Nepal’s Wildlife to Get a Safety Boost: Chitwan’s Tikauli Forest to Feature First-Ever Wildlife-Friendly Flyover
Wildlife-Friendly Flyover Secures
16th December 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal’s government is moving forward with a significant infrastructure project. It involves the expansion of the Narayangarh-Hetauda section of the East-West Highway. Crucially, the plan includes constructing a wildlife-friendly flyover in Chitwan’s Tikauli Forest area.
Wildlife-Friendly Flyover Secures
This structure aims to protect the diverse fauna of the region. This important development, centered on a wildlife-friendly flyover in the Chitwan forest, ensures conservation is central to highway upgrades.
This ambitious project is being built in the Tikauli Forest. This area is considered a sensitive part of the Chitwan National Park (CNP). The flyover is an essential measure to ensure the safety of wildlife. It is set to cost approximately 7 billion and will span about 2 kilometers.
Chudaraj Dhakal, Director of the ADB Project Directorate, confirmed the plans. He stated that the construction prioritizes wildlife safety in the Tikauli forest. Preparation for the 2-kilometer-long structure is currently underway, according to Dhakal.
A Special Structure to Protect Animals
The Tikauli forest area connects to Chitwan National Park. It forms the crucial Barandabhar Corridor. This stretch has a high risk of road accidents. Many animals suffer fatal collisions with vehicles. Furthermore, traffic accidents also pose a risk to human life.
International bodies pressed for change. Organizations like UNESCO and WWF insisted that the road expansion must include a wildlife-friendly structure. The government then committed to building the flyover. Director Dhakal explained this strong international and local push for conservation.
Initially, the Ministry of Forests proposed a much longer flyover. They suggested a 3,800-meter structure across the forest. However, after extensive discussions, a revised plan was finalized. This agreement includes the 2-kilometer flyover construction.
The remaining areas will have fences installed. These barriers will prevent animals from crossing the road directly. Dhakal highlighted the structure’s importance. He noted that this will be the first time such a long flyover is constructed within a protected area in Nepal.
ADB to Grant Half of the Flyover’s Cost
The estimated cost for the wildlife-friendly flyover is around 7 billion. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be a major investor. The Government of Nepal proposed that this costly conservation structure be built with grant assistance.
ADB agreed to the proposal. The bank will provide approximately 20 million (around three billion rupees) as a grant. “The ADB will provide 20 million as a grant,” Dhakal stated. “The remaining amount will be managed through ADB’s concessional loan facility.”
While the cost is high, the flyover is expected to have multiple benefits. It will significantly enhance wildlife safety. Additionally, it is anticipated to attract both domestic and international tourists.
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Design and Specifications of the Flyover
The flyover’s design is highly innovative. Dhakal explained that the structure will feature two parallel decks. These will allow for one-way traffic flow on each deck.
The current design includes separate lanes for bicycles and other vehicles. Provisions for a dedicated bicycle lane and a pedestrian path will also be integrated. Furthermore, the design is being future-proofed. It can be expanded up to three lanes on each side if traffic volume increases.
“The flyover will feature 3+3 lanes,” Dhakal said. “This includes one pedestrian/cycle lane on each side. The remaining four lanes will accommodate two-way vehicular traffic.”
The structure will require 67 pillars. Importantly, vehicles will travel above the flyover. Wildlife will be able to safely move underneath it. This design directly addresses the issue of animal collisions in the Tikauli forest. Many animals have historically been killed by vehicles in this area.
Tender Process Expected by February
The overall expansion project covers the East-West Highway’s Narayangarh–Hetauda section. The ADB Project Directorate confirmed the road expansion plans. The main road will be upgraded to four lanes. Market areas will feature eight lanes, including service lanes. Notices have already been issued to remove structures within the road’s right-of-way.
The upgrade covers a 70-kilometer stretch from Hetauda to Narayangarh. The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in the final approval stage. Design work is also progressing quickly. The project plans to call for tenders around February (Nepali months of Magh-Falgun).
A foreign consulting team, appointed by ADB’s headquarters, is handling the design and study. The directorate emphasized the project’s priority status. Chitwan is a major tourism hub, and this is a key section of the East-West Highway.
Other Road Upgrades Underway
In addition to the Tikauli section, the ADB Directorate is moving forward with other road upgrades. The Muglin-Aanbukhaireni section is also being tendered for road improvement. The total cost for the Aanbukhaireni and the Narayangarh-Hetauda sections is estimated at 53 billion. This is also funded through ADB’s concessional loan.
The Muglin to Aanbukhaireni road, spanning 8.5 kilometers, will be expanded to two lanes. The design includes the construction of new concrete bridges near Muglin Bazaar and the Marshyangdi Hydropower Project powerhouse.
The road will then be expanded to four lanes up to Jamune. Furthermore, design work for the 100-kilometer road expansion from Pathlaiya in Bara to Narayangarh has also been completed.
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