Bhalswa landfill is one of Delhi’s primary dumping grounds for dealing with the city’s massive waste output. Following heavy overnight rains on August 13, 2020, a portion of the landfill collapsed, injuring three people and destroying jhuggis (shanty settlements) in the neighbouring region. Looking at landfills as a part of our 21st century modern cities gives a harsh perspective on the gaping inequality and disparity. These landfills are a reminder of our fragmented society; the ‘have’s and ‘have not’s; the mountains between the privileged that live a few miles away from these towers of waste, and the destitute workers who live in these polluted areas and make a living off waste segregation. Landfills are perceived with repugnance and distaste by city dwellers, but they fail to recognise and accept the grim reality of our lives which suffocate the planet and the poor everyday. As the mountains of waste gain higher peaks, the struggles of life for the people living in the shadow of society and those mountains rise at a higher rate.
![Delhi, India- Washir Ahmed(47), a waste picker looks at damaged shanties as section of the Bhalswa landfill collapsed in north Delhi after heavy overnight rain on September 10, 2020 [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_01-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A waste picker walks near collapsed section of Bhalswa landfill in north Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_02-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A dog rests in water around solid waste material as section of the Bhalswa landfill collapsed in north Delhi after heavy overnight rain on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_03-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Segregated plastic bottles lie infront of a damaged shanty at Bhalswa landfill in north Delhi after heavy overnight rain on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_05-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Rahima, a waste picker segregate solid waste at the Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_08-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A child with a bag walks next to solid waste bags at the Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_09-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Segregated tooth brush at Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_10-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A waste picker covers a segregated waste bag with a flex at Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_13-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Waste pickers segregate plastic at Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_14-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- An E-Rickshaw is stuck around solid waste at Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_16-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- An E-Rickshaw is stuck around solid waste at Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_16_1-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Sewage Waste gather next to residential structures at Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_19-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Childrens play in ally's of Swaroop Nagar near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_21-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- Women Waste pickers stand next to a solid waste bag at Bhalswagaon near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_24-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A Waste picker carries drinking water jar at Bhalswagaon near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_28-150x150.jpg)
![Delhi, India- A Waste picker packs plastic waste in a bag at Bhalswagaon near Bhalswa landfill in North Delhi on September 10, 2020. [Photo by Jignesh Mistry/PAIGAM network]](https://paigam.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20200910_BhalswaLandfill_Delhi_29-150x150.jpg)