GPCB issues notice to SMC over Khajod fires

Surat: The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) for continued violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules at its Khajod waste disposal and recovery facility near the city, following a series of recent fire incidents.In the notice, the Board said the civic body failed to comply with earlier directions and remained in violation despite repeated warnings. The action follows inspections conducted on March 24, 27 and 28, 2026, after complaints of air pollution and foul odour from nearby areas.During the March 24 visit, officials found a major fire engulfing nearly 10,000 sq m at the front of the site, with smoke drifting in the southern downwind direction. The burning waste — including plastic and mixed municipal solid waste — was causing severe environmental pollution. Nine fire tenders were deployed at the time.Inspectors also noted unscientific dumping of mixed waste near the processing area, with heaps 2 to 5 metres high, no daily soil cover and absence of a leachate collection system.A follow-up inspection on March 27 revealed that the fire had spread further, affecting both sides of the processing area and the rear of the active landfill, covering around 20,000 sq m. The Board said 20 fire tenders were pressed into service between March 24 and 27. It also flagged the absence of records on waste received and processed.On March 28, officials visited Dipli village, about 1.5km from the site, and observed smoke drifting into residential areas. Residents were exposed to whitish smoke and foul odour. Air quality readings showed PM2.5 at 175 µg/m³ and PM10 at 203 µg/m³, indicating severe deterioration.The Board has asked SMC to explain why environmental damage compensation should not be imposed and why it should not be directed to open a ring-fenced account for legacy waste management.It also directed immediate steps to stop waste burning, prevent leachate runoff, remove contaminated wastewater, process all legacy waste at the site by Oct 2026, and submit a time-bound compliance plan within 15 days.