“Complete Elevated Corridor At Kaziranga National Park At The Earliest”: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need to complete the proposed 34-kilometer elevated corridor in Kaziranga National Park, aimed at facilitating wildlife movement and protecting the sanctuary’s ecosystem.

It directed the National Highways Authority of India to expedite the project and urged all stakeholders to extend full support.

The Assam government informed a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan that the corridor, a priority project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is intended to ensure seamless connectivity for wildlife across the park, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros population.

The government also confirmed that the NHAI is currently preparing a detailed project report.

The bench noted the importance of the initiative, stating:
“It does appear that the state of Assam and MoRTH are taking necessary steps to provide an elevated corridor which bifurcates the two parts of Kaziranga sanctuary so as to provide free access to the wildlife from one part of the forest to the other.”

The court expressed hope for swift progress, adding:
“We expect the NHAI to complete the project at the earliest and also expect the other stakeholders to provide full support and cooperation for expeditious completion of the said project.”

The elevated corridor, once completed, will address concerns about habitat fragmentation and vehicular interference in the park, ensuring better preservation of its biodiversity.

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