Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway to Get 90-Metre Elevated Animal Overpass for Safe Wildlife Crossing

A new wildlife overpass is coming up on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, right in the heart of the Mahimandalam Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced this project to cut down clashes between vehicles and animals along this busy stretch. The spot they picked sits between Ranipet and Vellore-a pretty sensitive patch of forest that's home to a bunch of wildlife.

This overpass isn't just a token gesture. Once it's done, animals will have a safe way to cross the expressway without dodging traffic. The plan is for a 90-metre-long, 25-metre-wide bridge, suspended 5.5 metres above the road. Cars and trucks will zip underneath, while animals walk above, undisturbed-even during rush hour. The design handles more than just traffic, too. By keeping animals away from constant vehicle noise and headlights, it makes the area quieter and less stressful for them.

NHAI teamed up with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to make the bridge as natural as possible. They'll plant a manmade grassland right on top, so it blends in with the forest and feels inviting for animals. Dense greenery will help camouflage the overpass, encouraging wildlife to use it comfortably.

The expressway itself stretches 258 km, connecting Bengaluru and Chennai, with construction starting back in May 2022.

The Karnataka section-71 km-is already done, while work continues in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Mahimandalam Reserve is home to Indian gaur, elephants, panthers, wild boar, and deer. Wildlife experts point out that safe crossings like this matter a lot, especially for big animals that need to move between forest patches.

This Animal bridge or wildlife overpass is more than just concrete and grass; it's a sign that infrastructure and conservation can work together. As the highway grows, the hope is that the forest and its residents won't get left behind.