The 85.6-kilometre project, which passes through the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve landscape, has attracted 18 bids and is expected to be awarded during the current financial year at an estimated cost of Rs 6,956 crore.

The project, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), aims to enhance regional connectivity while safeguarding the fragile ecosystem of Kaziranga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had performed the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for the project in January 2026.

Elevated Wildlife Corridor

A major component of the project is the construction of a 34.5-kilometre elevated corridor through the Kaziranga landscape to ensure the uninterrupted movement of wildlife.

The corridor will be built in three stretches measuring 18.3 kilometres, 11.2 kilometres, and 5 kilometres, respectively. The alignment has been carefully designed to facilitate the traditional wildlife movement routes between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi Anglong hills.

The elevated structure will form part of the broader plan to upgrade NH-715 from its existing two-lane configuration to a four-lane highway. Authorities say the design aims to minimise disturbance to natural habitats while allowing smoother and safer vehicular movement along the critical transport corridor.

Bypasses, Bridges and Flyovers

The 85.6-kilometre highway development package also includes major supporting infrastructure aimed at easing congestion and improving traffic flow in key towns along the route.

Two greenfield bypasses, totalling 21 kilometres, will be developed at Jakhlabandha in Nagaon district and at Bokakhat in Golaghat district. The project also includes the construction of one major bridge, 20 minor bridges, seven flyovers and 84 culverts.

Additional infrastructure features include a railway over bridge, five vehicular underpasses, 12 light vehicular underpasses and about 16 kilometres of service roads to improve local connectivity.

Wildlife Safeguards

Given the ecological sensitivity of the Kaziranga landscape, the project design has been developed after consultations with multiple conservation agencies.

NHAI worked with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Assam Forest Department to incorporate wildlife-friendly design elements. The project has also secured the necessary approvals from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).

Officials say the elevated design has been designed specifically to reduce habitat disturbance and allow safe passage for animals moving between Kaziranga and the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills.

Once completed, the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 is expected to significantly improve connectivity between key tourism, industrial and economic hubs in Assam. The upgraded highway is also expected to boost tourism to Kaziranga while opening new opportunities for trade and industrial growth across the region.

“Kaziranga Is the Soul of Assam,” Says PM Modi at Elevated Corridor Bhoomi Pujan