NHAI launches red-coloured highway stretch for wildlife safety in Madhya Pradesh

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a groundbreaking initiative for wildlife conservation by constructing India's first Table-Top Red Marking on a highway stretch passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

This innovative design, inspired by Dubai's model, utilises hot-applied thermoplastic red colour across the road. This 'Red Road' serves as a crucial visual warning, immediately signalling to drivers that they are entering a sensitive wildlife corridor.

Engineering for Conservation

The 11.96-kilometre stretch incorporates this unique engineering solution to prioritise both human and animal safety. The design features several ecological advantages, ensuring a low ecological footprint. It guarantees no disturbance to wildlife movement or habitat and requires no alteration to the existing pavement structure.

Furthermore, the design inherently leads to lower noise levels compared to traditional speed control measures like rumble strips, minimising disturbance to the fauna. To enhance motorist safety, white shoulder lines have also been added, preventing vehicles from drifting off the paved area.

Safety Measures and Infrastructure

Beyond the red marking, the project incorporates robust infrastructure to facilitate animal movement. A total of 25 wildlife underpasses have been constructed along the sensitive corridor, allowing animals to safely cross the highway without encountering vehicular traffic.

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This comprehensive approach, which also helps control vehicle speed, is easily maintained and is fully reversible, setting a new benchmark for sustainable infrastructure development in India's protected forest areas.