Green Highway

A Green Highway refers to a modern approach to road development that integrates principles of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and social responsibility into every stage of planning, construction, and maintenance. The concept emphasises reducing the ecological footprint of highway projects while enhancing their long-term economic and social benefits. Green highways go beyond mere transportation infrastructure by promoting greener landscapes, efficient resource use, and sustainable community development.

Concept and Definition

The concept of a Green Highway is rooted in the idea of developing roads that are eco-friendly, socially inclusive, and economically viable. Unlike conventional highways that often lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and air pollution, green highways are designed to preserve natural ecosystems, minimise carbon emissions, and enhance roadside biodiversity.
A Green Highway integrates environmental and social considerations such as:

• Use of recycled materials and renewable energy sources.
• Efficient water and waste management systems.
• Development of roadside plantations for carbon sequestration.
• Sustainable drainage and erosion control systems.
• Inclusion of local communities in planning and maintenance.

This holistic model aligns with global sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, life on land, and sustainable infrastructure.

Historical Background and Policy Development in India

In India, the concept gained formal recognition with the launch of the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The policy aimed to integrate environmental sustainability into the road construction process by developing eco-friendly corridors across the national highway network.
The Green Highways Policy, 2015 has the following key objectives:

• To develop tree-lined and landscaped highways that act as carbon sinks.
• To generate employment opportunities for rural communities through plantation and maintenance activities.
• To involve self-help groups (SHGs), NGOs, and local agencies in plantation drives.
• To allocate 1 per cent of the total project cost for plantation and maintenance under highway projects.
• To monitor and ensure scientific management of roadside vegetation for long-term ecological stability.

This initiative was part of India’s broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting green infrastructure under its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

Features of Green Highways

Green highways are characterised by a range of environmentally friendly and innovative practices:

• Sustainable Design and Construction: Use of recycled aggregates, fly ash, and industrial by-products in pavement construction to reduce material consumption and emissions.
• Vegetation and Landscaping: Systematic plantation of native and drought-resistant tree species along roadsides to create green belts that help in dust suppression, noise reduction, and soil conservation.
• Water Management: Incorporation of rainwater harvesting, bioswales, and permeable pavements to manage stormwater and recharge groundwater levels.
• Waste and Resource Management: Reuse of construction waste, utilisation of plastic in bituminous roads, and minimisation of non-biodegradable materials.
• Energy Efficiency: Adoption of solar-powered lighting systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and smart monitoring technologies to reduce energy dependence.
• Wildlife Protection Measures: Construction of underpasses, green bridges, and fencing in forested areas to ensure safe wildlife movement and prevent roadkill.

These measures together make the highway a self-sustaining ecological system rather than a source of environmental disruption.

Implementation and Institutional Framework

The implementation of green highways in India is coordinated by the National Green Highways Mission (NGHM), established under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The mission’s goals include:

• Planting trees and shrubs along 100,000 kilometres of national highways.
• Promoting the concept of green corridors for environmental and economic benefits.
• Ensuring scientific monitoring and evaluation using satellite imagery and geo-tagging of plantations.

The NGHM works in collaboration with state forest departments, private contractors, NGOs, and research institutions to maintain transparency and accountability. Performance-based contracts ensure that plantation agencies are responsible for the survival and maintenance of greenery for a specified period, generally up to five years.

Benefits of Green Highways

Green highways offer multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits:

• Environmental Benefits:
  • Carbon sequestration through large-scale tree plantation.
  • Reduction in air and noise pollution levels.
  • Conservation of soil and water resources.
  • Promotion of biodiversity and microclimate regulation.
• Economic Benefits:
  • Reduction in maintenance costs due to soil stabilisation and erosion control.
  • Creation of rural employment opportunities in plantation and maintenance.
  • Promotion of eco-tourism and local economies along highway routes.
• Social Benefits:
  • Improved aesthetics and comfort for travellers.
  • Enhanced public health through cleaner and greener surroundings.
  • Community participation leading to local empowerment and stewardship of natural resources.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its potential, the implementation of green highway initiatives faces several challenges:

• Climatic and soil variations affecting plant survival rates across different regions.
• Lack of coordination between central, state, and local authorities in maintenance activities.
• Inadequate monitoring mechanisms for assessing the success of plantation drives.
• Encroachment and urbanisation along highway corridors leading to loss of green cover.
• Funding constraints for long-term sustainability of plantation and upkeep efforts.

Addressing these challenges requires continuous institutional support, community engagement, and innovative technologies such as remote sensing and IoT-based monitoring systems.

Global and Environmental Context

The concept of green highways is part of a global movement toward sustainable transportation infrastructure. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan have implemented similar eco-road initiatives that incorporate renewable energy, recycled materials, and smart traffic systems.
India’s model aligns with global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). It also contributes to India’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity.

Future Prospects

The future of green highways in India is promising as the country continues to expand its national highway network under programmes such as Bharatmala Pariyojana. Integrating sustainability into these projects can transform road infrastructure into a tool for environmental protection and inclusive development.
Emerging technologies such as bioengineering for slope stabilisation, drone-based monitoring, smart irrigation systems, and solar photovoltaic installations along highways can further enhance their efficiency and resilience.