Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: India’s first and longest wildlife corridor developed!

For the first time in India, a dedicated wildlife corridor has been introduced along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The 12-km stretch, passing through the buffer zone of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, features five wildlife overpasses and a 1.2-km underpass, the longest in India, designed for tigers, bears, and other endangered species.

This is India’s first expressway built with wildlife conservation at its core, a landmark project that seamlessly blends infrastructure with ecology. Spanning 12 kilometres through the buffer zone of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, the corridor features five elevated overpasses (each 500 meters long) and a 1.2-kilometre underpass, making it the country’s longest continuous wildlife passage.

Designed by NHAI in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, the project prioritises animal safety with 4-meter-high boundary walls, sound barriers, and terrain-sensitive construction. To further reduce human-wildlife conflict, nearly 35,000 trees were planted, rainwater harvesting systems were installed every 500 meters, and drip irrigation methods were used to conserve water.

The success of this initiative lies in its meticulous execution, zero wildlife casualties were reported during construction, due to 24/7 monitoring and personnel stationed every 200 meters to safeguard animal movement. Post-construction camera footage has already captured tigers and bears using the overpasses and underpasses, offering clear proof that the corridor is functioning exactly as intended.

Praised as a model for future projects, the corridor shows how sustainable infrastructure can coexist with ecological priorities, setting a new national benchmark in green highway development.