Fresh Fire Erupts at Surat's Khajod Waste Dump Site, Days Before Scam-Hit Agency’s Contract Expires

Another fire broke out at the Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Khajod waste dumping site, bringing the controversial waste disposal project back under scrutiny. The blaze comes just weeks before the 10-month contract extension granted to Vapi-based C.D. Transport Agency is due to end in November.

More than 10 fire tenders were rushed to the site as flames spread through the waste heaps. Thick clouds of smoke could be seen from nearly half a kilometre away. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the condition of the accumulated garbage and the suspected presence of industrial hot-mix waste at a site meant for municipal waste disposal.

Agency facing waste dumping allegations received contract extension

The SMC had appointed C.D. Transport Agency to handle the disposal of around 2,500 metric tonnes of waste generated in Surat every day. The agency came under scrutiny after allegations emerged that, instead of scientifically processing the waste at Khajod, it had illegally dumped it at Kankariya in Mahuva.

A police complaint was filed in connection with the alleged multi-crore waste disposal scam. However, despite the controversy and concerns over the pace of the investigation, the civic body extended the agency’s contract by another 10 months after failing to appoint a new contractor.

The original agreement was worth ₹213 crore and had expired before the extension was granted. The extended contract is scheduled to end in November, but large quantities of waste continue to remain piled up at Khajod. The repeated fires have added to questions over how the site is being managed.

Firefighters use JCB machines to reach burning waste

Fire department teams faced the challenge of tackling flames that were suspected to have spread deep inside the massive garbage heaps. Along with spraying water, firefighters used JCB machines to dig into and turn over the waste so that water could reach the burning layers.

The suspected involvement of hot-mix waste has raised a separate concern: how did industrial waste reach a municipal dumping site? Questions are also being raised over who transported the material and whether the SMC had properly monitored the waste brought to the facility.

If industrial and potentially hazardous waste is being dumped alongside municipal garbage, it raises serious questions about the corporation’s checks on incoming waste and its supervision of the site.

Repeated fires raise concerns over smoke and public health

The latest blaze has also renewed concerns among residents living near the Khajod dumping site. The facility holds waste heaps running into lakhs of tonnes, and fires in such large piles can release thick smoke over surrounding areas.

Residents have alleged that smoke from the recurring fires is worsening air pollution and pushing up the Air Quality Index (AQI). They have also raised concerns about the possible health effects of prolonged exposure to the smoke.

With fires continuing to break out at the site, questions remain over why a permanent system has not been put in place to prevent the garbage from catching fire and limit the pollution caused by such incidents.