NHAI releases first annual report on National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025–26
NHAI on 9 March 2026 released the first annual report on the National Highways Green Cover Index, prepared with ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre, covering about 30,000 km of highways in 24 states.
Summary
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released on 9 March 2026 its first-of-its-kind Annual Report on the National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025–26, prepared with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO. The index measures green cover within the Right of Way of national highways using chlorophyll content detected by high-resolution satellite sensors, reported as a percentage at one-kilometre granularity on both sides of the road. The first cycle covered about 30,000 km of national highways in 24 states for July–December 2024, and later annual cycles will track year-on-year change. The work is under a three-year MoU that NHAI signed with NRSC in January 2024.
Key facts
- Date
- 9 March 2026
- Report
- First Annual Report on NH-GCI 2025–26
- Partner
- NRSC, ISRO (3-year MoU, January 2024)
- Method
- Chlorophyll from high-resolution satellite sensors; % green cover in Right of Way; 1 km granularity
- Coverage
- ~30,000 km of NHs in 24 states; period July–December 2024
Practice MCQs 3 questions
With which organisation did NHAI prepare the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) report released on 9 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO)
The report was prepared in coordination with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
The National Highways Green Cover Index is derived from which measurement made by high-resolution satellite sensors?
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Correct answer: A — Chlorophyll content
The assessment is derived from chlorophyll content detected through high-resolution satellite sensors.
Consider the following statements about the first NH-GCI assessment: 1. It covered about 30,000 km of national highways in 24 states. 2. It assessed green cover for the period July–December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the first cycle covered about 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states for July–December 2024.