Contribution of Vehicular Emissions on Urban Air Quality: Results from Public strike in Hyderabad

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the amount of atmospheric pollution caused by vehicular traffic alone, and a public strike during which vehicular traffic is highly curtailed offers an excellent opportunity for our purpose. Hence, the present study was carried out through systematic in-situ measurements of Particulate Matter (PM), Black Carbon (BC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) over the urban region of Hyderabad, India during two public strikes (hereafter case 1 and 2). Results of the study suggested that the pollutant concentrations decreased to a considerable extent especially for BC and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM_1.0) and CO in both the cases indicating that vehicular emissions alone largest contributors to air. A significant reduction of about 48% and 28% in first public strike where as in second public strike reduction of 27% and 30% observed in BC and particulate matter respectively compared to pre strike period. A significant reduction of about 20% in CO concentration during post strike period was observed compared to pre strike period for case 2.