By Neeraj Kumar
Patna:As temperatures drop across Bihar, air pollution levels in the capital, Patna, are increasing alarmingly. Today, Patna’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has surpassed the hazardous threshold of 300. Specifically, the AQI in the Raja Bazar area has reached 301, while Eco Park stands at 263. Meanwhile, Gandhi Maidan and Dak Bungalow areas have recorded AQIs of 290, reflecting a widespread deterioration in air quality.
The heightened levels of dust particles in the air are contributing significantly to the poor AQI. Currently, the concentration of PM10 particles in Patna’s air is double the acceptable standard, and PM2.5 levels are three times higher than permissible limits.
Despite efforts such as fogging roads with water to suppress dust, air pollution remains on the rise. Residents of Patna continue to endure dangerously polluted air, with little immediate relief in sight.
A major factor behind the worsening air quality is ongoing construction activity in the city. Large-scale projects, including the Metro construction, new building developments, and road renovations, are contributing significantly to the dust in the air. Although the Pollution Control Board has directed construction companies to operate under covers to minimise emissions, many companies are flouting these guidelines by conducting work in the open, further exacerbating the pollution crisis.
The situation demands immediate intervention and stricter enforcement of pollution control measures to mitigate the growing health risks for Patna’s residents.
