The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received 18 bids from infrastructure developers for the construction of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway 715, a major highway route connecting parts of Assam through the Kaziranga landscape.
The project involves upgrading the 85.6-kilometre highway stretch from two lanes to four lanes, improving connectivity for travellers from Guwahati heading toward eastern Assam and Upper Assam districts.
NHAI has received 18 bids for the ₹6,956 crore Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam. The project will widen the 85.6 km highway to four lanes and includes a 34.5 km elevated corridor near Kaziranga National Park to protect wildlife movement.
Major Highway for Guwahati–Upper Assam Travel
The Kaliabor–Numaligarh corridor is a key route for vehicles travelling from Guwahati toward Kaziranga, Jorhat, Golaghat, and other districts of Upper Assam.
Officials said the project will significantly improve travel conditions along this busy highway corridor, which often experiences congestion due to increasing traffic.
Once completed, the upgraded highway is expected to reduce travel time and improve safety for commuters and tourists heading from Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park.
Elevated Corridor Planned for Wildlife Protection
A major feature of the project is the construction of a 34.5-kilometre elevated corridor near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
The corridor is designed to minimise the impact of highway traffic on wildlife movement.
It will be built in three sections:
- 18.3 km
- 11.2 km
- 5 km
Officials said the structure will allow animals to move freely between the national park and the nearby Karbi Anglong hills, which serve as an important refuge during floods in Kaziranga.
Bypasses Planned Around Town Areas
To improve traffic flow along the route, the project also includes two greenfield bypasses with a combined length of about 21 kilometres.
These bypasses will be built around:
- Jakhlabandha
- Bokakhat
Officials said the bypasses will help reduce congestion in town areas and allow smoother movement of highway traffic.
Project Cost and Implementation
The highway upgrade project is estimated to cost around ₹6,956 crore.
It will be implemented under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, where the contractor is responsible for designing and building the project.
Authorities said the project is likely to be awarded within the current financial year after evaluation of the submitted bids.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati acts as the primary gateway for travellers heading to Kaziranga National Park and Upper Assam.
Improving the NH-715 corridor could significantly enhance road connectivity for tourists, commercial transport, and inter-district travel starting from Guwahati.
The project also aims to balance infrastructure growth with wildlife conservation in one of India’s most important ecological landscapes.
What Happens Next
The NHAI will now evaluate the 18 bids received for the project.
Once the bidding process is completed and a contractor is selected, construction of the four-lane highway and the elevated wildlife corridor is expected to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Kaliabor–Numaligarh highway project?
It is a ₹6,956 crore project to widen the 85.6 km Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 from two lanes to four lanes, improving road connectivity in Assam.
Q. Why is an elevated corridor being built near Kaziranga?
The 34.5 km elevated corridor is designed to allow wildlife to move safely between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi Anglong hills without interference from highway traffic.