Over 4,300 Stubble Burning Incidents In Haryana, Punjab Since September, SC Seeks Report

Last Updated:November 12, 2025, 22:02 IST

The CAQM said stubble burning remains a “serious concern,” exacerbating air pollution in the NCR region after Delhi's AQI levels turned 'severe'.

Stubble burning remains one of the pressing concerns to combat air pollution.(Representational pic/PTI)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took note of stubble burning incidents that have contributed to worsening pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region and sought a report from the Haryana and Punjab governments about the action taken to control the situation.

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria heard pleas over the issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, where it was told that over 4,360 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana were detected between September 15 and November 10.

The steps taken so far to deal with the worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR were referred to in two separate affidavits filed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in pursuance of the apex court’s directions.

In its 46-page affidavit, the CAQM said stubble burning remains a “serious concern," exacerbating air pollution in the National Capital Region, and noted that this “seasonal phenomenon" continues to make a significant contribution to the problem.

Over 1,500 Industrial Units Closed

The CAQM provided a summary of enforcement actions taken by the Haryana and Punjab governments, saying that 4,195 stubble burning incidents were reported from September 15 to November 10 in Punjab that contributed significantly to the deterioration of air quality in the region.

At least 363 incidents of paddy stubble burning were reported in Haryana in the same period. The commission said it deployed 31 flying squads assisted by the CPCB in the various districts of Punjab and Haryana to oversee the implementation of the state/district action plans and coordinate directly with district administrations for enhanced enforcement.

The CAQM also said that a total of 1,556 polluting industrial units had been closed down across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. It said it has “accorded highest priority to the prevention and control of paddy stubble burning and has consistently pursued a multi-front strategy combining enforcement, targeted interventions and technological solutions."

An advocate in the case told the court that Delhi’s air pollution levels, which turned ‘severe’, required the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV. “Let Punjab and Haryana governments respond on steps taken to control stubble burning," the CJI said.

The top court is expected to hear the plea on November 17 and pass further directions in the case.

(with inputs from PTI)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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