New Delhi: With the paddy harvest underway, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has begun reviewing the deployment of drones in Punjab to detect stubble burning in real time, particularly during evening hours when farm fires may escape satellite detection.
Around 80-90 drones are planned for deployment this winter across villages identified as farm-fire hotspots in Punjab, with their effectiveness being evaluated to determine whether additional drones are required, officials said.
A senior CAQM official said permissions were awaited for certain villages near the Pakistan border, while operations in districts such as Patiala were yet to begin as stubble burning had not started there. District helplines have also been established to receive reports of farm fires and facilitate prompt action, CAQM said. CAQM said surveillance and enforcement would need to remain consistent throughout the harvest season to improve detection and ensure timely action against violations.
A team led by SD Attri, member (technical), CAQM, visited Amritsar and Tarn Taran Friday and Saturday to assess preparedness and meet district officials. A similar review is planned in Haryana. Drone surveillance has already begun in some areas, but deployment remains incomplete.