Uttarakhand has achieved a significant milestone in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025, conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Three of the state’s prominent cities — Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Kashipur — recorded notable improvements in their national air quality rankings, underscoring the growing success of Uttarakhand’s clean air initiatives.
Our Correspondent reports that Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Kashipur have not only improved their standings but have also emerged as role models for other medium and small-sized cities across the country. These improvements reflect consistent efforts in urban management, industrial regulation, and community participation.
Dehradun has made a dramatic leap in Category-II (cities with a population between 3 and 10 lakh), rising from 37th in 2024 to 19th in 2025.
Rishikesh, in Category-III (cities with a population below 3 lakh), climbed from 31st last year to 14th this year, marking one of the strongest improvements in the state.
Kashipur, also in Category-III, continued its steady performance, improving from 19th to 18th position.
Our Correspondent adds that this consistent upward trajectory is being viewed as a testament to both government policy and citizen participation.
Coordinated Efforts
Chairman of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, R.K. Sudhanshu, credited the success to the coordinated work of urban local bodies, industries, and citizens. According to him, the achievements are the result of several focused interventions:
Mechanized road sweeping and stricter enforcement of dust control on construction sites.
Solid waste and construction debris management, reducing particulate matter in the air.
Green belt development in urban and peri-urban areas, helping absorb pollutants.
Transition to clean fuels by industries, with many moving away from coal and heavy oil to cleaner alternatives.
Intelligent traffic systems and tighter vehicular emission checks.
Public awareness campaigns to encourage sustainable practices such as waste segregation and reduced use of firewood.
Our Correspondent reports that these measures, though incremental, are creating long-term shifts in how cities approach the challenge of air pollution.
Chief Minister’s Remarks
On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated all stakeholders and said the improved rankings reflect Uttarakhand’s strong commitment to the NCAP vision of “Clean Air for All.” He noted that the government is determined to continue this progress by:
Expanding green cover in both cities and rural belts.
Strengthening real-time monitoring systems for air quality.
Promoting citizen-driven initiatives, such as plantation drives and awareness campaigns.
Adopting innovative technologies to make air quality management more effective.
Our Correspondent adds that the Chief Minister’s assurance was well received, with environmental experts pointing out that such political will is crucial for sustaining momentum.
Broader Implications
The Swachh Vayu Survekshan rankings not only highlight Uttarakhand’s progress but also emphasise the critical role smaller states can play in India’s clean air journey. As larger metros struggle with high pollution levels, Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Kashipur demonstrate how medium-sized cities can achieve tangible improvements with targeted interventions.
Experts believe that Uttarakhand’s model, which combines infrastructure upgrades with public participation, could be replicated in other parts of India. It shows that even modest investments in mechanised cleaning, green buffers, and fuel transition can have measurable effects on air quality.
Our Correspondent reports that the state government intends to build upon this momentum to achieve even better performance in the coming years. With monsoon-related challenges such as dust control and construction debris likely to continue, authorities are expected to remain vigilant and proactive.
The achievement, however, is not the end of the journey. Environmentalists stress that while rankings are encouraging, the ultimate goal must be a sustained reduction in pollution levels that improves public health outcomes across Uttarakhand.
As Chief Minister Dhami’s message underlined, preserving clean air is not only about rankings but about securing the future of citizens. The challenge now is to ensure that this year’s success becomes part of a long-term trajectory towards a healthier and more sustainable Uttarakhand.
