Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 1 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the widening and improvement of the existing highway to 4 lanes of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715, including wildlife-friendly measures on the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) stretch in Assam.
The project will be implemented in an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, with a total length of 85.675 km and a capital cost of Rs 6,957 crore.
"A historic day for Assam and a giant leap for India's sustainable development. This project reflects the vision of our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, whose heart beats for the people of Assam and the pride of our state, Kaziranga National Park. The monumental 34.45 km elevated corridor will ensure a free, safe and uninterrupted passage for wildlife between Kaziranga and Karbi Anglong Hills. It is a promise to protect our natural heritage while building a brighter future for our people," Sarbananda Sonowal said.
The Union Minister also highlighted the economic significance of the project - "Along with protecting Kaziranga, this highway will cut down travel time drastically, boost eco-tourism, ease travel for pilgrims and visitors, and open new opportunities for trade and industries. The 21 km of greenfield bypasses will decongest Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat, making the journey smoother and safer. This is a road that will connect emotions, aspirations and prosperity."
Sonowal further added, "This is not just a highway - it is a realisation of Modi ji's vision where progress and nature, economy and ecology, go hand-in-hand."
"It strengthens our resolve that Assam's growth will never come at the cost of our environment, but in harmony with it. The people of Assam will remember this as a transformative moment for generations to come."
The existing Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 (old NH-37) currently has a 2-lane configuration with limited shoulders, passing through densely built-up areas of Jakhlabandha (Nagaon) and Bokakhat (Golaghat). A major portion of this highway runs through or along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park, with a narrow right-of-way and challenging geometry. Seasonal flooding drives wildlife to move towards Karbi Anglong Hills by crossing the busy highway, often resulting in accidents and wildlife casualties," he said.
He further said that, "To address these concerns, the project will construct a 34.5 km elevated corridor, upgrade 30.22 km of existing road, and build 21 km of greenfield bypasses. This will decongest the highway, enhance road safety, and provide seamless connectivity to key nodes in Assam."
The alignment will integrate with two major National Highways (NH-127, NH-129) and one State Highway (SH-35), while also connecting with three railway stations (Nagaon, Jakhalabandha, Bishwanath Chariali) and three airports (Tezpur, Lilabari, Jorhat). This connectivity will boost logistics, trade, and mobility across Assam.
"The upgraded corridor will also improve access to socio-economic hubs, religious places, and tourist destinations, thereby strengthening regional growth. The project is expected to generate 15.42 lakh person-days of direct employment and 19.19 lakh person-days of indirect employment, further contributing to Assam's economic progress," he said.