Strict lockdown measures reduced PM_2.5 concentrations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kolkata, India

The COVID-19 situation is a critical state throughout the world that most countries have been forced to implement partial to total lockdown to control the COVID-19 disease outbreak. And displays the natural power to rejuvenate herself without the interference of human beings. So, the top-level emergency response including full quarantine actions are significant measures against the COVID-19 and resulted in a notable reduction in PM_2.5 in the atmosphere. India was severely attacked by COVID-19, and as a result, the Government of India has imposed a nationwide lockdown from 24th March (2020) to 30th May (2020) in different phases. The COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown had a significant negative impact on India's socioeconomic structure but had a positive impact on environmental sustainability in terms of improved air quality due to the 68 days of the shutdown of India's industrial, commercial, construction, and transportation systems. The current study looked at the spatio-temporal changes in PM_2.5 concentrations at different air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) in Kolkata during the COVID-19 period. The study revealed that the average concentration of PM_2.5 (µg/m³) was slightly high (139.82) in the pre-lockdown period which was rapidly reduced to 37.77 (72.99% reduction) during the lockdown period and it was further increased (137.11) in post-lockdown period. The study also shows that the average concentration of PM_2.5 was 66.83 in 2018, which slightly increased to 70.43 (5.39%) in 2019 and dramatically decreased to 37.77 (46.37%) in the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown. The study clearly shows that air quality improves during lockdown periods in Kolkata, but it is not a permanent solution rather than temporary. Therefore, it is necessary to make the proper policies and strategies by policymakers and government authorities, and environmental scientists to maintain such good air quality by controlling several measures of air pollutants.