NHAI to institute annual awards to recognise agencies carrying out plantations along National Highways
Under the newly instituted 'NHAI Green Highways Excellence' Awards, a total of nine honours will be presented annually across three categories: Avenue Plantations, Median Plantations, and Plantations at Land Parcels, which include toll plazas, service areas, and cloverleaf junctions.
According to the officials familiar with the development, the Authority has decided to institute annual 'NHAI Green Highways Excellence' awards as mandated in the Green Highways Policy, 2015.
'The objective is to recognise and reward exemplary efforts by various agencies and such initiatives for wider replications. Nomination will be invited by the Regional Officer (ROs) or Project Directors preferably in February. The plantation completed by January 31 will be considered for the recognition,' officials said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Odisha government scraps tender for construction of Mahanadi bridge near Satkosia
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government has scrapped the tender floated for construction of a high-level bridge over Mahanadi river near the ecologically-sensitive Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The bridge plan was taken up without obtaining mandatory clearances from the statutory bodies of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This newspaper had reported the story. An official document of the Works department, accessed by The New Indian Express, said, 'The project proposal will now be uploaded on the e-Parivesh portal for obtaining all necessary statutory clearances after which its execution will be taken up.' Sources in the Works department said, the chief engineer, Bridges cancelled the March 28 tender citing that due procedure will be followed to obtain all statutory clearances required for its execution in the ecologically-sensitive area. The bridge project had been planned to be executed at an investment of `131.51 crore to connect Narsinghpur-Baliput PWD road to Badmul, a scenic site located within Baisipalli wildlife sanctuary under Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Though the bridge and its approach road fall within a few hundred metres of the core area of the tiger reserve, it was alleged that the government proceeded with the tender without obtaining necessary clearances from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Environmentalists and wildlife experts who raised objections had cautioned that the project could cause irreversible damage to the fragile ecosystem of Satkosia. Meanwhile, in view of the sensitive nature of the proposed bridge over Chilika lake, the regional officer, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intimated the Works department that they would appoint competent agencies to conduct studies and assessments, and comply with the terms of reference recommended by the MoEFCC under the provision of EAI notification 2006. The 7.74-km project, estimated at a cost of around `526.08 crore, had prompted the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of MoEFCC to seek a cost-benefit analysis from the state government. During a meeting in December last year, the EAC observed that around 3.4-km length of the proposed bridge falls under the draft eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) boundary of Nalabana (Chilika) Wildlife Sanctuary. It had sought clarification from NHAI for the necessity of constructing the bridge project at the site. Department sources said the status of the Mahanadi bridge and Chilika bridge projects has been communicated to the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that sought clarification from the government on both the matters recently.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
'Dirt Road' Gets New Meaning: NHAI Used 63 MT Of Waste For National Highway Construction In 2023-24
Last Updated: A significant initiative by the NHAI includes the use of plastic waste in highway construction, particularly in urban areas generating high volumes of plastic waste In a major stride toward sustainable infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) repurposed over 63 million tonnes of waste in building national highways during 2023-24. The highway-building body on Tuesday released the second Sustainability Report 2023-24. The report details NHAI's robust framework for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into every aspect of its operations. The Sustainability Report 2023-24 underlines the effectiveness of various efforts made by NHAI for environmental protection and energy conservation. As per the report, the NHAI successfully reduced its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity from 1.0 MTCO2e/km to 0.8 MTCO2e/km, 'demonstrating a clear decoupling of construction growth from emissions". The reduction in GHG emissions was achieved despite a 20 per cent increase in highway construction in FY 2023-24, with 6,634 km built compared to 5,551 km in FY 2022-23. Also, the water use intensity of NHAI has reduced by 74% in water-stressed regions compared to FY2021-22. 'In FY 2023-24, NHAI utilised more than 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials, including fly-ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt, in National Highway construction. In addition to this, NHAI continued to undertake nationwide tree plantation drives along the National Highways. In FY 2023-24, NHAI planted over 56 lakh saplings," an official statement said. In 2024-25, the NHAI has already planted 67.47 lakh saplings, bringing the total tree plantation to over 4.69 crore since the implementation of the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy 2015. Plastic Use in Roads As per the report, a significant initiative by the NHAI includes the use of plastic waste in highway construction, particularly in urban areas generating high volumes of plastic waste. The pilot projects in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and a stretch of NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan in Delhi have successfully incorporated plastic waste into surface courses. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Gurugram-Sohna Highway also feature sections constructed using this innovative approach. The NHAI said it used plastic waste through concessionaires and contractors. The efforts have significantly contributed to reducing environmental disruptions, with approximately seven tonnes of plastic waste eliminated for every kilometre of a four-lane highway constructed. Fly Ash and Pond Ash The combined use of fly ash and pond ash in construction has increased over the past three years, further demonstrating NHAI's commitment to sustainable practices. 