According to a release by PIB Delhi on February 11, 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is promoting "Green Highways and Sustainable Road Infrastructure." Plantation activities are being undertaken along National Highways in accordance with the Green Highways Policy, 2015 and IRC: SP: 21-2009, with emphasis on native species. The ministry is promoting the use of recycled materials, waste products and environment-friendly technologies. Sustainable materials like fly ash, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste are being used. Plastic waste, natural geo-textiles, slag, crumb rubber, and other recycled materials are also being promoted to improve pavement performance and address environmental concerns. These initiatives aim to contribute to India's climate goals by promoting resource efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting the circular economy. The information was provided by Union Minister Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari Ji in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Release ID: 2226651, Visitor Counter: 190. The release is also available in Urdu.
Key Entities Referenced
Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015: A policy document focused on plantation and beautification along National Highways.
Indian Road Congress (IRC): SP: 21-2009: A publication by the Indian Road Congress relating to plantation activities along roads.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: The primary ministry responsible for road infrastructure development and related policies.
National Highways: The roads that this policy applies to.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
GREEN HIGHWAYS AND SUSTAINABLE ROAD
INFRASTRUCTURE
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 8:17PM by PIB Delhi
In accordance with the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance)
Policy, 2015 and Indian Road Congress (IRC): SP: 21-2009, plantation activities are undertaken along
the available Right of Way and medians of National Highways, wherever feasible, with emphasis on
native species having high survival rate and carbon absorption capacity.
Concerned agencies are continuously promoting and adopting the use of recycled materials, waste
products, and environment friendly technologies in the construction and maintenance of National
Highway projects.
Various sustainable and recycled materials, such as fly ash in embankment and structural works,
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in bituminous layers, and Construction and Demolition (C&D)
waste are utilized and used in suitable road works as per technical specifications in Highways projects.
The use of plastic waste in bituminous mixes, natural geo-textiles in addition to other sustainable
materials including slag, crumb rubber, and other recycled or industrial by-products are being
promoted as per feasibility and guidelines to improve pavement performance for addressing
environmental concerns.
These initiatives contribute significantly to India’s climate goals by promoting resource efficiency,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing environmental degradation associated with
highway construction and thus, supporting the principles of circular economy.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam
Gadkari Ji in written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
*****
GDH/HJ
(Release ID: 2226651) Visitor Counter : 190
Read this release in: Urdu