Mumbai-Nagpur expressway: 8 lakh trees to be planted

In a unique initiative, aimed at protecting green cover and the environment, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) would plant eight lakh trees along the proposed Nagpur-Mumbai Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (MSM).

MSRDC, the implementing authority for the proposed 701 km Mumbai-Nagpur super communication expressway, will embark on the tree plantation drive in partnership with the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI). As part of its tree plantation policy, MSRDC will plant 1,326 trees on a stretch of one kilometre. Thus almost eight lakh trees will be planted along the 600 km of the total 701 Km stretch of NMSCEW.

Commenting on the initiative, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Vice Chairman & Managing Director Radheshyam Mopalwar said, “MSRDC is committed towards the conservation of environment while developing the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg. We are committed to plant maximum trees during the construction of the expressway. As per the rules laid down by Indian Roads Council, 583 trees need to be planted per kilometer, but we are going to plant more than double the trees while developing Samruddhi Mahamarg”.

Trees will also be planted along interchanges, rest areas, wayside amenities coming up along the arterial road. Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) has agreed to guide the workforce in achieving the target.

Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will pass through 10 districts, 26 talukas and 390 villages.

Therefore, NBRI will determine the kind of trees that need to be planted on the highway by studying the soil, air, water, rainfall and weather condition of every area. According to the recommendations made by the organization, nursery will be developed first following which trees along the stretch will be planted that will be taken care by MSRDC.

Earlier referred as National Botanical Gardens (NBG), the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) falls under the control of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

In addition to conducting deep study of plant science and developing technologies for the conservation of various types of plants, preserving the endangered species, efforts to conserve these species growing sustainable plants in different regions, planting plants in their respective areas, and the process of technological know-how is the main objective of the NBRI.