'Through these initiatives, NHAI has successfully diverted 3,300 tonnes of non-hazardous waste from disposal within its own operations, reinforcing its dedication to circular economy principles," the report added. The NHAI has mandated the use of fly ash and pond ash in road and highway projects located within a 300-kilometre radius of coal-based thermal power plants, ensuring efficient utilisation of this by-product. 'NHAI has collaborated with regional suppliers for the procurement of the materials. Sourcing materials locally lowers transportation costs and delivery times, increases project efficiency, and contributes to overall goals. It also strengthens links with local businesses, which benefits the community's economy and promotes sustainable practice," the report added. Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that the second Sustainability Report from NHAI showcases the ministry's progress in integrating sustainability into every facet of operations—from environment-friendly construction practices and resource efficiency to biodiversity conservation, community development, and stakeholder engagement. 'With sustainability at the forefront, NHAI has adopted eco-friendly construction practices in infrastructure development, utilising recycled materials, inert waste from landfills, setting up solar power plants, creating surface water bodies, and implementing rainwater harvesting measures. Green technologies and comprehensive environmental management strategies have been integrated to address concerns related to biodiversity, wildlife, and local communities," he added. The NHAI operates as an autonomous organisation under the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) and is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways. With a 'forward-thinking" approach, NHAI is designed to not only address current challenges but also to future-proof India's road infrastructure. By integrating sustainable practices and embracing technological advancements, NHAI is 'poised to lead the transformation of India's highway network into a safer, greener, and more inclusive network", the report added. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @ More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : garbage highway recycling road waste view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 16, 2025, 07:30 IST News india 'Dirt Road' Gets New Meaning: NHAI Used 63 MT Of Waste For National Highway Construction In 2023-24 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Indian Express
Their way and a highway: In Ranthambore, work on to allow animals a free pass
On a nearly 12-km stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway that falls in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve's buffer zone lie five identical mound-like structures. Standing between Bundi's Hardeoganj village and the Major Bridge on Mej river, these structures — 500 metres long and connected by the road — serve a unique purpose: to allow a safe passage for wildlife as well as vehicles, without impeding either. Touted as India's first large-scale animal overpasses, these mounds are part of a key section of the ambitious 1,386-km-long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Executed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under the National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI) Bharatmala Pariyojana project, these overpasses will be opened to the public in five months, officials said. Apart from the five overpasses, the project includes a 1.2-km-long animal underpass. According to a senior official of L&T, while the initial project in 2020 did not factor in these structures, the NHAI eventually revised its plan based on suggestions made by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The structures will be camouflaged with grass and shrubs, the seeds of which have already been sown, the official said. Other highlights include use of noise barriers on the boundary wall of the highway and Polyurethane (PU) mats — known for their sound-dampening and noise-reducing properties — on the tunnel walls. 'Constant noise from traffic can lead to disorientation, anxiety, and interference with essential animal activities such as feeding, mating and nesting…The boundary wall is four metres high, with an additional two metres of noise barriers to prevent vehicular sounds from seeping out. The overpasses have been built in such a way that animals would not be able to tell the difference. This will help them go from one side to another without hindrance,' he said. Given that the stretch ran through an eco-sensitive zone, officials said they encountered several challenges. One of these was to relocate a 765 kV high-tension line passing through the animal underpass and wildlife sanctuary zone. 'It was a sensitive task due to its location within a protected ecological area. The project runs through the buffer zone of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Chambal Ghadiyal, and Papdi Forest Area. Multiple wildlife species, including bears and tigers, were encountered during construction activities. It was our responsibility to ensure both the animals and the workers were safe,' said Pardeep Atri, regional officer of NHAI at Jaipur. The project also required stringent compliance with environmental regulations and continuous coordination with forest authorities. Among these requirements was installing cameras every kilometre to monitor the movement of animals. While this particular stretch of the expressway was completed in December 2023, there are some other portions where work is still ongoing, he said. 'We are planning to make the overpasses operational in around five months. Our target is to achieve one lakh Passenger Car Unit (PCU) on this section in the next 4-5 years,' the NHAI official said. The Delhi-Mumbai expressway connects major economic centres within Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the expressway will cut down the distance between Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) near Mumbai by about 180 km and reduce travel time by up to 50 per cent. According to the NHAI, 82 per cent of the total expressway is complete, with the project deadline now pushed back to October this year from March 2023. Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
