New Delhi [India], May 21 (HBTV): The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has approved the Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) for the period 2025–2028, with a total outlay of INR 474.39 crore. The state government will implement this ambitious initiative in collaboration with the World Bank, aimed at transforming Haryana into a national hub for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovation and development.

According to the official release, the funding for the project will follow a 70:30 ratio, with the World Bank contributing 70 per cent and the remaining 30 per cent to be borne by the Haryana Government.

The Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) is a strategic initiative that includes the development of advanced infrastructure to support AI innovation. Key facilities under this project include the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre (GAIC) in Gurugram and the Haryana Advanced Computing Facility (HACF) in Panchkula. These centres will serve as core infrastructure for research, development, and capacity building in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.

A central focus of the HAIDP is large-scale skill development and workforce transition. The project aims to train and upskill over 50,000 professionals in emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics. In addition to technical education, the project will support AI integration into public governance systems and enhance data-driven service delivery across departments.

To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, the project will also extend support to start-ups and research initiatives through incubation programmes, mentoring, and access to shared high-performance computing infrastructure. The initiative will actively foster public-private partnerships (PPPs) to drive growth in the AI ecosystem in Haryana.

The project will be implemented using the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing mechanism. Under this model, disbursement of funds will be directly linked to the achievement of specific Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs), which will be independently verified by a designated third-party agency.

To manage and coordinate the implementation of externally aided projects like HAIDP, the Cabinet has approved the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. This not-for-profit entity was earlier approved by the Standing Finance Committee (SFC-C), chaired by the Chief Minister, on April 17, 2025.

The SPV will function as the dedicated institutional mechanism for cross-sectoral coordination and governance of externally funded development programmes. The Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister will serve as the Chairman of the SPV, while the Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (HARTRON) has been designated as the Nodal Agency for managing the incorporation process and operational framework of the SPV under the Companies Act.

(ANI)