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Health
Punjab's Air Quality Deteriorates, Rural Areas Suffer from Pollution
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 30 Oct 2026, 12:47 PM
👁 2
Air quality in rural Punjab is no longer cleaner than urban areas, with stubble burning and vehicular emissions identified as major contributors to the worsening pollution.
The air quality in rural Punjab has significantly declined, reaching a point where it is no longer cleaner than the air in its cities. This deterioration is a growing concern for the health of residents across the state.
Investigations point to two primary sources exacerbating the pollution levels. The practice of stubble burning, commonly seen in agricultural areas, releases a substantial amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Alongside this, emissions from vehicles are also identified as a major contributing factor to the compromised air quality.
This widespread pollution poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in areas previously considered to have relatively cleaner air. The situation highlights the urgent need for effective measures to control both agricultural burning and vehicular emissions to safeguard the respiratory well-being of Punjab's population.
Investigations point to two primary sources exacerbating the pollution levels. The practice of stubble burning, commonly seen in agricultural areas, releases a substantial amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Alongside this, emissions from vehicles are also identified as a major contributing factor to the compromised air quality.
This widespread pollution poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in areas previously considered to have relatively cleaner air. The situation highlights the urgent need for effective measures to control both agricultural burning and vehicular emissions to safeguard the respiratory well-being of Punjab's population.