NHAI builds wildlife overpass on Madurai ring road

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has built a wildlife overpass in the forest area between Vagulamalai and Vannathikaradu in Tamil Nadu. The structure is part of the Madurai ring-road project and is designed to help animals cross the highway safely.

Location and design

The overpass crosses the four-lane NH 744A between Vadipatti and Thamaraipatti, a stretch of about 30 kilometres. An NHAI project director said it is approximately 40 metres long and 20 metres wide.

The structure is intended for gaur, spotted deer, wild boar and Indian hares. By providing a route over the road, it allows wildlife to move between forest areas while traffic continues below.

Important Facts for Exams

• Crossing types: Wildlife crossings include underpasses, overpasses, ecoducts, green bridges, small-animal tunnels and wildlife viaducts.
• Road-barrier effects: Roads harm wildlife by reducing habitat, causing collisions, blocking access to resources and dividing populations into smaller, more vulnerable groups.
• Site-specific performance: Wildlife-crossing effectiveness varies with location, structure, species, habitat and design, so results at one site may not transfer to another.