NHAI Tightens Compliance Norms for Plantation Before Issuance of Provisional Certificate of Completion for National Highway Projects

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines tightening compliance norms for plantation and landscaping before issuing a Provisional Certificate of Completion (PCC) or Provisional Commercial Operation Date (PCOD) for National Highway projects. Under the new guidelines, plantation works must be completed on at least 80% of the available Right of Way earmarked for plantation, with a minimum survival rate of 90% at the time of inspection. Financial withholdings apply for shortfalls. Furthermore, maintaining a 90% plant survival rate is mandated throughout the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) period, verified through environment and plantation experts before processing related payments.