 organized a large-scale tree plantation drive today along the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor){kind=link}
JUNE 14: In a significant step towards blending infrastructure development with environmental sustainability, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) organized a large-scale tree plantation drive today along the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor. The event took place at Katha Toll Plaza in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ initiative.
The plantation drive was officially inaugurated by Shri V. Umashankar, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, who planted the first sapling to kick off the campaign. The initiative aims to plant approximately 40,000 trees along the Delhi-Dehradun stretch, contributing significantly to the ecological balance of the region.
NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav led the drive alongside several senior officials from NHAI including Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), Shri Alok Deepankar, Member (Technical), Shri Mohammad Safi, Regional Officer (Delhi), Shri Vishal Gupta, Regional Officer (Uttarakhand), and Shri Narendra Singh, Project Director (PIU Baghpat).
The event also witnessed enthusiastic participation from local administrative authorities. Among them were Smt. Asmita Lal, District Magistrate of Baghpat; Shri Suraj Kumar Rai, Superintendent of Police; Shri Avinash Tripathi, Sub-Divisional Magistrate; and several other district officials. Students from various schools also joined the plantation drive, symbolizing the involvement of younger generations in promoting environmental consciousness.
The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, once completed, will significantly improve connectivity between Delhi and Uttarakhand, facilitating faster and smoother travel. In addition to infrastructure enhancement, planting around 40,000 trees along this corridor is expected to yield multiple ecological benefits including improved air quality, reduced soil erosion, and support for local biodiversity. This approach positions the Delhi-Dehradun Corridor as a model for future green infrastructure projects, setting new standards for balancing development with environmental responsibility.
Under the wider ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign, NHAI has already planted over 5,12,000 trees across various national highways throughout India. The ultimate vision is to saturate plantation efforts along the entire national highway network by involving government bodies, local authorities, and citizens, ensuring a truly green and sustainable highway system.
This integrated approach of development and environmental care highlights India’s commitment to achieving sustainable infrastructure growth while preserving its natural ecosystem.