Punjab reports increase in stubble burning as Diwali approaches, pollution goes up

New Delhi: As Diwali approaches, Punjab has reported a spike in stubble burning. On Wednesday, at least 31 cases of stubble burning were reported from the state. This season, a total of 165 cases of stubble burning have been reported from across the northern state.

According to reports 3 cities in Punjab recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) in the yellow zone on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the AQI of Ludhiana was recorded at 114, Patiala at 112 and Khanna at 110.

Earlier on Tuesday 4 cities in the state, Jalandhar recorded an AQI of 113, Khanna of 108 and Patiala of 107. In Ludhiana the AQI was 104 on that day.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board has continuously been acting against those found burning crop residue. So far the department has caught 75 erring farmers and fined them a total of Rs 3.70 lakh. FIRs have been filed in 81 cases and in 50 cases, red entry was made in the land records of the farmers.

Amritsar district tops the list in stubble burning cases this year. So far 68 cases hae been reported from the entire district, said officials.

Following the increasing cases of stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab, AQI in Delhi is also likely to drop. The city sees its worst AQI during this period each year. While stubble burning has already started in Punjab, the festival of Diwali is also coming soon. Together, stubble burning and firecrackers during Diwali will pull down the AQI levels in the National Capital Region.

The AQI in Delhi turned poor on Wednesday. The government has already announced enforcement of first degree GRAP measures for the entire city. The withdrawal of southwest monsoon is also an important contributory factor in the increase in pollution levels in the city. Now after the incidents of increasing stubble burning in Punjab, the air in Delhi is likely to turn even worse. The Delhi AQI on Tuesday breached the ‘poor’ category with the reading pegged at 201 as of 10:30 am.