Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has secured the first prize in Category II – Median Plantations at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026, recognising its efforts to develop and maintain green corridors along national highways.
The award has been conferred for the median plantation work undertaken on the four-laning of the Hyderabad–Yadgiri section of NH-163, covering the stretch from Annojiguda to Raigiri between Km 18.60 and Km 54.00.
The recognition is part of NHAI's annual assessment of highway greening initiatives undertaken by its project implementation units (PIUs) across the country. The awards seek to identify and acknowledge projects that demonstrate effective plantation practices, ecological sustainability and long-term maintenance of green infrastructure along highways.
For the 2026 awards, nominations were invited through an online portal, following which NHAI evaluated shortlisted entries across various categories. The assessment was based on a 100-mark evaluation framework, covering both operational execution and ecological outcomes.
Key parameters considered by the evaluation committee included the survival rate of plantations, preparation and implementation of site-specific action plans, quality of planting material, protective measures for plants and species diversity, among other factors.
HMDA's award highlights the authority's focus on integrating green infrastructure with major road development projects. The median plantation along the Hyderabad–Yadgiri corridor is aimed at enhancing the visual appeal of the highway while contributing to environmental improvement and sustainable urban and regional development.
BI Bureau
