Elephants To Safely Pass Under Chennai-Bengaluru Highway Near Palamaner

The area has long seen frequent movements of elephants, with herds often appearing on the roads after sunset. The forest department’s data shows that elephants, which usually travel in groups, enter this region about 10-12 times a month.

The need to provide safe passage for elephants has become urgent after many elephants were killed trying to cross the highway over the years. As a result, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Forest department are redesigning a 4-km stretch of the highway cutting through the Kaundinya-Palamaner forest region, an ecologically sensitive area where elephant trails are located.

The Chennai-Bengaluru highway has a 7.1 km forest area where wildlife movement is common. Joint surveys by foresters and highway engineers identified three main elephant routes intersecting the road alignment. To ensure these routes remain intact, highway authorities have planned special underpasses as well as box culverts and small bridges for smaller animals and water flow.

Three elephant underpasses were approved after various reviews. The main structure stretches for nearly three kilometers. It is supported by five main columns placed at intervals of 300 meters, 450 meters, 1,400 meters, 650 meters and 60 meters. Officials said that the dimensions and height of the pass were planned specifically for elephant movements.

An NHAI official explained that the distance between the pillars was deliberately kept wide to provide an unobstructed path for the elephants. Dark and enclosed spaces were avoided as this could prevent flocks from entering. “Lighting and natural ventilation provisions have been included to keep underpasses clear and conducive to animal movement,” he said.

The construction of the underpasses has been going on for about two years and is monitored daily by the Forestry Directorate. The Wildlife Board has issued strict instructions to prevent ecological degradation while the work continues. Forest officials ensure that natural soil layers and vegetation remain intact. All construction materials are brought from outside the forest to avoid deterioration of the land.

Forest officials estimate that about 100 to 110 elephants live in the Palamaner region. They describe the ongoing work as one of the most advanced underpass systems in the country in terms of engineering and protection standards. They hope this will reduce human-elephant conflict and enable safer movement of herds in the coming years.