**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways' initiatives to promote environmentally sustainable road construction through Green Highway projects. These initiatives focus on tree plantation, the use of recycled materials, and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies to reduce carbon emissions and improve ecological balance. The information was formally presented to the Rajya Sabha on March 18, 2026, highlighting compliance with established national policy frameworks and technological guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Environmental Sustainability and Plantation**
* Implementation of the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015, to integrate carbon offsetting into projects.
* Mandatory plantation along the medians, avenues, and Right of Way (RoW) of National Highways.
* Requirement for compensatory afforestation and tree transplantation in instances where tree felling is necessary for development.
* Emphasis on proper management of water resources during construction and maintenance activities.
**Use of Recycled and Waste Materials**
* Increased adoption of waste-derived materials in infrastructure projects wherever technically feasible.
* Specific encouragement for the use of fly ash, plastic waste, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
* Creation of an enabling environment through guidelines and advisories to enhance the acceptance of recycled materials.
**Technological and Operational Innovations**
* Utilization of energy-efficient construction technologies and digital monitoring systems to track project progress and environmental impact.
* Adoption of improved environmental management practices to conserve natural resources and minimize emissions.
* Strict adherence to Indian Roads Congress (IRC): SP:21 guidelines and relevant specifications to ensure environmental compliance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Highway Developers and Contractors**
**Impact:**
Developers must shift from traditional methods to sustainable practices, integrating recycled materials and energy-efficient technologies into their workflows.
**Action Required:**
Incorporate green materials (like RAP and fly ash) and digital monitoring systems into construction processes while ensuring compliance with IRC guidelines and the 2015 Green Highways Policy.
**Environmental and Forestry Departments**
**Impact:**
These stakeholders are central to the execution of carbon offsetting and compensatory measures required by highway expansions.
**Action Required:**
Oversee and execute compensatory afforestation and tree transplantation projects along the National Highway Right of Way.
**Material Suppliers (Waste and Recycling Industry)**
**Impact:**
There is an increased demand for industrial by-products and waste materials for use in national infrastructure.
**Action Required:**
Supply processed plastic waste, fly ash, and C&D waste that meet the technical specifications required for highway construction.
**Government and Regulatory Bodies**
**Impact:**
Responsible for ensuring that highway development aligns with national environmental standards and sustainability goals.
**Action Required:**
Continue providing policy frameworks, technical guidelines, and advisories to support the wider adoption of green initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015: The primary policy framework for integrating environmentally sustainable practices like tree plantation and carbon offsetting into highway development.
Indian Roads Congress (IRC): SP:21 guidelines: Technical specifications and guidelines used to ensure compliance with environmental standards and sustainable construction practices in road projects.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: The central government ministry responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of green highway initiatives in India.
National Highways: The specific road infrastructure assets where environmental sustainability measures, including tree transplantation and the use of recycled materials, are applied.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
PROMOTION OF GREEN HIGHWAY INITIATIVES
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 6:21PM by PIB Delhi
Green Highway initiatives have promoted environmentally sustainable road construction by encouraging
plantation along National Highways, the use of enavironmentally friendly construction materials, proper
management of water resources, and measures to reduce carbon emissions during construction and
maintenance activities. These initiatives aim to improve ecological balance and enhance the environmental
sustainability of highway development.
The use of recycled materials in infrastructure development is increasing day by day due to various policy
reforms and initiatives taken by the Government. The policy framework encourages sustainable
construction practices and promotes the use of recycled and waste-derived materials in projects wherever
technically feasible. Continuous efforts through guidelines, advisories, and technological advancements
have created an enabling environment for wider adoption, thereby enhancing the potential and acceptance
of recycled materials in construction activities.
Tree plantation and carbon offsetting measures have been integrated into National Highway projects as
part of environmentally sustainable development under the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation,
Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015 and Indian Roads Congress (IRC): SP:21 guidelines.
Under this framework, plantation is undertaken along the median, avenue, and other available Right of
Way (RoW) of National Highways. Additionally, wherever tree felling is necessary for highway
development, compensatory afforestation and tree transplantation are undertaken.
Technological innovations are increasingly being adopted in road construction to ensure environmental
compliance and promote sustainable development. The use of recycled and waste materials such as fly
ash, plastic waste, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and construction and demolition waste in highway
projects is encouraged.
Further, the adoption of green initiatives, energy-efficient construction technologies, digital monitoring
systems, and improved environmental management practices has helped reduce emissions, conserve
natural resources, and minimize environmental impact during road construction. These innovations are
implemented in accordance with relevant specifications and IRC guidelines to ensure compliance with
environmental standards in highway development.
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.
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GDH/HJ
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