**Summary:**
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has established a permanent CAQM Cell in SAS Nagar Mohali, Punjab, to ensure year-round monitoring and coordination of paddy stubble management in Punjab and Haryana. This initiative follows a temporary Paddy Stubble Management Cell (PSMC) operated in Chandigarh from October 1st to November 30th, 2024. The new Cell will oversee all aspects of paddy stubble management, including planning, farmer engagement, stakeholder coordination, and supply chain monitoring for continuous delivery of paddy straw to end-users. In addition to paddy stubble, the Cell will monitor and coordinate air pollution control measures in identified Thermal Power Plants (TPPs), focusing on biomass co-firing, and supervise air quality issues across various sectors in Haryana's NCR regions situated farther from Delhi. The Cell is located at Kisan Vikas Chamber, Kalkat Bhawan, SAS Nagar Mohali and will coordinate with the Agriculture Departments of Punjab and Haryana, field enforcement teams, and Flying Squads. This permanent facility is a result of collaborative efforts between CAQM and the Punjab Government, with the Punjab Government providing infrastructure and logistical support. This was released by PIB Delhi on July 29th, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM: An organization responsible for managing air quality in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
SAS Nagar Mohali, Punjab: The location in Punjab, India, where the Dedicated CAQM Cell is established.
Punjab: A state in India where paddy stubble management is a major concern.
Haryana: A state in India where paddy stubble management is a major concern.
Thermal Power Plants TPPs: Industrial facilities that are monitored for air pollution control measures, particularly biomass co-firing.
Agriculture Departments of Punjab and Haryana: Governmental bodies responsible for agricultural practices in the states of Punjab and Haryana, including coordination with the CAQM.
Chandigarh: The city where a temporary Paddy Stubble Management Cell (PSMC) was previously operated by CAQM.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Sets Up Dedicated Cell in SAS Nagar
(Mohali), Punjab for Year-Round Monitoring and
Coordination of Paddy Stubble Management
Posted On: 29 JUL 2025 7:57PM by PIB Delhi
In a major step towards ensuring comprehensive and sustained efforts for the management of paddy stubble in
Punjab and Haryana, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has established a Dedicated
CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab.
The newly established Cell will function throughout the year, overseeing the entire ecosystem of paddy
stubble management—from planning and farmer engagement to coordinating with stakeholders and
monitoring the supply chain for continuous and assured delivery of paddy straw to end-users.
In addition to its core mandate of managing paddy stubble, the Cell will also monitor and coordinate air
pollution control measures in identified Thermal Power Plants (TPPs), particularly focusing on biomass co-
firing initiatives. Furthermore, it will supervise air quality issues across various sectors in Haryana's NCR
regions situated farther from Delhi.
Located at the Kisan Vikas Chamber, Kalkat Bhawan, SAS Nagar (Mohali), this permanent facility is
expected to play a critical role in coordinating with the Agriculture Departments of Punjab and Haryana, field
enforcement teams, and Flying Squads—especially during the paddy harvesting and stubble burning season.
Earlier, CAQM had operated a temporary Paddy Stubble Management Cell (PSMC) in Chandigarh from 1st
October to 30th November 2024, during the peak stubble burning period. Recognizing the need for year-
round planning, execution, and monitoring—particularly for ex-situ utilisation of paddy straw—CAQM had
requested the Punjab Government to extend the necessary infrastructure and logistical support. The setting up
of this permanent Cell is a result of that collaborative effort.
*****
VM/GS
(Release ID: 2149925)