NBWL Approves Bridge Through Chambal Gharial Sanctuary

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved the construction of a key bridge on State Highway-120 (Indargarh–Lalitpur), which passes through the ecologically sensitive Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

The project is expected to improve connectivity and reduce travel time for over 3 lakh residents in Rajasthan’s Bundi and Kota districts, as well as parts of neighboring Madhya Pradesh. A senior official confirmed that the long-pending proposal received clearance following strong advocacy by the Lok Sabha Speaker and discussions with the Ministry of Environment.

With administrative approval and a sanctioned budget of ₹256.46 crore granted by the Public Works Department in 2023, the bridge will be built at Gothda Kalan village. The project spans a total length of 4.8 km, comprising a 1,880-metre bridge and 2,920 metres of approach roads.

Land acquisition is underway—14.94 hectares in Bundi and 7.233 hectares in Kota. Given the bridge's location within the protected sanctuary, NBWL’s approval was a statutory requirement.

Originally proposed in December 2023 and endorsed by the State Wildlife Board, the project received NBWL clearance on April 22, 2025, subject to environmental safeguards to protect the sanctuary and its critically endangered gharial population.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.