KNP needs a flyover

The National Highway 37 passes through the world famous Kaziranga National Park (KNP), known for the one-horned rhinoceros. The park is for tigers as well. The density of tigers in the national park is very high and was declared as Tiger reserve in 2006. Along with the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, this UNESCO world heritage site is a breeding ground of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp dear as well. The park spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra is submerged by the flood of the mighty river each year. Due to the devastating flood this year also about 70 to 80 per cent of the park land along with 95 camps were submerged. During the flood when the national park is submerged the animals try to reach the high lands by crossing the national highway. Many animals are killed by speeding vehicles while crossing the highway. Apart from floods, in other times of the year also animals crosses the highway and move towards the hill for food etc. Sometime in such cases some dishonest drivers intentionally hit animals, particularly the dear for their flash. To avoid such incidents and to protect wild animals from being killed underpasses or flyovers are required to be built on the National Highway 37 passing through the National Park at the points where the animals cross the highway. Considering soil condition and taking care of other technical consideration flyovers will be more economical and will take lesser time for completion of the project.

The specific corridors which animals generally use to cross the highway are at Panbari, Haldibari, Kanchanjuri and Amguri in addition there are five other points where the animals cross the highway sometimes. In September last there was news that the Centre is planning to construct a flyover of length of 35 km and this would be the longest flyover in India. The National Highway Authority of India was supposed to prepare the detailed project reports (DPR) of the work. The DPR was expected to be completed within two months. The alignment of the flyover is prepared by Wildlife Institute of India which is an internationally acclaimed Institution which apart from offering academic courses also offers consultancy in wildlife research and management. The proposed flyover will be in three segments – the longest segment will be of a length of 18 Km. The Chief Minister of Assam and Chairman of the State Wildlife Board Sarbananda Sonowal expressed the hope that once the proposed flyover is completed it would also be a prime attraction point for tourist apart from being a major example of wildlife conservation. If the proposed project of construction of the flyover materializes it will be an unforgettable gift by the Central government tothe people of Assam. We hope the Chief Minister will put pressure on the Union government to sanction the project. This will defiantly help Assam tourism to flourish.

Bikash Barpujari,

Guwahati