Punjab has reported 241 farm fire incidents this year, largely due to delays in harvesting the paddy crop. These fires, common in Punjab and neighboring Haryana, are often cited as major contributors to the poor air quality in Delhi-NCR during winter months.
Among Punjab’s major cities, Mandi Gobindgarh recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 231, followed by Jalandhar (148), Ludhiana (116), and Patiala (101). According to the Air Quality Index standards, readings between 201-300 fall under the “poor” category, which can trigger breathing issues in individuals with asthma, lung, or heart conditions.
The second-highest number of farm fires occurred on October 14, with 31 cases reported. Tarn Taran witnessed 23 incidents, making it the top-polluting district, while Amritsar recorded three new cases. So far, Tarn Taran has seen 88 fires, and Amritsar 80 fires this season.
Despite these figures, experts report an 83% decline in stubble burning compared to previous years. From September 15 to October 18, Punjab saw 1,348 and 1,407 incidents in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Authorities attribute this drop to a combination of delayed harvesting, machinery availability, and strict penalties. Officials warn, however, that maintaining low numbers after Diwali will be challenging.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed fines totaling Rs 5.15 lakh in 104 cases, recovering Rs 3.65 lakh so far. Law enforcement has registered 119 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 36 in Amritsar and 49 in Tarn Taran. Additionally, the Revenue Department has made 81 red entries in violators’ land records, restricting loans, land sales, and other benefits.
Officials highlighted that the period until November 15 is critical, as the bulk of paddy harvesting occurs then. Punjab has identified 663 hotspots across eight districts—Sangrur, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Moga, Barnala, Mansa, Tarn Taran, and Faridkot—which together accounted for 6,815 of 10,909 farm fires in 2024, nearly two-thirds of the state’s total.
To enforce compliance, the state government has created a Parali Protection Force with about 8,000 personnel, including nodal officers, cluster coordinators, and field officers across 11,624 villages, to monitor and prevent stubble burning effectively.
