In December 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced India’s first “wildlife-safe” road initiative on National Highway 45 (NH-45) in Madhya Pradesh. This project implements a novel speed-control method to protect wildlife in a critical corridor between Bhopal and Jabalpur.
Overview of the NH-45 Project
- Location: The project is situated on a 11.96-km stretch of NH-45, specifically the Hiran–Sindoor section about 60 km from Jabalpur. It passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve and near the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Cost: The broader highway expansion project, which includes these safety features, is valued at approximately ₹122.25 crore.
- Key Innovation: The road features India’s first “table-top red markings”—a 5-mm thick, raised red thermoplastic surface designed to alert drivers visually and physically.
Key Features and Safety
- Table-top Markings: Unlike standard speed breakers, these are slightly elevated, textured red surfaces that create a rumble effect. They naturally force drivers to slow down without sudden braking.
- High Visibility: The bold red colour was chosen specifically to be more eye-catching than standard white or yellow markings, signaling a sensitive wildlife-heavy zone.
- Wildlife Underpasses: Approximately 25 strategically placed underpasses have been built along this 12-km stretch based on animal movement patterns to allow safe crossing beneath the highway.
- Structural Barriers: The stretch includes eight-foot-high chain-link fencing on both sides to guide animals away from the road surface and toward the underpasses.
- Advanced Monitoring: The corridor is equipped with speed detection devices to alert motorists and monitor driver behaviour in the tiger reserve.
- Inspiration: The design was inspired by international standards, specifically models like Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.
NOTE POINT
While NH-45 is noted for the first “wildlife-safe” red tabletop marking, NH-44 (passing through Pench Tiger Reserve) remains historically significant as India’s first dedicated wildlife corridor with large-scale mitigation measures, including the world’s longest animal underpass at 750 meters.
Explanation of Exam Oriented Key Points
01National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) |
Institutional Framework
Mandate and Functions
Key Initiatives and Funding Models
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PRACTICE QUESTIONS
With reference to the recently introduced “wildlife-safe” road initiative, consider the following statements:
I. The initiative features India’s first “table-top red markings,” which are raised thermoplastic surfaces designed to create a rumble effect
II. The project stretch passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh
III. To prevent animal-vehicle collisions, the initiative relies solely on physical barriers like eight-foot-high chain-link fencing
IV. The structural design of the speed-control method was inspired by road safety models from Dubai
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Answer: c
Explanation: Statement I is Correct: The 5-mm thick red thermoplastic markings are a novel speed-control innovation. Statement II is Correct: The 11.96-km stretch is located within the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. Statement III is Incorrect: The project uses a multi-layered approach including 25 wildlife underpasses and electronic speed detection devices, not just fencing. Statement IV is Correct: The design was inspired by international standards like Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.
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