Archive · 13 Nov 2025
NGT Approves Hyderabad-Bijapur Highway Upgrade with Strict Tree Protection Measures
Imagine a road between Hyderabad and Bijapur needs to be made wider, like adding more lanes to a highway.
Some people were worried because this road has many old, special banyan trees along it that might have to be cut down.
They worried about the trees and the animals.
So, they told a special court called the NGT about it.
The court listened and told the road builders, NHAI, that they could widen the road, but only if they promise to be very careful with the trees.
NHAI agreed to keep most of the old banyan trees right where they are and to carefully move the few that need to be moved to a new spot nearby.
They also promised to take good care of the moved trees for many years.
The court also said that regular people who care about nature should help watch to make sure the builders keep their promises.
They even agreed to build special little tunnels for animals to cross the road safely.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) conditionally approved the NHAI's Hyderabad-Bijapur highway upgrade.
The project requires NHAI to follow a revised alignment to protect historical banyan trees.
NHAI will retain at least 765 banyan trees in situ and translocate fewer than 150.
The NGT mandated public participation in the project's monitoring committee for transparency.
The approval includes measures like seven-year maintenance for translocated trees and wildlife underpasses.
- Who
- National Green Tribunal (NGT), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), environmentalists, and project applicants (Tejah Balantrapu, Pranay Juvvadi, Natasha Ramarathnam)
- What
- Conditional approval granted for the Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway 163 upgrade, with strict orders for banyan tree protection and revised alignment.
- When
- Wednesday (approval granted)
- Where
- Telangana, India (Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway 163)
- Why
- To allow infrastructure development while ensuring significant environmental protection for historical banyan trees and other flora.
Environmental Concerns
Infrastructure Development
Tree Removal
Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists opposed the highway expansion due to the proposed removal of approximately 900 Nizam-era banyan trees.
Infrastructure Development
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) revised its plan to save hundreds of trees, retaining at least 765 banyan trees in situ and translocating fewer than 150.
Project Alignment
Environmental Concerns
Initial plans for highway expansion were opposed because they would involve removing many historical banyan trees.
Infrastructure Development
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) granted approval for the project after NHAI agreed to a substantially revised alignment.
Monitoring and Transparency
Environmental Concerns
Applicants raised concerns about accountability in the project execution.
Infrastructure Development
The NGT mandated public participation in the monitoring committee, including at least two local citizens, to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Project
- Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway 163 Expansion
- Location
- Telangana, India (Hyderabad to Manneguda stretch)
- Approval Body
- National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- Key Condition
- Strict protection and translocation of Nizam-era banyan trees
- NHAI Commitments
- Retain 765+ banyan trees in situ, translocate fewer than 150, maintain translocated trees for 7 years, develop biodiversity plan, build wildlife underpasses and culverts.
- Monitoring
- Independent Monitoring Committee including local citizens