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37% of Delhi Burns: A Waste Crisis
16 May
Summary
- Over 37% of recorded open burnings were to clear garbage.
- Delhi's waste contributes over 10% to overall pollution levels.
- Most burning sites lacked waste collection services nearby.
A study by the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group found that over 37 percent of the 1,006 open burnings recorded in Delhi between December 2025 and April 2026 were conducted to dispose of accumulated garbage. This practice is a widespread norm rather than an isolated incident, contributing to Delhi's status as one of the world's most polluted cities.
Most burning sites, particularly those in Malka Ganj and Said-Ul-Ajaib wards, lacked nearby waste collection services. Horticultural waste and low-value plastics were commonly found in these fires. Further analysis of designated zero-waste colonies revealed significant gaps in decentralised waste management, with many facilities failing to process wet waste on-site or segregate waste effectively.
