Highway Centre Clears Rs 69.6 Billion Kaziranga Expansion

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the widening and improvement of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam, including wildlife-friendly measures. The project, costing Rs 69.6 billion, will include a 34.5 km elevated corridor, (NHAI) road upgrades, and 21 km greenfield bypasses. The project is expected to create 15.4 million direct and 19.2 million indirect jobs, link with railway stations, and boost logistics, trade, and mobility across The Central Government’s approval of the ₹69.6 billion Kaziranga Highway Expansion Project marks a transformative step toward balancing infrastructure.

Development and wildlife conservation in Assam. The project, which involves the widening and strengthening of the National Highway-37 (NH-37) passing through the Kaziranga National Park, aims to enhance regional connectivity, support economic growth, and ensure safer wildlife crossings through modern eco-sensitive engineering. This initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to upgrade highways under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity protection, and seamless inter-state transport between Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Kaziranga’s Strategic Importance in India’s Northeast

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not just a wildlife haven but also a lifeline for Assam’s ecological and tourism sectors. Known for its one-horned rhinoceros population, the park attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists each year, boosting the local economy. However, the NH-37 that runs along its southern boundary has long been a challenge both a necessity for regional transport and a threat to animal safety. During monsoon floods, animals migrate across the highway to the Karbi Anglong hills, resulting in frequent accidents. The expansion project thus aims to introduce elevated corridors, animal underpasses, and eco-bridges to ensure wildlife movement is not disrupted.

This new highway plan aligns with the National Wildlife Action Plan 2017–2031, which emphasizes integrating ecological corridors into national infrastructure development. It also contributes to the Kaziranga Landscape Conservation Strategy, which seeks to protect the park’s buffer zones and linkages with nearby forest areas The Kaziranga Highway Expansion Project will cover a total stretch of approximately 175 km, converting existing two-lane roads into four lanes with high-quality pavement, drainage systems, and modern signage. What sets this project apart is its eco-sensitive engineering design. The government has proposed more than a dozen wildlife.

Underpasses, overpasses, and eco-ducts, ensuring minimal disruption to animal movement patterns The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with leading environmental experts to identify critical animal corridors using camera traps and GPS-based animal movement data. Based on these studies, elevated road sections will be constructed near known wildlife crossing points such as Hathikuli, Panbari, and Bokakhat ranges. This scientific approach mirrors successful models like the Ramnagar-Kaladhungi elevated corridor near Corbett National Park and the NH-44 elephant underpasses in Meghalaya.

Boosting Connectivity and Regional Growth

Additionally, noise-reduction barriers and solar-powered lights will be installed to minimize light and sound pollution in sensitive zones. The use of permeable materials for side drains and the plantation of native trees along the corridor will further enhance ecological resilience The Kaziranga expansion is not merely an environmental initiative; it represents a major economic infrastructure milestone for Assam and the entire Northeast region. Once completed, the expanded highway will reduce travel time between Jorhat, Nagaon, Tezpur, and Guwahati, boosting trade, tourism, and logistics. The corridor will form a critical part of the East-West Industrial Corridor.

Enhancing access to neighboring states and connecting to Asian Highway 1 (AH-1) Improved connectivity will also attract investments in sectors such as eco-tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and logistics, creating thousands of jobs for local communities. The government expects this (Road) project to catalyze rural entrepreneurship, promote handicrafts, and enhance market access for farmers in Assam’s central districts. Moreover, better highway access will strengthen disaster response systems, especially during the annual floods that isolate Kaziranga and surrounding villages.

Balancing Conservation and Development

The expansion project’s approval comes with a clear message development and conservation can coexist. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued stringent guidelines to ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Wildlife Clearance processes are strictly followed. The project will only proceed after detailed consultations with the Assam Forest Department, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Authority, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) To address ecological concerns, the government will implement a “No Work Zone” policy during the peak migration season and will install automated animal detection systems that alert.

Drivers to slow down. The project also includes the creation of artificial water bodies and grassland restoration near highway edges to attract animals away from the road during dry months This approach follows the successful precedent set by the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, where animal underpasses reduced wildlife collisions by over 70%. If executed carefully, Kaziranga’s highway could become India’s model for eco-smart infrastructure Community participation is another major aspect of the Kaziranga Highway Expansion initiative. Local villagers, forest guards, and eco-tourism operators are being consulted to ensure that the project benefits all stakeholders.

The government has promised compensation for displaced households, skill development programs, and employment in construction and maintenance phases Local artisans will also gain from improved tourism access, with the government planning to promote “Kaziranga Craft Villages” showcasing traditional Assamese textiles, bamboo crafts, and local cuisine. These community-led initiatives are crucial in maintaining public support and preserving the park’s cultural identity.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its promise, the Kaziranga Highway Expansion faces several challenges from flood management and environmental activism to fund allocation delays. Conservationists have raised concerns that road widening might fragment animal habitats if not carefully executed. The success of this project will thus depend heavily on the quality of implementation and monitoring mechanisms Authorities plan to establish a Kaziranga Green Corridor Monitoring Cell that will continuously assess wildlife activity, noise levels, and traffic patterns using AI-enabled sensors. The data collected will inform adaptive management practices, ensuring the corridor remains both functional and sustainable.

In the long term, this highway could be integrated into a larger eco-tourism circuit, connecting Kaziranga Majuli–Manas Nameri, creating a world-class nature and culture trail for tourists. Such a vision not only supports Assam’s economic aspirations but also reinforces India’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 15 (Life on Land) The Centre’s clearance of the ₹69.6 billion Kaziranga Highway Expansion Project is a historic stride toward building resilient infrastructure that respects nature. It symbolizes a shift from the old development model toward a “green growth.

Approach, where highways become conduits for both human mobility and ecological harmony. If executed with precision, transparency, and scientific rigor, this project could set a benchmark for all future infrastructure ventures near protected areas in India By ensuring that every kilometre of road contributes not just to travel efficiency but also to wildlife safety and community prosperity, the Kaziranga Highway stands as a model of how modern India can pave the way responsibly toward a sustainable future.