India’s road infrastructure plays a crucial role in economic development, but it also poses significant environmental challenges. With the rapid expansion of highways and expressways, the construction and maintenance of roads consume large amounts of natural resources and contribute significantly to carbon emissions. However, leading experts in the industry are pioneering sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impact and improve efficiency. At a webinar titled, “Paving the Future: Making India’s Roads More Sustainable”, held on March 5, 2025, industry stalwarts gathered to discuss India’s road infrastructure, exploring innovative solutions to address the environmental challenges posed by rapid expansion, and the adoption of sustainable practices for long-term economic and ecological benefits.

Dr Zafar Khan, Joint CEO, Highway Concessions One, highlighted that roads rank among the least sustainable infrastructure components owing to high emissions from construction and maintenance. “From an asset management perspective, we have already taken key steps such as switching to LED lighting and integrating solar power wherever net metering is allowed by the Government,” he said.

Despite these efforts, a major challenge remains fuel consumption in maintenance activities, particularly in heating materials for road repairs. In response, Highway Concessions One has initiated a large-scale mangrove plantation project along India’s coastal belt....