Surat. Following the fire at the Khajod dumping site, the municipal corporation has started adopting new technologies and experimental measures to control the smoke that has been rising for an extended period.
The situation became serious after a massive fire broke out in RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) in the Khajod area on March 24, which spread to the nearby sanitary landfill due to strong winds. The fire department took immediate action and managed to control the fire on March 26 with the help of 10 fire tenders and approximately 8.2 million liters of water. To prevent the fire from spreading again, 140 trucks made over 250 trips using 18 excavators and JCB machines, covering the waste with about 1,500 tons of soil.
However, due to the smoldering fire in the inner parts of the waste, the problem of continuous smoke persisted until April 8. According to the municipal corporation, the main reasons for this were incomplete combustion, methane gas emissions, and the impact of strong winds. In a meeting held on April 8 to find a permanent solution to this problem, experts suggested the use of 'bioculture.' A demonstration of a bio-enzyme called 'Rainzyme,' prepared by an expert from Ahmedabad, was conducted, which could help in breaking down methane gas and controlling fire and smoke.
The municipal corporation is also exploring the possibility of spraying this bio-enzyme through drones to easily reach the inner parts of the waste. To ensure a continuous water supply to the site from a 500,000-liter capacity water tank located near Dream City, a permanent pumping system has been established, eliminating the need for fire tenders to bring water from distant areas.
Additionally, to prevent potential fire incidents from methane gas at the site, 24-hour surveillance and monitoring are being conducted through CCTV cameras. This initiative by the municipal corporation is considered a significant step towards making waste management and disaster control in the city more effective through modern technology and environmental solutions.
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