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Assam’s Kaziranga National Park to Get Elevated Corridor: A Rs 6,957 Crore Project for Wildlife Conservation and Highway Expansion
Aiming to eliminate men, vehicle, and animal conflicts in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), the Cabinet has approved a significant project for the widening and improvement of the 86-km Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam. The project, valued at Rs 6,957 crore, includes the construction of three elevated sections spanning 34.5 km through the national park, ensuring the safety of both humans and animals. This initiative is expected to decongest the existing corridor, enhance safety, and promote tourism in the region.
The decision to undertake this massive infrastructure project was made with the primary objective of reducing the conflicts between humans, vehicles, and animals within the Kaziranga National Park. Currently, a significant portion of the existing highway passes through the national park or along its southern boundary, resulting in frequent accidents and deaths of wild animals, particularly during monsoons when the area inside the park gets flooded. The new elevated corridor will not only provide a safe passage for vehicles but also ensure the unhindered movement of animals, as the existing two-lane highway will be abandoned and become part of the national park once the elevated section is built.
Project Overview and Objectives
The Cabinet’s approval of the project marks a significant step towards achieving a balance between development and wildlife conservation. The project’s key objectives include:
- Decongesting the existing corridor to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times.
- Enhancing safety by minimizing the risk of accidents involving wild animals.
- Promoting tourism in the region by providing better infrastructure, which is expected to boost economic development.
- Ensuring the conservation of wildlife by providing a safe and natural habitat for animals within the Kaziranga National Park.
Consultations and Preparations
The plan to expand the road and build an elevated stretch has been in the works since 2016 but gained momentum after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) took up the project in 2023. The government has made necessary provisions in consultation with various entities, including the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, to prevent any harm to animals during the construction and post-construction phases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Cabinet decision as a "historic" move for Assam and the northeast, stating that it will boost development and ensure animal safety. He also mentioned that tourism in Kaziranga will receive a significant boost, indicating the project’s potential to contribute to the local economy while preserving the natural heritage of the region.
Key Highlights of the Project
Some of the key highlights of the project include:
- Elevated Corridor: The construction of a 34.5 km elevated corridor through the Kaziranga National Park to prevent animal-vehicle conflicts.
- Four-Laning: The widening of the 86-km Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 to a four-lane highway to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
- Cost: The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 6,957 crore, which will be fully funded by the government.
- Consultations: Provisions have been made in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife Institute of India, and other entities to ensure the project does not harm the wildlife.
Benefits and Expectations
The project is expected to bring numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Safety: Reduced risk of accidents involving wild animals.
- Enhanced Tourism: Better infrastructure is expected to attract more tourists, boosting the local economy.
- Conservation: The project aims to ensure the conservation of wildlife by providing a safe habitat for animals.
- Economic Growth: The improvement in infrastructure is anticipated to contribute to the overall economic development of the region.
In conclusion, the approval of the project for the widening and improvement of the NH-715 section, including the construction of an elevated corridor through the Kaziranga National Park, marks a significant step towards achieving a balance between development and conservation. With its focus on safety, tourism, and wildlife conservation, this project is expected to have a positive impact on the region, contributing to both the economic growth and the preservation of natural heritage.
Keywords: Kaziranga National Park, NH-715, Elevated Corridor, Wildlife Conservation, Highway Expansion, Assam, Infrastructure Development, Tourism, Economic Growth, Animal Safety.
Hashtags: #KazirangaNationalPark #WildlifeConservation #InfrastructureDevelopment #Assam #Tourism #EconomicGrowth #AnimalSafety #HighwayExpansion #NH715 #ElevatedCorridor #India #Development #Conservation #Safety #Environment.