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NHAI Saves Hundreds of Iconic Banyan Trees Along Hyderabad-Manneguda Highway
13 Nov
Summary
- NHAI modifies project to retain 765 banyan trees along 45-km highway
- NGT grants conditional approval for highway expansion with environmental oversight
- Environmentalists had opposed plan to remove 900 Nizam-era banyan trees
On November 13, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) granted conditional approval for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to proceed with the expansion of the Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway 163. This decision comes after a six-year-old dispute over the proposed plan, which had faced opposition from environmentalists concerned about the removal of approximately 900 Nizam-era banyan trees along the 45-km stretch between Hyderabad and Manneguda.
In a significant development, NHAI has now modified the project proposal to save hundreds of these iconic trees. The authority has agreed to retain at least 765 banyan trees in situ and reduce the number of trees proposed for translocation to around 150 or fewer. Additionally, the translocated trees will be planted along the road edge within the right-of-way to minimize long-distance transport.
The NGT has also issued several directives to ensure minimal environmental damage and maximum transparency. These include the formation of an independent monitoring committee with public participation, strict guidelines for tree translocation, and the development of a comprehensive biodiversity conservation and mitigation plan by NHAI. The plan includes the construction of wildlife underpasses and culverts to facilitate animal movement.
With these measures in place, the NH 163 project is now expected to fully conform to the NGT's principles of sustainable development, paving the way for the much-needed highway expansion while preserving the region's natural heritage.
