New Delhi, March 23 According to the 2025-26 Economic Survey presented in the Delhi Assembly by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, the number of landfill fires in Delhi dropped to zero in 2025, compared to 159 in 2017.
The survey stated that a detailed protocol is now in place for controlling fires at landfill sites, leading to a sharp decline in such incidents over the years, with increased monitoring and action against the burning of waste materials and garbage in open areas.
To prevent such incidents, 622 dedicated patrolling teams were deployed during the winter last year to prevent the open burning of garbage. An anti-open burning campaign was launched in coordination with relevant departments, it said.
The open burning of biomass and solid waste remains a significant contributor to air pollution in the national capital, particularly during winters, it said.
Citing the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding air pollution in Delhi, the survey noted that a fine of Rs 5,000 is imposed on anyone found burning garbage, leaves, plastic, rubber, self-moulding compound, or similar materials in open areas.
"The person who is found to be actually burning such material and/or responsible for inciting such burning would be liable to pay compensation... and would be liable to pay a sum of Rs 5,000 immediately," it said, referring to the NGT's order dated April 28, 2015.
The survey also highlighted progress in the remediation of legacy waste at Delhi's three dump sites – Bhalswa, Ghazipur, and Okhla.
The total legacy waste at the three landfill sites stood at 280 lakh metric tonnes in 2019, of which 204.94 lakh metric tonnes had been bio-mined by November 16, 2025, it said.
The timeline for 100 per cent remediation of legacy waste is July 2026 for Okhla, December 2026 for Bhalswa, and December 2027 for Ghazipur, it said.
