Lok Sabha Question No. 3836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-23
Subject: The Green Highways Policy, 2015
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Diya Kumari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3836 ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2023

## THE GREEN HIGHWAYS POLICY, 2015

3836. MS. DIYA KUMARI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  objectives  of  the  Green  Highways  Policy,  2015  which  was introduced to promote greening of highway corridors with participation of the community, farmers, private sector, NGOs and Government institutions;
- (b) whether the said objectives have been achieved so far;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the objective of the policy to provide employment to the local people and communities has been fulfilled and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether a monitoring mechanism has been set up to track the implementation of the policy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  State  Governments  have  started  a  programme  on similar  lines  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  State  of Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The objectives of the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy, 2015 are as follows:
- (i) To evolve a policy framework for plantation along National Highways;
- (ii)  To reduce the impact of air pollution and dust as trees and shrubs are known to be natural sink for air pollutants;
- (iii) To provide much needed shade on glaring hot roads during summer;
- (iv)   To  reduce  the  impact  of  ever  increasing  noise  pollution caused due to increase in number of vehicles;
- (v)  To arrest soil erosion at the embankment slopes;
- (vi) To prevent glare from the headlight of incoming vehicles;
- (vii) To moderate the effect of wind and incoming radiation;
- (viii)  To create employment opportunities for local people;
- (b) to (c) The implementation of the policy is a continuous process to achieve the said objectives. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planted more than 344 lakh plants on National Highways from year 2016-17 onward by way of Annual Plantation Action Plans. As per Annual Plantation  Action  Plan  2022-23,  a  target  of  75.51  lakh  plants  was approved  by  NHAI  out  of  which  69.63  lakh  plants  (92%)  have  been planted till February, 2023.
- (d)  For  the  plantation  activities,  local  people  are  engaged  to  provide them  employment.  However,  as  most  of  the  plantations  on  National Highways are done by the concessionaires, the data regarding employment provided for plantation activities is not separately maintained.
- (e) & (f) To monitor the survival and growth of plants, NHAI launched a Mobile App 'Harit Path' in August 2020 and 237 lakhs plants have been

| Year of Plantation   | No. of Saplings Planted (in Lakh)   |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 2016-2017            | 38.00                               |
| 2017-2018            | 38.26                               |
| 2018-2019            | 31.26                               |
| 2019-2020            | 36.20                               |
| 2020-2021            | 58.87                               |
| 2021-2022            | 72.05                               |
| 2022-2023            | 69.63                               |
| (upto 28.02.2023)    |                                     |
| Total                | 344.27                              |

geo-tagged  upto  February,  2023.  As  a  second  line  of  monitoring,  the plantations are being monitored through monthly drone videography of highways construction development progress including plantations. In addition, there are regular inspections by NHAI officers and professionals engaged in Regional Offices.

*****