Climate-resilient roads are paving the way for a sustainable future

India's roadways are entering a new era, with plans to make them faster, greener, and more climate resilient. The focus is shifting from connectivity alone to sustainable expansion, due to innovations such as recycled materials, solar- powered systems, smart drainage, and biodiversity-friendly corridors.

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The Bharatmala Pariyojana and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) government initiatives are helping to expand India's highway network rapidly.

Given India's commitment at COP26 to attain net-zero emissions by 2070, the need for sustainable development has never been greater. Highways can no longer be thought of only as conduits for speed and communication; they must be planned as resilient, environmentally sensitive corridors that balance economic growth with ecological conservation.

Green Highway Policy 2015: A step towards sustainable roads

India's road planning was altered in 2015 with the introduction of the Green Highways Policy. Road projects had to incorporate environmental measures for the first time, and 1 percent of the overall cost was set aside for roadside beautification, tree planting, and long-term maintenance of the greenery. To ensure the success of these efforts, technologies like GIS mapping and geotagging are now used to track the survival of planted trees and assess whether plantations are being adequately maintained. Applying this to every location is a challenging task, as many still struggle with routine maintenance and coordination. Despite these challenges, the policy built a solid foundation. It incorporated sustainability into road planning from the beginning and transformed the way new roadways are planned, with a greater emphasis on the environment and long-term impact.

Next-gen materials: Recycled, resilient, and regionally specific

The materials used to create roadways have a greater impact on sustainability than most people realise. More than 100,000 kilometres of roads in India have been created with recycled plastic. This strategy, initially widely used in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, helps manage plastic garbage and extend the life of roadways.