Seven cities from Bihar have found their way to the top 50 most polluted cities worldwide, as revealed by the World Air Quality Report 2024 released by the Swiss-based IQAir on March 11, 2025. The unfortunate list includes Bhagalpur, Araria, Patna, Hajipur, Chhapra, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur, highlighting the urgent issue of air pollution affecting everyday life.
Bhagalpur stands at the 31st position, followed closely by Araria at 32nd and Patna at 37th. These rankings showcase the seriousness of air quality problems within the region, with Patna's air quality index (AQI) pegged at 257, which falls under the ‘poor’ category according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Notably, the most polluted area within Patna on March 11 was DRM office-Khagaul, with a staggering AQI of 332.
Despite such alarming statistics, there is evidence of positive change. The last year witnessed Patna's ranking improve significantly, dropping from 20th place to 37th, with its PM2.5 levels reported at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), which remains ten times above the safety limit established by the World Health Organization (WHO). This reduction reflects improvement measures enacted by authorities, as the average PM2.5 concentration decreased by 8.5 µg/m³ from last year's 82.2 µg/m³.
The report highlighted the issues with PM2.5, fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller—primarily sourced from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, construction work, and agricultural burning. Notably, Patna's highest recorded pollution level was observed back in 2018, reaching 119.7 µg/m³.
Other cities included on the list face similar pollution challenges. Bhagalpur's PM2.5 was recorded at 76.5 µg/m³, Hajipur at 71.8, Chhapra at 70.3, Saharsa at 67.5, and Muzaffarpur at 67. These figures highlight the widespread nature of air pollution across Bihar, particularly within the Indo-Gangetic Plain—a region notorious for its pollution troubles.
Last year, statistics were even grimmer, with Begusarai ranked as the most polluted metropolitan area globally. This year, it did not make the list, indicating some fluctuation and potentially improved conditions elsewhere.
Addressing the alarming air quality, Devendra Kumar Shukla, chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board, shared insights on the significant actions being taken. "We imposed fines amounting to around Rs 10 crore last year, targeting various industries and builders who violated pollution norms. Local municipal bodies also penalized those scattering construction materials on roads," he stated. Shukla emphasized the importance of integrated efforts from various stakeholders to effectively tackle air pollution issues.
Bandana Preyashi, the secretary of the environment, forest and climate change department, noted improvements compared to previous years. She pointed out, "Despite progress, Bihar's location within the Indo-Gangetic Plain poses continuous challenges due to meteorological factors influencing PM2.5 levels," adding more depth to the current crisis.
The World Air Quality Report 2024 not only highlights Bihar's pollution status but also sheds light on the broader trends affecting Central and South Asia. This year, five Indian cities made it to the most polluted in the region. Byrnihat topped the list with the highest PM2.5 levels, followed closely by Delhi, Faridabad, Loni, and Gurugram, indicating the widespread impact of air quality issues across the country.
According to the same report, only about 0.8% of cities across the Central and South Asia region met the WHO's annual PM2.5 guidelines, underscoring the stark reality of air pollution as the second leading cause of global death. To add weight to the statistics, air pollution resulted in approximately 8.1 million deaths in 2021, with 58% tied to PM2.5 pollution.
These studies draw on data from nearly 9,000 cities worldwide, with air quality measures collected from about 40,000 monitoring stations and low-cost sensors. They focus heavily on harmful PM2.5, dissecting its levels of concentration, and how those translate to overall public health.
With sustained efforts, there is hope for clarity to the air quality crisis affecting not just Bihar but also the broader region. The collective will of various government entities and public awareness initiatives is pivotal to continue improving these statistics and fostering a healthier environment for citizens. To move forward, the focus should remain on the pressing need for effective pollution regulations and community involvement to combat these challenges with vigor.
It is clear now more than ever; the time for action against air pollution is not only ideal but necessary. Continuous monitoring and regeneration of public policy are imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of not just the residents of Bihar but also within the polluted realms of the Indian subcontinent.