Underpass for Elephants on the Road to the Nepal Border

• 07 Sep 2022

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Yogendra Sharma, Project Director, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) informed that in view of the unhindered movement of wildlife, especially elephants, underpass will be constructed on a four km long stretch from Jagbuda in Banbasa to Nepal border (Chandni Dudhara) by NHAI.

Key Points

• Nhai Project Director Yogendra Sharma said that there is a plan to construct underpasses at 25 places in a length of 750 meters for the movement of wildlife. The concerned work is targeted to be completed in 18 months.
• NHAI officials claim that for the first time in Kumaon, an underpass will be built for the movement of wildlife. The tender process for this ambitious scheme is underway.
• Significantly, the Nepal government is building a dryport in Chandni Dudhara. To connect this dryport with India, NHAI is going to build a 4 km four-lane road from Banbasa to Nepal border.
• According to NHAI officials, a bridge will also be built on the Sharda river. A railway overbridge will also be prepared. A joint check post (immigration, forest, police, SSB and customs) will also be set up here.
• Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt said efforts are being made to make the movement better and convenient. Work is proposed to construct an important road up to the Nepal border. The scheme will cost Rs 225 crore. The final line survey work for the Bageshwar-Tanakpur railway line is underway, which is expected to be completed by December.