Newsinc24 Team The World Bank, the Government of India and the Government of Haryana have signed an agreement to support Haryana’s multi-sectoral action plan aimed at improving air quality in the state while creating employment opportunities for youth and women.The Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development Operation, valued at $300 million, will assist the state government in reducing air pollution, with the benefits expected to extend to neighbouring states and the National Capital Region.The programme will strengthen Haryana’s capacity to monitor and manage pollution by expanding air quality monitoring networks and integrating a state-of-the-art decision support system to support data-driven policymaking.
According to information, the agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India; J Ganesan, CEO of the ARJUN Council on behalf of the Government of Haryana; and Paul Procee, Acting Country Director for India at the World Bank.Welcoming the collaboration, Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana, said the partnership would strengthen the state’s ongoing efforts to improve air quality and protect public health.“I warmly welcome the World Bank’s support for Haryana’s multi-sectoral action plan aimed at achieving cleaner air across the state. This partnership represents an important step in strengthening our ongoing commitment to improving air quality and safeguarding public health. With the World Bank’s collaboration, we are confident of accelerating the implementation of comprehensive measures that will enhance the quality of life for people across the region,” he said.
CM added that the initiative would also promote clean and sustainable urban mobility while generating employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in both urban and rural areas.
Paul Procee said the programme would mobilise $127 million in private capital for targeted investments in key sectors such as transport, energy and industry to improve liveability in the state and nearby urban centres.“The program will support job creation by helping 10,000 people, especially women, to be hired as drivers, conductors and other staff for operating e-buses in Gurugram and Faridabad,” he said.Around 2,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will receive incentives to adopt cleaner technologies. The programme will also encourage farmers to use machinery and alternatives that reduce crop residue burning and manage livestock waste more sustainably.
The Haryana initiative forms part of the World Bank’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Himalayan Foothills, considered among the world’s most severe air pollution hotspots. The project is expected to deliver benefits in public health, climate mitigation and sustainable economic growth.The loan has a maturity period of 23.5 years, including a grace period of six years.
