Now Reading: Patna AQI hits 150 on Diwali day, pre-emptive checks in place
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Patna AQI hits 150 on Diwali day, pre-emptive checks in place
The Story in Brief
Patna recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 150 on Saturday, 7 November 2026, the day of Diwali. The index had been rising over the previous four days, from 109 on 3 November to 107, 147 and 126 before touching 150. On 1 and 2 November, the AQI was 59 and 77 respectively.
Last year, after Diwali in 2025, Patna's AQI jumped 32% in 24 hours, from 159 on 20 October to 210 on 21 October. Several areas saw alarming readings that day: Shikarpur 256, Samanpura 236, Danapur 229 and Muradpur 227. The first ten days of November 2025 had eight days in the ‘poor’ category.
To prevent a repeat this year, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board has put in place pre-emptive monitoring and inspection measures.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The numbers show that this year's Diwali-day AQI of 150 is better than the 159 recorded on the same day last year, but the trend of a sharp post-festival spike, last year saw a 32% rise in 24 hours, is the real concern. The board's pre-emptive checks are aimed at that window. Whether they hold the line will be clear once the AQI readings for the next 48 hours come in.
Source: amarujala.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
