National Green Highways Mission (NGHM) under NHAI has collaborated with Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC) for plantations work on NH 7 in Nagpur region (Borkhedi – Wadner, & Khatara – Kelapur) covering 87 km stretch. Power Finance Corporation Ltd. has provided financial assistance of Rs. 13 crore for plantation and five year maintenance under their CSR funds.
This event is historic as this marks the first collaboration with the National Green Highways Mission - NHAI under their ‘Adopt a Green Highways’ Program. Adopt a Green Highway Program is an initiative by NGHM to engage Corporates, Public Sector Units, Governmental organizations, institutions and individuals under CSR and Public Private Partnership for developing green corridor along NHs.
A formal MoA was signed between PFC and NHAI today at NHAI headquarters in the presence of Shri Raghav Chandra, Chairman – NHAI, Shri G.S. Ghai, Executive Director – PFC, Dr. A.K. Bhattacharya, MD NGHM and other senior officials of PFC and NHAI. The project will initiate with immediate effect after signing of MoA.
Dr. A.K. Bhattacharya, MD, NGHM informed that this will open new vistas for PSUs & Corporate houses to utilize their CSR funds for greening of highways and creation of ecological assets. Discussions with other PSUs such as Coal India Ltd and other corporates are under process to promote Greening of Highways.
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.
