Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Wildlife Overpasses

The construction of India's first large-scale animal overpasses as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project marks a significant advancement in balancing infrastructure development and wildlife conservation. Below is a comprehensive summary of the project's details and implications:

• Location and Purpose: Five mound-like animal overpasses, along with a 1.2-km animal underpass, are situated within the buffer zone of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, specifically between Bundi’s Hardeoganj village and the Major Bridge on the Mej River. These structures aim to facilitate safe passage for both wildlife and vehicles, thereby mitigating the risks posed by the expressway to local fauna.

• Project Implementation: The overpasses are part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which stretches approximately 1,386 km and is a significant infrastructure initiative executed by Larsen & Toubro under the National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI) Bharatmala Pariyojana project.

• Design Features: Each overpass measures 500 meters and has been designed to allow animals to traverse without being deterred by human activity. The structures will be covered with grass and shrubs to ensure they blend seamlessly into the landscape. Additional noise-reducing measures include using noise barriers on the expressway’s boundary walls and Polyurethane mats on tunnel walls to minimize the disruption caused by traffic sounds.

• Environmental Compliance: Given the project's location in an eco-sensitive zone, stringent environmental regulations were adhered to. This included relocating a 765 kV high-tension line that intersected the animal corridor and engaging in continuous coordination with forest authorities to monitor wildlife during construction.

• Monitoring Measures: The project includes the installation of cameras every kilometer for tracking animal movement, showcasing a proactive approach to ensure the safety of wildlife during both construction and operation phases.

• Project Timeline and Progress: The stretch of the expressway featuring these facilities was completed in December 2023, with the overpasses scheduled to be operational within five months. Despite initial plans for a March 2023 completion, the overall project deadline is now pushed to October 2023, with 82% of construction reportedly finished.

• Economic Significance: The expressway is designed to reduce travel distances between Delhi and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) by approximately 180 km, facilitating a travel time decrease of up to 50%. It enhances connectivity across several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, and aims to achieve a target of one lakh Passenger Car Units (PCU) within the next 4-5 years.

• Impact on Wildlife: Previous interactions with local wildlife during the construction phase included encounters with tigers and bears, indicating the necessity of designing infrastructure considerate of ecological habitats.

In summary, the construction of animal overpasses on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway highlights a progressive step towards integrating wildlife conservation with infrastructure development, ensuring that key wildlife habitats are preserved while enhancing transportation links across India.

Important Points:

• First large-scale animal overpasses in India on a 12-km stretch of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
• Construction handled by L&T as part of the NHAI's Bharatmala Pariyojana project.
• Overpasses and underpass specifically designed for safe animal passage.
• Environmental considerations included high-tension line relocation and wildlife monitoring.
• Project completion expected by October 2023, with 82% of work finished as of now.
• The expressway aims to reduce travel distances and times between major economic hubs.