Patna: Air quality across Bihar worsened on Monday as colder conditions and slower wind speeds trapped pollutants over several cities. According to data from the state pollution control authorities, Hajipur was the most polluted city, recording an air quality index (AQI) of 225, placing it firmly in the “poor” category.
Araria followed with an AQI of 206, also classified as poor. Patna’s air quality deteriorated compared with Sunday, with the city registering an AQI of 139, driven by higher pollution levels in Samanpura and the Gandhi Maidan area. The cleanest air in the state was reported in Begusarai, which recorded an AQI of 83, falling within the “satisfactory” range.
No city entered the “good” category on Monday. Purnia, Begusarai and Rajgir reported “satisfactory” air quality, while 13 cities, including Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur, fell into the “moderate” category. Levels of PM2.5 and PM10 — the particulate pollutants most harmful to human health — exceeded national standards in several districts.
Air quality is expected to decline further, with experts warning that pollutants will accumulate as cold conditions intensify. “With low wind speed in winter, dispersion of pollutants becomes limited,” officials said. “The concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 is likely to increase in the coming days.”
Air quality across Bihar on Monday
| Category | City | AQI |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | Hajipur | 225 |
| Araria | 206 | |
| Moderate | Bhagalpur | 112 |
| Biharsharif | 124 | |
| Buxar | 120 | |
| Gaya | 127 | |
| Katihar | 114 | |
| Kishanganj | 132 | |
| Manguraha | 177 | |
| Motihari | 111 | |
| Munger | 157 | |
| Muzaffarpur | 124 | |
| Patna | 139 | |
| Saharsa | 120 | |
| Sasaram | 146 | |
| Satisfactory | Purnia | 100 |
| Begusarai | 83 | |
| Rajgir | 90 |
Officials said they would continue to monitor district-wise AQI trends, while health experts advised residents — especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues — to limit early morning outdoor activity when pollution levels tend to peak.
