The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) may have approved an elevated road over nine corridors used by the animals of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, usually during heavy floods, but the future of the project as of now is uncertain. The 35-km elevated road project, worth ₹6,000 crore, along an existing arterial highway skirting the southern boundary of Kaziranga’s core area had been in the offing for years.
A source in the Union ministry of road transport and highways talking to GPlus on condition of anonymity said, “Though the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing the detailed project report for the elevated corridor at Kaziranga, the project is still uncertain.”
The source said that National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is constructing a 150-kilometre road from Kaliabor to Tezpur, from Tezpur to Gohpur and from Gohpur an underwater tunnel road will connect Numaligarh. If this project is completed many vehicles can directly reach Numaligarh and Upper Assam without crossing the Kaziranga wildlife corridors between Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat, said the source.
“The focus now is on the route from Kaliabor to Numaligarh through Gohpur, so the Union ministry is reconsidering the elevated corridor project as of now,” said the source.
There will be three elevated roads in the corridor if constructed between Burapahar and Bokakhat crossing 9 animal corridors, said the source.
The source said but for construction of the elevated corridor many criteria have to be maintained as it is a zone where animals cross.
As of now the elevated corridor project is uncertain, the source stressed.
Director of Kaziranga National Park Dr. Sonali Ghosh talking to GPlus said, “It's an old concept that's finally being implemented. The design needs to ensure minimal disruption to wildlife, especially during construction.”
Environmentalists feel during construction of the elevated corridor the animals will “suffer”.