529 farm fires reported on Parkash Purb

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 12

Farm fires in Punjab continued even on the 550th Parkash Purb today despite the Supreme Court ban and appeals by the Punjab Government to mark the special occasion.

As many as 529 fires were reported from across the state taking the number of total incidents of stubble burning to 48,684 in the state this season. As per data available with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Sangrur topped the state with 6,557 incidents of stubble fire, while Pathankot recorded only four incidents.

Bathinda reported second highest incidents with 5,521 fires, while Ferozepur was third in the dubious distinction list with 4,537 incidents.

The Air Quality Index also remained poor in the state. Bathinda had “very poor” air quality of 357 RSPM, while the AQI remained more than 250 in other districts of Malwa region as well as in Amritsar.