Delhi Air Pollution: SC Directs Punjab And Haryana To File Reports On Stubble Burning
The top court directed Punjab and Haryana to file affidavits outlining the steps taken to prevent stubble burning as Delhi's air quality plunged to 'severe'.
By Sumit Saxena
Published : November 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM IST
|Updated : November 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM IST
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to file a status report on steps taken to curb stubble burning by farmers, which is a major factor in triggering the air pollution crisis in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The air pollution matter came up before a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai.
The apex court has been informed that over 4,000 and 360 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana were detected between September 15 and November 10 and over 1,500 polluting industrial units have been closed in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to contain the grave air pollution in the national capital region.
In an affidavit, the CAQM said that stubble burning remained a matter of serious concern which aggravated the air pollution situation in NCR and added that this seasonal phenomenon continues to contribute significantly.
The affidavit said the commission has been maintaining a close watch on the number of active fire counts detected through satellite monitoring and has been engaging with the state governments on a daily basis to ensure immediate remedial and preventive actions.
The commission said that 4195 stubble burning incidents were reported from September 15 to November 10 in Punjab and contributed significantly to the deterioration of air quality in the region. The commission said 363 of paddy stubble burning incidents were reported in Haryana during the same time period. The CAQM said it is tackling the situation in a "proactive and collaborative" manner.
The commission, on the issue of vehicular pollution, said this remained the predominant contributor to PM2.5 emissions and a total of 1556 have been asked to close down at the moment keeping in mind the pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.
The bench was informed that out of total 1,556 polluting industrial units, which have been closed down, 264, 234, 637, 121 such units are in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The CPCB, in its separate affidavit, outlined measures to prevent the situation from turning "severe". It said stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was invoked on October 19 when the Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the "very poor" range. The affidavit said Delhi-NCR now operates 83 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), including 39 in Delhi, ensuring uninterrupted data for timely implementation of GRAP.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing an applicant, contended before the bench that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed 450 in some areas. The bench was informed that construction was being carried out amid deteriorating air quality. It was argued before the bench that, though the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented GRAP III, the current scenario of air pollution crisis demanded the implementation of GRAP IV.
The top court directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to file a status report on the steps taken to curb stubble burning. "We direct the state of Punjab and Haryana to file a report on what steps are being taken to curb stubble burning," said the bench. A counsel argued regarding the issue of false data in connection with air monitoring stations. The counsel said it is a big issue and claimed that the data being uploaded is false.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted that a status report has been filed, and concerned officers are also present in the court. She said that the officers can explain everything and requested the bench to schedule the matter for a hearing on Thursday. The bench said the matter will be heard next week.
The amicus curiae, in the air pollution matter, drew the court's attention to deteriorating air quality and emphasised that the AQI is reaching a hazardous state. The amicus requested the bench to take up the matter for hearing tomorrow. However, the bench said it will take the matter up next Monday.
On Monday, most parts of New Delhi recorded AQI levels between 300 and 400, indicating extremely poor to severe air quality conditions. The situation was no better in neighbouring regions, with Faridabad at 312, Ghaziabad at 318, Greater Noida at 325, Gurugram at 328, and Noida at 310, all falling within the 'very poor' to 'severe' range.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such polluted air can lead to respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and worsening of chronic lung and heart conditions. Many residents reported breathing difficulties and eye and throat irritation as smog continued to blanket the city throughout the day.
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