Sariska Speed Boost: 22km Elevated Road Cuts Travel Time

The Rajasthan government has sought land diversion approval from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment for the 22-km Sariska Elevated Road project, which requires nearly 16 hectares of forest land. Once approved, the project will proceed with the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and subsequent tendering.

A senior official stated that the land diversion proposal has been submitted via the Parivesh portal. Before forwarding it for final approval, authorities will assess its impact on wildlife and forest conservation. A forest official highlighted that the project aligns with a Supreme Court directive aimed at protecting wildlife by preventing fatal animal accidents while enhancing connectivity between Jaipur and Alwar.

To offset the diverted forest land, an equivalent parcel adjacent to the Sariska forest is being identified to maintain ecological balance.

The elevated road is expected to cut travel time between Alwar and Jaipur by 45 minutes, reducing the current journey of three hours and forty-five minutes. “Once the DPR is ready, we will proceed with project approval and tendering,” the official added.

The proposed route will begin at Natni Ka Bara and pass through Kushalgarh, Talvriksha, and Mundawar Mor, covering a total of 22 km. The initial route via the Thank You Board was abandoned due to land ownership issues that would have significantly increased costs. The project’s estimated cost is ₹1,600 crore.

However, the revised alignment, which passes through the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), has drawn criticism from environmentalists and local communities, who have raised concerns over its potential ecological impact.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.