The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed the country's first dedicated wildlife corridor on a national highway, marking a significant milestone in integrating infrastructure development with environmental conservation. This 12-kilometre stretch, part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, passes through the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and includes five wildlife overpasses along with India's longest underpass designed for the safe movement of animals.
This is the first instance where an expressway in India has been designed with a dual focus—facilitating human transportation while ensuring the protection of wildlife habitats and the safe passage of endangered species such as tigers and bears.
The corridor was planned and developed in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It lies in an ecologically rich area between Ranthambore and the Chambal Valley, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife.
The 12-kilometre section posed considerable challenges due to its location in the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary's buffer zone, an area known for its biodiversity. Special measures were taken during both construction and operational phases to ensure the natural habitats remained undisturbed.
Five dedicated wildlife overpasses, each 500 meters long, were constructed while preserving the natural contours of the land to allow free movement of animals. In addition, a 1.2-kilometre underpass was built for large mammals, and nearly 5 kilometres of the highway were either elevated or built below ground level to maintain the terrain’s integrity. To further protect the wildlife, a 4-meter-high boundary wall and 2-meter-high sound barriers were installed to prevent animals from straying onto the road and to reduce stress caused by traffic noise.
During construction, the area saw frequent animal movement. To prevent any harm to the wildlife, personnel were stationed every 200 meters to ensure animals did not enter active construction zones. Notably, no wildlife casualties occurred during the entire construction phase. Post-construction monitoring has captured several sightings of tigers and bears using the overpasses and underpass, validating the success of the initiative.
The corridor includes India’s longest continuous wildlife overpass, with a 2.5-kilometre stretch seamlessly aligned with the natural terrain, setting a national benchmark in wildlife infrastructure.
The project also incorporated numerous eco-friendly practices. Approximately 35,000 trees were planted along the stretch, and rainwater harvesting systems were placed every 500 meters. Drip irrigation systems helped cut water use by over 50 per cent. Moreover, sustainable construction techniques, including modular formwork and low-waste methods, were employed to reduce the environmental footprint.
This initiative sets a new precedent for eco-sensitive infrastructure in India, offering a model for future highway projects that aim to balance development with ecological preservation.
News source: ANI
