India’s Longest Animal Overpass Corridor Unveiled on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

In a landmark move combining conservation with infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed the country’s first wildlife overpass corridor on a national highway. Spanning a 12-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which cuts through the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone, the project includes five overpasses and India’s longest wildlife underpass, all designed to enable safe animal movement without disturbing natural habitats.

Why in News?

The project marks the first instance in India where a national expressway was designed keeping wildlife conservation at its core. Given increasing human-animal conflicts near protected zones, this overpass represents a model for eco-sensitive infrastructure and highlights India’s commitment to sustainable development.

Key Features

• Length of Segment: 12 km of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through the Ranthambore buffer zone

Structures Built

• 5 overpasses (each 500 metres long)
• 1 underpass (1.2 km, India’s longest for wildlife)
• 5 km of elevated/sunken expressway to match terrain
• 4-metre-high wall and 2-metre sound barriers for protection

Environmental Measures

• Natural Contour Design: Overpasses follow original terrain to ensure minimal disruption
• Manpower Deployment: Every 200 metres during construction to prevent harm to wildlife
• Post-Construction Monitoring: Camera evidence confirms tiger and bear movement through corridors

Eco-Friendly Additions

• Plantation of 35,000 trees
• Installation of rainwater harvesting systems
• Modular construction to reduce waste

Objectives & Aim

• Ensure safe passage for wildlife between Ranthambore and Chambal Valley
• Minimise roadkill and reduce human-animal conflict
• Demonstrate how green infrastructure can coexist with development

Broader Context

• Punjab is planning its first urban wildlife corridor via the Zirakpur bypass project
• Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg includes 209 animal/pedestrian underpasses and 8 wildlife over/underpasses
• These developments highlight a national shift towards wildlife-inclusive infrastructure