Lavender Blooms on the Highway: NHAI’s Fragrant Push for Tourism and Beautification

Lavender brings new life to Banihal–Qazigund highway  
In a unique blend of infrastructure and environmental innovation, NHAI has begun planting lavender along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway between Banihal and Qazigund. The project spans 16.26 km and covers 200 kanals of land, transforming the high-altitude corridor into a scenic and aromatic route. The initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate ecological beautification with tourism and rural development.

Important points:

• The plantation is being executed in collaboration with CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM)  
• Lavender cultivation is expected to boost aroma tourism and attract travelers to the region  
• Project Director Shubham Yadav emphasized the dual goals of beautification and livelihood generation  
• Local farmers may benefit from training and employment opportunities linked to the plantation  
• The initiative aligns with India’s push for sustainable and environment-friendly highway development  

Looking ahead  
As the lavender begins to bloom, the highway could become a model for combining infrastructure with ecological and economic benefits, offering a fragrant welcome to travelers and a fresh opportunity for local communities.

Sources: NewsOnAir, Kashmir Life