📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Satdeep Gill
Agriculture
Stubble Burning Cases Triple in Punjab, Ludhiana Records Worst Air Quality
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 13 Nov 2026, 08:01 PM
👁 16
Punjab's stubble‑burning incidents have risen threefold, pushing pollution levels up and leaving Ludhiana with the poorest air quality in the state.
The latest data released by state authorities shows that incidents of stubble burning in Punjab have surged to three times the level recorded earlier this year. The sharp rise has been observed across several districts, indicating a widening practice among farmers during the post‑harvest period.
Air quality monitoring stations in major cities reported a corresponding spike in particulate matter, with Ludhiana registering the highest concentration of pollutants in the state. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) moved into the ‘poor’ category, prompting health advisories for residents, especially those with respiratory conditions.
State officials have reiterated calls for farmers to adopt alternative residue‑management techniques and have warned that continued burning could attract stricter enforcement actions. The agriculture department is coordinating with the pollution control board to enhance real‑time monitoring and to disseminate guidance on low‑emission practices.
Environmental groups have highlighted the broader impact of the smoke plume, which drifts to neighboring states, affecting regional air quality and agricultural productivity. The situation underscores the need for sustained policy support and on‑ground assistance to curb stubble burning ahead of the upcoming cropping cycles.
Air quality monitoring stations in major cities reported a corresponding spike in particulate matter, with Ludhiana registering the highest concentration of pollutants in the state. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) moved into the ‘poor’ category, prompting health advisories for residents, especially those with respiratory conditions.
State officials have reiterated calls for farmers to adopt alternative residue‑management techniques and have warned that continued burning could attract stricter enforcement actions. The agriculture department is coordinating with the pollution control board to enhance real‑time monitoring and to disseminate guidance on low‑emission practices.
Environmental groups have highlighted the broader impact of the smoke plume, which drifts to neighboring states, affecting regional air quality and agricultural productivity. The situation underscores the need for sustained policy support and on‑ground assistance to curb stubble burning ahead of the upcoming cropping cycles.