📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Agriculture
Report: Stubble Burning in Punjab, Haryana Barely Affected Delhi’s AQI (2024‑26)
✍️ The New Indian Express
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 01:58 AM
👁 19
A New Indian Express report covering 2024‑26 finds that crop‑residue burning in Punjab and Haryana had only a marginal effect on Delhi’s air‑quality index.
A study released by The New Indian Express examined air‑quality data for Delhi over the period 2024‑2026. The analysis compared days with high levels of stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana against the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
The findings indicate that, despite the seasonal surge in crop‑residue fires, the contribution to Delhi’s overall AQI was negligible. Meteorological factors such as wind direction and speed, as well as the city’s own emission controls, diluted the impact of the smoke plumes.
Experts caution that while the current data shows limited influence, continued monitoring is essential, especially if burning practices intensify or weather patterns shift. The report underscores the need for coordinated regional strategies to manage agricultural emissions without compromising air‑quality goals.
The findings indicate that, despite the seasonal surge in crop‑residue fires, the contribution to Delhi’s overall AQI was negligible. Meteorological factors such as wind direction and speed, as well as the city’s own emission controls, diluted the impact of the smoke plumes.
Experts caution that while the current data shows limited influence, continued monitoring is essential, especially if burning practices intensify or weather patterns shift. The report underscores the need for coordinated regional strategies to manage agricultural emissions without compromising air‑quality goals.