India, Dec. 12 -- The World Bank on Tuesday approved nearly $600 million in financing for two large-scale clean air programmes in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, a move set to impact an estimated 270 million people in one of the world's most polluted regions.

Haryana's Clean Air Project, backed by a $300 million loan, seeks to support the state's multi-sectoral action plan to curb pollution through integrated interventions in transport, agriculture, industry and urban development.

Key components include expanding air-quality monitoring networks, supporting the large-scale adoption of electric buses and three-wheelers in Gurugram, Sonipat, and Faridabad, and helping micro, small, and medium enterprises transition to cleaner technologies. The ...