Hazy winters ahead as stubble burning rises—farmers cite 'machinery shortage'

As winter nears, Delhi is once again grappling with rising air pollution. The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticised Punjab and Haryana, stating they have taken little effective action against stubble burning—a major contributor to the city’s pollution.

The court stressed that this practice worsens air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas, especially during winter.

After enduring two days of poor air quality, people saw a slight improvement on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to a “moderate” 198. This was a relief after the AQI had been consistently above 200 in recent days.

In response to the pollution crisis, the Delhi government announced a complete ban on all firecrackers until January 1, 2025. 

Authorities hope the combination of stricter measures on stubble burning and the firecracker ban will bring some relief to Delhi’s residents, as the city continues its battle against seasonal pollution.