India, Oct. 24 -- With the air quality index (AQI) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) dropping, state environment minister Pankaja Munde on Friday announced a clean air action programme for the region, with emphasis on road dust control, transportation and disposal of construction debris, industrial pollution and vehicular emissions. Vehicles transporting construction materials and debris in violation of norms must not only be fined, but also withheld till they take corrective measures, Munde said.

She was speaking after chairing a meeting to review measures to tackle air pollution in Mumbai and its surrounding areas.Environment department officials said that in order to reduce road dust, emphasis would be placed on using vacuum cle...