Air quality likely to improve after Nov 6 as stubble burning 54% less this year: CAQM

The air quality is likely to improve after November 6, as incidents of stubble burning were 54 per cent less as compared to last year, informed the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The air quality is likely to improve after November 6, as incidents of stubble burning were 54 per cent less as compared to last year, informed the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)."Currently, the wind velocity is low. The Geo meteorological factors are dictating pollution levels in the NCR region. Stubble burning is 54 per cent less compared than last year, and it is still a contributing factor," a CAQM statement read. "Generally, we are at a hazardous air pollution level during this time of the year annually. However, we are expecting the situation to improve post November 6. The Commission for Air Quality Management will continue to monitor for another 15 days and a final assessment will be made thereafter," it added. The panel said enforcement agencies have inspected 8,575 sites in Punjab, Haryana and NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh and an environmental compensation of around Rs 58 lakh has been imposed for crop residue burning.

"Paddy residue burning events in Punjab, Haryana, NCR districts of UP and Rajasthan and Delhi have come down from 43,918 in 2020 to 21,364 in 2021 during the period from September 15 to November 2," it said in a statement.