In the first phase NHAI has identified 17 land parcels spanning 62.8 hectares across multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Approximately 67,462 medicinal trees are planned for planting under this phase and nearly 36 species such as neem, amla, jamun and imli have been selected for their suitability to different agro-climatic zones. Planting will be concentrated near toll plazas, wayside amenities, interchanges and other prominent highway stretches to maximise visibility and public engagement.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has indicated that approximately 188 hectares of vacant land has also been earmarked for future plantation during the upcoming monsoon season to ensure higher survival rates and long term sustainability of the initiative. The Arogya Van concept marks a shift from traditional highway plantation practices that focused mainly on general greening and ecological stabilisation to a thematic approach centred on medicinal flora. Officials regard these plantations as living repositories intended to conserve indigenous species and to reinforce educational and cultural connections with traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda.
NHAI anticipates that integrating infrastructure development with environmental conservation will reinforce its commitment to sustainable and eco friendly highway expansion across the country. The programme is designed to balance ecological objectives with visibility and maintenance needs while providing community learning opportunities about medicinal plants. Ongoing monitoring and seasonal planting cycles are expected to support long term survival and biodiversity benefits along national highways.