New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will launch the country’s first green safety barrier along a national highway, starting from Uchila in Udupi. The pilot project is scheduled to begin in August and aims to improve road safety while enhancing greenery on the highway stretch.
To address the growing number of accidents and pedestrian fatalities, NHAI will replace conventional steel guard rails with dense hedgerows. According to NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi, these natural barriers will discourage unsafe pedestrian crossings and improve the visual appeal of the road. The planting will involve close spacing of plants and a dual row — one for safety with hedge plants and another for aesthetics with flowering plants.
In a related move toward sustainability, three toll plazas — Talapady, Hejamady, and Sasthan — are now fully solar-powered and connected to the grid. These systems, installed eight months ago, have helped reduce operational costs and can support EV charging infrastructure.
NHAI has also introduced electric patrol vehicles under the ‘Rajmarg Saathi’ programme near Hejamady toll plaza. These EVs now monitor the NH-66 stretch from Kundapur to Talapady, with each toll plaza operating three converted vehicles making four to six rounds daily for maintenance and oversight.
On World Environment Day, NHAI participated in a nationwide tree plantation campaign, ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’. Several more green initiatives are currently in progress and awaiting final approvals.
Additionally, NHAI is facilitating free left turns at the Nanthoor Junction in Mangaluru to help ease traffic flow.
