Beijing, Aug 4 (IANS): Authorities here will take a series of measures to reduce the emission of air pollutants for 15 days to guarantee blue skies for the Victory Day parade on September 3.

Staring August 20, the city will ban almost half of the vehicles from the roads based on even-and odd-numbered license plates, and 80 percent of government and public institute vehicles will be taken off the road, China Daily quoted Rong Jun, spokesman for the municipal traffic committee, as saying.

But electric vehicles, buses, taxies and ambulances will not be restricted, he added.

Additional industrial suspensions will include petrochemicals, construction materials, industrial painting, printing and furniture making, the Beijing Commission of Economy and Information Technology said.

The restrictions are aimed at improving air quality when Beijing stages a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War-II on September 3.