National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has published its inaugural Annual Report on the National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) for 2025–26, assessing vegetation along national highways. Prepared with the National Remote Sensing Centre, the NH-GCI utilizes satellite technology to quantify green cover within the Right of Way at one-kilometre intervals. This first evaluation spans 30,000 km across 24 states from July to December 2024, with future assessments intended to monitor changes in green cover for better management and sustainability. The project follows a three-year Memorandum of Understanding between NHAI and NRSC signed in January 2024.
Expanded Rapidly Over The Past Decade
Aimed at supporting data-driven interventions to improve green cover along highways India’s highway network has expanded rapidly over the past decade, and with this growth the focus on sustainability and environmental protection has also increased. In a significant step toward greener infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India has launched the National Highways Green Cover Index (NHGCI) 2025–26, a new monitoring framework designed to evaluate plantation, greenery, and environmental sustainability along national highways. The initiative aims to measure how effectively green cover is being created and maintained alongside highway development projects across the country.
The Green Cover Index will act as a benchmark system that measures vegetation density, plantation survival rate, biodiversity improvements, and eco-friendly infrastructure practices along highway corridors. As India continues to expand its road infrastructure under programs led by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this index is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that development remains balanced with environmental protection Highway development has historically been associated with deforestation and habitat disruption. However, in recent years the government has adopted a more sustainable approach by integrating plantation drives, green belts, and environmental.
Green Cover Along Thousands Of Kilometers
Restoration into infrastructure planning. Through the Green Cover Index, NHAI intends to create a transparent and measurable system that evaluates how well these environmental commitments are being implemented The index will track the green cover along thousands of kilometers of highways constructed or upgraded under the flagship highway expansion program known as Bharatmala Pariyojana. This program has been responsible for building several economic corridors and national highway links that improve logistics and connectivity across India. With the Green Cover Index, the environmental impact of these corridors will be monitored more closely.
A key objective of the Green Cover Index is to encourage contractors, concessionaires, and regional highway authorities to maintain better environmental standards during project construction and maintenance phases. The index evaluates multiple parameters including roadside plantations, green median development, rainwater harvesting systems, biodiversity conservation zones, and maintenance of ecological buffers along highways. Each highway stretch will receive a rating based on these factors, allowing policymakers to identify areas where environmental improvements are needed The Green Cover Index will also leverage modern technologies such as.
Satellite monitoring, drone surveys, and GIS-based mapping tools. These technologies will allow authorities to track vegetation growth and detect any loss of (India) green cover over time. By using remote sensing and digital monitoring tools, NHAI hopes to ensure that the data used for environmental assessment remains accurate and transparent In addition, the initiative supports India’s broader climate and sustainability commitments. The country has pledged to increase forest and tree cover as part of its climate goals under the Paris Agreement. Infrastructure projects that incorporate plantation and ecological restoration can significantly contribute to these targets by creating green corridors across regions.
Ambient Temperatures Green Corridors
Another important benefit of the Green Cover Index is its potential to improve the travel experience for highway users. Tree-lined highways not only enhance scenic beauty but also help reduce dust, control noise pollution, and lower ambient temperatures. Green corridors can also support wildlife movement and biodiversity conservation when properly designed with ecological considerations The initiative builds upon earlier programs that encouraged plantation along highways. NHAI has already conducted several large-scale tree plantation drives along major corridors, with millions of saplings planted in recent years. However, the Green Cover Index goes.
Beyond simple plantation counts by focusing on long-term survival, maintenance, and ecological impact The launch of the index also reflects the growing importance of sustainable infrastructure in India’s development agenda. Infrastructure projects today are expected not only to improve connectivity but also to contribute to environmental resilience and climate adaptation. Programs like the Green Cover Index help ensure that infrastructure expansion does not come at the cost of ecological degradation Environmental experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that the success of such programs will depend on consistent monitoring and collaboration between multiple.
Stakeholders. State governments, local forest departments, and highway concessionaires will all play an important role in implementing green corridor practices along highways Public awareness and participation could also strengthen the program. Communities living near highway corridors often play a key role in protecting plantations and preventing damage to newly planted trees. Encouraging local participation in plantation drives and maintenance activities can help ensure the long-term success of the initiative The Green Cover Index may also serve as a model for other infrastructure sectors in India. Railways, urban road networks, and industrial corridors.
Could adopt similar monitoring systems to track environmental performance and promote greener development As India continues to modernize its transportation (India) infrastructure, initiatives like the National Highways Green Cover Index highlight the government’s efforts to integrate sustainability into development planning. By measuring environmental performance alongside infrastructure growth, policymakers aim to create highways that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.
The introduction of the Green Cover Index marks a new chapter in India’s infrastructure journey. It reflects a shift toward smarter, greener, and more sustainable development practices that balance economic progress with ecological protection. If implemented effectively, the initiative could significantly improve environmental outcomes across the country’s rapidly expanding highway network.
Q1. What is the National Highways Green Cover Index?
It is a monitoring system launched by NHAI to measure plantation coverage and environmental sustainability along national highways.
Q2. Why was the Green Cover Index introduced?
The index helps ensure that highway expansion projects maintain ecological balance and increase green cover.
Q3. What parameters does the index measure?
It measures plantation density, survival rate of trees, biodiversity improvements, and environmental infrastructure along highways.
Q4. How will the index be monitored?
Monitoring will use satellite imagery, GIS mapping, drone surveys, and field inspections.
Q5. How does the initiative support climate goals?
By increasing tree cover along highways, the program contributes to carbon absorption and environmental sustainability.
