Kaziranga Elevated Corridor: How the new project aims to protect wildlife and improve connectivity |

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project in Kaliabor, Assam, marking the start of a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity while safeguarding one of India’s most sensitive wildlife regions. The project, officially the 4-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway-715, involves an investment of over INR 6,950 crore and has been described as a model for balancing development with environmental protection, as per the PIB press release. Speaking at the event, he thanked all those who turned up and said that coming to Kaziranga brought back the memories of his previous trip to this place. He remembered camping for a night in Kaziranga National Park, then witnessing the region’s natural beauty on an elephant safari the next morning. Highlighting the emotional and ecological significance of the area, he said Kaziranga is not only a national park but has also always been described as “the soul of Assam” and one of the precious jewels in India’s biodiversity map which is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Why the Kaziranga corridor is important

Kaziranga National Park is famed for its population of one-horned rhinoceros, as well as animals including tigers and elephants. But its special flood-plain ecology brings along repeated trials. In monsoon, the extensive parts of the park get flooded and animals have to move in higher land outside park. In the process, several species of wildlife have to move on to and across the national highway that flanks the park bringing about traffic obstructions, accidents and in most cases tragic fatalities of animals. The Prime Minister noted it had been a longstanding issue to help traffic move freely while also protecting the forest and its wildlife. The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor would serve as the answer to this problem, enabling vehicles and animals alike to run unshackled without becoming obstacles or risks to each other.

What is the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project?

Kaziranga Elevated Corridor is an environmentally conscious highway project along NH-715, 86 km in length. Its most remarkable feature is a 35-kilometre-long elevated wildlife corridor which would pass through the Kaziranga landscape. On the elevated stretch, the vehicles will move over ground, and the wildlife will pass underneath without any hindrance.

According to the Prime Minister, the design of the corridor has been prepared keeping in mind the traditional movement routes of rhinos, elephants and tigers. This ensures that the natural migratory paths of animals are not disrupted, even as road infrastructure is upgraded. In addition to the elevated section, the project includes:21 kilometres of bypass sections 30 kilometres of widening of the existing highway from two lanes to four lanesThe corridor will pass through the districts of Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat, areas that play a crucial role in connecting different parts of Assam.

What the overpass means for wildlife and road user safety

One of the core targets of the project is to minimize human–wildlife conflict. It is also believed that the elevated corridor, by reducing conflict between high-speed vehicular traffic and animal pathways, will reduce the risk of animals getting stranded on the road during floods. The Prime Minister said the project would also improve road safety by reducing accidents and easing congestion on a stretch that often becomes a bottleneck. Smoother traffic flow is expected to benefit both daily commuters and long-distance travellers, especially during peak travel seasons.