n a significant development for North India’s air quality management efforts, the Central Government on Monday informed Parliament that Punjab and Haryana together recorded nearly 90 per cent fewer farm fire incidents in 2025 compared to the 2022 paddy harvesting season.
Replying to a question raised by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that although farm fires continue to be an “episodic event,” they do play a role in worsening air pollution during the winter months.
Yadav added that Delhi recorded its best January–November average Air Quality Index (AQI) since 2018, excluding the Covid-induced lockdown year of 2020. According to the ministry’s data, Delhi witnessed 200 ‘good’ air quality days (AQI under 200) in 2025 so far — a substantial improvement from 110 such days in 2016. Meanwhile, the number of “very poor” and “severe” AQI days dropped from 71 in 2024 to 50 this year.
Why Pollution Still Spikes Despite Fewer Fires?
Channi had asked why Delhi’s AQI crossed the 450-mark even after a 20% drop in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab this year. Responding, the Environment Minister stated that air pollution in Delhi-NCR is influenced by a combination of regional and local factors, including:
Vehicular emissions
Industrial activities
Construction dust
Municipal waste burning
Landfill fires
Seasonal meteorological conditions
He reiterated that stubble burning is only one among several contributors.
Government Measures to Control Stubble Burning
The government said Punjab and Haryana have received over ₹3,120 crore since 2018–19 to procure crop residue management (CRM) equipment. The two states have already distributed:
More than 2.6 lakh machines to individual farmers
Over 33,800 machines to Custom Hiring Centres
The CAQM has directed both states to ensure free rental access to such machines for small and marginal farmers.
To further reduce open burning, the commission has mandated:
Use of biomass pellets or briquettes made from paddy straw in brick kilns beyond NCR
Annual co-firing targets rising from 20% in 2025 to 50% by 2028
Thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi to co-fire up to 10% biomass pellets with coal
The report noted that 31 flying squads from the Central Pollution Control Board were deployed across hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 30 to strengthen enforcement.
Ongoing Evaluation and Future Actions
The minister said the Centre is currently assessing the utilisation of crop residue machinery, reviewing district-wise implementation, and working on improving supply chains for biomass to thermal power plants and pellet units.
He stressed that the government’s coordinated efforts with state administrations, technical agencies and local authorities have contributed to the sharp decline in stubble-burning incidents — a trend the Centre aims to sustain in the coming seasons.