The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued a statutory direction mandating the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets and briquettes in brick kilns located in non-NCR districts of Haryana and Punjab. This direction aims at combating the recurring menace of stubble burning and its devastating impact on air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The new directive issued on June 3, 2025, marks a step by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative. It targets the industrial sector’s fuel choices as a long-term solution to open crop residue burning—one of the prime causes of hazardous winter air pollution in northern India.
Phased Implementation Plan
The directive outlines a gradual transition timeline for brick kilns to adopt paddy straw-based co-firing, starting with 20% usage from November 1, 2025, and ramping up to 50% by November 1, 2028. The mandatory co-firing percentages are as follows:
- 20% co-firing from 01.11.2025
- 30% co-firing from 01.11.2026
- 40% co-firing from 01.11.2027
- 50% co-firing from 01.11.2028
This move is expected to reduce open burning of paddy stubble by providing an economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative for its disposal, thereby cutting down on the release of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and greenhouse gases.
Responsibility on State Governments
The Commission has tasked the State Governments of Punjab and Haryana with issuing the necessary directions/orders to enforce these mandates. Moreover, they are required to monitor and report progress on compliance to the Commission on a monthly basis.
The directive also aligns with India’s broader climate commitments and clean energy goals, offering an opportunity to transform agricultural waste into a productive resource for industries.
A Push for Clean Industrial Practices
The CAQM’s latest action reinforces its earlier efforts to control emissions from various pollution sources in NCR and adjoining areas, including vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial smoke. By focusing on brick kilns—a major contributor to ambient air pollution—the Commission aims to initiate cleaner combustion practices across the board.
This statutory measure is not only a blow to the deeply entrenched practice of stubble burning but also a signal to other sectors that cleaner alternatives must now be part of operational mandates.
Public Health and Climate Impact
Experts have long warned of the health hazards posed by stubble burning, particularly in the winter months when pollution peaks in Delhi and its surrounding areas. The CAQM’s intervention is seen as a critical lever to protect both public health and environmental sustainability.
As India marches towards its climate targets under the Paris Agreement and beyond, the co-firing of biomass pellets in brick kilns symbolizes a significant intersection of agriculture, industry, and environmental responsibility.
