Haryana’s Winter Action Plan targets NCR pollution hotspots

As winter approaches, Haryana, especially its NCR districts of Gurugram and Faridabad, is bracing for high-pollution days. With life coming to a virtual standstill owing to high AQI, the state has come up with special Winter Action Plan 2025-26.

n What is Winter Action Plan 2025-26?

Haryana rolled out its Winter Action Plan 2025-26 this month. It is a detailed strategy to tackle the sharp rise in air pollution expected over the next few months The plan with a focus on Gurugram and Faridabad has been prepared by the state pollution control board (HSPCB). These two cities consistently rank among the world’s most polluted during winter due to factors such as stubble burning, construction activity, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.

n How will the plan tackle stubble burning ?

The state anticipates 85.5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy straw from the ongoing harvest. A disposal plan has been mapped out: 44.4 LMT will be managed on fields, 19.1 LMT will go to industries and power plants, and 22 LMT will be used as fodder. A ‘parali protection force’ comprising police, agriculture and revenue officials will monitor villages, aided by satellite alerts and a new reporting app. All 5,400-plus fuel-based industries in NCR districts have shifted to approved fuels, predominantly biomass and gas. Farmer incentives include Rs 1,200 per acre for residue management, Rs 8,000 for diversifying away from paddy and Rs 4,500 for direct seeding of rice. Over 5.6 lakh farmers have enrolled, with Rs 472 crore allocated for payments. Penalties for violators have been doubled to between Rs 5,000 and Rs 30,000, along with FIRs and denial of MSP benefits for two years. More than 99% of brick kilns have adopted zig-zag technology, and new rules mandate co-firing with paddy straw pellets — starting at 20% from next year. .

n What are specific directives for Gurugram and Faridabad ?

In Gurugram and Faridabad, enforcement will be tightened on vehicles, industries and construction projects to curb dust pollution. The state has implemented the NGT and Supreme Court bans on diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, affecting nearly 15 lakh vehicles. Projects above 500 sqm must be registered on the HSPCB dust portal, install CCTV and low-cost sensors, and conduct fortnightly self-audits. Non-compliance will attract fines and potential site closures. Over 695 red-category industries now have online emission monitors linked to the HSPCB. Dust suppression is a major focus area, with Gurugram increasing sprinklers from 8 to 40 and adding 29 new road sweepers, bringing the total to 54. More than 850 anti-smog guns will be deployed at construction sites. Faridabad will scale up sprinklers from 25 to 38, add 15 new sweepers, and continue operating around 190 anti-smog guns at large projects. Both cities will pilot “low-emission zones” that restrict high-polluting vehicles in designated areas. Statewide, 22 authorised scrapping centres are operational and 9,700 scrap certificates have been issued to facilitate tax rebates on new vehicle purchases.