Bhalswa landfill

Bhalswa landfill is an overfilled landfill waste dumping site in Delhi, India; it is over 60 metres (200 ft) 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

  1. ^ Brown, William. "Delhi's dilemma: What to do with its tonnes of waste?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  2. ^ Ghosal, Aniruddha (31 March 2021). "Vital to a clean world, scavengers left to plead for vaccine". The Frederick News Post. AP. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Goel, Vedika Sud, Rhea Mogul, Rishabh Pratap, Arpit (11 December 2022). "A trash heap 62 meters high shows the scale of India's climate challenge". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "MCD seeks proposals for reuse of reclaimed landfill sites". The Times of India. 20 September 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  5. ^ "MCD's Biggest 2026 Challenge: Flattening Of 2 Of Its 3 Landfills". The Times of India. 2 January 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Bhalswa Landfill: Speedy Bio-Mining Advances Towards Landmark Transformation | Science-Environment". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Sood flags Bhalswa as emerging pollution hot spot, orders urgent dust control". Hindustan Times. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Gaming zones, parks: What MCD plans to do after legacy landfill sites are cleared in Delhi". The Indian Express. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Delhi govt, MCD look into ISBT at reclaimed Bhalswa landfill site". Hindustan Times. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  10. ^ Mistry, J.; Thomas, A.; Patel, R.; Derhgawen, S. (2022), "Bachaikari of Bhalswa: Narratives of Waste Pickers from a Delhi Landfill", The Wire India, retrieved 12 December 2022
  11. ^ Kapoor, C. (2022), "India's Mountains of Biomedical Waste", Global Health NOW, retrieved 12 December 2022
  12. ^ "Satellite data finds landfills are methane 'super emitters'". Traverse City Record Eagle. AP. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  13. ^ Dagar, Sumit; S.K., Singh; Shan, Vandana (15 March 2022). "Physicochemical Analysis of Groundwater Quality in the Vicinity of Bhalswa Lake in North West Delhi, India". Journal of Engineering Research. doi:10.36909/jer.ICAPIE.15051.

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