The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has obtained crucial wildlife clearance for the Betul-Khandwa-Deshgaon (Package-I) project. This clearance is significant for enhancing connectivity in central India while ensuring ecological protection in a sensitive tiger corridor. The project involves diverting around 167 hectares of forest land along a 125-km stretch that passes through forest areas under the Betul and Khandwa Forest Divisions.
The alignment of this project traverses the ecologically important Satpura-Melghat Tiger Corridor. Within this corridor, two critical tiger movement zones have been identified, one in the Betul Forest Division and the other in the Khandwa Forest Division. The approval under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was mandatory due to the sensitivity of the region. The proposal was initially recommended by the State Board for Wildlife chaired by the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and later received final approval from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
NHAI has incorporated eco-sensitive features into the project design to minimize its impact on wildlife. The project includes brownfield development, greenfield stretches, and realignment to ensure wildlife safety. To facilitate safe animal passage, the project will have seven animal underpasses specifically designed for the Satpura-Melghat Tiger Corridor. Additionally, the project will feature major and minor bridges to preserve natural drainage patterns and conservation measures such as elevated corridors and sound barriers in sensitive zones.
Upon completion, a portion of the existing carriageway will be repurposed for wildlife movement. NHAI will also deposit Rs 1 crore with the Field Director of Satpura Tiger Reserve for conservation activities. The project is committed to full compliance with Net Present Value (NPV), Compensatory Afforestation (CA), and an approved Wildlife Conservation Plan. A comprehensive monitoring mechanism will track wildlife movements during both construction and operational phases.
The total investment allocated for wildlife safety and conservation amounts to approximately Rs 104.442 crore, reflecting NHAI’s balanced approach towards infrastructure and the environment. The project aims to develop a 2-lane highway with bypasses to improve traffic flow through populated areas. It is expected to enhance average vehicle speeds, reduce travel time between Betul and Khandwa, and improve connectivity to tribal and remote regions. The clearance for this project is seen as a model for sustainable highway development, showcasing the coexistence of modern infrastructure with wildlife conservation efforts.
