In a major decision for both infrastructure development and wildlife protection, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the widening and improvement of the Kalibor–Numaligarh section of National Highway 715 in Assam. The project will expand the existing road into a four-lane stretch while also introducing special wildlife-friendly measures on the Kaziranga National Park section of the highway.
The project will cover a total length of 85.675 kilometres and will be developed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The total cost has been estimated at ₹6,957 crore. This includes civil works, land acquisition, and other associated expenses.
The Kalibor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-715, earlier known as NH-37, currently has just two lanes and passes through key towns like Jakhlabandha in Nagaon district and Bokakhat in Golaghat district. More importantly, a large portion of this road cuts through Kaziranga National Park or runs along its boundary. Every year during the monsoon, when Kaziranga floods, animals move towards the Karbi Anglong Hills for shelter. In this process, they are forced to cross the highway, which has heavy traffic day and night. This situation has often led to tragic accidents and loss of animal lives. 
To solve this problem, the approved project will construct an elevated corridor of about 34.5 kilometres. This will allow free and safe movement of wildlife from Kaziranga to Karbi Anglong without obstruction. Alongside this, the plan includes widening 30.22 kilometres of existing road and building new bypasses of 21 kilometres around Jakhlabandha and Bokakhat. The bypasses will ease traffic in crowded areas and reduce risks to both humans and animals.
Officials have said that once completed, the project will greatly improve connectivity between Guwahati, Kaziranga, and Numaligarh. Guwahati, being the state capital, is a hub for trade, business, and government. Kaziranga is one of India’s most famous tourist destinations, while Numaligarh is home to important industrial activities, including the Numaligarh Refinery.
The project will also link with two major National Highways (NH-127 and NH-129) and a State Highway (SH-35). It will provide better access to three airports – Tezpur, Lilabari, and Jorhat – and three major railway stations at Nagaon, Jakhlabandha, and Vishwanath Chariali. This improved multi-modal connectivity will help in faster movement of goods and passengers.
Tourism and religious travel are also expected to get a big boost. The corridor will connect important sites such as the Deopahar archaeological site at Numaligarh, Kakochang Waterfall, Baba Than (a Shiva temple at Numaligarh), the Maha Mrityunjay Temple in Nagaon, and Hatimura Temple in Nagaon. These linkages are expected to strengthen both economic and cultural exchanges.
According to estimates, the project will generate around 15.42 lakh man-days of direct employment and 19.19 lakh man-days of indirect employment. Apart from direct construction-related jobs, new opportunities will open in tourism, hospitality, transport, and small businesses.
