CAQM Deploys Flying Squads to Curb Paddy Stubble Burning in Punjab and Haryana
CAQM deploys Flying Squads across 34 districts in Punjab and Haryana to monitor and prevent paddy stubble burning during the 2026 harvesting season.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has launched an intensive field-level monitoring operation to prevent paddy stubble burning across Punjab and Haryana. To ensure strict compliance and rapid response, specialized Flying Squads have been deployed across 34 districts to manage the critical harvesting period.
Massive Deployment Across 34 Districts
As part of a coordinated mechanism following communications with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the CAQM has activated these squads to monitor ground realities. The deployment is strategically spread across the two states to cover key agricultural zones:
- Punjab: 18 districts, including Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, Mansa, Fazilka, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Fatehgarh Sahib.
- Haryana: 16 districts, including Jind, Fatehabad, Hisar, Kaithal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Karnal, Palwal, Jhajjar, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Faridabad, Panipat, and Hansi.
Continuous Monitoring and Daily Reporting
The mission is scheduled to run from October 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026. These squads are tasked with assessing the ground-level situation and working in close proximity to various stakeholders to mitigate fire risks. The monitoring structure involves deep coordination with:
- Local farmers and the Parali Protection Force.
- District-level authorities and State Government Nodal Officers.
- State Pollution Control Boards.
- The CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar.
To ensure no incident goes unnoticed, the Flying Squads will submit daily reports to the CAQM Cell. These reports will detail the current ground situation and the specific steps taken to prevent stubble burning incidents.
A Phased Approach for Sustained Impact
The deployment has been organized in successive phases. By assigning squads to specific districts for different periods, the CAQM aims to maintain a constant presence throughout the entire 2026 paddy harvesting season. This phased strategy ensures that monitoring remains consistent and does not lapse during the peak harvest windows.
The strengthened mechanism is designed to facilitate prompt preventive action and enable the Commission to conduct continuous assessments. The CAQM has emphasized that preventing stubble burning requires concerted efforts from all enforcement agencies, alongside the active cooperation and facilitation of farmers and other local stakeholders.