Cabinet Sanctions Kalibor-Numaligarh 4-Lane Highway
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a major infrastructure project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting. The CCEA sanctioned the widening of the Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715. It will upgrade the existing carriageway to a modern 4-lane standard. This project carries a substantial total capital cost of Rs 6,957 crore. The total length of the new corridor measures 85.675 km. The government will execute the project on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. Protecting Wildlife with Green Infrastructure Wildlife safety forms a cornerstone of this new highway development. The Cabinet specifically approved the implementation of specialized wildlife-friendly measures. A critical 34.5 km elevated corridor will span the entire Kaziranga National Park (KNP) stretch. Currently, the existing highway causes a serious conservation problem. A major part of the old NH-715 runs directly through or along the KNP boundary. Heavy, round-the-clock traffic results in frequent accidents. Many wild animals die trying to cross the busy road. This issue intensifies dramatically during the monsoon season. Flooding inside the park pushes wildlife toward the elevated Karbi-Anglong Hills. The new elevated structure will guarantee free and uninterrupted passage for the wildlife. It entirely covers the necessary cross-movement area for animal migration. Enhancing Trade and Tourism Connectivity The project resolves critical human and ecological issues simultaneously. The current 2-lane highway passes through the densely built-up towns of Jakhlabandha and Bokakhat. The new construction will significantly decongest these urban areas. The total work includes several components. It involves the upgradation of 30.22 km of the existing road. It also includes the construction of 21 km of greenfield bypasses. These new bypasses will circumvent both Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat towns. This strategy dramatically improves safety and streamlines traffic flow. The new 4-lane corridor will significantly enhance regional connectivity. It establishes direct links between key economic centres. These include Guwahati, the state capital, the tourism hub of Kaziranga National Park, and the industrial town of Numaligarh. The alignment integrates seamlessly with two major National Highways (NH-127, NH-129) and one State Highway (SH-35). Furthermore, the upgraded corridor facilitates multi-modal integration. It connects to three major Airports (Tezpur, Liabari, Jorhat). It also links three Railway Stations (Nagaon, Jakhalabandha, Vishwanath Chariali). This integration facilitates faster movement of both goods and passengers. Officials estimate the project will generate approximately 15.42 lakh person-days of direct employment. This major investment promises new avenues for growth, development, and prosperity in surrounding regions.
