How is Haryana Effectively Tackling Stubble Burning?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Haryana is making significant progress in curbing air pollution.
- Over 100,000 crop residue management machines have been provided to farmers.
- The state is expanding its electric mobility program with 60 operational e-buses.
- Haryana has set ambitious waste management goals for the coming years.
- Urban dust mitigation strategies are being deployed in NCR cities.
Chandigarh, Dec 15 (NationPress) Haryana showcased consistent and comprehensive advancements in its battle against air pollution affecting the Delhi-NCR area during a high-level meeting led by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi. The state's clean air initiatives, encompassing farm-level stubble management, electric mobility, and waste remediation, were evaluated in detail.
This review, in accordance with the directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, examined action taken reports (ATR) and finalized the State and City Action Plans for 2025-26.
Strategies tailored for each NCR municipal corporation, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, and Manesar, were thoroughly discussed. A significant emphasis was placed on the state's dedicated efforts to diminish stubble burning through the widespread implementation of crop residue management (CRM) machinery.
Since the 2018-19 agricultural season, more than 100,000 CRM machines have been allocated to farmers with subsidies amounting to Rs 932 crore, enabling effective management of paddy straw in villages.
Monitoring of custom hiring centers is ongoing to guarantee accessibility for small and marginal farmers.
The state's electric mobility initiative is witnessing growth, with 60 e-buses already operational across 10 cities such as Gurugram, Panipat, and Karnal. Additional buses are on the way, with approvals secured for over 800 e-buses under various procurement models.
Older BS-III and BS-IV diesel buses have been removed from NCR districts to lower emissions. Urban dust control measures are also in effect, with NCR cities employing mechanized road sweepers, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns at critical hotspots.
Plans for comprehensive paving and greening of major roads have been submitted to the CAQM.
In terms of waste management, Haryana is on track to eliminate over 1.4 million metric tonnes of legacy municipal solid waste by December 2025, excluding Gurugram, where remediation is aimed for 2028.
New waste-to-fuel plants are anticipated to fill existing processing gaps in Gurugram and Faridabad. The processing capacity for construction and demolition waste is also being expanded, with recycled materials increasingly incorporated into construction projects.