Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for a massive infrastructure project in Assam, valued at over Rs 6,000 crore, in the third week of January. The event is likely scheduled for January 17 or 18. The project's centerpiece is a 34.5-kilometre elevated corridor through the iconic Kaziranga National Park, designed to provide a safe passage for animals and drastically reduce wildlife fatalities on the highway.
A Lifeline for Kaziranga's Wildlife
For decades, the existing two-lane Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-715 has been a deadly barrier for the park's fauna. During the annual monsoon floods, animals like the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, and deer migrate to the higher grounds of the Karbi Anglong Hills. Their path forces them to cross this busy highway, leading to frequent and tragic accidents with vehicles.
Official data and conservationists have long highlighted the alarming death toll, with dozens of animals killed by speeding traffic each year. The crisis has been exacerbated by the road's narrow width, poor design, and complete lack of wildlife-friendly infrastructure. The new elevated corridor is a direct response to this conflict, aiming to allow uninterrupted and safe animal movement beneath it while easing traffic congestion above.
Project Scope and Economic Impact
The ambitious project involves more than just the elevated section. It includes widening and upgrading 30.22 km of the existing road to four lanes. Furthermore, two new greenfield bypasses—an 11.5 km bypass at Jakhalabandha and a 9.5 km bypass at Bokakhat—will be constructed to divert traffic away from congested town areas.
The government estimates the project will create significant employment, generating 15.42 lakh person-days of direct employment and 19.19 lakh person-days indirectly. The traffic demand underscores its necessity, with the Annual Average Daily Traffic estimated at 13,800 Passenger Car Units for the 2024-25 financial year.
Boosting Connectivity and Tourism in Assam
Beyond conservation, the project promises to transform regional connectivity. The upgraded alignment will seamlessly link Guwahati with Numaligarh, integrating with national highways NH-127 and NH-129. It will improve access to three airports (Tezpur, Lilabari, Jorhat) and three railway stations, strengthening ties to key economic clusters and tribal districts.
This enhanced infrastructure is expected to boost tourism by providing better connectivity to attractions like the Kakochang waterfall and the Deopahar archaeological site. Upon completion, the project aims to be a landmark achievement, modernising Assam's transport network while safeguarding the ecological heritage of Kaziranga for future generations.
