FCC

CAQM Holds High-Level Reviews With Haryana and Punjab on Air Quality

2025-07-07

In a concerted effort to accelerate coordinated action against air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), chaired by Shri Rajesh Verma, held two significant high-level review meetings on 3 July 2025 in Chandigarh with the State Governments of Haryana and Punjab. The meetings aimed to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and evaluate the implementation of key sectoral measures for abatement of air pollution in the region.

During the meeting with Haryana, a detailed review was conducted on critical areas including preparedness for eliminating paddy stubble burning in 2025 as per the approved Action Plan; utilisation of paddy straw-based biomass pellets in brick kilns; and compliance with prescribed emission norms by thermal power plants, including progress towards the minimum 5 per cent biomass co-firing target for 2025–26. Other issues discussed were road dust mitigation strategies, review of the State Government’s action plan for road redevelopment, and various Commission directions to curb vehicular emissions. These included progress on phasing out End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles and installing Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras as per Direction No. 89 dated 23 April 2025; accelerating adoption of cleaner mobility by motor vehicle aggregators, delivery services, and e-commerce entities; transitioning all buses entering Delhi, including those under All India Tourist Permit, to cleaner modes; and enforcing restrictions on entry of polluting commercial vehicles into Delhi. The phase-out of diesel-operated auto-rickshaws and transition of inter-city buses to clean energy were also deliberated.

On the same day, the Commission reviewed Punjab’s preparations to eliminate paddy stubble burning in line with the approved 2025 plan, targeting complete elimination. The meeting covered mandatory use of biomass pellets in brick kilns and thermal power plants’ compliance with emission norms, including the 5 per cent biomass co-firing target for 2025-26. Vehicular pollution measures, such as shifting inter-city buses to cleaner fuels and restricting polluting commercial vehicles entering Delhi, were also discussed. The Commission emphasised the importance of timely and proactive implementation of all statutory directions to prevent air quality deterioration during the forthcoming winter season.

Following the meetings, CAQM’s team conducted field visits on 4 July 2025 to projects related to ex-situ utilisation of paddy stubble in Punjab and Haryana. These included pelletisation plants, compressed bio-gas (CBG) facilities, biomass power generation units, 2G ethanol plants, and industrial boilers, providing valuable insights into the technological and operational progress made by both States in managing paddy stubble.

The Commission reiterated the necessity of enhanced coordination, focused implementation of Action Plans, and strict enforcement of statutory directions. CAQM appreciated the efforts of both States and called for sustained action and collective commitment from all stakeholders to ensure tangible improvements in air quality, especially with the winter season approaching.