India, Oct. 19 -- The district administration has directed all departments to intensify surveillance and act strictly against stubble burning and garbage fires - two major contributors to local pollution, officials informed on Saturday.

The directions come amid the deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR).

District officials have been asked to maintain round-the-clock monitoring in both rural and urban pockets, ensure rapid response teams remain active, and impose fines on individuals found burning crop residue or waste.

Authorities and nagar panchayats have also been instructed to conduct routine field inspections.

According to officials, the agriculture department has already undertaken awareness campaigns amon...