New Delhi, July 24 -- In a bid to tackle worsening air quality in India's major cities, the government has launched targeted clean air action plans across 130 cities with over 1 million residents each, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Thursday.

The city-specific plans, part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), will target air polluting sources like soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, municipal solid waste burning, construction material, and industries, the minister told Parliament.

Air pollution in India, especially in its big cities, is a major issue, and it is severely affecting public health and the overall quality of life. The government had launched the NCAP in...