Jalandhar, Sept. 17 -- Following a 54% drop in stubble burning cases during the last kharif season, Punjab is set to deploy drones for the first time this year to keep a strict eye on every fire incident related to paddy straw across the state. Last year, the state recorded 5,114 cases of stubble burning, down from 10,909 in 2024.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas has already directed the state government and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to ensure drone surveillance in identified stubble hotspots. Paddy harvesting is expected to gather momentum from October 10.

As the PPCB started monitoring the stubble burning cases, two such fire incidents were recorded on ...