Government Initiatives to Tackle Air Pollution and Stubble Burning in Delhi-NCR

Air pollution in Delhi-NCR is caused by various factors, including high-density urban areas with intense anthropogenic activities. Key contributors include vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction and demolition dust, road and open area dust, biomass burning, municipal solid waste incineration, landfill fires, and other pollution sources.
During winter, low temperatures, reduced mixing heights, and stagnant winds trap pollutants in the atmosphere, significantly worsening air quality. Activities such as stubble burning and firecracker usage further aggravate pollution levels.

Addressing the Stubble Burning Issue:

The central government has directed state governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, along with other stakeholders, to promote "ex-situ stubble management" by creating a robust ecosystem and supply chain to tackle stubble burning effectively.

A Green Revolution in Energy with Paddy Residues:

As per the revised model contract issued by the Ministry of Power, thermal power plants are mandated to use a minimum of 50% biomass derived from paddy stubble sourced from Punjab, Haryana, and NCR. Furthermore, stringent emission standards have been notified for power plants, which are to be enforced by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).

Grants and Initiatives for Stubble Management:

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched a scheme to provide financial assistance to compressed bio-gas producers for purchasing biomass collection equipment for ex-situ stubble management. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare initiated a subsidy program in 2018 to promote the in-situ management of crop residues by providing financial support for the purchase of farm machinery and the establishment of Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs).

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₹3623 Crore Central Assistance for Stubble Management:

Between 2018 and 2024-25, the central government allocated ₹3623.45 crore for stubble management. Punjab received ₹1681.45 crore, Haryana ₹1081.71 crore, Uttar Pradesh ₹763.67 crore, Delhi ₹6.05 crore, and ICAR ₹83.35 crore. Over 40,000 CHCs and more than 3 lakh machines have been distributed across these states, including over 4500 balers and rakes to collect and process straw into bales for further use.

Additional Key Measures to Combat Stubble Burning:

1. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued guidelines to promote the use of paddy stubble by establishing pelletization and torrefaction plants with financial support.
2. Applications for 17 such plants have been approved, with 15 operational, having a total production capacity of 2.07 lakh tons per year. These plants are expected to utilize 2.70 lakh tons of stubble annually.
3. To monitor stubble burning incidents, CPCB deployed 26 teams from October 1 to November 30, 2024.
4. The Ministry of Health and Farmers’ Welfare deputed 31 teams in September 2024 to conduct quality audits of 910 farm machines and visited 275 manufacturers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

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