The foundation of an ambitious project worth over ₹6,000 crore to widen and upgrade the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-715, which includes a 34.5-km elevated corridor through Kaziranga National Park to provide a safe passage for wildlife and prevent animal deaths, will be laid by PM Narendra Modi in the third week of January, likely on the 17th or 18th.
The significance of the project is underscored by traffic volumes, the annual average daily traffic in financial year-2024-25 is estimated at 13,800 Passenger Car Units (PCU).
For decades, the two-lane highway cutting through Kaziranga has been a death trap for animals. During monsoon, when the park floods, rhinos, elephants, deer and other species instinctively migrate towards the higher grounds of Karbi Anglong Hills.
Their only path is across the busy highway, where heavy round-the-clock traffic has led to frequent accidents.Official records and conservation groups have repeatedly flagged the alarming toll of dozens of animals, including endangered one-horned rhinos, have been killed annually by speeding vehicles.
The narrow right of way, poor road geometry, and lack of wildlife-friendly infrastructure have compounded the crisis, turning Kaziranga’s lifeline into a corridor of conflict between development and conservation.
The elevated corridor will allow uninterrupted cross-movement of animals while easing congestion.In addition, the project also includes upgrading 30.22 km of existing road to four lanes, while two greenfield bypasses 11.5 km at Jakhalabandha and 9.5 km at Bokakhat will divert traffic away from congested stretches.
Together, these measures are expected to decongest the corridor, reduce accidents, and restore ecological balance.The alignment will link Guwahati with Numaligarh, integrate with NH-127 and NH-129, and connect three airports and three railway stations, boosting tourism and trade.
The govt estimates the project will generate 15.42 lakh person-days of direct employment and 19.19 lakh person-days indirectly, and strengthen connectivity to economic clusters, tribal districts, and tourist destinations.
Upon completion, it is expected to transform Assam’s infrastructure while safeguarding Kaziranga’s ecological heritage. Beyond conservation, the project promises to transform connectivity in Assam.
Linking Guwahati with Numaligarh, it integrates with NH-127, NH-129 and SH-35, and connects three airports — Tezpur, Lilabari and Jorhat — and three railway stations. It will also strengthen access to economic clusters, tribal districts, and tourist destinations including Kakochang waterfall and the Deopahar archaeological site.
