Chandigarh, 24 November 2024 – The AQI of four cities—Ludhiana (250), Patiala (226), Jalandhar (220), and Khanna (209) in Punjab —was recorded in the “poor” category. Other cities also faced significant pollution, including Amritsar (179), Mandi Gobindgarh (169), Rupnagar (150), and Bathinda (92).
Since September 15, Punjab has reported 10,605 cases of stubble burning, with 162 new incidents on Saturday alone. Ludhiana accounted for the highest number of new cases (28), followed by Mansa (19) and Fazilka (16).
Air pollution in Punjab has remained a critical concern, with the state recording poor air quality for 19 out of 23 days in November. Contributing factors include post-Diwali emissions and persistent stubble burning by farmers.
Despite government claims of mitigation, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) for November has hovered in the “poor” category, causing health issues such as burning eyes and sore throats among residents.
Rising AQI Trend
The state’s average AQI for November has been steadily worsening compared to previous years. While it stood at 174 in 2022 and 218 in 2023, this year’s AQI is likely to exceed both. The monthly average AQI peaked on November 1 at 265 and has remained consistently high throughout the month, with significant spikes on November 2 (269), November 16 (250), and November 22 (236).
Enforcement and Fines
Authorities have conducted 5,006 raids this season, registering 5,235 FIRs and imposing fines totaling ₹1.9 crore on farmers for stubble burning. Of this, ₹1.16 crore has been recovered. Additionally, show-cause notices have been issued to 1,346 nodal and supervisory officers for failing to act promptly on stubble-burning incidents. Action has been taken against 82 officials under Section 14 of the CAQM Act.
Despite these measures, the persistent pollution underscores the need for more effective strategies to tackle stubble burning and other contributors to Punjab’s worsening air quality.
