New Delhi, March 15, 2026: The World Bank, the Government of India and the Government of Haryana have signed a $300 million agreement to support a comprehensive plan aimed at improving air quality across the state while generating employment opportunities for youth and women.
The initiative, titled Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development Operation, will help strengthen Haryana’s capacity to monitor, manage and reduce air pollution. The project is expected to deliver broader environmental benefits for neighbouring states and the National Capital Region (NCR), which continues to face significant air pollution challenges.
The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India; Dr J. Ganesan, CEO of the ARJUN Council, representing the Government of Haryana; and Paul Procee, Acting Country Director for India at the World Bank, representing the international financial institution.
The project will focus on strengthening air quality monitoring systems across Haryana by expanding monitoring networks and introducing a state-of-the-art decision support system that will enable data-driven policymaking for pollution management.
Welcoming the partnership, Nayab Singh, Chief Minister of Haryana, said, “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 further added, “At the same time, the initiative will help advance clean and sustainable urban mobility systems while creating new and meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in both urban and rural areas. This collaboration reflects our shared vision of building a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive future for Haryana.”
As part of the programme, the World Bank will also help mobilise $127 million in private capital investments to support improvements in key sectors such as transport, energy and industry.
Highlighting the programme’s economic and environmental impact, Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, World Bank India, said, “Through private capital mobilization, the program will leverage $127 million for targeted investments in key sectors like transport, energy and industry to improve liveability for people in the state and the capital city. 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.”
The project will also support around 2,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing incentives to adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies. Additionally, farmers will receive incentives to adopt machinery and sustainable alternatives that reduce crop residue burning and livestock waste, both of which contribute significantly to air pollution in the region.
The Haryana initiative is part of the World Bank’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills, one of the world’s most polluted regions. The programme aims to generate benefits related to public health, climate mitigation and sustainable economic growth.
The financing agreement has a maturity period of 23.5 years, including a six-year grace period, providing long-term support for Haryana’s efforts to improve air quality and environmental sustainability.
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