Society Urges NHAI to Enforce Green Highways Policy

31 Dec 2024 CW Team

Benedict Fernandes, secretary of the society, told reporters that over the last decade, 30,000 km of highways have been widened and reinforced, leading to the destruction of numerous trees and significant environmental damage.

He pointed out that 1,16,000km of highway expansion projects are still pending, which could further harm the environment if the Green Highways Policy is not adopted. "The society will closely monitor all current and future projects to ensure compliance with the green policy. Should violations occur, we are prepared to take legal action through the National Green Tribunal (NGT)," Fernandes said.

According to the policy, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is required to appoint agencies for tree translocation and plantation, allocate 1% of the project cost to a green fund, and hire specialised contractors for tree planting and translocation as per the standards and timeline set out.

The society recently reviewed three ongoing projects—the four-laning of the Sanur to Bikarnakatte section, removal of blackspots and construction of an overpass, and the four-laning of the Pulkeri to Mala Gate section—and found no evidence of adherence to the Green Highways Policy. A letter was sent to the NHAI on January 29, urging them to ensure the policy is followed.

When the NHAI failed to respond, the society approached the NGT. On December 16, the NGT directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to address the issue and ensure compliance. An independent monitoring committee was recommended, along with periodic compliance reports. The society has called for strict penalties against violators and asked the NHAI to set a clear timeline for implementing the NGT's order.

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), which obligates the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to incorporate environmental safeguards in highway projects. Benedict Fernandes, secretary of the society, told reporters that over the last decade, 30,000 km of highways have been widened and reinforced, leading to the destruction of numerous trees and significant environmental damage. He pointed out that 1,16,000km of highway expansion projects are still pending, which could further harm the environment if the Green Highways Policy is not adopted. The society will closely monitor all current and future projects to ensure compliance with the green policy. Should violations occur, we are prepared to take legal action through the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Fernandes said. According to the policy, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is required to appoint agencies for tree translocation and plantation, allocate 1% of the project cost to a green fund, and hire specialised contractors for tree planting and translocation as per the standards and timeline set out. The society recently reviewed three ongoing projects—the four-laning of the Sanur to Bikarnakatte section, removal of blackspots and construction of an overpass, and the four-laning of the Pulkeri to Mala Gate section—and found no evidence of adherence to the Green Highways Policy. A letter was sent to the NHAI on January 29, urging them to ensure the policy is followed. When the NHAI failed to respond, the society approached the NGT. On December 16, the NGT directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to address the issue and ensure compliance. An independent monitoring committee was recommended, along with periodic compliance reports. The society has called for strict penalties against violators and asked the NHAI to set a clear timeline for implementing the NGT's order.

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