“As a policy barest minimum number of trees was felled in marginal strip of land for implementation of the National Highways Projects. Many times, Right of Way (ROW) is reduced to ensure that bare minimum number of trees is felled... No major impact on Environment has been reported so far, due to National Highways Projects,” Gadkari claimed in a written reply in the House during the Parliament session.

Gadkari said there might be marginal positive impact on environment as more trees are planted in lieu of felled trees.

“The ministry has also taken a decision to utilize technology and expertise to transplant trees in place of felling them. This work is in progress,” the Union minister said.

The Road Transport and Highways minister claimed that trees planted are many more in lieu of the trees felled. Additionally, avenue plantation and median plantation are included in highway projects depending upon availability of ROW and cross-sectional configuration, he added.

Meanwhile, the Union minister also said that the country will soon become Green Hydrogen exporting country.

"India will soon become Green Hydrogen exporting country. In line with PM Shri@narendramodi ji’s vision of clean and cutting-edge mobility in India, our government, through ‘National Hydrogen Mission’ is committed to focus on green and clean energy," the minister said in a Twitter post on Wednesday.