Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN
On the occasion of Uttarakhand’s 26th State Foundation Day and the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the introduction of a “Green Cess” on vehicles entering from other states. The Uttarakhand government’s Green Cess aims to promote environmental protection and sustainable development.
The revenue generated from this cess will be used for air pollution control, green infrastructure development, and smart traffic management. This initiative is expected to give Uttarakhand a new identity under the theme “Clean Air – Healthy Life.”
By implementing the Green Cess policy, Uttarakhand is taking a significant step toward becoming a clean, green, and pollution-free state, strengthening its position as a leader in eco-friendly governance in India.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this initiative reflects the government’s strong resolve to make Uttarakhand clean, green, and pollution-free. “On the completion of 25 years of Uttarakhand, it is our commitment to make the state clean, green, and pollution-free. The revenue generated from the ‘Green Cess’ will be used for improving air quality, green infrastructure, and smart traffic management,” he said.
According to Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), road dust and vehicular emissions are among the biggest sources of air pollution in Dehradun. “Our study shows that road dust contributes about 55% to the city’s air pollution, while vehicular emissions account for around 7%. Controlling road dust and encouraging clean vehicle use through the Green Cess will significantly improve air quality,” he explained.
Uttarakhand has already shown remarkable performance in air quality management. In the Government of India’s “Clean Air Survey – 2024,” Rishikesh ranked 14th and Dehradun 19th among the country’s cleanest cities. The Green Cess initiative aims to further strengthen these achievements and set new benchmarks in sustainable urban management.
The cess will apply to vehicles entering Uttarakhand from other states, with exemptions for electric, hydrogen, solar, and battery-operated vehicles. The state government expects to generate about ₹100 crore annually from this initiative. The funds will be allocated to air quality monitoring, dust control, expansion of green cover, and the development of smart traffic systems.
Officials stated that the implementation of the Green Cess will help reduce air pollution, improve the Air Quality Index (AQI), promote cleaner fuel-based vehicles, control older polluting vehicles, and enhance afforestation and air monitoring networks.
The move, launched as part of Uttarakhand’s silver jubilee year celebrations, positions the hill state as a leader in sustainable and eco-friendly governance in India.
