Patna District Admin Plans Tree Plantation Drive, Stricter Air Pollution Controls in Key Environmental Review Meeting

Patna: In a high-level review meeting chaired by Patna District Magistrate Dr Chandrashekhar Singh on Thursday, a comprehensive strategy was laid out to tackle air pollution and bolster environmental protection across the city, including an ambitious plan to plant 1 lakh saplings along the JP Gangapath corridor.

Held at the Collectorate meeting hall, the gathering brought together the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC), the District Environment Committee, and the District Environment Task Force to assess ongoing efforts and set priorities for the financial year 2025–26.

Singh underscored the potential of JP Gangapath—from Digha to Sabhyata Dwar—as a green belt and instructed officials to prepare an action plan for a large-scale tree plantation initiative to reduce dust and improve air quality. Departments were also asked to identify viable plantation sites and share them with the District Forest Officer.

Calling for a mission-mode approach to environmental protection, Singh directed all concerned departments to formulate an air quality improvement plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The District Transport Officer reported enforcement actions against 1,391 vehicles lacking Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and 105 vehicles carrying fly ash. Singh urged continued vigilance against vehicular pollution.

The Patna Municipal Corporation’s Additional Commissioner briefed the committee about a dedicated helpline (155304) for the collection of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Singh directed that violators dumping such materials on roads be penalised, and instructed municipal officers in Danapur Nizamat, Sampatchak, Khagaul and Phulwari Sharif to ensure rule enforcement.

Reviewing the Clean Air Dashboard operated by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and the Air Pollution Action Group, Singh called for the formation of special municipal teams to address complaints logged on the platform.

The civil surgeon was instructed to ensure robust biomedical waste management in both public and private healthcare institutions, with regular inspections and legal action against unregistered or non-compliant facilities.

Singh also reiterated the ban on single-use plastic, urging municipal officers to conduct regular enforcement drives. Additionally, he called for regulated measures for dealing with pest threats, including wild boars.

The district administration has pledged to step up monitoring and interdepartmental coordination to ensure tangible progress in curbing pollution and protecting the environment.