The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has stepped up its ground-level efforts to prevent paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana by deploying dedicated Flying Squads across 34 districts during the paddy harvesting season. The squads will operate from 1 October to 30 November 2026 to monitor and control stubble burning, which is a major source of air pollution affecting the National Capital Region.
CAQM, which oversees air quality management in and around Delhi, has coordinated with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to launch this intensified monitoring drive. The Flying Squads will work with district authorities, state pollution boards, farmers and local enforcement agencies to identify and prevent stubble burning incidents before they occur.
Key facts
- Flying Squads deployed in 34 districts: 18 in Punjab and 16 in Haryana
- Operational period: 1 October to 30 November 2026
- Punjab districts covered: Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, Mansa, Fazilka, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib
- Haryana districts covered: Jind, Fatehabad, Hisar, Kaithal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Karnal, Palwal, Jhajjar, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Faridabad, Panipat and Hansi
- Daily reporting required to CAQM Cell
How the Flying Squads will work
Each Flying Squad will be assigned to specific districts during the paddy harvesting season and will assess conditions on the ground in real time. The teams will coordinate with multiple stakeholders including farmers, the Parali Protection Force (a local enforcement unit), district administrations, state government nodal officers, state pollution control boards and the CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar in Chandigarh.
The squads will focus on early identification of stubble burning incidents and will work with local authorities to prevent them from occurring. They will also document the steps being taken by various agencies to control stubble burning and report findings to CAQM on a daily basis. This continuous feedback loop is designed to allow CAQM to monitor the situation across all 34 districts and coordinate swift action where needed.
Why this matters
Paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana typically occurs after the rice harvest, usually from September to November. The practice releases large quantities of smoke and particulate matter into the air. When wind patterns blow this smoke towards the National Capital Region, it sharply deteriorates air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas. This monitoring drive is timed to coincide with the critical harvesting period when stubble burning incidents are most likely.
CAQM was established to coordinate efforts across multiple states and agencies to manage air quality in the NCR region. By deploying teams directly in the affected districts, the commission aims to move beyond reactive measures and prevent stubble burning before it starts, rather than waiting to respond after fires are already lit.
Deployment structure
The Flying Squads have been organised in successive phases, with different squads assigned to different districts during different periods within the October to November window. This phased approach ensures that field-level monitoring is sustained throughout the entire harvesting season without gaps. The use of multiple squads and phases reflects the scale of the paddy harvest across both states and the need for continuous presence on the ground.
What this means for you
If you are a farmer in any of the 34 covered districts, expect increased monitoring and enforcement activity in your area. The Flying Squads will be working with district authorities and the Parali Protection Force to identify and prevent stubble burning. This may result in stricter checks and penalties for farmers who engage in the practice.
If you live in the National Capital Region or nearby areas, this effort is aimed at reducing the smoke and pollution that reaches your region during the harvest season. The daily monitoring and reporting by Flying Squads should help authorities respond faster to any burning incidents that do occur.