NEW DELHI, March 13, 2026 - The World Bank, the Government of India and Government of Haryana have signed an agreement to support Haryana's multi-sectoral action plan for improving air quality in the state while creating new job opportunities for youth and women.
The Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development Operation ($300 million) will support the Government of Haryana in reducing air pollution in the state with clean air benefits expected to spill over to other states and the National Capital Region. It will strengthen the state's capacity to monitor and manage pollution by expanding air quality monitoring networks and integrating a state-of-the-art decision support system for data-driven policy making.
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, ARJUN Council on behalf of the Government of Haryana; and Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, India on behalf of the World Bank.
"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," said Nayab Singh, Chief Minister of Haryana. "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."
"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," said Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, World Bank India. "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."
Around 2,000 MSMEs will receive incentives for cleaner technologies. The program will also provide incentives for farmers to adopt machinery and alternatives that reduce crop residue burning and livestock waste.
The Haryana program is part of the World Bank's Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF), one of the world's most severe air pollution hotspots, and aims to deliver benefits for public health, climate mitigation, and sustainable economic growth. It will have a maturity of 23.5 years including a grace period of six years.
