Punjab records sharpest single-day spike in paddy stubble burning this season
Farm fires increased by 1,152 incidents in 24 hours on November 8, surpassing the total recorded during the same period last year.
Punjab recorded its sharpest single-day increase in paddy stubble burning this season on November 8, according to the Hindustan Times. The number of farm fires jumped 34.8 per cent in 24 hours, adding 1,152 incidents and bringing the seasonal total to 4,459 from 3,307.
The spike was driven by Diwali celebrations and a shrinking window for wheat sowing before the Punjab Agricultural University's recommended November 15 deadline. The current count has already exceeded the 3,316 fires recorded during the same period last year.
Sangrur recorded the highest single-day surge with 194 new fires, while Ferozepur added 157 cases. Other districts reporting increases include Bathinda with 132, Patiala with 92, Barnala with 91, and Ludhiana with 71. Tarn Taran maintains the highest overall seasonal tally with 654 fires.
Data from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), based on ISRO satellite tracking, shows that ₹62.55 lakh was imposed as fines across 1,228 cases, but only ₹32.60 lakh was recovered. While 884 FIRs were registered under Section 223 of the BNS, no suspensions or formal charge sheets have been processed.
The burning coincided with a drop in air quality across the state. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data for November 9 placed Mandi Gobindgarh in the very poor category with an AQI of 399, while Ludhiana recorded 313 and Jalandhar recorded 298.