Should there be re-plantation on the central verge of the national highways as a means to combat air pollution? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday sought a report on the issue from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests in eight weeks.
The government agencies said they are considering holding a meeting soon to decide if there should be re-plantation.
“Having perused the report and the statement made on behalf of respondents the departments/ministries concerned should hold a meeting and take a decision as to whether there should or should not be re-plantation on the central verge of the national highways. Let such meeting be held within four weeks from today,” said a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar.
“The Joint Secretary, MoEF, will be the nodal officer to hold the meeting and submit a report to the tribunal within eight weeks. The Indian Road Congress will also be asked to participate,” the Bench said.
The NGT was hearing a petition filed by S. K. Goyal, secretary of the Dwarka Forum.
Mr. Goyal had said in his petition that while all roads in Delhi have plants on the central verge and sides, the NHAI has a policy to not to plant trees on the central verge on the grounds that water drips from these after rain and destroys roads; trees create visibility problems during dusk and dawn; and uprooted trees block traffic.
“At present, the length of national highways in our country is around 92,851 km. While this length constitutes only 1.70 per cent of the total road network, the roads carry 40 per cent of the traffic. In a way these highways are a major source of pollution,” he said.
“As per norms, 333 trees need to be planted per a kilometre. There are three internal verges on a national highway,” the petitioner adds.
