Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Kaziranga elevated wildlife corridor, a significant project for India’s infrastructure development and ecological preservation. This ₹6,957 crore project is part of the upgrade of National Highway 715 (formerly NH-37) in Assam and will feature a 34.5-kilometer elevated structure. Its primary goal is to ensure safe and uninterrupted wildlife movement, especially within the ecologically sensitive Kaziranga National Park, promoting human-wildlife coexistence.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone in January 2026. The project aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, reduce accidents on the highway, boost eco-tourism, and create employment for local communities, fostering sustainable development in Assam.
Protecting Kaziranga’s Precious Biodiversity: The Urgent Need for Action
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its biodiversity, including the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, along with elephants, tigers, wild water buffalo, deer, and numerous bird species. National Highway 715, running along its southern boundary, fragments vital animal movement corridors.
Kaziranga’s Ecological Significance & Flood Challenges
Kaziranga’s low-lying floodplains are crucial but face challenges during the annual monsoon when the Brahmaputra River floods. Wildlife seeks higher ground in the neighboring Karbi Anglong Hills, necessitating dangerous crossings of NH-715, leading to animal fatalities and injuries from vehicle collisions. The highway, essential for regional connectivity, became a hazard for wildlife. Existing infrastructure was inadequate for safe passage, forcing animals onto the road and endangering both wildlife and human travelers. Habitat fragmentation raised concerns about genetic diversity and species viability, highlighting the need for an innovative solution.
Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflict: The Rationale for Elevated Corridors
An elevated corridor is considered the most viable solution. By lifting the highway above ground in critical animal movement zones, the project creates an uninterrupted pathway for wildlife underneath, separating human traffic from migration routes. This aims to restore ecological connectivity, allowing animals to follow natural migratory patterns without hindrance. The design considers the movement patterns of large mammals like elephants and rhinos, ensuring sufficient width and height for their passage, integrating nature-friendly designs into infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots.
The Vision Behind the Kaziranga Elevated Wildlife Corridor: A Dual Mandate for Progress
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Modi, cleared this comprehensive project, which extends beyond the elevated corridor to include the widening and improvement of the Kalibor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 over 85.675 kilometers. This holistic approach addresses wildlife safety, enhances road connectivity, reduces traffic congestion, and improves commuter safety.
Project Scope: A 34.5 km Lifeline for Wildlife
The core of the project is the 34.5 km elevated corridor, designed to span nine critical animal corridors within Kaziranga: Amguri, Bagori, Chirang, Deosur, Harmati, Hatidandi, Kanchanjuri (Nagaon district), and Haldibari, Panbari (Golaghat district). This provides unobstructed passage for animals like elephants, deer, and rhinos moving to the Karbi Anglong Hills during floods.
Beyond the Corridor: Broader Infrastructure Upgrades for Assam
The project includes upgrading 30.22 kilometers of existing roads and constructing 21 kilometers of greenfield bypasses around Jakhlabandha and Bokakhat to decongest local traffic. These bypasses will reroute through-traffic, improving safety and reducing travel times. This integrated approach aims for regional development, serving transit needs and contributing to the socio-economic fabric. The improved connectivity will link Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, and Numaligarh, boosting logistics, trade, and mobility, fostering economic growth.
Securing Nine Critical Animal Corridors with the Elevated Structure
Securing these nine animal corridors, historically prone to animal-vehicle conflicts, is paramount. The elevated design lifts the highway at these crucial points, allowing animals to use ancestral paths without encountering vehicles. This targeted approach, based on research by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), addresses the most pressing threats to Kaziranga’s wildlife, validated by clearances from these bodies.
Balancing Development & Conservation: Overcoming Challenges in an Eco-Sensitive Zone
Implementing this project in an eco-sensitive zone like Kaziranga requires stringent environmental safeguards. Mitigation measures are outlined to minimize the ecological footprint and ensure the long-term health of the park’s biodiversity.
Strategic Planning: Safeguarding a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Construction activities will be prohibited during the flood season. Robust noise and pollution control measures will be implemented. Continuous monitoring of animal movement will allow for adaptive management. Clearances from WII and NBWL include a recommended monitoring system to mitigate potential impacts on habitat connectivity, adhering to sustainable development standards.
Addressing Concerns: The UNESCO Petition & Ongoing Dialogue
An Assam resident has petitioned UNESCO to assess the ecological implications of the elevated corridor, highlighting the importance of thorough ecological evaluation for a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Concerns exist regarding potential disturbances from prolonged construction (noise, vibrations, machinery, human presence) to endangered wildlife. Project proponents emphasize expert recommendations and the goal of reducing roadkill. The petition underscores the need for transparency, continuous environmental impact assessment, and robust monitoring. Engaging with local communities and environmental groups is vital for building trust and addressing concerns.
Far-Reaching Impact: Benefits of the Kaziranga Elevated Wildlife Corridor
The project is expected to deliver substantial benefits for wildlife and socio-economic advantages for local communities.
For Wildlife: Ensuring Safe Passage and Habitat Connectivity
The primary benefit for wildlife is the creation of safe, free, and uninterrupted movement corridors, directly addressing roadkill. The structural separation ensures animals can follow natural migratory routes, especially during floods. The elevated design enhances ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats, crucial for maintaining healthy populations and genetic diversity of species like elephants, deer, rhinos, tigers, and wild water buffalo.
For Local Communities: Boosting Eco-tourism & Economic Growth
The project is projected to generate over 34 lakh person-days of employment, providing direct and indirect job opportunities for local residents, fostering economic stability and participation in conservation. Improved regional connectivity will boost eco-tourism by making Assam more accessible, increasing tourist footfall, and stimulating the development of eco-tourism packages and local businesses. The corridor will strengthen urban-rural links, facilitating trade and promoting economic growth and cultural exchange. Travelers will benefit from safer roads, smoother journeys, and reduced travel times.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Infrastructure & Global Conservation
The Kaziranga elevated wildlife corridor project is a pioneering example of designing modern infrastructure to address the interplay between human development and ecological preservation. It signifies a paradigm shift in infrastructure planning, integrating environmental impact assessments and wildlife considerations from inception. The long-term benefits for a globally significant biodiversity hotspot and the socio-economic upliftment of local communities justify the substantial investment.
Lessons learned from this project will serve as a blueprint for future large-scale infrastructure projects in biodiversity-rich regions globally. It demonstrates a commitment to not only mitigate negative impacts but to actively enhance ecological functionality while fostering sustainable economic growth. The implementation of noise and pollution control, prohibition of construction during flood seasons, and continuous monitoring exemplify best practices in eco-sensitive development.
Conclusion
The approval of the Kaziranga elevated wildlife corridor by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a pivotal moment for conservation in India. This ambitious project, with its multi-faceted approach to wildlife protection, regional connectivity, and community empowerment, embodies a forward-thinking vision. It is an infrastructure marvel designed as a lifeline for Kaziranga’s wildlife. As the foundation stone is laid in January 2026, it signifies India’s journey to demonstrate that development and conservation can be symbiotic forces driving a sustainable future, where nature and progress coexist in harmony.
About the Author
