The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has intensified its oversight of paddy stubble burning in Punjab, a major contributor to winter smog over the National Capital Region. A senior team led by Dr. S.D. Attri, Member (Technical), visited Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on 9 and 10 October 2026 to assess ground conditions and review prevention efforts with local administrations.
Stubble burning at the end of the harvest season remains the single largest agricultural source of air pollution in the Delhi region during winter months. The CAQM, which has statutory powers to direct states and districts, held a review meeting in Amritsar with deputy commissioners and officials to check preparedness and coordination for managing paddy waste responsibly.
Key facts
- CAQM team visited Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on 9-10 October 2026 during paddy harvest season
- Flying Squads deployed across 18 Punjab districts from 1 October to 30 November 2026
- Districts covered: Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, Mansa, Fazilka, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib
- Control Room and Help Desk established in Amritsar district at the District Administrative Complex
- District-level helpline set up for reporting stubble burning incidents
What is being checked
The CAQM team reviewed two main approaches to managing paddy stubble. In-situ management involves leaving residue in fields or ploughing it back into soil. Ex-situ management means collecting stubble for use in industrial boilers or as feed for animals.
For in-situ methods, the focus is on availability and deployment of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery such as balers and mulchers. The Amritsar and Tarn Taran administrations reported that balers from their districts and adjoining areas are actively collecting and processing paddy straw. A supply chain has been set up linking farmers and aggregators to industries that use paddy straw bales as fuel for boilers, creating economic incentive to avoid burning.
Implementation on the ground
In Amritsar district, officials informed the CAQM team that harvesting and procurement are proceeding normally. A dedicated Control Room and Help Desk have been set up at the district administrative office to identify which farmers need CRM machinery and ensure timely access. A helpline has been circulated for citizens to report stubble burning so authorities can respond promptly.
Tarn Taran district reported substantial progress towards its targets for CRM machinery availability. Field officers and cluster heads are conducting regular patrols and surveillance in villages. The district is also running Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to persuade farmers of alternatives to burning.
Monitoring and enforcement
The CAQM has deployed Flying Squads in all 18 Punjab districts identified as high-risk for stubble burning. These teams operate from 1 October to 30 November, the peak harvest and burning season. They monitor fields using low-cost sensors and other detection systems alongside enforcement officials.
The Commission has directed that field surveillance must be continuous and thorough, especially in identified hotspot villages. It stressed the need for close coordination among farmers, aggregators, industries, local officials and enforcement teams to strengthen the ex-situ supply chain and ensure CRM machinery is used efficiently.
What this means for farmers and citizens
Farmers in Punjab’s 18 high-risk districts can expect increased monitoring and support during the October-November harvest season. Those wishing to avoid burning have access to CRM machinery and can link with industries that buy paddy straw. District helplines and control rooms offer assistance in sourcing equipment or reporting incidents.
For residents in the NCR and adjoining areas, stricter enforcement is intended to reduce the volume of smoke from stubble burning that travels into Delhi and surrounding regions during winter, typically worsening air quality from November onwards.
What happens next
The CAQM will continue monitoring and coordinating with state governments, State Pollution Control Boards and district administrations throughout the harvest season. The Commission has called for sustained effort from all agencies to prevent stubble burning incidents and has reiterated the need for active participation by farmers and other stakeholders in adopting approved alternatives.