Patna, Muzaffarpur air second most polluted in India: CPCB

PATNA: With an air quality index (AQI) of 382 at 4pm on Sunday, Patna and Muzaffarpur occupied the joint second spot on the list of most polluted cities in the country. Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, where the AQI touched 394, topped the list.
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However, a slight improvement was witnessed in air quality of Patna in the last 24 hours as it entered the ‘very poor’ zone on Sunday from ‘severe’ zone on Saturday.
According to the data released by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI level in Gaya was recorded at 306, which is also considered ‘very poor’.
Pradhan Parth Sarthi, professor at department of environmental science at Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) and president of Patna chapter of Indian Meteorological Society, said pollution level increased during daytime due to calm winds leading to accumulation of pollutants. “Low wind velocity is generally observed because of cloudy weather in the Gangetic plains which creates smog conditions,” he said.
Sarthi added, “The AQI level decreases during night and morning because of blowing of winds due to western disturbances.”
According to a bulletin issued by Skymet Weather, dry winds from northwest region will continue to reach eastern states, including Bihar. “Weather in eastern states will remain dry and shallow fog is possible over the next 48 hours,” the bulletin read.
State environment, forest and climate change department’s secretary Dipak Kumar Singh said PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns) was the main reason for air pollution in Patna. “Advisories have already been issued to several departments concerned to curb air pollution. Steps are being taken by the departments in this regard,” he added.
On Sunday, PM 2.5 was the primary pollutant at 382 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3), followed by nitrogen dioxide at 77 ug/m3, sulphur dioxide at 25 ug/m3, carbon monoxide at 52 ug/m3 and ozone at 78 ug/m3.
According to Bihar State Pollution Control Board, vehicle emissions contribute 32% in deterioration of air quality in Patna, sand mining 12%, heating 10%, constructions 7%, burning of garbage 7%, cooking fire 6% and brick kiln (4%).
Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said a mega drive against more than 15-year-old commercial vehicles will be launched from November 29. “Teams will be constituted to carry out the special drive against vehicles causing air pollution. Two mobile vans will also be deputed to check the pollution level of vehicles,” he said.
Earlier, the department had launched a weeklong drive against vehicles violating pollution norms.