NHAI Cuts Emissions as Highway Building Grows

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has published its second consecutive Sustainability Report for FY 2023–24, underscoring its commitment to environmentally responsible infrastructure development.

Launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the report outlines NHAI’s integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework and its alignment with India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Prime Minister’s vision for sustainable progress.

Despite a 20 per cent increase in national highway construction during the year, the authority managed to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity from 1.0 to 0.8 metric tonnes of COâ‚‚ per kilometre, demonstrating progress in decoupling growth from emissions.

A key focus remains promoting circular economy practices. Over 63.1 million tonnes of recycled and reused materials—including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt—were utilised in road building. Since the introduction of the Green Highways Policy in 2015, over 469 million trees have been planted, including more than 5.6 million in 2023–24 and over 6.7 million already in 2024–25.

Under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, 467 water bodies have been rejuvenated, producing nearly 24 million cubic metres of soil for road works and saving around Rs 166.9 billion in construction costs. Water use intensity in arid areas has declined by 74 per cent, while measures to protect wildlife and mitigate man-animal conflict have also been implemented.

On the social front, all NHAI employees and contract workers are now covered under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Framework. The organisation recorded zero workplace discrimination cases, reinforcing its inclusive work culture.

Technological innovations have played a vital role. The AI-powered Data Lake 3.0 system has helped resolve 155 dispute cases, saving approximately Rs 256.8 billion. Additionally, FASTag penetration has reached 98.5 per cent, easing toll congestion and cutting emissions.

The report showcases NHAI’s multi-faceted approach to building a greener, more sustainable transport network while enhancing social equity and operational efficiency.