The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Wednesday approved the widening and improvement of the existing Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 to 4 lanes, including implementation of wildlife-friendly measures on the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) stretch in Assam, Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 6,957 crore, will be developed on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.
The total length of carriageway will be 85.675 km, and that of the elevated corridor passing through Kaziranga National Park will be 34.5 km.
There will be two Greenfield bypasses with the length of 11.5 km (Jakhalabandha) and 9.5 km (Bokakhat).
The at-grade widening of existing road will be 30.22 km with integration of two major National Highways (NH-127, NH-129) and 1 State Highway (SH-35).
The initiative is expected to improve safety and connectivity between Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, and Numaligarh and enhance multi-modal integration with 3 railway stations and 3 airports.
It would also boost tourism, trade, and industrial development in the region with a generation of approximately 15.42 lakh person-days of direct and 19.19 lakh person-days of indirect employment.
The project will not only improve infrastructure but also provide a safe passage for wildlife, promoting conservation efforts in the Kaziranga National Park.