India’s First Wildlife-Friendly Highway Stretch Developed on NH-45 in Madhya Pradesh

Image: PTIIndia has introduced its first wildlife-friendly highway stretch on National Highway-45 (NH-45) in Madhya Pradesh, marking an important step toward balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. The initiative has been implemented by the National Highways Authority of India to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in ecologically sensitive forest corridors.The project covers an 11.96-kilometre stretch on the Hiran–Sindoor section of NH-45, which connects Bhopal and Jabalpur and passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. The corridor also lies close to the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, making it an important route for wildlife movement between forest habitats.Innovative “Table-Top” Red MarkingsA key feature of the wildlife-friendly highway is the introduction of “table-top red road markings.” These markings consist of 5-millimetre thick thermoplastic red layers applied across the road surface in areas where wildlife movement is frequent.The raised texture of these markings creates mild vibrations and audible feedback when vehicles pass over them. This tactile and visual cue encourages drivers to slow down naturally without requiring abrupt braking. The bright red colour also serves as a warning that the vehicle is entering a wildlife-sensitive zone.The design was inspired by similar traffic-calming techniques used on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, where road engineering solutions are used to control vehicle speeds in specific areas.Infrastructure for Wildlife ProtectionIn addition to the innovative road markings, the highway corridor includes several other features aimed at protecting wildlife.Authorities have constructed 25 dedicated wildlife underpasses along the stretch to allow animals to move safely beneath the road. Continuous fencing has also been installed along both sides of the highway to guide animals toward these crossing points and prevent them from wandering onto the roadway.Cameras and monitoring systems have also been installed at certain locations to track wildlife movement and ensure that the safety measures remain effective.Importance of the InitiativeThe NH-45 corridor passes through a forest ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife species, including tigers, deer, sambar and jackals. Increased traffic on highways running through such habitats often leads to animal-vehicle collisions, posing risks both to wildlife and motorists.The wildlife-friendly highway design aims to reduce these incidents by encouraging slower driving and providing safe crossing infrastructure for animals.A Model for Sustainable Highway DevelopmentThe project is part of the government’s broader push toward environmentally responsible infrastructure under initiatives such as the Green Highways Policy. If successful, the model could be replicated on other national highways that pass through wildlife corridors and protected forest areas.Experts believe that integrating wildlife-friendly features into road design is essential as India continues expanding its highway network while also preserving its biodiversity.