•Karnataka's first Rs 20 crore elephant overpass on NH-209 (Kanakapura Road) near Bengaluru confirmed successful with a tusker's crossing on March 8, 2026.
•The overpass, located near Tataguni, connects Bannerghatta National Park to Savandurga forests, addressing a critical wildlife corridor.
•Construction by NHAI began in late 2023 after a fatal elephant accident in March 2023, costing Rs 20 crore.
•The 40m wide, 45m long structure features natural slopes and is planted with fruit trees and bamboo to mimic a forest environment.
•Beyond elephants, camera traps reveal leopards and other small mammals also using the bridge, reconnecting a fragmented ecosystem.
