The “Wildlife-Safe Road” is located on the NH-45 (Bhopal–Jabalpur Highway) in Madhya Pradesh, and the specific stretch passes through a critical corridor flanked by the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
The project is significant not just for one feature, but for a comprehensive system of safety measures:
🛑 Key Features of India’s First Wildlife-Safe Road
1. Table-Top Red Road Markings (India’s First)
- Location: Primarily implemented on a high-risk 2 km ghat section of the highway.
- Design: A 5 mm thick, textured, bright red thermoplastic surface is applied across the carriageway.
- Purpose:
- Visual Alert: The striking red colour acts as an immediate, high-visibility warning to drivers that they are entering a speed-restricted, wildlife-sensitive zone.
- Tactile Alert: The slightly raised, textured surface creates a gentle vibration or “table-top” effect, naturally forcing drivers to reduce their speed without the harshness of conventional speed breakers.
2. Wildlife Underpasses (Animal Crossings)
- Number: Approximately 25 underpasses have been constructed along the 11.96 km stretch.
- Purpose: To provide dedicated, safe passages for animals (like tigers, deer, and sambar) to cross beneath the highway, maintaining habitat connectivity and eliminating the risk of collisions.
3. Fencing and Guidance System
- Feature: An eight-foot-high iron/chain-link fence runs continuously along both sides of the highway.
- Purpose: To prevent animals from straying onto the road and to funnel/guide them towards the designated wildlife underpasses.
4. Monitoring and Enforcement
- Devices: Speed detection devices and cameras are installed along the stretch.
- Purpose: To monitor wildlife movement near crossings and to alert drivers to maintain the mandatory safe speed.
🎯 Significance
This project, implemented under the Green Highways Policy (2015), is a critical step towards:
- Reducing Animal-Vehicle Collisions: Madhya Pradesh has historically seen a high number of such accidents.
- Eco-Sensitive Development: Demonstrating that major infrastructure development (like converting a two-lane road to four) can be achieved while prioritising environmental and wildlife conservation.
- Setting a National Precedent: The success of this pilot project provides a replicable model for other national highways that pass through India’s critical forest and tiger corridors.