Punjab farmers setting stubble on fire in the evening to evade satellite detection

The air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas has deteriorated significantly due to the increasing activity of stubble burning in fields during evening hours in Punjab and Haryana. According to an analysis by HT, smoke emanating from evening field fires in Punjab and Haryana is the primary reason for the rise in Delhi's pollution. Farmers in Punjab are now opting to burn stubble in the evening, believing that fires set at this time will evade the gaze of satellites and officials. This strategy has led to a rapid increase in pollution levels in Delhi.

As per a report by The Times of India, Punjab farmers are choosing to set fires in the evening to avoid penalties. NASA satellites pass over Punjab at 1:30 PM, but farmers are now setting fires later. According to a 2025 report by iFOREST, more than 90% of major fires in Punjab during 2024 and 2025 were set after 3:00 PM, compared to just 3% in 2021. Data from the INSAT-3DS satellite shows that evening fire cases rose from 17 on 29 October to 90 on 1 November.

The pollution situation in Delhi is extremely critical. According to CPCB data, Delhi's total AQI reached 451 on Tuesday morning. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst AQI at 452, which falls in the 'severe' category. Rohini recorded an AQI of 429, Punjabi Bagh 424, and Bawana 408, bringing all three areas into the 'severe' category. In Noida, Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 404, which is in the 'severe' category, while Sector 39 recorded 365 and Sector 150 recorded 343. Near India Gate, the AQI was 414 and near Dhaula Kuan it was 417, both in the 'severe' category.

The situation is concerning in other areas as well. AQI was recorded at 379 in Patparganj, 374 in R.K. Puram, 373 in ITs, 352 in Okhla Phase-2 and Chandni Chowk, 328 in JLN, and 373 near Akshardham Temple. At Delhi Airport Terminal 3, the AQI was 287, in Anand Vihar 279, in Uttam Nagar 274, and on Lodhi Road 226. According to CPCB classification, 0-50 is good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.

Due to this decline in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented GRAP-II rules across the entire NCR. Under these measures, steps such as spraying water on roads, monitoring for dust control, and restricting the use of private vehicles will be taken. Police have been deployed at Delhi's borders connected to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and vehicle inspections have been intensified.

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa launched sharp attacks regarding this situation. Criticizing Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in strong words, he said, "Stop burning stubble in Punjab." He further stated that by setting fires in Punjab, efforts are being made to send dirty air to Delhi again. He also alleged that Reena Gupta, considered a relative of Arvind Kejriwal, has been sent from Delhi to Punjab to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Pollution Control Board.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the sky would remain mainly clear on Tuesday, with a maximum temperature likely to be 29 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Safdarjung was recorded at 16.4 degrees Celsius, which is 1.1 degrees above the seasonal average. People with respiratory problems have been advised to avoid going out in the morning and evening and to use masks.