Fire at Abohar garbage dump controlled after 2 days of efforts

A fire that broke out at the main garbage dump in Abohar, located between Shivpuri (the main cremation ground) and Indira Nagari, was brought under control after two days of continuous firefighting efforts by the Municipal Corporation (MC) staff and a fire tender. The fire, which started on Monday, was likely caused by mischief, with unknown individuals suspected of setting it. Firefighters used water and excavated the dump with a JCB machine to extinguish the flames and check for any smouldering fire beneath the surface. The fire was finally controlled today.

The incident contributed to a rise in air pollution, as Abohar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 169. The pollution was further exacerbated by the failure of the administration to enforce a ban on fireworks during Diwali and illegal sales of crackers outside the designated PUDA colony area.

Residents from nearby areas, including Indira Nagari, Ram Nagar and Ganesh Vihar, protested due to the smoke from the fire, which spread pollution. In response, Mayor Vimal Thatai monitored the firefighting operation and urged residents to use tippers and hand-pulled rickshaws for waste disposal to prevent further problems.

The garbage dump, which has been in place for over 20 years, has been a recurring problem for residents, with fires breaking out repeatedly. The MC had been criticised for poor waste management and the state government had not responded to requests for funds to improve the situation. A JCB machine used to remove garbage broke down and remained unrepaired for seven weeks, further complicating the problem.