Haryana implementing World Bank-backed clean air drive

Showcasing significant progress in its fight against air pollution, Haryana today highlighted new initiatives during a virtual review meeting held by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Wildlife, Sudhir Rajpal apprised the ministry about Haryana’s strengthened measures across NCR-linked districts at the meeting chaired by Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEF&CC.

During the meeting, the MoEF&CC reviewed the current air quality scenario and sought detailed updates from state governments on the implementation of pollution-control actions mandated for the winter.

Briefing the ministry, Rajpal informed that Haryana has undertaken a series of short-term and long-term measures across major sectors — including transport, agriculture, municipal management and power generation—to curb pollution in NCR-linked districts.

He stated that due to consistent and coordinated efforts, incidents of stubble burning in Haryana have reduced by nearly half compared to last year. Measures to reduce vehicular emissions have also shown results with diesel autos taken off the roads, deployment of mechanical road-sweeping machines in Gurugram and Faridabad and actions to control road dust across urban areas.

Rajpal further highlighted that brick kilns in districts beyond NCR have transitioned to using paddy-straw-based pellets and briquettes, supporting both clean fuel usage and stubble-management efforts. He added that GMDA and FMDA have implemented IT-based technological systems to monitor farm fires, ensuring real-time detection and prompt action, while electric buses are also being deployed to further reduce emissions in major urban centres.

He also informed the ministry that Haryana is implementing a World Bank-supported Clean Air Programme. The project will support the strengthening of air quality management systems in the state, while synergising efforts being undertaken by the Centre. It will focus on designing and implementing sector-specific air pollution abatement measures and facilitating coordination among Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) states to reduce cross-border emissions.

The Additional Chief Secretary reaffirmed Haryana’s commitment to continued inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement of all pollution-control directives.