NHAI’s First Elephant Overpass in Karnataka Proves Success as Tusker and Leopard Recorded Using Corridor

BENGALURU, MARCH 23: Karnataka’s inaugural dedicated elephant overpass, located on NH-209 near Tataguni, has reached a significant milestone in wildlife conservation.

Developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the specially designed structure recently recorded its first confirmed passage by a tusker. This successful crossing highlights the effectiveness of the corridor in maintaining traditional migratory routes while ensuring the safety of both animals and commuters.

By providing a naturalized path over the highway, the overpass significantly reduces the risk of high-speed vehicular accidents and mitigates potential human-wildlife conflict in the sensitive forest fringe area.Beyond its primary purpose for elephant transit, the overpass is proving to be a vital artery for regional biodiversity.

Motion-sensor cameras have also captured a leopard and various other species utilizing the crossing, demonstrating that the infrastructure effectively caters to a diverse range of local fauna. The NHAI noted that this project serves as a successful blueprint for balancing essential infrastructure connectivity with environmental stewardship.

As more animals habituate to the overpass, it stands as a testament to how “green” engineering can protect natural habitats and prevent the fragmentation of wildlife populations across India’s expanding highway network.