Punjab, Haryana Slash Farm Fires, Offering Relief to Delhi-NCR Air

State officials in Punjab and Haryana reported a marked decline in agricultural residue burning this year, a development that could ease the chronic smog that engulfs Delhi‑NCR every winter. Satellite monitoring and ground observations both indicated far fewer fire hotspots compared with the same period last year. The reduction follows a combination of stricter enforcement, increased availability of subsidised machinery for in‑field crop management, and heightened farmer awareness about the health and legal repercussions of open burning. Environmental experts say the dip in farm fires is likely to translate into lower particulate matter levels across the capital region, though they caution that other sources of pollution remain. Authorities in Delhi have welcomed the trend, urging continued cooperation from neighbouring states to sustain cleaner air throughout the season.