India’s longest Animal Overpass Corridor on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway ensures safe wildlife movement and eco-friendly infrastructure, vital for UPSC and PSC exams.
India’s Longest Animal Overpass Corridor Inaugurated on Delhi–Mumbai Expressway
Pioneering Wildlife Passage
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has inaugurated India’s longest animal overpass corridor on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, located in the wildlife-rich Ranthambore region. This 12 km stretch features five wildlife overpasses—each approximately 500 m long—and a 1.2 km underpass, the country’s longest designed explicitly for wildlife crossings
Integrating Terrain with Infrastructure
To minimize ecological disruption, the expressway includes 5 km of specially sunken and elevated segments that conform to local topography. These design choices have been complemented by eight-metre-high noise barriers and six-foot-tall boundary walls, curbing vehicular intrusion and ensuring safe animal movements
Strategic Placement in Protected Area
The corridor is strategically placed along one of India’s most significant wildlife passageways, connecting Ranthambore National Park with surrounding sanctuaries like Sariska and Mukundara Hills. These regions form vital links in the Aravalli wildlife corridor, critical for large mammals such as tigers, deer, leopards, and bears
Sustainable Features and Environmental Measures
Beyond wildlife corridors, the project employs eco-conscious landscaping: planting saplings, installing rainwater harvesting systems every 500 m, and utilizing drip irrigation. These features reflect NHAI’s commitment to environment-friendly highway development, balancing infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship
Safe Roads, Safer Wildlife
By facilitating wildlife movement and reducing collision risks, the corridor enhances safety for both animals and motorists. Traffic flow remains unhindered, while wildlife underpasses and overpasses serve as natural migratory pathways, mitigating human–animal conflict
Why This News Is Important
Ensuring Wildlife Conservation
This corridor marks a historic milestone in Indian infrastructure, showcasing a paradigm shift towards conservation—particularly for endangered species like tigers, leopards, and bears. It aims to reduce wildlife fatalities and maintain natural migration routes, thereby preserving biodiversity along one of India’s busiest expressways.
Infrastructure with Environmental Responsibility
By incorporating wildlife-safe design elements and green infrastructure, the project demonstrates how mega highways can be built without compromising environmental integrity. This sets a precedent for future national highway projects, ensuring a harmonious balance between development and ecological protection—critical knowledge for aspirants of civil services, forestry, environment, and related sectors.
Historical Context: Background of Wildlife Crossings in India
India has faced increasing wildlife-vehicle collisions due to expanding infrastructure. Recognizing this, NHAI started integrating wildlife mitigation features in expressway designs. The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, conceived in 2019 and valued at around ₹1,00,000 crore, journeyed from concept to rollout of these corridors by 2025 under environmental regulations The corridor connects protected zones like Ranthambore, Sariska, and Mukundara Hills, part of the larger Aravalli landscape—a traditional route for large mammal dispersal.
Globally, India is drawing inspiration from countries like the Netherlands, where wildlife overpasses—also known as “eco-ducts”—have successfully reduced roadkill incidents and maintained ecological connectivity. This implementation exemplifies India’s commitment to adopt and scale such global best practices.
Key Takeaways from India’s Longest Animal Overpass Corridor
| S.No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Length & Scale: 12 km corridor with five 500 m overpasses and a 1.2 km underpass. |
| 2 | Safety Infrastructure: 8 m noise barriers and 6 ft boundary walls for motorist and wildlife safety. |
| 3 | Ecological Integration: 5 km of terrain-matching raised/sunken roadway to minimize habitat disturbance. |
| 4 | Biodiversity Corridor: Connects Ranthambore with Sariska and Mukundara Hills via the Aravalli corridor. |
| 5 | Green Highway Features: Saplings, rainwater harvesting every 500 m, and drip irrigation reflect sustainable design. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the purpose of the animal overpass corridor on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway?
Answer: The corridor is designed to ensure the safe movement of wildlife across the expressway without disrupting vehicular traffic or harming animals, reducing the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Q2. Where is India’s longest wildlife overpass corridor located?
Answer: It is located in the Ranthambore region of Rajasthan along the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
Q3. Which major national parks are connected by this corridor?
Answer: The corridor links Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve through the Aravalli wildlife passage.
Q4. How long is the animal underpass constructed on this corridor?
Answer: The underpass is 1.2 kilometers long, making it the longest wildlife underpass in India.
Q5. Why is this project important for UPSC and State PSC aspirants?
Answer: It aligns with topics from Environment & Ecology, Infrastructure Development, Wildlife Conservation, and Government Policies, making it highly relevant for both prelims and mains.
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