As travelers increasingly prioritize eco-friendly infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is spotlighting the highway corridors leading the charge in environmental stewardship. The recently announced Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026 recognize exceptional landscaping, green cover survival rates, and sustainable plantation management across the country.
Instituted under the Green Highways Policy, these awards evaluate projects not just on aesthetics, but on long-term ecological impact, species diversity, and the use of native flora. Out of 86 competitive entries backed by drone footage and geo-tagged data, 15 standout projects were shortlisted for final honors across three core areas: Avenue Plantations, Median Plantations, and Land Parcel developments.
Celebrating the Champions of Green Infrastructure
The top honors for 2026 highlight exceptional landscaping models that commuters and local communities can benefit from:
- Avenue Plantations (Category I): The Six-Laning of the Chilakaluripet Bypass on NH-16 (Andhra Pradesh) clinched the first prize for its robust roadside canopy development, followed by Gujarat’s Vadodara-Kim Expressway section.
- Median Plantations (Category II): The four-laning project of the Hyderabad-Yadgiri section of NH-163 took home the top spot, successfully curbing highway glare and dust pollution through dense median greenery.
- Plantation in Land Parcels (Category III): Nagpur’s Jamtha Clover Leaf and Oxygen Bird Park on NH-44 won first place, showcasing how complex interchange spaces can be converted into thriving urban mini-ecosystems and biodiversity hubs.
How These Green Initiatives Benefit You
- Cleaner Air and Reduced Pollution: Dense multi-layered plantations and Miyawaki forests (such as those featured in Lucknow’s winning loop areas) act as natural carbon sinks, trapping vehicular emissions and improving air quality for travelers and nearby residents.
- Lower Ambient Temperatures: Extensive green medians and avenue trees combat the urban heat island effect, significantly lowering surface temperatures along major asphalt corridors.
- Safer, More Scenic Journeys: Thoughtfully designed greenery reduces driver fatigue by breaking visual monotony, while proper median planting blocks high-beam glare from oncoming night traffic.
