Assam , 24 Dec : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the ambitious Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in January 2026.
The Rs 6,957 crore project represents a significant step in Assam’s commitment to balancing modern infrastructure development with wildlife conservation.
State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora confirmed the announcement, noting that the project gained momentum following PM Modi’s visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site last year.
The 34.45-km elevated corridor will pass over nine critical animal corridors along National Highway-37 (now NH-715), a region home to Kaziranga’s rich biodiversity.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that PM Modi expressed deep admiration for the park’s wildlife during his previous visit, prompting authorities to prioritise the project. Currently, about 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles travel the highway daily.
During the annual monsoon floods, elephants, deer, and other wildlife must cross the busy road to reach higher ground in the Karbi Anglong hills, frequently causing fatal accidents.
The elevated corridor will allow animals to move safely beneath the highway regardless of traffic or weather, significantly reducing human-animal conflict.
Boosting Regional Development
Beyond conservation, the corridor is expected to drive regional development.
The project includes four-laning the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch covering 85.67 km, along with greenfield bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat to decongest town centres.
Officials estimate that the project will generate nearly 35 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor draws on successful wildlife-friendly infrastructure models from other national parks and aims to strengthen eco-tourism while keeping Assam’s fragile natural ecosystem in harmony.
The project demonstrates how modern development and environmental protection can coexist.
The foundation stone laying by PM Modi marks a historic moment for Assam, signalling a new era of sustainable infrastructure that prioritises both wildlife safety and human convenience.
The elevated corridor will enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and set a benchmark for environmentally sensitive infrastructure projects across India.
