Chandigarh:The Haryana government has joined hands with the World Bank to roll out a large scale programme aimed at reducing air pollution and improving public health across the state, especially in the Delhi NCR region.
The partnership is part of the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development, a long term initiative with a total outlay of about Rs 3,600 crore. The World Bank has approved financing of around 305 million dollars, while the remaining funds will be provided by the state government.
The programme focuses on tackling pollution from multiple sources including transport, industries, construction activities and agriculture. One of the key steps under the project is the introduction of around 500 electric buses in major cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat, along with the creation of new charging infrastructure. The state also plans to encourage the replacement of polluting auto rickshaws and diesel vehicles with cleaner electric alternatives.
Industrial pollution control is another major component of the plan. Small and medium industries will be supported to shift to cleaner technologies, reduce dependence on diesel generators and improve energy efficiency. Measures to control road dust and emissions from construction sites are also included.
The project places strong emphasis on improving air quality monitoring. New monitoring stations and advanced data systems will be set up to track pollution levels in real time, helping authorities take quicker and more effective action.
Agricultural pollution, especially stubble burning, will be addressed through incentives, technology support and awareness programmes for farmers. The aim is to reduce seasonal spikes in air pollution that affect both Haryana and neighbouring states.
According to officials, the clean air programme is expected to benefit millions of people and contribute to better health outcomes, while also supporting greener economic growth. The World Bank has said the initiative could serve as a model for other highly polluted regions in India.
The partnership comes at a time when air pollution remains one of the biggest environmental challenges in northern India, and authorities say sustained action and coordination are essential to achieve lasting improvements in air quality.