Banning Two-stroke Auto-rickshaws in Lahore: Policy Implications

Abstract

The motorcycles and rickshaws, due to being equipped with two-stroke engines, are the most inefficient vehicles in complete burning of fuel and thus contribute most to emission of air pollutants in the environment. The major pollutants from two-stroke engines are Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Hydrocarbons (HC) and Particulate Matter (PM). Their presence in the environment causes a number of respiratory diseases and other illnesses. For example, CO and NOx are notorious irritants of respiratory system and have potential suffocating action. PM causes premature death, and illness. Its presence is accompanied by increased hospital admissions for asthma and other bronchial conditions such as bronchitis, etc.