Page 64 - Policy Economic Report - March 2026

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

Promotion of green highway initiatives

Green Highway initiatives have promoted environmentally sustainable road construction by encouraging
plantation along National Highways, the use of environmental friendly construction materials, proper
management of water resources, and measures to reduce carbon emissions during construction and
maintenance activities. These initiatives aim to improve ecological balance and enhance the
environmental sustainability of highway development.

The use of recycled materials in infrastructure development is increasing day by day due to various
policy reforms and initiatives taken by the Government. The policy framework encourages sustainable
construction practices and promotes the use of recycled and waste-derived materials in projects
wherever technically feasible. Continuous efforts through guidelines, advisories, and technological
advancements have created an enabling environment for wider adoption, thereby enhancing the
potential and acceptance of recycled materials in construction activities.

Tree plantation and carbon offsetting measures have been integrated into National Highway projects as
part of environmentally sustainable development under the Green Highways (Plantation,
Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015 and Indian Roads Congress (IRC): SP:21
guidelines.

Under this framework, plantation is undertaken along the median, avenue, and other available Right of
Way (RoW) of National Highways. Additionally, wherever tree felling is necessary for highway
development, compensatory afforestation and tree transplantation are undertaken.

Technological innovations are increasingly being adopted in road construction to ensure environmental
compliance and promote sustainable development. The use of recycled and waste materials such as fly
ash, plastic waste, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and construction and demolition waste in
highway projects is encouraged.

PM Surya Ghar Yojana Delivers Scale with 26 Lakh Installations and ?17,967 Crore Support

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
(PMSG: MBY) since February 2024 with an aim to achieve rooftop solar (RTS) installations in one crore
households in the residential sector by FY 2026-27.

The PMSG: MBY is a demand driven scheme wherein all residential consumers in the country, having
grid connected electricity connection of the local DISCOM can avail the benefits of the scheme, for
installation of RTS systems, by applying on the National Portal of the scheme.

Under the scheme, since its launch in February 2024, a total of 26,19,879 RTS systems have been
installed across the country, as on 19.03.2026. Under the PMSG: MBY, since its launch in February 2024,
an amount of 17,967.53 crore has been disbursed as Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the
beneficiaries of the scheme, as on 19.03.2026.

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