NH-45 through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve gets India's 1st Table-Top Red Marking on a Highway

Table-Top Red Marking introduced for the very first time in India, on the 2 km ghat section of National Highway NH-45 passing through the Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh

Views of the India's 1st Highway with Table-Top Red Marking - Bhopal–Jabalpur section of NH-45. Image by Madhya Pradesh Tourism @MPTourism on X.

In the 12 km long Bhopal–Jabalpur section of National Highway NH-45, passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, gets India's First 'Table-Top Red Marking on a Highway'.

A truck passing on NH-45 covered with table-top red marking, through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A car passing over the Table-Top Red Marking on NH-45 through the wildlife reserve. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 with the red markings over it, looking like a giant red millipede curving through the mountainous ghat section of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve full of dense forest with lush greenery. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

This is along a 2 kilometre stretch of this highway that passes through a sensitive forest and ghat section.

As a part of this 11.9 kilometre highway expansion project NH-45, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has introduced a 2 kilometre stretch of raised red “table-top” surface on NH-45 as it passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly called as Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary).

A signboard of Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly known as Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary) in Madhya Pradesh. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A tiger seen in the Veerangana Durgavati wildlife reserve. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A view of table-top red markings on NH-45 passing through the dense forest and mountainous area of the wildlife reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

The purpose of these slightly elevated red layers over the highway is to help reduce animal-vehicle collisions in the stretch that passes through a dense forest area full of wildlife.

A close-up of the 5 mm thick Table-Top Red Marking on NH-45. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

This red layer is just 5 millimetres thick and alerts drivers when they enter the wildlife-sensitive zone, as it slightly elevated texture naturally slows down vehicles, thus allowing the wild animals to move safely across the highway passing through the forest.

विकास के साथ पर्यावरण का संतुलन!

वन्यजीवों की सुरक्षा को ध्यान में रखकर 🇮🇳 भारत में पहली बार 🛣️ राजमार्ग पर 5 मिमी की रेड टेबल-टॉप ब्लॉक मार्किंग का प्रयोग!

मध्य प्रदेश के नौरादेही वन्यजीव अभयारण्य क्षेत्र में राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग-45 जबलपुर-भोपाल मार्ग पर 11.96 किमी 2 और 4 लेन… pic.twitter.com/L1DP5Y3dAg

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) December 16, 2025

A deer seen in the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A leopard in the tiger reserve wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 with red markings, making a hairpin curve along the lush green ghat section of the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NHAI has introduced a first-of-its-kind wildlife protection initiative on the 12 km long Bhopal–Jabalpur section of NH-45, which passes through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

A raised red “table-top” surface has been laid across the forest stretch to… pic.twitter.com/toxxuhbGUX

— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) December 15, 2025

NH-45 with red-markings, curving through the mountainous ghat section of the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Speed indicators above the NH-45 with red markings, going through the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

In addition to this 2-kilometre-long “table-top” red markings on the highway, the NHAI has also constructed around 25 strategically placed wildlife underpasses, based on animal movement patterns.

A truck passing on the NH-45 without the red markings, with the highway passing through lush greenery of the dense forest area of the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

These wildlife underpasses allow the wild animals to safely cross the National Highway by crossing underneath it, without getting in the way of vehicular traffic.

What is this ‘Table-Top Red Marking’ on a Highway?

A view of the Table-Top Red Markings on the National Highway NH-45 passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 curving gracefully through the ghat section in the wildlife sanctuary. The Table-Top Red Marking makes it stand out in this bird's-eye view. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A closer view of the 5 millimetre thick red marking layers on NH-45. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

The ‘Table-Top Red Marking’ is a 5 millimetre thick hot-applied thermoplastic red surface layer that is laid across the carriageway in the identified danger zone.

The bright red colour is useful as it immediately alerts the vehicle drivers that they are entering a speed-restricted, wildlife-sensitive corridor.

