The 'peak' air pollution season has arrived, with widespread firecracker use to celebrate Diwali worsening Delhi-NCR's air quality (very poor), already impacted by farm fires and other pollutants. Although winds helped disperse some of the pollutants from the capital's skies on Friday, all eyes are on Punjab to see if the government can curb stubble burning during the remaining harvest season.

Strong enforcement measures over the next few days may help keep overall stubble fire count at less than 20,000 in 2024 - well below the near 90,000 mark of 2020, central government estimates show.

Diwali has been better than previous years in terms of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, largely due to winds blowing from the northwest as well as fall in farm fires.

Typically, stubble burning adds about 100 points to Delhi-NCR air quality index (AQI) over and above the vehicular and local pollution matrix. This time, as yet, not more than 30-40 points are attributable to farm fires.

Punjab has clocked 2,950 fire counts between September 15 and October 31, 2024, as per latest data.

The number for the same period last year was 7,673, 16,004 in 2022 and 33,243 in 2020. These figures typically contributed more than 30% to AQI in Delhi-NCR. Haryana, too, has brought down stubble fire count to 784 until October 31 from 1,197 in 2023, 1995 in 2022 and 2,344 in 2020. The catch, however, lies in whether Punjab and Haryana governments can check farm fires over the next few days.

While Haryana has completed 70% harvest, Punjab with its far bigger paddy growing area has wrapped up only about half the harvest. The pending 50% is under close watch, especially in traditional 'hot spot' districts.

In a review held on October 30, the Punjab government reported inspection of 2,403 fields for farm fires, imposition of environmental compensation in 1,016 cases and 1,588 FIRs filed. It made 1,010 'red entries' in government records against errant farmers, which will restrict their access to government benefits. Following the Supreme Court rap, Punjab has also gone on to initiate prosecution action against 33 nodal officers and suspended 34 officials. Show cause notices have been issued to nodal/supervisory officials in 666 cases.