Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the Indian government and the World Bank have signed an agreement for the construction of Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP) in an aggregate length of 781 km.

The highways are planned to be built in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Gadkari said the highways will be constructed with loan assistance of US $ 500 million against total project cost of US $ 1288.24 million (Rs. 7,662.47 crore).

The scheduled date of completion of last package of GNHCP project is by May 2026.

The project incorporates demonstrating safe and green highway keeping in view climate resilience and use of green technologies by incorporating the following aspects:

Conservation of natural resources using cement treated sub base/reclaimed asphalt pavement;

Promote use of local/ marginal material such as lime, fly ash, waste plastic; and

Use of bio-engineering measures for slope protection like coco fibre/Jute erosion control blanket with shrub/grass plantation, hydroseeding, Shotcrete crib wall with vegetation, Bamboo Plantation, Hedge Brush Layer, interlink chain mesh with grass strips, Geocell with hydroseeding etc. in slope protection works;

Why there is a need for the project?

The use of Green technologies and bio engineering solutions particularly to Hilly area are expected to reduce carbon emissions and ensure conservation of natural resources during the life cycle (construction and operation period) of the project.

The project aims to provide smooth and motorable roads with all-weather connectivity of the nearby areas.

This will result in socio-economic development as well as enhanced trade and connectivity within the region.