The Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP) will support the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to construct 783 km of highways with green technology designs such as local and marginal materials, industrial byproducts, and bioengineering solutions. The project will also enhance the capacity of MoRTH to mainstream safety and green technologies in its operations.
The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction and maintenance of highways, improve connectivity and logistics performance, create jobs for women and local communities, and promote innovative solutions for freight movement. The project is aligned with India's growth strategy and its commitment to environmentally sustainable development.
According to Dr C S Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, "This project will set new standards in the construction of safe motorable roads. The selected stretches in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh will also help improve connectivity and promote economic development."
Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India said that "Connectivity for economic growth and connectivity for sustainable development are two important aspects of a country's development trajectory. This operation brings these two priorities together in support of India's growth strategy."
The project is expected to benefit road users by providing efficient transportation services, reducing travel time and costs, improving road safety conditions, enhancing access to markets and services. The project will also contribute to reducing air pollution levels by using low-carbon materials and technologies.
The GNHCP is part of a larger program that includes two other projects: The $500 million First Green National Highway Corridors Project that was approved by the World Bank Board on June 25th 2020; And another proposed $500 million Second Green National Highway Corridors Project that is under preparation .