India’s highway network is expanding rapidly under programs such as Bharatmala Pariyojana and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP). In line with India’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, the push for sustainable development has become more urgent than ever. Highways can no longer be conceived only as routes for speed and connectivity; they must also be resilient, environmentally conscious corridors that balance economic progress with ecological responsibility.
The Green Highways Policy of 2015 marked a significant change in India’s approach to road building. For the first time, road projects were required to integrate environmental measures, with one percent of project costs allocated to planting trees, roadside landscaping, and long-term maintenance of greenery. Technologies such as GIS mapping and geotagging now help monitor tree survival and track maintenance. Implementation, however, remains uneven, as regular upkeep and coordination continue to be challenges. Despite these hurdles, the policy laid a strong foundation by making sustainability an integral part of road planning and design.
Materials used in road construction play a much larger role in sustainability than is commonly realized. India has built more than 100,000 kilometers of roads using recycled plastic, a practice first widely adopted in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. This not only helps reduce plastic waste but also creates stronger, more durable roads. States like Rajasthan are increasingly using nanopolymer-based soil stabilizers in place of traditional materials such as bitumen and aggregates. These stabilizers enhance soil strength, lower costs, and reduce emissions, making construction both environmentally and economically beneficial. Industrial byproducts such as fly ash from power plants and steel slag from factories are also being incorporated into road foundations, cutting landfill pressure and providing strong, durable bases.
The way roads are constructed is also evolving to reduce their carbon footprint. Low-carbon cement and warm mix asphalt are increasingly used, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 percent. Some NHAI projects now require Lifecycle Carbon Assessments at the planning stage, ensuring emissions are measured and addressed from the outset. Initiatives like Gati Shakti are promoting carbon footprint tracking tools and piloting green rating systems to benchmark environmental performance. Trials with electric-powered construction equipment, such as those on the Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway, reflect a move toward cleaner construction practices.
Highways are also being designed to generate their own energy. The Delhi–Meerut Expressway, for example, uses solar panels on toll plazas and lighting poles, reducing grid dependency. In Andhra Pradesh, solar-powered lights are being installed in accident-prone areas to improve visibility while cutting energy use. NHAI is also exploring energy-harvesting pavements that generate electricity through vehicle movement or sunlight, potentially enabling highways to become partly self-sufficient in the future.
Water-sensitive design has become another priority in India’s road-building program. The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway incorporates more than 2,000 rainwater harvesting structures to reduce waterlogging and recharge groundwater. GIS mapping of natural water flows and hydrology studies at the planning stage are becoming standard practice, ensuring roads manage water wisely and sustainably. Bioengineering solutions such as vetiver grass, jute geotextiles, coir mats, and native vegetation are being increasingly used to stabilize slopes, prevent erosion, and maintain ecological balance.
Protecting biodiversity is essential where highways pass through sensitive ecological zones. On corridors such as NH 44 through the Pench Tiger Reserve, mitigation measures like eco-ducts, canopy bridges, and underpasses facilitate safe wildlife crossings. Native and drought-resistant plant species are being prioritized for landscaping, reducing irrigation needs while supporting local ecosystems. Noise barriers made of bamboo, recycled rubber, or transparent acrylic panels are being tested to minimize disturbance to communities near highways.
Scaling sustainability requires embedding it at every stage of project planning. Infrastructure consultants play a crucial role by ensuring that greenfield expressways like Delhi–Mumbai, Amritsar–Jamnagar, and Ambala–Kotputli integrate eco-design into all stages of development, from geo-mapped reforestation to EV-supportive infrastructure. These projects increasingly align with State Action Plans on Climate Change, shifting the focus from mere regulatory clearance to sustainability as a core design principle.
Digital technology is further enhancing the role of highways. Under NHAI’s Digital Highways initiative, Optical Fiber Cable ducts are being installed along national highways to support 5G connectivity, smart traffic monitoring, and real-time surveillance. Integrated with BharatNet Phase II, these ducts also extend high-speed internet access to rural areas. Multi-utility ducts are being incorporated into major expressways to reduce the need for repeated digging for power, water, gas, or telecom lines. Intelligent Transportation Systems such as Automatic Traffic Management Systems, Variable Message Signs, emergency call boxes, and CCTV surveillance are improving safety and efficiency on corridors like the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.
To fully realize sustainable highways, policy must keep pace with innovation. Introducing Sustainability Impact Assessments, offering green performance incentives, and creating a national carbon registry can establish stronger accountability. These steps, combined with continued innovation in design, construction, and digital integration, will ensure that India’s highways become not only faster and more connected but also smarter, greener, and more sustainable for the future.
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*Founder & Managing Director of Chaitanya Projects Consultancy
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