Punjab and Haryana are targeting external management of around 40% of the crop residue generated this year, with plans to raise the share to 60% next year as part of efforts to curb stubble burning and seasonal air pollution, The Open Press reported.
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Punjab expects to generate around 7.9 million tonnes of crop residue, of which approximately 4.5 million tonnes will be managed externally. Haryana has set a target of managing around 2.7 million tonnes through external utilisation.
The residue will be supplied to thermal power plants for biomass co-firing, brick kilns, compressed biogas (CBG) facilities and other industries. The strategy also involves in-situ management, where crop residue is incorporated into the soil using specialised machinery.
Separately, the government is strengthening pollution monitoring through PAVAN, an integrated command and control platform that combines air quality, emissions, weather, satellite, traffic and compliance data. Authorities have also announced advance restrictions on construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region from November 5 to 20.
The initiative aims to reduce stubble burning by creating commercial demand for agricultural waste, although its implementation will depend on efficient collection, transportation, storage and procurement arrangements.
