India has unveiled its first dedicated wildlife corridor on a national highway—redefining how infrastructure and conservation can coexist. Nestled within a 12-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, this eco-engineering marvel not only promises smoother human transit but ensures safe passage for some of India’s most endangered wildlife.
Winding through the buffer zone of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, the corridor is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Built in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, it offers a rare glimpse into what future travel across India could look like: fast-paced, efficient, and ecologically responsible.
This section of the expressway—also one of the most environmentally sensitive—features five dedicated wildlife overpasses and India’s longest animal underpass, stretching 1.2 kilometers, created specifically for large animal crossings. Two of the overpasses span 500 meters each and have been designed without disturbing the natural topography, allowing species like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and more to migrate safely between the Ranthambore and Chambal Valley. 
For road-trippers and eco-conscious travellers, this is more than just another expressway—it’s a living highway, where the journey becomes a lesson in harmony between development and nature. The corridor also includes 5 kilometres of elevated or subterranean road, crafted to preserve the terrain’s natural integrity, as well as sound barriers and high walls to prevent accidents and reduce noise pollution in the forested stretch.
The initiative also features green infrastructure:
- Over 35,000 trees planted along the stretch
- Drip irrigation systems to reduce water usage by 50%
- Rainwater harvesting units every 500 meters
- Low-waste, modular construction techniques
Regional NHAI Officer Pradeep Attri highlighted the careful approach taken during the build: “Not a single wildlife incident occurred during construction. In fact, post-project camera traps have already captured tigers and bears using the underpasses and overpasses.”
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