The study found that pollution caused by winter burning of waste in cities is three times higher than in summer

The study, based on field surveys from 2019-2026 in 11 polluted Indian cities, found that Tier 2 cities with populations between 500,000 and five million burned the most waste of the cities surveyed. File | Photo credit: R. Eswarraj

Open burning of waste in winter rises sharply in various categories of Indian cities, with the average incidence, amount of waste burned and associated emissions up to three times higher than in summer, according to a World Resources Institute (WRI) India working paper published on Thursday (10 September 2026). The findings come as cities approach the post-monsoon season, when falling temperatures and stagnant atmospheric conditions typically make it harder for pollutants to disperse.

The study, based on field surveys from 2019 to 2026 in 11 unnamed polluted Indian cities, found that Tier 2 cities with populations between 500,000 and five million burned the most waste of the cities surveyed. However, Tier 3 cities experienced the highest incidence of winter fires, averaging 49.6 cases per square kilometer per day, compared to 46 cases in Tier 2 cities and 39.4 in Tier 1 cities.

Open waste burning was not the dominant source of city-wide particulate pollution and contributed less than 1% of the total city-wide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions in the evaluated cities. But because it happens closer to homes, streets and landfills, it can increase short-term exposure to toxic smoke.

Burden, the report assessed, was also strongly related to socio-economic conditions. Poorer areas experienced significantly more fires than higher-income areas, with the highest incidence in the study, nearly 84 incidents per square kilometer per day, recorded in poorer areas of Tier 2 cities during winter. The researchers say this pattern points to differences in waste collection and other municipal services.

The amount of waste incinerated in Tier 2 cities has almost doubled from around 21 tonnes per day in summer to 41 tonnes in winter. In cities, the main components of the incinerated material were paper and plastics.

Winter brings weaker winds, more stable atmospheric conditions and, in many places, temperature inversions that limit the dispersion of pollutants. The WRI study also attributes increased waste incineration in part to its use for heating, along with seasonal waste disposal practices.

The findings come shortly after the Air Quality Management Commission announced steps to curb open burning of waste in the National Capital Region. The initiative will identify sites where waste is repeatedly dumped or incinerated, assess the measures needed at these “waste” sites, train waste management workers and conduct public awareness campaigns. It will also develop pilot solutions that could then be rolled out across the national capital region.

The commission also called for a zero-tolerance approach to open burning of waste and continued inspections under its Operation Clean Air. In May, the Union environment ministry urged Delhi authorities to expand their waste processing capacity and deploy adequate enforcement teams to prevent winter burning by September, while recommending worker heaters as an alternative to burning waste for heat.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 05:19 IST