India, Aug. 29 -- The Kuno National Park has halted construction of a highway stretch, citing safety concerns as it cuts through a proposed cheetah corridor, even as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) denied violating any conditions.

UK Sharma, the Park field director, said that construction cannot proceed without a proper mitigation plan. "The Wildlife Board and the Union environment ministry granted permission on the condition that elevated roads and underpasses be developed to ensure safe animal movement. If these conditions are not met, we will not allow construction that endangers cheetah lives."

NHAI deputy engineer Vijay Awasthi said there was no specific condition for elevated road construction. "We are proceeding a...