Punjab witnessed the highest number of farm fire incidents in a single day so far this season on October 27, with 589 cases reported. The total number of paddy residue burning cases in the state has gone up to 1,849 over the past one week.
However, the state pollution control board says there is a 50% drop in stubble burning events this year compared to last year. Since September 15, the state has witnessed a total of 3,293 incidents, which is half of the 5,798 cases reported till October 25 last year.
Amritsar saw the maximum number of fire events in the state on October 27, with 91 cases. Patiala followed with 81 cases, Tarn Taran with 67 cases, and Sangrur with 63 cases.
Overall, Amritsar has witnessed the highest number of stubble burning events since September 15, with 925 cases. Patiala has witnessed 406 cases, Tarn Taran 386 cases, Ferozepur 272 cases, and Sangrur 240 cases.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Chairman Adarshpal Vig said that the state has witnessed a dip in the stubble burning incident compared to last year. Against 3,293 incidents reported till October 26 this year, the state had recorded 7,036 fire events till the corresponding period last year. In 2021, the count stood at 6,463, while it was whopping 18,347 in 2020.