Patna: Air quality deteriorated across large parts of Bihar on Saturday, with 20 cities reporting polluted conditions as winter wind patterns slowed the dispersal of particulate matter. Patna recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 139, categorised as ‘moderate’, while Araria registered a higher reading of 185.
Within Patna, Samanpura reported the highest AQI of 186. Areas around Gandhi Maidan and the planetarium remained in the moderate range, although officials warned that levels could worsen in the coming days.
Air Quality Index (AQI) Across Bihar Cities
| City | AQI | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Samanpura (Patna) | 186 | Moderate–Poor |
| Araria | 185 | Moderate–Poor |
| Sasaram | 174 | Moderate |
| Hajipur | 150 | Moderate |
| Ara | 148 | Moderate |
| Buxar | 146 | Moderate |
| Munger | 129 | Moderate |
| Begusarai | 126 | Moderate |
| Muzaffarpur | 123 | Moderate |
| Gaya | 118 | Moderate |
| Bhagalpur | 110 | Moderate |
| Biharsharif | 108 | Moderate |
| Rajgir | 107 | Moderate |
| Kishanganj | 106 | Moderate |
| Aurangabad | 102 | Moderate |
| Patna (Overall) | 139 | Moderate |
| Katihar | 95 | Satisfactory |
| Motihari | 91 | Satisfactory |
| Bettiah | 90 | Satisfactory |
| Chhapra | 88 | Satisfactory |
| Purnea | 70 | Satisfactory |
Environmental experts say pollution levels typically rise in winter due to low wind speeds and atmospheric inversion, which trap dust and pollutants closer to the ground. Bihar’s loose soil conditions further contribute to high dust concentrations, worsening air quality in urban areas.
Municipal officials said water sprinkling on major roads in Patna has been increased to control dust, and additional measures are expected if pollution levels continue to rise.
