In December 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), launched India’s first ‘wildlife-safe road’ on a 2-kilometre (km) ghat section of the 11.96-km Hiran–Sindoor stretch of National Highway 45 (NH-45) in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
- The initiative aims to reduce animal-vehicle collisions while ensuring smooth highway connectivity through ecologically sensitive zones.
- What? India’s first wildlife-safe road on NH-45
- Where? Hiran–Sindoor section, Madhya Pradesh.
- Launched by: NHAI
- Features: Red table-top markings, 25 underpasses, fencing, speed detectors, cameras
- Wildlife: Tigers, deer, sambar, jackals.
- Cost: Rs 122 crore.
- Policy: Green Highways Policy, 2015.
About NH-45 Wildlife Safety Project:
Project Details: A 11.96 km stretch between Bhopal–Jabalpur on NH-45, costing Rs.122 crore and targeted for completion by 2025, focuses on road safety, wildlife protection, and tourism growth.
Location: The Hiran–Sindoor section of NH-45, around 60 km from Jabalpur, passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR) and near Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary(WLS).
Wildlife Species: Habitat of tigers, deer, sambar, jackals, and other wildlife.
Red Markings: 5-millimeter (mm)hot-applied thermoplastic red surface with raised chequered texture, inspired by Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, laid over a 2 km ghat section to slow vehicles in wildlife zones.
Wildlife Infrastructure: Includes 25 underpasses, 8-ft iron fencing, wildlife cameras, and speed detection devices.
Policy Alignment: Implemented under MoRTH’s 2015 Green Highways Policy to ensure sustainable and wildlife-friendly highway development.
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