Lok Sabha Question No. 3089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Centre Median Plantations on NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Centre Median Plantations on National Highways (NHs) are a critical component of road  safety  design  as  they  reduce  headlight  glare  and  visibility  of oncoming traffic especially during night driving and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the median plantations are absent or poorly maintained on many NH stretches across the country including in Tamil Nadu defeating  the  purpose  of  median  safety  and  if  so,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines or instructions to the National Highways  Authority of India and concessionaires to ensure proper design, planting and maintenance of centre median greenery and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  revive  or  implement  uniform median  greening  in  all  6-lane/4-  lane  NHs  across  the  country  to enhance  visual  comfort  and  reduce  accident  risk  and  if  so,  the beautification efforts undertaken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3089 ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CENTRE MEDIAN PLANTATIONS ON NHs

3089. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

(a)  Planning,  Design,  Construction  and  Maintenance  of  National Highways (NHs) are carried out in conformity with applicable Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines, specifications, manuals and policy circulars of the Government. Accordingly, centre median is provided on divided NHs with the objective of segregating the two directions of traffic for improving safety against vehicle crossing and overtaking manoeuvre. Further to cut-off headlight glare and improve  visibility  of  oncoming  traffic  during  night,  planting  of flowering  plants  and  shrubs  in  centre  median  is  done  depending upon median type i.e. depressed/flush, its width, paved or unpaved and availability of land. (b) Contract Agreement provides for regular maintenance, including pruning,  weeding,  and  watering  of  the  median  plantation  on  NHs across country including in Tamil Nadu for the long-term health and effectiveness of the plantation. The shape of shrubs and plants has been  suitably  regulated  so  that  there  is  no  overgrowth  either vertically or horizontally. Care is taken to ensure that the plants do not obstruct visibility for drivers or create any safety hazards. (c)  and  (d)  Guidelines  have  been  issued  to  National  Highways Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  and  other  executing  agencies  to  ensure the  periodical  monitoring  and  maintenance  measures  such  as regular trimming of the shrubs and trees on the Highways so that the signages installed on the Highways remain clearly visible to the drivers  at  all  seasons.  It  also  reiterated  that  obstruction  due  to trees  and  plants  including  median  plantation  shall  be  removed immediately. NHAI has issued specifications of saplings for median plantations  to  ensure  quality  and  aesthetic  due  to  uniformity  in appearance of planting material in all 6-lane/4-lane NHs across the country.

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