Question : Green Highway Projects

(a) whether the Green Highway Project is in existence now across the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the present status of the green corridor along National Highways, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has awarded green highway projects to the empanelled agencies for plantation on highways;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the payment system and time limit for the completion of work likely to be done till date;

(e) whether the Government has decided to develop way side amenities along the National Highways; and

(f) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated and spent during the last three years?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (d) Greening of highways is an integral part of highway projects and relevant provision for the same are made in the Project Concession / Contract Agreement. Plantation works are implemented by various agencies such as, Concessionaire, Contractor, Forest Department, etc., as per relevant provisions of the project specific Concession / Contract Agreement. However, there is no designated Green Corridor. The Ministry has promulgated Plantations along National Highways in collaboration with Forest Department, PSUs, NGOs, etc. Currently plantation works inclusive of five year maintenance have been initiated along 1513 km NH stretch in the year 2016 -17. The state wise details are as follows.

Andhra Pradesh – 390 Km, Assam – 133 Km, Haryana – 418 Km, Jammu & Kashmir – 100 Km, Jharkhand – 50 Km, Madhya Pradesh – 82 Km, Maharashtra – 87 Km, Orissa – 77 Km, Rajasthan – 26 Km, Telangana – 150 Km. The payment provisions are as per the relevant contracts.

(e) to (f) Yes Madam. The designs for way side amenities, which inter-alia include clean toilets, provision for parking, food, fuel station, minor repair shop etc. in a systematic and planned manner, have been approved and the guidelines have been issued. No expenditure has been incurred as on date for construction of wayside amenities.

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