Rising Pollution Forces NCR Residents to Seek Refuge in Uttarakhand During Diwali | Dehradun News
DEHRADUN: Nishant and Prateek Wason, the owners of a well-known sweets shop in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, are preparing to continue a tradition they’ve embraced over the past few years during Diwali. As the festival approaches, the brothers—both in their late 40s—pack up with their two labradors, Diesel and Lara, and set off with their bicycles for a one- to two-week retreat in the Uttarakhand hills.
“While Delhi’s air becomes nearly unbreathable, here we immerse ourselves in trekking, cycling, yoga, and other healthy pursuits,” Prateek shared. His brother added, “It’s now unthinkable to stay in Delhi during Diwali, though it’s our busiest season businesswise.”
The Wason brothers are not alone in their retreat; rising air pollution levels ahead of Diwali are prompting many NCR residents to escape to Uttarakhand in search of cleaner air. As smog blankets the city, families are increasingly heading to hill towns, often extending their stays. Hotels, which once saw low occupancy during this season, now report rates between 40-60%, reflecting a growing trend of people seeking refuge from the capital’s deteriorating air quality.
The trend is seen in popular destinations such as Mussoorie, Nainital, and Kausani, in addition to Dehradun, where numerous residents from northern states, nearing retirement, have even built houses to escape seasonal pollution.
Ajay Duggal, a 55-year-old businessman from Delhi’s Paschim Vihar, is among them. He purchased a home in Dehradun to avoid the NCR’s Diwali smog. Duggal, along with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law, often retreats to his Sahastradhara residence for the festivities and vacations. “After celebrating briefly in NCR, many families now prefer to spend Diwali in Uttarakhand, enjoying its proximity and healthier environment,” he said.
For Gurgaon entrepreneur Arjun R Kohli, Uttarakhand’s appeal is undeniable. “There’s no point staying in polluted air when, just 275 km away, Uttarakhand offers so much. You save yourself and feel rejuvenated,” he said, adding that his stays across the Garhwal region have always been memorable.
Sandeep Sahni, president of the Uttarakhand Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, told TOI, “Diwali used to be a ‘nil season,’ with most people celebrating at home, and low hotel and homestay occupancy. However, the last five years have seen a shift, particularly post-Covid, as people grow more health-conscious amid rising pollution levels. Now, we’re seeing 40-60% occupancy during Diwali.” Sahni noted that his sister, Sumira Khanna, a resident of Delhi’s Panchsheel, also prefers Uttarakhand for Diwali.
Ajay Bhatt, who manages a homestay and hotel in Auli and nearby areas, said, “We often get customers looking to escape air and noise pollution, not just from NCR but also from eastern and southern India.” Bhatt added that due to travel distances, these visitors often stay in Rishikesh, Mussoorie, and the Kumaon side.
In the Kumaon region, bookings mirror this trend. “Our occupancy is around 40-50%, with last-minute bookings expected post-Diwali,” said Digvijay Singh, president of the Nainital Hotel and Resort Association. “A few years ago, these numbers were far lower, but they’ve climbed steadily in recent years.”
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