Mitigating Environmental and Social Impacts of Hill Road Construction in India: Strategies for Sustainable Development

Environmental Engineering

Abstract This research investigates the environmental and social impacts of hill road construction in India, focusing on the Katra-Reasi road widening in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and the Dharchula-Lipulekh greenfield alignment in Uttarakhand, both managed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The study evaluates environmental effects such as soil erosion, water quality degradation, and air pollution, alongside social impacts like improved connectivity and economic development. Using a comprehensive methodology that includes field surveys, laboratory analysis, and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) tools like the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weights (SAW), the research quantifies impacts and proposes mitigation measures such as optimized excavation, planned muck disposal, and low-cost water treatment methods like River Bank Filtration (RBF). The findings emphasize the need for integrated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Social Impact Assessments (SIA) to ensure sustainable infrastructure development in hilly terrains. Keywords: Hill Road Construction, Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Sustainable Infrastructure, Water Quality, CO₂ Emissions, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making.

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