Government to release green highways policy on Tuesday

The government on Monday said it will release the green highways policy, 2015 at a national conference in New Delhi on September 29, Tuesday.

The policy -- "Green Highways (plantation, transplantation, beautification and maintenance) policy, 2015" -- is expected to be released by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari, who additionally holds the Shipping Ministry portfolio, will also address the conference after the release of the policy.

According to the road transport and highways ministry, the policy envisions to promote greening of highway corridors with participation of farmers, private sector, non government organisations (NGOs) and government institutions.

The ministry said in a statement that over a thousand delegates from all over India are expected to participate and deliberate upon various issues related to the development of green highways in the country.

"The conference will have technical sessions on various issues such as designing green belt, steps towards successful plantation along national highways and saving trees through transplanting," the statement added.