Pilot project for green-belt along National Highways approved


* Under the project submitted by NEERI, NHAI approves implementation on Jam-Hinganghat stretch of NH-7

Staff Reporter
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved a pilot project submitted by city-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) for undertaking scientific studies on designing green-belts along national highways. Interestingly, the pilot project is being implemented in Nagpur Division.
The pilot project will be implemented on a 5-km stretch on NH-7 between Jam and Hinganghat at an estimated cost of  Rs 11.80 crore. Under the project, around 20,000 trees of scientifically chosen species are proposed to be planted on both sides of this stretch of National Highway-7 in multiple rows.
For the purpose, various work activities have been delineated considering two major factors -- highway requirement and objectives, and plant characteristics to fit in the site requirement. The first factor of highway requirement and objectives comprises different components namely traffic frequency, available space, soil type, water availability, climatic conditions, and anthropogenic interference. The second factor about plant characteristics has four components namely height, canopy cover, Air Pollution Tolerance Index, and sociability.
The project will run for five years. During this period, various experiments will be conducted in NEERI laboratory to record the impact of green-belt development. Besides developing green-belt, the project will also assist in developing relevant research infrastructure that may be used for similar studies in future.
It may be mentioned here that Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Surface Transport, Highways, and Shipping, had dropped a hint about the pilot project. Under the pilot project, trees will be planted in three layers. The proposal was forwarded to NHAI on July 10 earlier this year for examination. Accordingly, the proposal was considered and approved. NHAI will bear the expenditure. The strategically designed green-belt is expected to deal with issues like degradation of soil, changes in surface and ground water flow effected by modifications in water resources and drainage, deterioration of water quality, water logging, changes in air quality due to pollution caused by traffic, and also help in maintaining the aesthetics.

(27-11-15) 

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