Representative photo
NEW DELHI: Aimed at eliminating men, vehicle and animal conflict in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), the Cabinet Wednesday approved widening and improvement of 86-km Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam, including three elevated sections of 34.5 km through the national park.The Rs 6,957 crore project will be fully funded by govt. Once the elevated section is built, the existing two-lane highway passing through the KNP will be abandoned. The existing road will be part of the national park, thereby ensuring unhindered movement of animals.Sharing the Cabinet decision with reporters, I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project will decongest the existing corridor, improve safety, and necessary provisions have been made in consultation with entities, including National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India to prevent any harm to animals.
Better & safer
Terming it as a historic decision for Assam and the northeast in a post on X, PM Modi said, “The Cabinet decision on widening and upgradation of the Kalibor–Numaligarh section of NH-715, including an elevated corridor with wildlife-friendly measures in the Kaziranga stretch, will boost development as well as ensure animal safety. Tourism to Kaziranga will receive a big boost.”Sources said the plan to expand the road and building elevated stretch had been in works since 2016, but it gained momentum after NHAI took up the stretch in 2023. Govt said a major part of the existing highway passes either through the national park or along the southern boundary of the park having only 16 to 32 metres of right of way. “During monsoons, the area inside the park gets flooded leading to the movement of the wildlife from the park towards the elevated Karbi-Anglong Hills by crossing the existing highway. The heavy round-the-clock traffic on the highway results in frequent accidents and deaths of wild animals,” it added.
