To promote sustainability along national highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken the first step towards constructing “Bee Corridors” on highways aimed at conserving honeybees and enhancing biodiversity. In Chhattisgarh, the first such corridor will be developed on the NH-53 Arang–Saraipali stretch.
Project officials said the initiative will help increase biodiversity along the highway. Various species of flowering plants and trees will be planted along highway corridors to provide a continuous supply of nectar and pollen for honeybees, supporting their survival and reproduction throughout the year. The project is part of the Centre’s broader efforts to integrate ecological considerations into infrastructure development.
In later phases, similar corridors are expected to be developed along NH-30 from Raipur to Dhamtari and NH-130 from Katghora to Patharapali. NHAI has already issued orders for the initiative, and its Raipur offices have begun preparatory work.
Officials said project leaders from the Dhamtari, Abhanpur, Raipur and Bilaspur divisions will soon meet to finalise the detailed plans for the project.
The project will create green belts along highways using indigenous flowering species such as Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottlebrush and Jamun. These species will ensure a prolonged flowering season, providing a consistent food source for pollinators.
The plan also includes the mixed plantation of shrubs, herbs and grasses. In addition, safe structures and natural habitats will be created along the corridors to provide shelter for bees.
The initiative is expected to enhance pollination in nearby areas, thereby supporting agriculture and horticulture by improving crop productivity.
As part of its Green Highways strategy for 2026–27, NHAI has pledged to plant 40 lakh saplings across the country, including nearly 2 lakh in Chhattisgarh. Under this initiative, at least three Bee Corridors are planned in the state.
However, some major highway projects in the state are facing delays. Construction of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway and the Raipur–Durg Bypass has been underway since July 2023.
The expressway is targeted for completion by September 2026, while the bypass is expected to be completed by June 2026. Both projects are currently running approximately six months behind schedule.
Pradeep Kumar Lal, Regional Officer of NHAI, said the authority’s objective is not only to build roads but also to develop environmentally sustainable transport corridors.
He added that planting indigenous trees along highways would help strengthen ecosystems and support local agriculture by improving pollination.