Stubble burning across Punjab has recorded 2,787 incidents as of 5 November 2026, according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), as deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) intensifies pressure on state authorities to enforce a ban on agricultural residue burning. Despite inspections, fines, and criminal cases, fires continue to flare across multiple districts.

Scale of Violations Across Districts

Field inspections were conducted at 2,194 locations across Punjab, with stubble burning confirmed at 994 sites. Tarn Taran saw the highest confirmed fire count, with inspections at 553 locations and burning confirmed at 294 sites. Ferozepur followed with 361 incidents recorded, ahead of Sangrur (240), Amritsar (221), and Bathinda (216).

In Patiala, 156 stubble burning incidents were recorded. Inspections were conducted at 103 of those locations, with fire confirmed at 59 sites. The district had 27 FIRs registered and 16 red entries made in revenue records.

Fines, FIRs, and Revenue Record Penalties

Environmental compensation fines totalling ₹46.10 lakh were imposed in 914 cases under the CAQMS Monitoring and Enforcement Actions Report. Of this amount, only ₹24.85 lakh has been recovered so far. In Patiala alone, compensation was imposed in 42 cases totalling ₹2.15 lakh, with ₹70,000 already collected.

Across the state, 710 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and red entries — a punitive notation in land revenue records that can affect future loan eligibility and land transactions — were made for 829 cases. Additionally, 786 show-cause notices were issued statewide.

Harvesting Progress and Why Burning Persists

According to the PPCB report, the total area under paddy cultivation in Punjab spans 32.87096 lakh hectares. As of 5 November, harvesting had been completed across 87.60% of this area, suggesting the peak window for stubble disposal — and therefore the peak risk period — is nearing its end.

The burning of agricultural residues has repeatedly been discouraged by the Union government, yet incidents reportedly continue at multiple locations, often carried out covertly. Farmers have long argued that the tight turnaround between paddy harvest and wheat sowing leaves limited time and resources for mechanised residue management, even where government subsidies for machinery exist.

Impact on Delhi-NCR Air Quality

Stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana is considered a significant seasonal contributor to Delhi-NCR's hazardous air quality every October and November. The PPCB enforcement data underscores that administrative measures — fines, FIRs, and revenue record penalties — are being deployed, but their deterrent effect remains limited as long as ground-level compliance gaps persist.

With harvesting approaching completion, enforcement agencies will be watching whether incident rates decline sharply in the coming weeks, or whether a final burst of fires extends the pollution crisis into mid-November.