Guwahati: The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 6,957 crore project to widen National Highway 715 and develop a 34.5 km elevated corridor in Assam, aiming to ensure safer wildlife crossings, faster travel, and boost the state’s eco-tourism and employment opportunities.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the decision and highlighted its significance for Assam’s sustainable development.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greenlit the plan to expand the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 into four lanes.
The project includes wildlife-friendly features on the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) stretch to protect animals from road accidents.
Sonowal also called the approval “a historic day for Assam and a giant leap for India’s sustainable development.”
He added that the project will generate approximately 15.42 lakh person-days of direct employment and 19.19 lakh person-days of indirect employment, further accelerating economic growth in the region.
A key component of the plan is the construction of a 34.45 km elevated corridor in Kaziranga, designed to allow safe and uninterrupted passage for wildlife between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong Hills.
Sonowal emphasized, “This monumental elevated corridor protects our natural heritage while paving the way for a prosperous future.”
Beyond wildlife conservation, the new highway infrastructure will improve connectivity and reduce travel time drastically.
Sonowal further explained that the upgraded road will enhance eco-tourism, ease travel for pilgrims and visitors, and open up new trade and industry opportunities in Assam.
The project also includes 21 km of greenfield bypasses to decongest Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat, making travel smoother and safer.
The project will follow an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, covering a total length of 85.675 km.
It involves building the elevated corridor, upgrading 30.22 km of existing highway, and creating the greenfield bypasses.
The new alignment will link with two National Highways (NH-127 and NH-129), one State Highway (SH-35), three railway stations (Nagaon, Jakhalabandha, Vishwanath Chariali), and three airports (Tezpur, Lilabari, Jorhat).