Environmental and Social Aspects of High Speed Transport Corridors

摘要

Environmental issues associated with high speed transport corridors are discussed in this paper in the context of the proposed express highway in Kerala. The proposed-construction of Kerala Expressway has attracted considerable resistance from various corners. The State of Kerala presents a unique situation when it comes to infrastructure and industrial developmental activities. The construction of a North South high speed transport corridor is considered as environmentally and socially unfriendly. A detailed analysis of social and environmental impacts is considered. It can be understood that a high speed corridor has several positive social impacts in the context of a state like Kerala considering the geographical, environmental, and demographic peculiarities. Ways to overcome the inherent drawbacks of the system and methods to mitigate the social and environmental negative impact are also discussed.