With winter looming, India’s government is stepping up its efforts to combat the annual scourge of toxic smog that envelops Delhi and its surrounding regions. On Monday, a high-level task force convened at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to review ongoing initiatives aimed at curbing pollution from a multitude of sources. These include agricultural practices, vehicular emissions, construction activities, and waste management.
The focus is particularly on tackling the issue of paddy stubble burning, a major contributor to the smog. Punjab and Haryana, the two states responsible for significant stubble generation, have committed to eliminating burning practices altogether this year. Punjab plans to manage 11.5 million tonnes of paddy straw by leaving it in the fields (in-situ) and removing it for other uses (ex-situ). Haryana will employ a similar approach, with 3.3 million tonnes managed in-situ and the rest using ex-situ methods.
To facilitate this, over 150,000 crop residue management (CRM) machines are available in Punjab, supported by 24,736 custom hiring centers. Haryana has 90,945 CRM machines supported by 6,794 centers. Furthermore, 2 million tonnes of paddy straw will be co-fired in 11 thermal power plants across the NCR region.
The government has issued directives to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to rigorously oversee and implement action plans aimed at eliminating stubble burning. This includes maximizing the utilization of CRM machines, strengthening supply chains for ex-situ management, and supporting small industries engaged in briquetting and pelletizing operations to enhance the economic value of paddy straw. Regular monitoring of thermal plants will ensure co-firing targets are met, with penalties imposed for non-compliance.
Beyond agriculture, the government is addressing pollution from other sources. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reports that 220 out of 240 industrial areas in the NCR region are now equipped with gas infrastructure, with the remaining areas slated for connection soon. Dust pollution from construction and demolition (C&D) activities is being monitored remotely through a web portal, with mandatory registration for projects exceeding 500 square meters. Chief secretaries of the NCR region have been urged to expand electric bus services in the region. The PM eBus Sewa Scheme aims to introduce 10,000 battery-powered buses nationwide.
State governments and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to strictly enforce firecracker bans and restrictions. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been tasked with expediting the collection of biomasses and accelerating the construction of compressed biogas (CBG) plants. This multifaceted approach, involving various government agencies, states, and private sectors, underscores the urgency and commitment to tackling the challenging issue of air pollution in Delhi and surrounding regions.
