Haryana News : The Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Shri Rajesh Verma, chaired a key meeting today to review the enforcement of various environmental measures aimed at reducing air pollution in Haryana. During the session, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Rastogi presented a detailed, multi-dimensional plan to tackle pollution across the state, with special emphasis on the NCR region.
Present at the meeting were CAQM members Dr. Virinder Sharma and Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Haryana’s Additional Chief Se Shri Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary for Energy Shri A.K. Singh, Development & Panchayats Commissioner Dr. Saket Kumar, along with other senior departmental officials.
Following the meeting, Shri Rastogi affirmed Haryana’s readiness to completely phase out paddy stubble burning by 2025. He informed CAQM that the state has adopted a proactive approach combining financial support and regulatory steps to comprehensively address the problem. Out of 41.37 lakh acres under paddy cultivation, about 85.50 lakh metric tonnes of straw are expected—22.63 lakh acres under basmati and 18.74 lakh acres under non-basmati crops. To aid farmers, the government is offering incentives under three major schemes: ₹8000 per acre through “Mera Pani Meri Virasat,” ₹1200 per acre via the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, and ₹4500 per acre for Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Applications for these benefits are being processed transparently through the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal. Additionally, strict enforcement actions have been initiated to curb stubble burning.
Shri Rastogi also highlighted the state’s push to make the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets mandatory in brick kilns outside the NCR. According to Direction No. 92, kilns are required to use 20% biomass by November 2025, increasing to 50% by November 2028. The Chief Minister has already approved this green initiative, and an SOP for its implementation will be released within 15 days to ensure standardized execution.
To reduce dust pollution in the NCR areas of Haryana, the Chief Secretary shared a comprehensive action plan. He had earlier directed departments to submit specific plans with budgetary commitments for 2025–26. All road-owning agencies have been asked to develop one model road stretch based on CAQM’s Standard Framework. A state-level training session, organized by the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, included expert briefings from CAQM, HSPCB, Jana Urban Space, and the Raahgiri Foundation.
Additionally, Shri Rastogi stressed the government’s focus on redeveloping urban roads in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat to control dust pollution. Departments like PWD (B&R), HSVP, HSIIDC, NHAI, FMDA, and SMDA have been directed to create detailed proposals addressing sidewalk improvements, greening of medians and islands, paving road shoulders, and managing construction and demolition waste. These initiatives aim to curb dust while enhancing city infrastructure and visual appeal.
On vehicular pollution, the Chief Secretary reviewed progress under various CAQM guidelines—such as phasing out old vehicles, encouraging clean transport options for delivery services, and transitioning intercity and tourist buses to cleaner fuels. He reiterated Haryana’s commitment to gradually shifting public transport, including auto-rickshaws, to electric or low-emission alternatives.
Commending the state’s efforts, the CAQM Chairperson praised Haryana’s structured, data-driven, and financially supported roadmap. He emphasized the importance of public engagement through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness and foster environmental responsibility.