To combat the threat of air pollution, polluting diesel vehicles will be prevented from entering Mumbai from one entry point. Acting on an initiative taken by the Smoke Affected Residents Forum (SARF), a non governmental organisation, the government has set up a pollution checking booth at the Mulund octroi naka (check point), one of the busiest entry points in Mumbai. "Diesel vehicles will now be checked and if they do not conform to the pollution standards, they will be turned back,' says Sandeep Rane, president of SARF. "We are planning to set up checking points at Vashi and Borivali and introduce similar checks for the petrol vehicles too,' says Rane.

But things are not as smooth as they seem. Earlier this year, some steps to counter pollution led to a strike by the transport unions. This time too, the unions are threatening to go on strike.