Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: As India accelerates the expansion of its national highway network, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has introduced a pioneering road safety initiative that balances human safety with wildlife conservation.
The initiative has been implemented on a 2-km ghat section of an 11.96-km National Highway project passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly Nauradehi Sanctuary) in Madhya Pradesh. The stretch, identified as a sensitive forest and wildlife corridor, has been developed with special engineering interventions to minimise accidents and ecological disruption.
For the first time in India, NHAI has introduced a ‘table-top red marking’ on a National Highway. Inspired by international best practices, including similar applications on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, a 5-mm thick hot-applied thermoplastic red surface has been laid across the carriageway in the identified danger zone. The bright red colour serves as a visual alert, while the slightly raised surface provides tactile and audible feedback, prompting drivers to slow down naturally without sudden braking.
Officials said the measure has a minimal ecological footprint as it does not disturb wildlife movement, alter pavement structure or drainage, and generates lower noise compared to conventional rumble strips. The marking is also easy to maintain and fully reversible. White shoulder lines have been added on both sides of the highway to prevent vehicles from drifting onto unpaved areas.
In addition to speed-calming measures, NHAI has implemented comprehensive wildlife safety interventions along the corridor. A total of 25 animal underpasses have been constructed at identified movement locations along the 11.96-km stretch. These underpasses are aligned with natural ground levels and drainage paths to encourage regular use by animals.
Continuous chain-link fencing has been installed on both sides of the highway, except in deep cutting sections, to prevent animals from entering the carriageway and to guide them towards the underpasses. Cameras have been installed on minor bridges that also serve as animal crossing points to monitor wildlife movement, while solar lighting at bridges and junctions improves visibility without increasing environmental impact.
Although the 2-km ghat section has been marked as a danger zone due to its geometric conditions, officials said the fencing and underpass system ensures that animals cannot directly cross the roadway, reducing the risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions.
The project is being seen as a model for sustainable highway development, demonstrating how modern road engineering can integrate safety, conservation and mobility. NHAI said the initiative could serve as a benchmark for future highway projects passing through ecologically sensitive regions across the country.
