BEIJING, Sept. 17 -- Construction will be suspended in Beijing during its winter heating season in an effort to improve the city's air quality, the municipal commission of housing and urban-rural development said.

According to the commission, any construction work for road and water projects, as well as house demolitions will be banned from Nov. 15, 2017 to March 15, 2018 in the city's six downtown districts and surrounding suburbs.

Major livelihood projects and certain key projects involving construction must be authorized by the commission if work cannot be halted during the period.

The commission said supervision will be strengthened and violations will be strictly punished.