July 2, 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed the country’s first dedicated wildlife corridor along a national expressway—an important milestone in aligning infrastructure growth with environmental conservation. Spanning 12 kilometres, this section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway traverses the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and features five wildlife overpasses, alongside India’s longest underpass designed for the safe passage of animals.
This is the first expressway in India specifically designed to cater to both vehicular movement and the protection of natural habitats, allowing endangered species such as tigers and bears to cross safely. Developed in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the corridor sits between the ecologically sensitive regions of Ranthambore and the Chambal Valley.
Constructing the highway within a wildlife sanctuary buffer zone posed several challenges. To minimise disturbance, five overpasses—each 500 metres in length—were built while preserving natural land contours. A 1.2-kilometre underpass accommodates larger mammals, while around five kilometres of the stretch was either elevated or sunk to maintain topographical integrity. Additional safeguards include a 4-metre-high boundary wall and 2-metre sound barriers to deter animal entry and reduce noise pollution.
During construction, workers were stationed every 200 metres to ensure animals were kept clear of active zones. Impressively, no wildlife fatalities occurred. Post-construction monitoring has confirmed tiger and bear movement through the structures.
The project also pioneered eco-friendly methods, including planting 35,000 trees, installing rainwater harvesting systems at 500-metre intervals, and employing drip irrigation to cut water usage by over half. Sustainable construction techniques further reduced waste.
This initiative establishes a new benchmark for eco-sensitive infrastructure in India, offering a replicable model for future projects that seek to harmonise development with biodiversity protection.
Source: Construction World
