The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released its second consecutive Sustainability Report for the financial year 2023–24, reaffirming its strong commitment towards environmental sustainability and responsible infrastructure development.
The report, launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, highlights NHAI’s integrated framework for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and its alignment with India’s global commitments under the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative and the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a sustainable future.
Despite a 20% rise in National Highway construction in FY 2023–24, NHAI has successfully reduced its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity from 1.0 MTCO2e/km to 0.8 MTCO2e/km, indicating a clear decoupling of construction growth from emissions.
Promoting a circular economy remains central to NHAI’s efforts. In the reporting year, more than 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials — including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt — were utilized in highway construction.
Afforestation and plantation have also received a major push. Over 56 lakh saplings were planted in FY 2023–24 and 67.47 lakh saplings have already been planted in 2024–25, taking the total tree plantation count to over 4.69 crore since the rollout of the Green Highways Policy, 2015. This large-scale plantation has helped create substantial carbon sinks and enhanced the environmental balance along India’s highways.
The report also documents NHAI’s conservation initiatives under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, with 467 water bodies rejuvenated across the country. These efforts have revitalised local water resources and supplied nearly 2.4 crore cubic metres of soil for road construction, yielding estimated savings of around ₹16,690 crore.
Water use intensity in water-stressed regions has dropped by 74% compared to previous levels. Additionally, the authority has implemented best practices to mitigate the impact of highways on wildlife and minimise man-animal conflicts.
On the social front, NHAI has reinforced inclusive and safe work practices. All direct employees and contract workers are now covered under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Framework. The organisation also recorded zero instances of workplace discrimination, underlining its commitment to diversity and equity.
Technology has played a crucial role in these achievements. The AI-driven Data Lake 3.0 platform has streamlined project management and helped resolve 155 conciliation claims, resulting in an estimated saving of about ₹25,680 crore. The widespread adoption of FASTag, with a penetration rate of 98.5%, has further reduced congestion at toll plazas, cutting vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint.