Air quality monitoring falters, govt plans command centre
The Haryana Government has acknowledged in the Vidhan Sabha that out of 72 air quality monitoring stations, only 30 are currently operational. This includes six Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and 24 Manual Air Quality Monitoring Stations (MAAQMS).
Air pollution snapshot
- Industries closed for pollution violations: 480
- Total fines imposed (2023-24): ₹48 crore
- Reduction in stubble burning (2017-2024): 88% (paddy), 33% (wheat)
- Planned investment in air quality management: ₹3,647 crore
Responding to a calling attention notice by Congress MLAs Aditya Surjewala, Shishpal Keharwala, Shalley Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vats, Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh admitted the shortfall, stating, “…72 Air Quality Monitoring Stations have been set up in Haryana. Six CAAQMS and 24 MAAQMS are collecting data as of date. Data is being received in all the cases where the contract is in operation.”
He added, “The Letter of Award for operation and maintenance of 21 MAAQMS is under consideration, and the tendering for 29 CAAQMS (including the six currently operational) is in process. Air quality monitoring will be strengthened further with the deployment of more fixed CAAQMS, mobile CAAQMS, and a Command Control Centre (CCC) for data-backed decision-making.”
Congress leader Surjewala raised concerns about the deteriorating air quality across 24 Haryana cities, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). He pointed out that data from Gurugram, Faridabad, and Charkhi Dadri showed PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO standards daily.
However, Minister Rao Narbir Singh refuted claims of extreme pollution, stating, “The Air Quality Index (AQI) of 24 cities of Haryana is not dangerously poor as mentioned in the notice, though it is exceeding the allowed limits. The yearly AQI has been less than 200, which falls under the moderate category. However, it exceeded 200 for Faridabad and Gurugram in 2023 and 2024.”
According to AQI classification, the levels between 201 and 300 (poor) can cause breathing discomfort on prolonged exposure, 301 to 400 (very poor) can lead to respiratory illness, 401 to 500 (severe) affects even healthy individuals and impacts those with pre-existing conditions.
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has taken action against polluters. It has closed 480 industries violating air pollution norms, imposed environmental compensation of Rs 35 crore on non-compliant industries (2023-2024) and detected 286 violations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), resulting in Rs 13 crore in fines.
Regarding stubble burning, incidents have significantly declined.
In paddy season, the number of stubble burning cases have declined from 12,657 (in 2017) to 1,406 (in 2024) and in the wheat season, it has come down from 4,747 (in 2017) to 3,155 (in 2024).
The Haryana Government has implemented various pollution control strategies, including 122 anti-smog guns, 255 water sprinklers and 62 mechanised road sweepers deployed to curb dust emissions.
Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD), a ₹3,647-crore initiative supported by the World Bank, will run until 2030.
Various departments, including Transport, Industries, Urban Local Bodies, Agriculture, and HSPCB, will be tasked with implementing pollution abatement measures.
“Further, the Haryana Government has proposed Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) supported by World Bank at a cost of Rs 3,647 crore up to 2030,” the Minister added.
