NHAI Sustainability Report 2023-24 | 01 Aug 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released its second Sustainability Report for FY 2023–24, detailing significant achievements in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its operations.  

• The report aligns with India's Mission LiFE, and the principles of a circular economy. 

What are the Major Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Undertaken by NHAI? 

• Decoupling Growth from Emissions: Despite a 20% increase in National Highway construction, NHAI successfully reduced its GHG emission intensity from 1.0 to 0.8 MTCO₂e/km, demonstrating a clear decoupling of construction growth from environmental harm. 
• Promoting Circular Economy: In FY 2023–24, NHAI utilized over 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials, including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt, significantly reducing construction waste and enhancing resource efficiency. 
• Water Body Rejuvenation: Under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, NHAI has developed 467 water bodies across the country.  
  • These efforts have also resulted in the recovery of 2.4 crore cubic meters of soil, leading to estimated cost savings of ₹16,690 crore in construction material. 
• Reduced Water Use Intensity: The report notes a 74% reduction in water use intensity in water-stressed regions, reflecting NHAI’s commitment to water conservation in infrastructure development. 

How Infrastructure Development can be Synergised with Environmental Sustainability?  

• Adopt Green Infrastructure Principles: Design infrastructure that works with nature — e.g., permeable pavements, green roofs, bio-swales, urban forests. 
• Integrate EIA at Planning Stage: Make Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) not just a formality but a decision-making tool. 
  • Use Strategic Environmental Assessments (that includes social assessment) for multi-project or regional scale planning. 
• Use Sustainable Materials & Promote Circular Economy: Use recycled, low-carbon, and locally sourced materials in construction. 
  • Encourage reuse of waste- fly ash, plastic, construction & demolition (C&D) waste. 
• Green Cover and Compensatory Afforestation: Integrate tree plantation, green belts, and ecological buffers into highways, rail, and urban plans. 
  • Follow the “Tree First, Road Next” approach in sensitive zones. 
• Water Conservation and Management: Design stormwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and water-efficient systems in urban and transport projects. Rejuvenate local water bodies. 
• Wildlife and Biodiversity Considerations: Build eco-bridges, underpasses, and animal corridors in linear infrastructure (roads, rails). 
• Low-Carbon Transport Infrastructure: Promote mass rapid transit systems, NMT (non-motorized transport), and EV-ready highways. 
  • Develop more dedicated freight corridors that reduce emissions and congestion. 
• Policy Alignment and ESG Compliance: Align infrastructure projects with Mission LiFE, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
  • Encourage Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting by public sector agencies.  

Conclusion 

NHAI’s Sustainability Report reflects a strategic shift from "build fast" to "build green", integrating climate consciousness with infrastructure expansion. India must walk the path of 'concrete with conscience', where every highway, bridge, or port is not just an economic asset but also an ecological responsibility.