World Bank formally hands over project grant to Delhi for Rs 8,300 crore clean air programme
The World Bank on Friday formally handed over the confirmation of the Project Preparation Grant Facility to the Delhi Government at an Orientation Workshop inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking the official start of preparations for the Clean Air, Healthy Delhi programme. The seven-year initiative, worth Rs 8,300 crore to be implemented from September 2026 to August 2033, with 65 percent financed through a World Bank loan and the remaining 35 percent borne by the Delhi Government.
The workshop was attended by Cabinet Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, World Bank Country Head Paul Procee and other World Bank representatives, Department of Economic Affairs officials from the Government of India, and senior officials from all departments associated with the project.
During the workshop, World Bank experts made presentations on financial management, procurement procedures, environmental and social safeguard standards, and institutional preparedness under the Programme for Results framework. The objective was to familiarise all participating departments and agencies with World Bank procedures and international standards before the programme commences in September.
Technical assessments and a panel discussion also took place, covering key interventions on improving the transport system, controlling road dust, and strengthening solid waste management. Senior officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Transport Department, MCD, PWD, NDMC, and Delhi Transco Limited participated.
The programme is built around two pillars. The first focuses on strengthening air quality management, including establishing a Project Management Unit, building a modern air quality monitoring network, setting up data analytics systems, and creating an Integrated Command and Control Centre for monitoring. It also aims to improve inter-departmental coordination and promote cooperation with the Indo-Gangetic Plain states on pollution control.
The second pillar targets emission reduction from major sources: phasing out old and highly polluting vehicles, promoting electric vehicles, strengthening public transport, developing advanced pollution testing systems, controlling dust from roads and construction sites, and improving waste collection.
The Chief Minister said air quality improvement is a collective responsibility across all departments rather than the task of any single agency. She said the programme reflects the Government’s commitment to giving equal importance to development and environmental protection as Delhi grows.
She said the Government’s strategy is to address pollution at source, strengthen data-driven monitoring, enforce compliance through technology, and encourage public participation.
