‘Greener’ roads

Union minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, announced recently that his government is emphasising on ways to cut down the use of steel and cement in the construction of roads and bridges. Stating that massive investment in the highway sector is being done, the minister said that he is keen to see good plantation works along the national highways. Revealing that the government is constructing 22 green highways, the minister, addressing a virtual event organised by IIT Tirupati recently expressed that not a single highway road is perfect as far as green plantation is concerned. He urged NHAI officials to engage experts for plantation of trees along the national highways in a bid to promote green highways policy. This is needed for the ecology and environment of the country,” he expressed. Launching the green highways (plantation, transplantation, beautification & maintenance) policy in 2015, Gadkari has been a strong proponent of the greening of highway corridors with participation of the community, farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government institutions. At the policy announcement he announced that one-per cent of the total project cost of all highways projects will be kept aside for the highway plantation and its maintenance. He added that about Rs.1000 crore per year will be made available for plantation purposes, which will generate employment opportunities for about five lakh people from rural areas.