Chatra: The proposed Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway will have dedicated fauna passages every 100 metres across its nearly 84-km stretch in Chatra district, allowing bigger animals as well as snakes, frogs, lizards and other small forest creatures to cross safely, officials said.Officials said the measures are intended to minimise the ecological impact of the high-speed corridor as it passes through forests. The Chatra section will also include 46 underpasses and overpasses, planned for smooth traffic flow and protection of traditional wildlife corridors and natural migration routes. Environmental experts said small animals are among the frequent victims of highway accidents, and repeated casualties can gradually weaken local biodiversity.A fauna passage is a specially designed structure across roads, railway tracks or other infrastructure projects to ensure uninterrupted wildlife movement. Such interventions help prevent habitat fragmentation and reduce road fatalities and human-animal conflicts, they said.Rahul Meena, divisional forest officer of Chatra North, told TOI that extensive precautions are being taken because the expressway cuts through eco-sensitive zones.“Both the North and South forest divisions of Chatra have dense forests and rich wildlife. Since the expressway passes through these areas, every effort is being made to ensure that animals and smaller creatures are not harmed during or after construction. Fauna passages at every 100 metres will help snakes, frogs and other species move safely,” Meena said.He said the forest department has planned these fauna passages, and the National Highways Authority of India will build them in different shapes and sizes.Officials said the project could become a model for integrating environmental safeguards with infrastructure. Apart from improving connectivity and economic activity between eastern and northern India, the expressway is expected to showcase sustainable engineering to protect biodiversity.The expressway, which will cross 69 villages in Chatra district, is part of the Centre’s Bharatmala project. It will traverse through four blocks: Chatra (29 villages); Hunterganj (24 villages); Simaria (11 villages); and Pathalgada (4 villages).
The Chatra section will also include 46 underpasses and overpasses for smooth traffic flow and protection of traditional wildlife corridors
