Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) fire officer Saurabh Patel confirmed that tenders stationed at the site were mobilised immediately, with reinforcements arriving swiftly. Fire brigade teams remain on alert, monitoring the landfill overnight to prevent flare-ups.Concern, Difficulties in Surrounding VillagesNearby rural settlements often bear the brunt of landfill fires. Residents report eye irritation and breathing difficulties from the smoke, which can linger for hours, raising health concerns. A History Of Trial By FiresAdampur Khanti, one of the three places, where E-coli was found in water supply during the water contamination scare, has been marked by multiple fires, court cases and the burden of carrying the city's landfill site in its backyard. In 2023, the central bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) slapped a hefty penalty of Rs 1.80 crore on the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for environmental damage to the city of Bhopal by not adhering to solid waste disposal rules. The BMC went in appeal against the NGT order in the Supreme Court.