Dehradun: Once celebrated for its clean mountain air and lush green valleys, Dehradun is now gasping under the weight of its own popularity. With thousands of vehicles pouring into the city every weekend—especially during the summer vacation rush—the capital of Uttarakhand is witnessing a sharp spike in air pollution levels, threatening both public health and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
According to the State Transport Department, a recent crackdown on polluting vehicles led to the collection of Rs 2 crore in fines from 676 violators. The offenders were found emitting excessive levels of carbon monoxide, PM10, nitrogen oxides, and unburnt hydrocarbons, all of which contribute to the city’s deteriorating air quality.
Thick layer of carbon and particulate matter hangs over the Doon Valley
The situation worsens on weekends, when tourist traffic surges, bringing with it a thick layer of carbon and particulate matter that hangs over the Doon Valley. The concentration of PM10 and carbon monoxide—already above permissible limits—spikes further, making the air hazardous for residents and visitors alike.
A city on the brink
Dehradun’s air quality crisis isn’t new. The city was ranked 31st among the world’s most polluted cities by the World Health Organization in 2016 and later featured in Greenpeace India’s 2017 list of top ten Indian cities with poor air quality. It is also one of the 132 non-attainment cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which identifies urban areas that consistently fail to meet national air quality standards.
Fine particulate matter continues to pose a serious health
While concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 have shown marginal improvement over the past six years, they still exceed safe limits set by both the WHO and the Government of India. The SO₂ and NO₂ levels remain within Indian standards, but the fine particulate matter continues to pose a serious health risk—causing eye and throat irritation, respiratory issues, and long-term heart and lung diseases.
Delhi-Dehradun expressway may enhance the weekend footfall
This explosion in traffic has led to chronic congestion, especially near tourist hotspots and arterial roads, further compounding emissions and reducing air quality. A recent report highlights how the Delhi-Dehradun expressway, while improving connectivity, has also contributed to the influx of weekend tourists, overwhelming the city’s infrastructure. The lack of a robust public transport system forces residents and visitors alike to rely on private vehicles, worsening the pollution load.
Tourism: Boon or burden?
Tourism remains a double-edged sword for Uttarakhand. While it fuels the local economy and promotes cultural exchange, it also generates millions of tonnes of solid waste annually, strains water resources, and accelerates climate vulnerabilities like floods, landslides, and rising temperatures.
The state government has promoted ecotourism as a sustainable alternative, but experts argue that without strict regulation and infrastructure upgrades, the environmental cost will outweigh the benefits. The loss of green cover, especially due to road widening and real estate development, has further reduced the city’s natural ability to absorb pollutants.
Dehradun needs a multi-pronged strategy
According to Anoop Nautiyal, activist and founder of SDC foundation, said, “To reverse the damage, Dehradun needs a multi-pronged strategy: stricter emission norms, investment in public transport, better traffic management, and public awareness campaigns. The city must also enforce solid waste management and limit vehicular access to sensitive zones during peak tourist seasons.”
As the summer crowds continue to descend on the valley, the message is clear—Dehradun cannot afford to trade its air for economic gain. The time to act is now, before the city’s famed mountain breeze becomes a memory clouded in smog.
