To maintain and promote the greenery along National Highways, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has tied up with National Green Highways Mission (NGHM) under NHAI for plantation work on NH-7 covering 87 km long stretch. The stretch falls under Nagpur region which includes – Borkhedi – Wadner & Khatara – Kelapur. PFC has also provided a fund of Rs 13 crore for the plantation and maintenance work under its CSR initiative.
PFC-NGHM is first collaboration under NHAI’s ‘Adopt a Green Highways’ Program. The ‘Adopt a Green Highways’ programme aims to collaborate with Public Sector Units, Corporates, governmental organisations and individuals to develop green corridor along NHs under CSR and Public Private Partnerships. In presence of Raghav Chandra, Chairman – NHAI, GS Ghai, Executive Director – PFC and AK Bhattacharya, MD NGHM, NHAI and PFC has signed a MoA for immediate implementation of the project. AK Bhattacharya said that NGHM is already in discussions with Coal India, other PSUs and Corporates to promote Greening of Highways. Nitin Gadkari-led Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been working on several initiatives to make highways clean and green.
“For the proposed work in Nagpur, NGHM has engaged four empanelled agencies to execute plantation and maintenance work. The agencies have been mandated to engage atleast 70% work force from the local community, thereby enhancing livelihood opportunity. Out of these four agencies, 3 are start-ups, which is in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote startup India campaign,” said Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in its statement.