Society Demands Strict Enforcement of Green Highways Policy

24 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha (Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change) has called for the immediate implementation of the Green Highways Policy, 2015, to mitigate ecological damage caused by highway projects.

Benedict Fernandes, the society’s secretary, highlighted that over 30,000 km of highways have been widened in the last decade, leading to extensive tree felling. With 116,000 km of projects pending expansion, non-compliance with the policy risks irreversible environmental harm.

The policy mandates allocating 1% of project costs to a green fund, appointing agencies for tree translocation, and hiring specialists for plantation work. However, the society's review of key projects found glaring lapses in adherence.

After multiple ignored appeals, the society approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which issued directives on December 16 for strict policy compliance. The tribunal also called for an independent monitoring committee and periodic compliance reports.

The society continues to press the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for a timeline to execute these measures, warning of further legal action if the environment remains neglected.

Infrastructure Energy

08 Sep 2025

Coal Ministry Honours Top Mines for Safety and Sustainability

The Ministry of Coal hosted the Star Rating Award Ceremony in Mumbai to recognise outstanding coal and lignite mines for their achievements in safety, environmental responsibility, scientific operations, and community welfare. Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, accompanied by Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey and Secretary Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, presented the accolades.The awards celebrate mines that have demonstrated excellence across key parameters such as safety, productivity, scientific mining, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic impact. The Minister ..

Modi Highlights Decade of Bold Economic Reforms

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to economic reforms over the past decade, highlighting transformative measures that have redefined India’s fiscal structure and enhanced its global economic position.Citing major initiatives such as corporate tax cuts to encourage investment, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to unify the national market, and reforms in personal income tax to improve Ease of Living, Modi emphasised that the reform agenda has consistently been citizen-focused and pro-growth.He welcomed the ongoing #NextGe..

India's Ports Plan Rs 10 Billion High-Speed Freight Systems

India’s major ports are accelerating cargo movement through advanced high-speed transport systems aimed at reducing turnaround times and lowering carbon emissions. Two key initiatives are underway at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Maharashtra.At DPA, an 18-kilometre-long magnetic rail system is being planned to drastically reduce the time taken to transport freight within the port premises. The project is being developed in collaboration with global logistics major DP World and Polish firm Nevomo, known for its experti..