NHAI launches greening initiative along Chennai's East Coast Road

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a comprehensive tree plantation programme along the East Coast Road (ECR) between Mamallapuram and Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu. The project forms part of the authority's broader environmental sustainability efforts aimed at offsetting carbon emissions and restoring ecological balance in the region.

The ECR, a major arterial route serving the Chennai metropolitan area and beyond, has witnessed significant commercial and residential development over the past decade. The plantation drive seeks to augment green infrastructure along the highway corridor while maintaining traffic flow and safety standards.

The initiative is expected to involve the planting of native and climate-appropriate species suited to the coastal environment. Officials indicate that the project will enhance the aesthetic value of the roadway while contributing to improved air quality in the region and providing environmental benefits to nearby communities.

The NHAI has undertaken similar greening projects on other sections of national highways across India as part of its environmental corporate social responsibility mandate. The Mamallapuram-Marakkanam segment represents one of several priority zones identified for ecological restoration and urban greening in the Tamil Nadu road network.