Kolkata landfill risks disaster from excessive garbage

A team of experts has warned that the Belgachia Trenching Ground in Kolkata is in serious danger. The waste pile at the landfill is now over 150 feet high and is much heavier than the ground can handle. This situation is creating a hazardous environment that could lead to a disaster. The landfill contains about one million tonnes of old waste. Originally covering 90 acres, it has now shrunk to 50 acres due to encroachment. This reduction puts nearby communities at great risk. Professor Sadhan Kumar Ghosh, leading the team from the International Society of Waste Management, highlighted the urgent need for action. Ghosh recommended four measures to prevent a potential disaster. These include closing the landfill immediately, controlling access, helping affected residents, and cleaning up the Pacha Khal canal, which is blocked with waste. A new waste management policy is also necessary. Tests at the site show dangerous levels of methane gas build-up. The nearby Ganges River worsens the situation as water leaks into the ground, softening the soil and increasing the risk of landslides. Scientist Sujeeb Kar noted that decomposing animal remains in the landfill produce even more methane, further destabilizing the area.