20 Jan, 2026

Kaziranga Elevated Corridor: A Landmark Step Towards Wildlife Protection and Safer Connectivity in Assam

India's emphasis on infrastructure development continues with the announcement of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project. This ₹6,957-crore project is designed to strike a balance between the demands of future growth and the need to protect our environment through conservation efforts. In addition, Prime Minister Modi has laid the foundation stone for this project on Saturday by performing the Bhoomi Pujan in Kaliabor, Assam, which represents an important step for the state of Assam and the ecologically sensitive Kaziranga region.

Why the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Was Needed?

Kaziranga National Park isn't simply a protected area, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest population of one-horned rhinos, as well as tigers, elephants, wild buffalo, and swamp deer. During the monsoon season, large sections of the park become inundated due to high water levels, prompting animals to move towards higher ground on the Karbi Anglong hills.

NH-37 has long been an issue for these animal corridors due to the fact that it is a major thoroughfare. As such, this highway corridor has also experienced a pattern of wildlife death as a result of fast-moving vehicles for many years. Despite speed limits and warning signs, accidents continued, demonstrating the need for a permanent and comprehensive solution rather than just temporary limitations or restrictions.

The construction of an improved highway alignment with the addition of wildlife underpasses, and road widening, the initiative seeks to ensure safer animal movement, reduce accidents, and enhance travel efficiency.

Key Features:

The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project includes the four-laning of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh stretch of NH-37 (now NH-715) and the development of an elevated corridor that stretches 34.5 km to preserve the integrity of the area.
The project's design conforms to both the Supreme Court and Wildlife Institute of India guidelines, which emphasize the importance of ecological sensitivity.

Economic and Regional Impact

The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) oversees the implementation of this project, the construction period for which is expected to be 36 months. This development will provide better access to major economic areas within Assam, encourage increased tourism and trade, and foster greater economic development.

According to Prime Minister Modi, the creation of this corridor represents a fundamental way to protect wildlife during the monsoon; its establishment is an important factor in protecting wildlife habitats along the corridor. As per Cheif Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, this is a landmark initiative that allows for both infrastructure development and environmental responsibility.

A Model for Sustainable Infrastructure

The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project illustrates how infrastructure development can beneficially coexist with environmental conservation while providing a viable means to connect communities through systems of highways and utilizing local resources. The corridor addresses the long-standing concern of road safety while accommodating for the natural migration of animals. This project will set a precedent for future motorway projects in ecologically sensitive areas of India. Therefore, this substantial project represents the beginning of a more intelligent, efficient and sustainable approach, wherein the concepts of progress and preservation must work in concert.