Assam’s Kalibor–Numaligarh Highway Expansion Gets Cabinet Nod

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 1st Oct: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the widening and improvement of the existing Kalibor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam into a 4-lane highway, including the implementation of wildlife-friendly measures along the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) stretch. The project, spanning 85.675 km, is estimated at a total capital cost of Rs. 6,957 crore and will be developed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

Currently, the highway is a 2-lane road passing through densely built-up areas of Jakhlabandha (Nagaon) and Bokakhat (Golaghat), and along or through the Kaziranga National Park. Seasonal flooding within the park has caused wildlife to cross the highway, resulting in frequent accidents and fatalities.

To mitigate these risks, the project includes:

• 34.45 km elevated corridor for uninterrupted wildlife movement from Kaziranga to Karbi-Anglong Hills.
• 30.22 km widening of the existing road.
• 21 km greenfield bypasses around Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat.

The upgrade will decongest the corridor, improve safety, and enhance connectivity between Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, and Numaligarh, while linking with major highways NH-127, NH-129, and SH-35. It will also improve access to three airports (Tezpur, Liabari, Jorhat) and three railway stations (Nagaon, Jakhalabandha, Vishwanath Chariali).

The project is expected to strengthen regional economic growth, boost tourism to Kaziranga, and generate 15.42 lakh person-days of direct and 19.19 lakh person-days of indirect employment. It will connect economic clusters, tribal districts, tourist sites, and religious places, ensuring sustainable development while safeguarding wildlife.

Project Highlights:

• Total Capital Cost: Rs. 6,957 crore (Civil: Rs. 4,829 Cr | Land: Rs. 622 Cr)
• Elevated Corridor through KNP: 34.45 km
• Greenfield Bypasses: Puducherry 11.5 km, Bokakhat 9.5 km
• At-grade Widening: 30.22 km
• Annual Average Daily Traffic: 13,800 Passenger Car Units (FY-25)
• Cities Connected: Guwahati, Nagaon, Golaghat, Numaligarh, Jorhat

This ambitious initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure while integrating environmental conservation, boosting economic growth, and ensuring safer transport corridors in Assam.