Patna Air Quality Improves with Weather Change; Bhagalpur Becomes Bihar’s Most Polluted City with AQI 161

Patna: Patna’s air quality has shown signs of improvement following a change in weather conditions, though other parts of Bihar continue to struggle with pollution. In the state capital, the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured 90 at Planetarium and 134 at Gandhi Maidan, while Danapur and Rajvanshi Nagar recorded 101 and 104, respectively. Muradpur registered 135.

Despite the improvement in Patna, Bhagalpur emerged as the most polluted city in Bihar, with an AQI of 161, categorised as ‘moderate’. Araria, by contrast, enjoyed the cleanest air in the state, with an AQI of 49, falling within the ‘good’ category.

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board highlighted that a city’s air quality is closely linked to its geography. The region’s loose soil contributes to higher concentrations of dust, while ongoing construction across urban areas exacerbates pollution levels. Winds from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana also carry pollutants into the state, where low wind speeds cause the air to stagnate, trapping contaminants and occasionally driving sharp spikes in AQI readings.

While Bihar’s current air quality remains below the ‘severely poor’ category, authorities noted that dust generated by construction activity accumulates near the ground, adding to pollution levels.

Air Quality Levels Across Bihar Cities