Kaziranga: The Soul of Assam
Referring to the words of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the Prime Minister described Kaziranga as not just a national park but the soul of Assam and a priceless jewel of India’s biodiversity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is globally renowned as the home of the one-horned rhinoceros and several other endangered species.
PM Modi stressed that protecting Kaziranga is not merely an environmental obligation but a responsibility towards future generations. He underlined that development projects in the region are being designed to ensure that wildlife movement and ecological balance remain undisturbed.
₹7,000 Crore Corridor to Protect Wildlife
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, stretching nearly 90 kilometres from Kaliabor to Numaligarh, will include a 35-kilometre elevated wildlife passage. Built at an estimated cost of around ₹7,000 crore, the corridor will allow vehicles to pass overhead while enabling free and safe movement of animals underneath.
The Prime Minister said the design has been prepared after carefully studying the traditional movement routes of rhinos, elephants, deer, and tigers. The project aims to reduce animal deaths caused by highway traffic, particularly during the annual floods when wildlife migrates to higher ground.
Boost to Connectivity and Tourism
PM Modi noted that the corridor will significantly improve connectivity between Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Along with new rail services, including the Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Guwahati to Kolkata and two Amrit Bharat Express trains, the project will open new economic and social opportunities.
Improved connectivity is expected to benefit traders, students, tourists, and local communities. The Prime Minister highlighted that rising tourist footfall in Kaziranga has already created employment through homestays, guiding services, transport, handicrafts, and small businesses.
Strong Stand on Conservation and Security
Highlighting Assam’s success in wildlife protection, PM Modi lauded the state government for curbing rhino poaching. He pointed out that while dozens of rhinos were killed annually before 2014, not a single case of rhino poaching was reported in 2025, attributing this to strong political will and community participation.
The Prime Minister also spoke on safeguarding Assam’s cultural identity, supporting firm action against illegal encroachments and infiltration. He said preserving land, forests, and heritage is essential for the state’s long-term security and prosperity.
North East at the Heart of Development
PM Modi emphasized that the North East is no longer distant from India’s development narrative. He cited a fivefold increase in railway budget allocation for Assam compared to previous governments and said sustained investment in roads, railways, airways, and waterways has reduced both physical and emotional distances.
Assam, he said, is now leading the Act East Policy and acting as a gateway for the development of the entire North East. “When Assam moves forward, the North East moves forward, and when the North East moves forward, India moves forward,” he asserted.
