Commission for Air Quality Management Rolls Out On‑Ground Action in Punjab’s Stubble‑Burning Hotspots

Earlier this week, a senior delegation of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas (CAQM) set foot in two of Punjab’s most notorious stubble‑burning zones – Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Chaired by Dr S D Attri, the team’s mission was simple yet urgent: see how well the ground‑level measures are holding up during the peak paddy‑harvest season.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has long flagged these districts as flashpoints for the dreaded winter haze that drifts into the National Capital Region. In line with that warning, the CAQM crew not only met district officials – Deputy Commissioners, agricultural officers and senior police – but also trekked into the fields themselves on October 9 and 10.

During the Amritsar visit, officials walked the team through a budding supply chain. Balers from the district and nearby areas are already humming, turning straw into compact bales that are then ferried to industrial boilers ready to burn the residue for power. A newly‑minted control room and a dedicated helpline now sit inside the District Administrative Complex, acting as a one‑stop shop for farmers who need Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines or want to report an illegal fire.

Tarn Taran, on the other hand, boasted a slightly different picture. The district has reportedly met most of its CRM‑machine targets, and a fleet of balers is busy collecting straw for ex‑situ use. Officers highlighted intensive field patrolling, regular IEC (Information, Education, Communication) drives and a network of nodal and cluster officers who keep a close eye on any rogue burning.

Both districts pledged full cooperation with the CAQM’s statutory directions. Their commitment was palpable, as officials spoke about tightening the rope around any potential fire‑starter and ensuring that the newly‑set‑up helpline is responsive round the clock.

Beyond the two districts, the Commission has already dispatched “flying squads” to 18 districts across Punjab – from Sangrur to Jalandhar – for the period of October 1 to November 30. These squads are equipped with low‑cost sensors and real‑time surveillance tools, meant to spot any flash‑fire before it spirals.

The CAQM’s overarching message was clear: coordination is king. Farmers, aggregators, industries and government bodies must stay in sync, sharing equipment, information and timely assistance. Only then can the region hope to ditch the old habit of lighting up fields and give the NCR a breath of cleaner winter air.

As the paddy harvest draws to a close, the eyes of the commission remain fixed on Punjab, ready to fine‑tune strategies, keep the dialogue alive and, most importantly, stop the smoke before it rises.