Kaziranga corridor to ensure safe wildlife movement in national park, boost tourism

Key Highlights

• The project includes the four-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-37 (New NH-715) and approximately 34.45 km of elevated corridor, along with bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat, one of the officials said.
• The project has been designed in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of the Wildlife Institute of India, he said.
• The objectives of the project are to improve connectivity between Central and Upper Assam and ensure the protection of the rich biodiversity of the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, another official said.
• The flagship infrastructure project will be implemented by NHIDCL under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the construction will be completed in 36 months, he said.
• The Centre's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the widening of the 86.675-km stretch of the highway to four lanes and the construction of a 34.5-km elevated corridor with the area underneath for the crossing of animals from the national park to the Karbi Anglong Hills, particularly during the flood season.