Fresh Fire Erupts at Surat's Khajod Waste Dump Site, Days Before Scam-Hit Agency’s Contract Expires

Another fire broke out at the Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Khajod waste dumping site, bringing the controversial waste disposal project back under scrutiny. The blaze comes just weeks before the 10-month contract extension granted to Vapi-based C.D. Transport Agency is due to end in November.

More than 10 fire tenders were rushed to the site as flames spread through the waste heaps. Thick clouds of smoke could be seen from nearly half a kilometre away. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the condition of the accumulated garbage and the suspected presence of industrial hot-mix waste at a site meant for municipal waste disposal.

The SMC had appointed C.D. Transport Agency to handle the disposal of around 2,500 metric tonnes of waste generated in Surat every day. The agency came under scrutiny after allegations emerged that, instead of scientifically processing the waste at Khajod, it had illegally dumped it at Kankariya in Mahuva.

A police complaint was filed in connection with the alleged multi-crore waste disposal scam. However, despite the controversy and concerns over the pace of the investigation, the civic body extended the agency’s contract by another 10 months after failing to appoint a new contractor.