NHAI Gets Issued With a Show Cause Notice by National Green Tribunal

1. NHAI Gets Issued With a Show Cause Notice by National Green Tribunal The National Highways Authority of India recently got issued with a show cause notice by the National Green Tribunal asking why no salient action should be taken or initiated against it owing to the lack of maintenance of the mandatory green cover along the various national and state highways. This issue was notably raised by the bench headed by the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, Justice Jawad Rahim who sought out responses from the various officials of NHAI and even the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aside from the government of Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan. The bench supporting the tribunal addressed the topic stating that the issue notice in the nature of show cause to National Highways Authority of India and the other associated departments should emphasise on the reasons why the mentioned coercive action under the various provisions of the NGT Act was not employed as per the order dated September 05, 2017. In order to avoid any kind of loopholes, the bench has further acclaimed that they are going to provide with the complete leeway to NHAI. They have the full freedom to submit reports in case there have been any steps taken in this regard. They are expected to file a status report integrating several photographic evidence to prove the progress in this regard. The same needs to be updated within the coming 15 days and the next hearing has been scheduled to be on May 20th 2018. The tribunal even filed a plea registered by an NGO Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of National Awareness in which they wanted reports regarding the execution of the act dated September 05, 2017. In the meanwhile, NHAI has assured that they are working to follow the Green Highways Policy, 2015 in its true spirit and substance. The tribunal has extended their plea to the Delhi, Haryana and the Rajasthan government to take the necessary steps to ensure plantation on the government lands which are located adjacent to the national highways and expressways. Furthermore, to promote a healthier environment, the National Green Tribunal has even directed the state governments and other authorities and policymakers to initiate green plantation in the public parks and other government-owned places. This is expected to better the overall approach and also boost the environment around the area and provide with greater ambient air which is expected to ensure a better living for the citizens around the areas. The tribunal has further stated that they have issued their directions to the local governments alongside NHAI to encourage the local citizens to take part in this initiative to make the country greener and a better place of living. They are promoting encouraging several of the housing societies, commercial plots and several of the government land to undergo a transformation under the Green India pact. NHAI has been directed to start plantation adjoining the national highways to promote a better environment and protect the assets in the area. #MinistryofRoadTransport #GreenHighwayProject #DevelopmentofRoadWaysinIndia