Greater Noida’s 105-metre road on Tuesday morning after a major fire erupted at an unauthorised open dumping site near Junpat village.
The incident, which sent plumes of black smoke over housing colonies, triggered widespread alarm among residents already grappling with worsening air quality and the public health consequences of unchecked waste burning. Locals say the fire is not an isolated event but the latest in a string of hazardous episodes tied to the civic body’s alleged neglect of scientific waste disposal norms. The flames, fanned by high daytime temperatures, reportedly originated from a build-up of horticultural and mixed waste at the unauthorised dumping site. Nearby communities such as Junpat and Makora—home to nearly 30,000 people—were the worst affected, with residents complaining of burning eyes, breathlessness and heightened discomfort, especially among children and the elderly.
Officials admitted the area was not a designated landfill, raising serious concerns about illegal dumping practices. According to local environmental groups and community representatives, civic contractors have been repeatedly accused of diverting garbage to informal sites to reduce transportation costs, risking both environmental and public health in the process. An official from an active citizens’ group monitoring waste disposal in the region said the pattern of dumping in isolated patches has become systemic. “Contractors avoid designated landfills and instead choose vacant tracts like Junpat. The same trend is visible in neighbouring areas like Jaitpur, which also experienced a similar fire risk last month. These incidents are no longer accidents—they are consequences of negligence,” the official noted.
The consequences are becoming harder to ignore. Seasonal surges in temperature have intensified the risk of fire, particularly in areas where dry organic waste such as leaves and pruning debris remain uncollected. According to local estimates, tonnes of untreated horticultural waste are left in open spaces, making the environment highly combustible during peak summer. Despite repeated complaints to the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), long-term solutions remain elusive. Residents allege that temporary clearances and assurances follow each incident, but there has been no structural reform in the city’s waste collection and disposal strategy. The situation is exacerbated by the absence of decentralised waste processing units or community composting facilities, which could otherwise help reduce load on centralised landfill sites.
Officials from the GNIDA’s horticulture department confirmed receiving complaints about the unauthorised dumping and assured immediate clearance of the affected site. A senior department representative said, “We are issuing instructions for site clearance and will also review the contractor’s responsibilities. Action will be taken in case of continued non-compliance.” The city’s fire department responded swiftly to contain the blaze, which was doused within an hour. A senior fire services official confirmed there were no casualties or injuries but issued a warning to the civic authorities to monitor open dumping sites. “The summer season heightens the risk of such incidents. Open garbage piles are a fire hazard, and we’ve advised the authorities to take preventive steps,” the official said.
Health professionals from the region flagged the long-term health implications of repeated exposure to such fires. Prolonged inhalation of toxic gases released by burning waste, including plastics and organic refuse, can trigger respiratory illnesses and worsen conditions like asthma, especially among vulnerable groups. Environmental experts argue that Greater Noida’s rapid urbanisation has not been matched with adequate investments in waste management infrastructure. “The region needs a transition towards circular waste economy models, where biodegradable waste is composted at source, and recyclables are segregated and processed. The current system, which relies on centralised dumping and informal disposal, is unsustainable and dangerous,” said a senior waste policy researcher with a Delhi-based environmental think tank.
With multiple residential clusters mushrooming across Greater Noida’s peri-urban sprawl, the frequency of fire incidents related to illegal dumping could increase, experts warn. Civic accountability, decentralised systems, and enforcement of environmental norms will be key to reversing the hazardous trend. While the immediate fire was controlled, the lingering smoke, community outrage, and official responses indicate a deeper crisis that goes beyond one morning’s blaze. As climate conditions become harsher and cities grow denser, the cost of inaction on safe waste disposal is one that residents are already beginning to pay with their health.
Noida Residents Alarmed as Garbage Fire Chokes Area
