NHAI, PFC ink pact for green highway in Nagpur

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today inked a pact with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) for planting trees along NH 7 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
"National Green Highways Mission (NGHM) under NHAI has collaborated with PFC for plantation work at NH 7 in Nagpur region (Borkhedi-Wadner & Khatara-Kelapur) covering 87 km stretch," Road Transport and Highways Ministry said in a statement.
PFC has provided financial assistance of Rs 13 crore for the plantation and five-year maintenance under its CSR funds, it said.
"This event marks the first collaboration with the NGHM - NHAI under their 'Adopt a Green Highways' Programme," the statement said. The programme engages corporates, public sector units, governmental organisations, institutions and individuals under CSR and Public-Private Partnership for developing green corridors along NHs.

The pact was signed between PFC and NHAI today in the presence of Raghav Chandra, Chairman - NHAI; G S Ghai, Executive Director - PFC; A K Bhattacharya, MD NGHM and other senior officials of PFC and NHAI.
Bhattacharya said this will open new vistas for PSUs and corporate houses to utilise their CSR funds for greening of highways and creation of ecological assets.

Discussions with other PSUs such as Coal India and other corporates are underway.
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 at least 70 per cent work force from the local community, thereby enhancing livelihood opportunity.