Residents of Dehradun are raising urgent concerns over the city's deteriorating air quality, demanding the installation of additional air monitoring stations. This call to action comes as the air quality index (AQI) consistently remains near the 300 mark, a level classified as severe.
One Station Fails to Capture City's Pollution Reality
The heart of the issue lies in the location of the city's only official air quality monitoring station. Situated at Doon University on the city's outskirts, the station is in a relatively greener area, far from the densely populated urban core. Social activist Anoop Nautiyal argues that this single station is insufficient for a growing city like Dehradun, whose boundaries have expanded significantly.
"That area is relatively greener and lies outside the densely populated core of the city," Nautiyal stated. "One station is insufficient for a growing city like Dehradun. Monitoring should be done at key locations such as Clock Tower or ISBT, where traffic and human activity are concentrated." He highlighted the surge in both population and tourist traffic, with most vehicles passing through the city centre, not near the university.
Severe Readings and Misleading Displays
Official data from the Doon University station revealed alarming figures. On Sunday, the AQI was recorded at 283 in the morning and 266 in the evening. The level of PM10 pollutants stood at a severe 295 micrograms per cubic metre. Residents fear that air quality in the city centre is likely even worse than these already critical readings.
Further confusion stems from the smart display boards installed across the city, which show a centralised AQI reading. Nautiyal pointed out major discrepancies, noting that on Saturday night, the Clock Tower display showed an AQI of 45, while third-party applications reported levels between 170 and 180. "Such discrepancies are misleading for the public," he emphasized.
While mobile monitoring units have been placed in areas like Raipur, Clock Tower, and ISBT, only the data from the Doon University station is considered official for governance and policy purposes.
Official Response and Conflicting Measures
In response to the growing crisis, officials from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board confirmed that a proposal to install more permanent air quality monitoring stations in Dehradun and other parts of the state is under active consideration.
However, a contradictory measure has been implemented by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Amid the ongoing cold wave, the corporation has increased the number of bonfires in the city from 22 to 47, following government directives to provide warmth. Officials stated that action is being taken against unauthorised open burning, including garbage and garden waste.
Experts have immediately warned against this practice. Dr. Vijay Sridhar, in charge of the monitoring station, explained that biomass burning is a significant contributor to Dehradun's air pollution and should be minimised. He attributed the weekend's extreme pollution to a combination of atmospheric conditions and human activities.
"Overcast conditions on Saturday prevented pollutant dispersal, while night-time activities such as construction, large wedding events, and bonfires further increased pollution levels," Dr. Sridhar said. He concluded that while night-time readings alone don't represent the city's overall air quality, there is a clear need for improved policies and greater precautionary measures to safeguard public health.
