Haryana Clean Air Project: $1.2 Billion Initiative to Tackle Air Pollution Funded by World Bank

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Haryana Launches $1.2 Billion Clean Air Project with World Bank to Combat Air Pollution

Team FS

05/Jun/2024

Key Points:

Haryana Clean Air Project aims to address air pollution with $1.2 billion funding from the World Bank, starting in NCR districts and expanding statewide.
Key initiatives include promoting electric vehicles, incentivizing scrapping older vehicles, and increasing green spaces in urban areas.
Efforts to combat stubble burning involve promoting in-situ crop residue management and bio-decomposers to reduce air pollution.

Haryana Chief Secretary Mr. T.V.S.N. Prasad recently announced the launch of the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development, a significant initiative funded by the World Bank with an investment of US$ 1.2 billion (Rs. 10,000 crore). This ambitious project aims to address the pervasive issue of air pollution in Haryana through a comprehensive, phased approach, starting with the National Capital Region (NCR) districts and eventually encompassing the entire state over a span of ten years.

Project Implementation and Infrastructure

The project is set to significantly enhance Haryana's air quality monitoring infrastructure. Key components include the establishment of a state-of-the-art air quality laboratory, the modernization of four existing labs, and the creation of a program management unit to oversee the project's implementation. To ensure effective management, extensive training programs for stakeholders involved in air quality management will be conducted.

Targeted Pollution Reduction Initiatives

The Haryana Clean Air Project focuses on mitigating pollution from several key sources, including transportation, industry, construction, road dust, biomass burning, and household emissions.

Promoting Electric Vehicles

One of the central initiatives is the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) for both public and private use. This includes offering incentives for scrapping older, more polluting vehicles and designing automated testing stations for monitoring vehicle health and emissions.

Industrial Clean Energy Transition

Industries will be encouraged to transition to clean energy sources through financial incentives, helping to reduce industrial emissions and support sustainable industrial practices.

Urban Green Spaces

In urban areas, the project plans to increase green spaces by developing biodiversity parks and green belts. These green spaces will not only improve air quality but also enhance urban biodiversity and provide recreational areas for residents.

Combating Stubble Burning

A significant contributor to seasonal air pollution in Haryana is stubble burning. The project addresses this issue by promoting in-situ crop residue management and raising awareness about the use of bio-decomposers, which can help reduce the need for burning agricultural waste.

Progress in Air Quality Measurement

Mr. Prasad highlighted Haryana's advancements in air quality measurement. The state has established four state sample-testing laboratories, 29 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations, and 39 Manual Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (MAAQM) stations across various districts. These facilities provide critical data to monitor and manage air quality effectively.

Future Outlook

The Haryana Clean Air Project represents a robust effort to tackle air pollution through a blend of advanced technology, sustainable practices, and community engagement. By focusing on reducing emissions from multiple sources and promoting environmental stewardship, Haryana aims to create a healthier environment for its residents while contributing to broader global sustainability goals.

The project aligns with the theme of World Environment Day 2024, which emphasizes land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience under the slogan “Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration”. The efforts of the Haryana Clean Air Project underscore the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its proactive approach to addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

The comprehensive report on the "Greening Initiative in Coal & Lignite PSUs" is available on the Ministry of Coal's website, providing detailed insights into ongoing and planned environmental initiatives within the coal sector. This documentation serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders and policymakers involved in environmental management and sustainable development.

Also Read : India's Agricultural Production Shows Mixed Trends in 2023-24: Third Advance Estimates Released

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