A landmark move to tackle the long-standing problem of stubble burning and its severe impact on air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued a Statutory Direction on June 3, 2025. The directive mandates the use of paddy straw-based biomass fuel in brick kilns located in non-NCR districts of Punjab and Haryana.
Through Statutory Direction No. 92, CAQM has instructed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to implement co-firing of paddy straw-based pellets or briquettes in brick kilns situated outside the NCR, aiming to significantly reduce open-field burning of crop residue. The directive lays out a phased adoption plan, with the goal of achieving at least 50% co-firing of paddy straw-based biomass by November 1, 2028. The prescribed targets are:
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20% co-firing by November 1, 2025
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30% co-firing by November 1, 2026
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40% co-firing by November 1, 2027
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50% co-firing by November 1, 2028
The move is part of CAQM’s broader strategy to eliminate open stubble burning in North India, a major contributor to the region's severe air pollution during winter months. The commission highlighted the importance of promoting clean, sustainable fuel alternatives in the industrial sector, especially brick kilns, which are significant consumers of combustion fuel and are often located near agricultural zones.
The state governments of Haryana and Punjab have been directed to issue necessary orders enforcing the stipulated co-firing levels and to monitor compliance rigorously. Furthermore, monthly reports on action taken and progress achieved must be submitted to CAQM.
The initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also seeks to create a sustainable use for agricultural waste, potentially offering an economic incentive to farmers and reducing the dependence on polluting fuels in industrial operations.
