Yadav notes greater need to collaborate from DPR stage
With a strong focus on environment sustainability, promoting economic growth, and expanding the National Highway network, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is paving way for a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future.
In his keynote address at NHAI organized day long national workshop in New Delhi on 15 Apr, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said, “We are committed to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly National Highway network.
“Today, there is a greater need to collaborate and include sustainable practices from the conceptualization of the project at the detailed project report (DPR) stage. Participation from various stakeholders in this workshop, will enrich the quality of discussion and define the way forward towards a greener and more sustainable National Highway infrastructure development.”
Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), NHAI, emphasized that ensuring environment sustainability is a collective responsibility of all the stakeholders and forward-looking discussions in today’s workshop has helped to push forward the agenda of environment sustainably.
Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, added, “After these knowledge sessions, we will have deeper understanding of the forest and environment clearances & systems.
“It is also important for different departments to have a collaborative approach using PM Gati Shakti framework to efficiently develop sustainable National Highway infrastructure across the country.”
“We have to take steps towards expediting planning and proposal process by improving inter-departmental collaboration and building a concrete roadmap for inclusion of sustainable practices in the development of infrastructure projects,” added Jitendra Kumar, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary.
The national workshop strengthened this vison by providing key insights and identifying areas for holistic development.
“The deliberations held at the day long workshop will go a long way in adopting various sustainable practices for the construction of National Highways and drive inclusive growth by enhancing the ecological footprint across the country,” said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The workshop discussed different aspects of environmental impact assessment, planning and mitigation for holistic National Highway development.
Various panel discussions with senior officials and industry experts were held during the workshop which provided key insights into different aspects of development of environmentally sustainable road infrastructure.
The sessions included discussion on issues related to Wildlife Clearances; Insights on ‘Eco-friendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure on Wildlife’; Issues related to Forest & Environment Clearances; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP); Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearances, Regulations and its applicability to Road Infrastructure Projects. Fiinews.com
