Four-laning of NH-715 section to help curb man animal conflict

The CCEA has approved a Rs. 6957 crore project to widen NH-715, enhancing wildlife safety and boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM, Narendra Modi, has approved widening and improvement of existing carriageway to 4 lane of Kalibor- Numaligarh section of NH-715. A major part of the existing highway passes either through the Kaziranga National Park or along the southern boundary of the park.

Four-laning of NH-715 section to help curb man animal conflict

The project will be developed on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode with a total Length of 85.675 km and total capital cost of Rs.6957 crore. There will be interventions to mitigate impacts on wildlife, a statement from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has said.

The existing Kalibor- Numaligarh section of NH-715 (old NH-37) has a configuration of 2-lane with/without paved shoulders, passing through densely built-up areas of Jakhlabandha (Nagaon) and Bokakhat (Golaghat) towns.

A major part of the existing highway passes either through the Kaziranga National Park or along the southern boundary of the park, having restricted right of way (ROW) of 16 to 32 metres further aggravated by substantially poor geometrics, the statement said.

During the monsoons, the area inside the park gets flooded leading to the movement of the wildlife from the park towards the elevated Karbi-Anglong Hills by crossing the existing highway. The heavy round-the-clock traffic on the highway results in frequent accidents and deaths of wild animals, it added.