Patna: A change in weather brought a noticeable improvement in air quality across Bihar, with Patna and nine other cities recording air that fell within the “satisfactory” category, according to official monitoring data.
In the state capital, the air quality index (AQI) at the Planetarium monitoring station stood at 98, placing it at the upper end of the satisfactory range. Sasaram emerged as the cleanest city in Bihar, recording an AQI of 46, which is classified as “good”.
Other cities reporting satisfactory air included Samastipur (98), Araria (95), Bhagalpur (80), Bettiah (78), Bihar Sharif (72) and Buxar (67), while Arrah (55) and Kishanganj (54) also recorded good air quality. Officials said conditions across these areas posed no significant health risk, making it a relatively safe day for outdoor activities.
However, air quality remained a concern in several other parts of the state. Around 10 cities, including Patna, continued to experience moderate pollution levels. Hajipur recorded the worst air quality, with an AQI of 221, slipping into the “poor” category. Muzaffarpur (155), Begusarai (137), Saharsa (136), Motihari (116), Siwan (113), Gaya (105), Katihar (103), Chhapra (102) and Munger (102) all fell within the moderately polluted range.
Within Patna district itself, AQI readings varied widely. Danapur recorded an AQI of 147, Patna City 140, Gandhi Maidan 120, Muradpur 112 and Rajvanshi Nagar 99, reflecting uneven air quality across the urban area.
Environmental experts attribute the fluctuations to high humidity levels, which cause dust particles to settle in the lower layers of the atmosphere, increasing pollution concentrations. Bihar’s geographical conditions, including loose soil that easily turns into airborne dust, along with ongoing construction activity, also contribute to deteriorating air quality in urban centres.
Health authorities advised children, older people and those with respiratory conditions to limit prolonged outdoor exposure in moderately polluted areas and to consider using masks. While the overall improvement has brought temporary relief, officials cautioned that sustained cleaner air would depend on favourable weather conditions and stricter control of local pollution sources.
