Patna Breathes Easier as Air Quality Shows Remarkable Improvement
Residents of Patna are experiencing cleaner air this winter season as the city has witnessed a significant improvement in air quality during October and November compared to the same period last year, according to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB).
November Shows Dramatic Turnaround
The first ten days of November presented a much brighter picture for Patna's atmosphere. The city recorded one good air day on November 1 with an air quality index of just 41, followed by one satisfactory day, six moderate days, and only one poor day.
This stands in stark contrast to the same period last year when Patna endured eight poor air days between November 1 and 10, including a peak AQI of 282 on November 2, with just two moderate days offering temporary relief from polluted conditions.
October Trends Even More Encouraging
The improvement trend was even more pronounced during October. This year, Patna recorded four good days, seven satisfactory days, and nineteen moderate days, with only one poor day throughout the entire month.
Last year during October, the city managed only eight satisfactory days alongside sixteen moderate days and seven poor days, indicating a substantial reduction in heavily polluted days this season.
Local Variations and Statewide Improvements
On Monday, Patna's overall AQI stood at 182, placing it in the moderate category. However, pollution levels varied significantly across different monitoring stations within the city.
Samanpura emerged as the most affected area with an AQI of 278, falling into the poor range. Other monitoring stations reported varied readings: 204 at DRM office in Khagaul, 164 in Rajbanshi Nagar, 158 in Muradpur, and 108 in Patna City, highlighting localized pollution hotspots despite the improved citywide average.
The cleaner air phenomenon extends beyond Patna, with similar improvements observed across Bihar. Of the nineteen other cities monitored in the state, nine recorded satisfactory air quality on Monday, while ten remained in the moderate zone. Araria recorded the lowest AQI in the state with a pollutant level of 53.
Reasons Behind the Improvement
Devendra Kumar Shukla, chairman of Bihar State Pollution Control Board, attributed the improvement to several factors. Multiple measures have been implemented by different stakeholders to control air pollution, while meteorological conditions remained similar to last year.
"The second important factor is that election activities have reduced dust and vehicular movement this year, which has also contributed to better air quality," Shukla explained.
However, the chairman cautioned that winter pollution spikes are still expected, and preparations are in place. "This time, there is a strong possibility of more intense cold, which means the boundary layer will come down and the situation could worsen. When temperature drops, thermal inversion forms, trapping pollutants close to the ground," he told Times of India.
Environmental experts emphasize that continued proactive local action will be crucial to sustain these gains. Measures including curbing stubble burning, controlling construction dust, enforcing vehicle emission norms, and promoting public transport will be essential to prevent severe winter pollution spikes.
The AQI classification ranges from 0-50 as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, 101-200 as moderate, 201-300 as poor, 301-400 as very poor, and 401-500 as severe, providing clear benchmarks for assessing air quality improvements.
