NNWN / New Delhi, 2015-09-29

In an attempt to go green on highways, the government has released the green highways policy, 2015. As per the policy, developers will have to invest one percent of their total project cost in a corpus fund for roadside plantations. The fund is expected to hold up to Rs.1,000 crore per year for plantation. Releasing the policy titled, "Green Highways (plantation, transplantation, beautification and maintenance) policy, 2015" Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the policy will generate employment opportunities for about five lakh people from rural areas.

The road transport and highways ministry said that the policy envisions to promote greening of highway corridors with participation of farmers, private sector, non government organisations (NGOs) and government institutions. He elaborated that under the policy 1,200 road side amenities will also be established.  Gadkari said, "There will be strong monitoring mechanism in place by using ISRO's (Indian Space Research Organisation) Bhuvan and Gagan satellite systems. Every planted tree will be counted and auditing will be done." According to Vijay Chhibber, secretary, road transport and highways ministry, the policy can help in bridging the gap between the envisaged 33 percent forest cover over the country's total land area and the actual cover of only about 22 percent.  "The (policy's) emphasis is not only on the trees planted, but also on how many of them survive and are useful for the local communities," Chhibber said.