Baddi’s Toxic dust crisis puts 3 Lakh residents at risk; Enforcement missing even as PM levels surge
Baddi Industrial are photo used for indicative purpose only
Solan, Dec 30,
Over 3 lakh factory workers, school-going children and residents in Baddi—the state’s biggest industrial revenue contributor—are breathing air that health experts now describe as hazardous, with dust pollution pushing the Air Quality Index close to 235, according to monitoring data shared by local activists.
What’s alarming, say residents, is not just industrial smoke but government-neglected dust — broken roads, unregulated construction, and the unmonitored rush of mining dumpers choking the industrial belt. “Factories are not the only polluters here now — the entire town has turned into a dust bowl,” says youth activist Bobby Singh, adding that authorities “rarely issue challans despite visible violations.”
Activists allege regulatory paralysis stating that Pollution Control Board inspections have reduced, Officers earlier known for cracking down have been transferred out and Illegal riverbed mining continues to feed dumper traffic, pushing PM10 and PM2.5 to dangerous levels
Residents claim multi-crore road repair tenders are announced but road stretches remain broken for months, ensuring dust remains constantly suspended in air.
Doctors warn the exposure could lead to a spike in asthma, COPD and lung infections, especially among industrial labourers who already work in harsh environments.
“We are paying a health tax for driving the state’s economy,” says a local pharma worker.
Environmental lawyers argue that with Baddi repeatedly crossing poor-to-severe AQI ranges, NGT monitoring and independent audits must be ordered without delay.
Residents now demand: Immediate road rehabilitation & water sprinkling
GPS-based monitoring of mining and dumpers, A public dashboard of AQI and action taken
Accountability for departments failing pollution control norms
Without urgent safeguards, Baddi risks gaining a new notorious title — “Himachal’s Dust Capital” — despite its crucial role as the state’s industrial lifeline.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
