Patna: Air quality across Patna and several other districts in Bihar improved on Tuesday as stronger winds dispersed suspended pollutants, offering temporary relief from persistent pollution levels. Patna recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 151 — an improvement from Monday — while Samanpura, one of the capital’s most affected localities, saw its AQI drop from 258 on Monday to 169 on Tuesday.
Kishanganj reported the cleanest air in the state, with an AQI of 43, falling within the ‘Good’ category. In contrast, Sasaram registered an AQI of 151, making it the most polluted district on Tuesday despite marginal improvements in wind conditions.
Officials attributed the overall improvement in air quality to increased wind speeds and a shift in weather patterns. Sprinkling operations on major roads in Patna also helped suppress dust levels. However, experts warn that pollution could intensify in the coming days once surface wind speeds decrease, allowing pollutants to accumulate again.
Most districts, including Sasaram, Araria, Ara, Bettiah, Buxar, Gaya, Hajipur, Munger, Muzaffarpur and Rajgir, remained in the ‘Moderately Polluted’ category, while cities such as Bhagalpur, Motihari, Siwan, Begusarai and Saharsa reported ‘Satisfactory’ air quality.
AQI categories are defined as follows:
0–50: Good, 51–100: Satisfactory, 101–200: Moderately Polluted, 201–300: Poor, 301–400: Very Poor, 401–450: Severe.
Air Quality in Major Cities
| City | AQI | Category |
| Sasaram | 151 | Moderately Polluted |
| Munger | 144 | Moderately Polluted |
| Buxar | 142 | Moderately Polluted |
| Gaya | 132 | Moderately Polluted |
| Ara | 124 | Moderately Polluted |
| Hajipur | 121 | Moderately Polluted |
| Bettiah | 121 | Moderately Polluted |
| Rajgir | 109 | Moderately Polluted |
| Araria | 101 | Moderately Polluted |
| Bhagalpur | 100 | Satisfactory |
| Motihari | 96 | Satisfactory |
| Siwan | 94 | Satisfactory |
| Begusarai | 89 | Satisfactory |
| Saharsa | 85 | Satisfactory |
