Patna: Air pollution has once again become a serious concern in Bihar, as the air quality in several districts slipped into the “poor” category. Data released on Saturday showed that at least six cities — Siwan, Patna, Hajipur, Saharsa, Bihar Sharif and Samastipur — recorded air quality levels that are unsafe for daily outdoor activities. Among them, Siwan was the most polluted city, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 265, a level that can cause breathing discomfort even for healthy people.
The situation in the state capital Patna was also worrying. The city recorded an average AQI of 236, indicating poor air quality across most areas. Officials said that nearly 80% of Patna remained polluted throughout the day. Gandhi Maidan, one of the busiest areas of the city, was the worst affected, with the AQI touching 270. Other localities such as Danapur, Samanpura and the Planetarium area also reported high pollution levels, showing that the problem was spread across the city and not limited to one or two locations.
What has raised further concern is that pollution levels remained high despite reduced traffic on the roads due to the weekend. Normally, lighter traffic and clearer skies help improve air quality, but this time the pollution showed little sign of easing. Experts believe that dust from construction sites and poorly maintained roads is a major reason behind the rising pollution. They say that many construction agencies are openly violating pollution control rules, allowing dust to spread unchecked into the air.
Environmental experts have warned that continued exposure to such polluted air is a serious health risk for residents. They have called for urgent action, including regular water sprinkling on roads, strict monitoring of construction activities and penalties for agencies that ignore pollution norms. Without immediate steps, they warn, air quality in Bihar’s cities could worsen further, putting the health of millions at risk.
