Uttarakhand to Implement “Green Cess” to Mark 25th Anniversary — A Step Toward Clean Air and Sustainable Future
For Uttarakhand it is a symbol of “Clean Air – Healthy Life.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of its formation, the Government of Uttarakhand has announced a landmark environmental initiative — the implementation of a “Green Cess” on vehicles entering the state from outside. The move aims to strengthen efforts in air pollution control, green infrastructure development, and smart traffic management.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “As Uttarakhand completes 25 years, it is our commitment to make the state clean, green, and pollution-free. The revenue generated from the ‘Green Cess’ will be used for air quality improvement, green infrastructure, and smart traffic management.”
According to Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), studies show that road dust (55%) is the largest contributor to air pollution in Dehradun, followed by vehicle emissions (7%). Implementing the Green Cess and adopting a clean vehicle policy are expected to be highly effective in improving the city’s air quality.
Uttarakhand has shown strong performance in the Government of India’s Clean Air Survey – 2024, with Rishikesh ranking 14th and Dehradun 19th among the cleanest cities. The state government aims to build on this success by channeling Green Cess proceeds into further environmental improvement measures.
Main Objectives of the Green Cess –
- Reduction in air pollution and improvement of Air Quality Index (AQI)
- Control and phase-out of old polluting vehicles
- Promotion of clean-fuel-based vehicles
- Enhancement of road dust management, tree plantation, and air monitoring networks
Key Features of the Initiative –
- Green Cess to be levied on vehicles entering from outside states
- Electric, hydrogen, solar, and battery-operated vehicles to be exempted
- Expected to generate approximately ₹100 crore annually for the state
- Funds to be utilized for air quality monitoring, road dust control, green cover expansion, and smart traffic systems
The Uttarakhand government emphasized that this initiative would mark a new chapter in the state’s journey toward environmental sustainability, branding Uttarakhand as a symbol of “Clean Air – Healthy Life.”