The slightly raised surface (raised by 5 mm) generates a mild tactile and audible feedback (somewhat like the rumble strips that you typically come across along the highways), thus encouraging drivers to slow down, without causing discomfort or requiring any sudden braking.

A closer view of the 5 millimetres thick Table-Top Red Marking on NH-45 . Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A car passing over the 5mm thick red markings on NH-45. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A truck passing through rumble strips on NH-45, with the table-top red markings area seen beginning a bit ahead, in the wildlife reserve. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Table-top red markings along with white coloured rumble strips on NH-45. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 with the red markings over it, curving through the mountainous ghat section of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve full of dense forest with lush greenery. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

The significance of the ‘Table-Top Red Marking’ is in its low ecological footprint, as follows:

• No disturbance to wildlife movement or habitat
• No alteration to pavement structure or drainage
• Lower noise levels compared to conventional rumble strips
• Easy maintenance and fully reversible if future improvements are made

A red car travelling over the red markings! Also seen are the white shoulder lines as seen on both sides of the highway. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 curving through the mountainous ghat section of the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A car travelling over the Red Table-Top Markings, with white shoulder lines seen on left side of the highway. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Furthermore, the NHAI has also added white shoulder lines on both sides of the highway to further enhance safety. These lines help guide the vehicle drivers along the road and help prevent the vehicles from drifting onto unpaved or grassy areas.

Other Wildlife Safety Measures along the NH-45 Highway

NH-45 passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

An animal underpass is created under by the bridge on the NH-45 national highway passing through the wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

In addition to using the table-top red markings for speed management, the NHAI has implemented more wildlife protection measures along this corridor, such as:

• 25 dedicated animal underpasses have been provided along the 11.96 km stretch at identified animal movement locations.
• These underpasses are integrated with natural ground levels and drainage paths to encourage regular animal use.
• Continuous chain-link fencing (except in deep cutting sections) has been installed on both sides of the highway to prevent animals from entering the carriageway and to guide them toward underpasses.
• Cameras installed on minor bridges, which also function as animal crossing points, help monitor wildlife movement.
• Solar lighting at bridges and junctions enhances visibility at conflict points without adding environmental burden.

Another animal underpass below a bridge along NH-45 through the tiger reserve wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

NH-45 passing through the ghat section of the beautiful Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, now known as Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. Fencing can be seen on the left side and guardrail barrier on the right side of the highway passing through the lush greenery. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A view of an animal underpass as seen under the bridge. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A top view of a bridge on NH-45 passing through the wildlife reserve. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Vehicular traffic along the highway, with chain-link fencing on the sides. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A closer view of the chain-link fencing on the sides of the highway. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

An animal overpass built over the highway. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Another animal overpass built over the highway . Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A speed detector over the NH-45 highway displaying the speed of a vehicle approaching it. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

A couple of bird's eye views of the India's 1st Highway with Table-Top Red Marking, on the wildlife corridor of Bhopal–Jabalpur section of NH-45. Images by Madhya Pradesh Tourism @MPTourism on X.

Although the 2 kilometre section is marked as a danger zone based on geometric conditions, the fencing and underpass systems ensure that there is no possibility of animals directly crossing the roadway, thereby safeguarding both wildlife and the travellers.

A truck passing over the red markings on NH-45. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

As per the latest report by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India, the NHAI implemented India’s first-ever ‘table-top red marking’ on a National Highway by drawing inspiration from Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, and supported by international research and guidelines.

NH-45 with Table-Top Red Marking, passing through ghat section of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve wildlife sanctuary. Image via video by Nitin Gadkari @nitin_gadkari on X

Calling this as model for sustainable highway development, The MoRTH further states that this project sets a benchmark for environmentally responsible, people-centric, and wildlife-sensitive highway development, where red roads signal not danger but thoughtful design and green intent.

References

1. Red Roads, Green Intent: NHAI is redefining highway safety while protecting wildlife and forest ecology - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, on PIB. Posted On: 15 DEC 2025 5:42PM by PIB Delhi