As the air turns hazardous, NCR’s middle class too looking for second home in hills

New Delhi: Queries for a home or farmland near the hills within driving distance from Delhi have more than doubled this month amid the rising levels of pollution in the National Capital Region.

Builders and brokers in cities like Dehradun, Kasauli, Rishikesh, Nainital and Shimla said many from NCR’s middle-class, who cannot afford a luxury second home, have approached them in the past few days looking for properties that fit into their budgets.

“The rising demand for second homes in serene locations like Kasauli and Rishikesh is a direct result of increasing pollution levels in the NCR. Homebuyers are seeking refuge in these destinations, drawn by their clean air, natural beauty, and peaceful environments,” said Amar Kapoor, founder of Terra Grande by Eldeco Group, which is developing vacation homes at Kasauli and Risikesh.


“These areas provide an ideal escape for those prioritizing health and wellness, especially post-pandemic,” Kapoor said.

Cities like Dehradun are also witnessing increased interest from buyers.

“The demand is coming from all segments. Earlier people aged 60 and above were more keen, but now even 40 year olds are planning to move permanently. A majority of our buyers are from the NCR,” said Manit Sethi, managing director of Excentia Infra, which is executing a project in Dehradun.

Developers say consumer priorities are increasingly shifting toward health and wellness.

“We have observed a significant increase in enquiries from the NCR region, with queries rising by 15-20% recently,” said Manav Singh, founder of Auramah Valley, a gated township in Himachal Pradesh. “This trend highlights how individuals are increasingly seeking cleaner, greener environments amid the rising pollution levels.”

The Sushma Group, which is developing a project at Kasauli, said it has also witnessed a similar trend. It recently entered into a partnership with Bayside Corporations (BCS) to target NCR residents who are looking for a budget second home with cleaner air.

“Some of the recent reports indicated that nearly 65% of urban Indian homebuyers now consider environmental quality, including AQI (air quality index), as a critical factor in their property selection. This trend is further visible in the rising demand for residences with pre-installed air purification systems,” said Sarthak Seth, chief marketing officer (group) and chief sales officer (residential) at TATA Realty & Infrastructure. “Reports suggest that approximately 30% homebuyers in high-density metros and tier-1 cities have an affinity towards such amenities,” he said.

In cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and the periphery of Delhi-NCR, properties with enhanced AQI control and green certifications are being prioritised, especially by millennial homebuyers and working professionals. Developers are increasingly addressing this demand by integrating air quality management and pollution-mitigating green plantations into new developments.