NHAI in pact with PFC for greening of National Highway 7 in Nagpur

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) inked a pact with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) for planting trees along NH 7 in Nagpur, Maharashtra under the National Green Highways Mission (NGHM).

"National Green Highways Mission (NGHM) under NHAI has collaborated with PFC for plantation work at NH 7 in Nagpur region (Borkhedi-Wadner and Khatara-Kelapur) covering 87 km stretch," the ministry of road transport and highways said in a statement.

PFC has provided financial assistance of Rs13 crore for the planting of trees and five-year maintenance under its CSR funds, it said.

"This event marks the first collaboration with the NGHM-NHAI under their 'Adopt a Green Highways' programme," the statement said.

The NGHM programme engages corporates, public sector units, governmental organisations, institutions and individuals under CSR and public-private partnership for developing green corridors along NHs.

The pact was signed between PFC and NHAI in the presence of NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra, PFC executive director G S Ghai, NGHM managing director A K Bhattacharya and other senior officials of PFC and NHAI.

Bhattacharya said the greening of highways will open new vistas for PSUs and corporate houses to utilise their CSR funds and creation of ecological assets.

He said NHAI is discussing the idea with other PSUs such as Coal India and other corporates.

NGHM has engaged four empanelled agencies, including three start-ups, for maintenance work of the proposed work in Nagpur.

The agencies have been mandated to engage at least 70 per cent work force from the local community, thereby enhancing livelihood opportunity.