<h1>Central government approves four-lane upgrade of 85.675 km national highway with wildlife safeguards and EPC contract</h1> The central government approved widening an 85.675 km stretch of a national highway in Assam to a four-lane carriageway under an EPC contract at an estimated capital cost of Rs 6,957 crore. The project traverses or borders a national park, prompting incorporation of wildlife-friendly measures; existing restricted right-of-way, poor geometrics, flood-driven wildlife movement and frequent vehicle-wildlife collisions were cited as project drivers. Legal considerations will include land acquisition and compensation, statutory environmental and forest clearances, compliance with wildlife protection rules and safeguards during construction, and coordination with intersecting national and state highway authorities.