Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 1: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major infrastructure upgrade in Assam — the widening and improvement of the Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715, including eco-sensitive measures along the Kaziranga National Park stretch.

The Rs 6,957 crore project will be implemented in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, covering a total stretch of 85.675 km. It is set to bring significant environmental and economic benefits to the region, generating an estimated 15.42 lac person-days of direct employment and 19.19 lac person-days of indirect jobs.

Key Features of the Project:

• Elevation for Wildlife Protection:

A crucial element of the plan is a 34.5 km elevated corridor that will allow safe and uninterrupted movement of animals between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi-Anglong Hills, especially during the monsoon season when the park floods.

• Road Expansion and Bypasses:

The project includes 30.22 km of upgraded existing road and 21 km of new greenfield bypasses around Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat towns, aiming to decongest traffic and improve safety.

• Wildlife-Friendly Measures:

The highway currently runs through or along the boundary of Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where wildlife-vehicle collisions have been a growing concern. The elevated corridor will significantly reduce such incidents, balancing infrastructure growth with ecological preservation.

• Enhanced Connectivity:

The upgraded corridor will improve connectivity between Guwahati (state capital), Kaziranga National Park (a major tourist attraction), and Numaligarh (an industrial town). It will link up with NH-127, NH-129, and SH-35, creating a seamless network across Assam.

• Multi-modal Transport Integration:

The highway will also enhance multi-modal logistics by connecting with three railway stations (Nagaon, Jakhalabandha, Vishwanath Chariali) and three airports (Tezpur, Lilabari, Jorhat), promoting faster movement of people and goods.

Strategic Importance:

Once completed, this upgraded stretch of NH-715 will:

• Boost eco-tourism, especially to Kaziranga,
• Facilitate regional industrial growth,
• Enhance trade routes, and
• Strengthen Assam’s connectivity to broader national logistics and transportation frameworks.

The project is being seen as a benchmark in eco-sensitive infrastructure development, aiming to deliver high-impact regional growth without compromising environmental integrity.