New Delhi: NHAI announced the winners of the Green Highways Awards 2026 for outstanding plantation and environmental work along National Highways. The awards recognised projects that showed strong plantation survival, sustainable practices and effective green management.
The awards covered three categories to recognise different aspects of highway plantation and environmental conservation. NHAI assessed projects on plantation quality, survival rates and the overall impact of green practices.
Moreover, the awards highlighted efforts to improve green cover along National Highways. They also encouraged institutions and project teams to adopt better methods for maintaining highway plantations.
NHAI received 86 nominations for the awards. Following the initial assessment, the agency shortlisted 15 entries for further evaluation.
The shortlisted projects then faced assessment against several criteria. These included plantation performance, survival rates and the use of sustainable practices. In addition, the evaluation considered the quality and effectiveness of environmental measures.
Green Highways Awards recognise plantation excellence
The Green Highways Awards also recognised the role of institutions in maintaining green corridors along National Highways. The awards aimed to promote stronger environmental practices across highway projects.
Furthermore, NHAI assessed the nominated projects under the Green Highways Policy 2015. The policy provides a framework for plantation and green cover along National Highways.
The awards therefore focused on measurable plantation outcomes rather than only the number of trees planted. Survival rates and long-term maintenance formed important parts of the evaluation.
The 2026 awards also recognised work carried out through different highway projects and institutions. Meanwhile, the selected winners demonstrated approaches that supported both plantation growth and environmental management.
The recognition is part of NHAI’s wider effort to integrate environmental measures into highway development. Green plantation along highway corridors can also support better roadside landscapes and ecological conservation.
NHAI’s evaluation process followed the criteria set for the awards. As a result, the final selection reflected the performance of projects against plantation and sustainability benchmarks.
The Green Highways Awards 2026 thus placed greater focus on the quality and survival of highway plantations. They also highlighted the need for continued maintenance after plantation work.
The awards recognised the winning projects for their contribution to greener National Highway corridors. At the same time, the initiative encouraged other highway stakeholders to strengthen plantation and environmental practices.
