Air quality set to ‘fluctuate’ in Patna

PATNA: Cyclone Bulbul may not only impact the weather conditions but also the air quality in Patna.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh said the air quality of Patna and other places in Bihar will improve if it rains, but it can also deteriorate if it remains cloudy only.
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Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers on Saturday and Sunday.
“The pollutants, primarily suspended particulate matter, will be washed away if it rains. However, if it only remains cloudy, then the air quality may further deteriorate as the cloud cover will act as a lid to trap the pollutants,” Ghosh said.
Air quality of Patna remained almost constant over the last 24 hours. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Patna stood at 339 on Friday, showing only one point increase from Thursday, but remained in “very poor” category, which can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
Giving an example of AQI deteriorating even after rain, Ghosh said the AQI of New Delhi deteriorated even after mild showers on November 3. “This was basically due to the fact that the rain occurred in localized manner,” he said.
Patna apart, the AQI of Muzaffarpur came down from 341 (very poor) on Thursday to 295 (poor) on Friday. It was probably for the first time over the last fortnight that the AQI of Muzaffarpur was recorded under 300 mark.
Meanwhile, state transport department continued its intensive vehicle fitness check drive in Patna on the fourth consecutive day. The on-the-spot checks are aimed at identifying vehicles with higher level of emission and those being run by using petrol and diesel mixed with kerosene oil.
According to a statement issued by the transport department, altogether 240 vehicles were checked at four different locations in the city, out of which 41 were seized and 40 were fined for violating the emission norms.