Punjab unveils roadmap to eliminate stubble burning by 2030
Punjab unveils roadmap to eliminate stubble burning by 2030
IN · Published Sep 20, 2026
The Punjab Pollution Control Board has submitted a comprehensive roadmap to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) aimed at eliminating stubble burning in the state by
The plan spans the 2026-27 season through 2030 and includes measures to reduce paddy cultivation, promote crop-residue management, and develop industrial uses for agricultural waste. Punjab recorded a 54% decline in stubble-burning incidents in 2025 compared to 2024, but the state is still expected to generate 18.81 lakh tonnes of paddy straw this season. The roadmap also includes the development of biomass industrial parks and compressed biogas (CBG) plants to utilise paddy straw as industrial feedstock.

Impact & Risks

Stubble burning has been a major contributor to winter air pollution in northern India, affecting air quality and public health. The roadmap aims to mitigate these risks by transforming paddy straw into industrial feedstock, reducing the environmental impact of crop-residue burning. The plan also seeks to support small and fragmented farms with affordable crop-residue management machinery, which could help farmers transition to sustainable practices. If successful, the initiative could significantly improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with air pollution.

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