Nagpur/Mumbai: Even as the works of proposed Nagpur-Mumbai Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (MSM) is yet to begin, the damage to the trees has been taken into account. In order to contain the effect of uprooting the trees to pave way for the project, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will be planting eight lakh trees along the express way.
MSRDC, as the implementing authority for the proposed 701km Mumbai-Nagpur super communication expressway, will embark on the tree plantation drive in partnership with National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) to provide a green cover aimed at protecting environment . It plans to plant 1,326 trees each kilometre stretch.
Thus almost eight lakh trees will be planted along the expressway. “MSRDC is committed to conservation of environment while developing the Samruddhi Mahamarg. We will plant maximum trees during the construction of the expressway. As per rules laid down by Indian Roads Council, 583 trees need to be planted per kilometre, but we are going to plant more than double the number,” vice-chairman and managing director Radheshyam Mopalwar said in a press release.
Trees will also be planted along interchanges, rest areas, wayside amenities coming up along the arterial road. Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute has agreed to guide the workforce in achieving the target.
The expressway will pass through 10 districts, 26 talukas and 390 villages. NBRI will determine the trees to be planted after studying the soil, air, water, rainfall and weather condition of every area. According to the recommendations made by the organization, a nursery will be developed first for the purpose.
