<p>In a trendsetting initiative, the Mumbai-Nagpur super-communication highway, the pet project of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will have multiple underpasses and overpasses for wild animals.</p>.<p>The Wildlife Underpasses (WUP) and Wildlife Overpasses (WOP) were planned on the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km proposed highway, which is the longest expressway in India.</p>.<p>The Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is an extensive project connecting 10 districts, 26 talukas and 392 villages.</p>.<p>To make the construction process convenient and manageable, the work has been divided into 16 construction packages.</p>.<p>The proposed highway will pass through the eco-sensitive zones of three sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are home to various plants and animals.</p>.<p>To ensure that the highway does not disturb the animals and plants, or pose a threat to their life, the underpasses and overpasses will be built following the guiding principles and instructions of the Wildlife Institute of India.</p>.<p>Commenting on the development, Chandrakant Pulkundwar, joint managing director of the MSRDC, said "It is the first time ever in India that a wildlife institute has partnered with a highway authority to participate in an infrastructure development project in the interest of conserving the environment".</p>
<p>In a trendsetting initiative, the Mumbai-Nagpur super-communication highway, the pet project of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will have multiple underpasses and overpasses for wild animals.</p>.<p>The Wildlife Underpasses (WUP) and Wildlife Overpasses (WOP) were planned on the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km proposed highway, which is the longest expressway in India.</p>.<p>The Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg is an extensive project connecting 10 districts, 26 talukas and 392 villages.</p>.<p>To make the construction process convenient and manageable, the work has been divided into 16 construction packages.</p>.<p>The proposed highway will pass through the eco-sensitive zones of three sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are home to various plants and animals.</p>.<p>To ensure that the highway does not disturb the animals and plants, or pose a threat to their life, the underpasses and overpasses will be built following the guiding principles and instructions of the Wildlife Institute of India.</p>.<p>Commenting on the development, Chandrakant Pulkundwar, joint managing director of the MSRDC, said "It is the first time ever in India that a wildlife institute has partnered with a highway authority to participate in an infrastructure development project in the interest of conserving the environment".</p>