A massive fire that broke out at the Sector 145 dumpsite in Noida on Monday was brought under control on Thursday after four days of relentless firefighting. The temporary dumping site holds approximately 7.5 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, making the blaze particularly challenging to extinguish.
Firefighting Efforts and Challenges
To contain the blaze, firefighters deployed 10 tenders and 30 personnel. The Noida Authority had shifted the dumpyard from Sector 123 to Sector 145 in 2018-19, and since then, the waste at the site has steadily increased. Decomposing garbage releases gases that sustain smouldering flames, while toxic smoke and the sheer scale of the waste slowed firefighting efforts. “The exact cause of the incident is not yet known,” said Pradeep Kumar, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of Gautam Buddh Nagar, after the fire was doused on Thursday.
Remediation and Future Plans
The Noida Authority has now engaged an agency for remediation work at the site. “The site will be cleared in one year,” stated Noida CEO Krishna Karunesh. On Wednesday, Noida issued a letter of intent to Indraprastha Gas Limited to set up a 300 tonnes per day compressed biogas plant. However, it is not yet clear whether this facility will come up in Sector 145 or at another location. In November last year, the Noida board approved a proposal for a solid waste management plant to generate bio-CNG, aimed at handling the city’s rising garbage load. The Authority also previously remediated waste at a dumpsite in Sector 54, which has since been converted into a wetland.
Waste Generation and Site History
Noida currently generates 800 to 1,000 tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal waste. The Authority initially planned for a dumping ground in Sector 123, but the site was shifted to the vacant lot in Sector 145 in 2018-19 following protests by residents. Residents of Sector 145 and nearby areas also protested the move but were assured that the site would be relocated within six months. They later approached the National Green Tribunal, which allowed dumping at the site until a permanent solution was found.
Recurring Fires and Health Concerns
Fires at dumpsites have become a common occurrence in Noida. In June 2019, a massive fire broke out at the same site in Sector 145, with firefighters working for several days to control the blaze. A dumpsite in Sector 32 saw massive fires that burned for days three years in a row in March 2025, March 2024, and May 2023. Residents of sectors 137, 143, 146, and 159 have expressed concerns over their health and well-being in light of the recent fire. These incidents often leave surrounding residential areas covered in a shroud of smoke, lowering visibility and leading to respiratory problems.
Residents of Sector 145 and nearby sectors have repeatedly urged officials to shift the dumpsite. “We repeatedly raised the issue with the concerned authorities and also wrote to the chief minister seeking urgent intervention, but no visible action was taken so far. The continued dumping of mixed waste in Sector 145 was causing foul smell, air pollution, and serious environmental concerns for nearby residents,” said Sudhanshu Nirala, a resident of Sikka Karnam Green Society in Sector 143. The recent fire made the situation more critical, as smoke and toxic emissions further endangered public health. He added, “There is an urgent need for immediate closure of the dumping activity and proper scientific waste management.”
