The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) (Who) introduced a 5 mm thick “table-top red marking” (What) on a two-kilometre high-risk section of the Bhopal–Jabalpur National Highway (NH-45).
This novel technique aims to physically slow vehicles and improve road safety for wildlife. The urgent measure follows the tragic death of a cheetah cub in a Gwalior hit-and-run incident a week prior.
Regional NHAI officials confirmed this is the first-of-its-kind road marking on an Indian highway, forming a crucial part of a larger ₹122.25 crore project to expand the 11.9 km highway stretch, which includes constructing underpasses and fencing.
Wildlife Fatalities Prompt Urgent Action
The rapid deployment of the new safety marking was a direct response to the increasing danger highways pose to India’s wildlife, highlighted by the recent death of a cheetah cub. The cub, which had strayed from Kuno National Park, was killed on the Agra–Mumbai Highway, underscoring the severe risk of high-speed traffic in animal corridors.
Madhya Pradesh, in particular, faces a significant conflict, having recorded 237 animal-vehicle collisions and 94 fatalities over the last two years. This high rate of fatal incidents on roads that traverse protected areas, like the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, demanded an immediate and effective intervention from authorities to safeguard animals crossing the road for habitat access.
Table-Top Red Marking
The innovative measure involves applying the 5 mm thick red surface layer, the “table-top,” over the road in the designated danger zone within the tiger reserve. NHAI officials explained that the bright red colour serves as an immediate visual warning to drivers entering a wildlife zone.
Crucially, the slightly raised, textured surface forces vehicles to reduce speed automatically, mitigating collision risk. This is part of a comprehensive ₹122.25 crore project on the 11.9-kilometre section that includes the construction of approximately 25 underpasses based on animal movement patterns.
Other safety additions include white shoulder lines, chain-link fencing to block animal access, and speed detector devices to regulate driver behaviour within the sensitive habitat.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The NHAI’s decisive action on NH-45, integrating this innovative red marking with structural protections like underpasses and fencing, is a model of responsible, ethical infrastructure development. It proves that large-scale expansion, like turning a two-lane road into four, does not have to come at the expense of our precious wildlife.
The “table-top” method is an excellent, simple demonstration of empathy and coexistence engineered into the road itself. We commend the authorities for their rapid response following the cheetah cub’s death.
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