Bhubaneswar, Jul 17: Reaffirming its commitment to sustainable infrastructure and ecological balance, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Regional Office Odisha, has planted 1,14,557 saplings across National Highway corridors under its Mega Plantation Drive 2026, officials said on Friday.

The initiative, part of NHAI’s Green Highways Mission, aims to expand roadside green cover, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and strengthen climate resilience along critical transport routes.

The plantation drive covered stretches under all seven Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in Odisha. Nabarangpur PIU led the campaign with 32,091 saplings along NH-130CD, followed by Chandikhole PIU with 18,336 saplings on NH-16 and NH-53. Dhenkanal PIU contributed 13,700 saplings across NH-53, NH-149 and NH-55, while Berhampur PIU added 13,267 saplings. Sambalpur PIU planted 12,861 saplings along NH-53 and NH-55, Bhubaneswar PIU 12,232 saplings along NH-16, and Keonjhar PIU 12,070 saplings along NH-20 and NH-520. Together, these efforts brought the total plantation to 1,14,557 saplings.

The campaign witnessed active participation from NHAI officials, PIU teams, contractors, concessionaires, students, volunteers, and local communities. Their collective involvement underscored the importance of community-driven conservation and highlighted the role of public engagement in building sustainable infrastructure.
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Speaking on the occasion, Pradeep Kumar Lal, Regional Officer, NHAI Odisha, emphasized the long-term responsibility of nurturing the saplings. “Infrastructure development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand. Planting saplings is only the first step. Our real responsibility lies in ensuring their survival and healthy growth,” he said.

With more than 1.14 lakh saplings already planted, NHAI has made significant progress towards its target of 2.6 lakh saplings in Odisha during FY 2026-27. The Authority plans to continue large-scale plantation and maintenance activities to strengthen green infrastructure, enhance ecological balance, and contribute to cleaner, greener highways for future generations.