Analysing transport corridor policies: An integrative approach to spatial and social disparities in India

• Published in: Journal of transport geography Vol. 86; pp. 102781 - 10
• Main Authors: Jain, Manisha, Jehling, Mathias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Accessibility; Development policy; Empirical analysis; India; multi-method approach; Policies; R&D; Research & development; Research methodology; Rural areas; Rural roads; Schools; Secondary schools; Southern Hemisphere; Spatial analysis; spatial disparity; transport corridor policy; Transportation corridors; Transportation networks; Transportation policy; Urban areas; India; spatial disparity; transport corridor policy; accessibility; multi-method approach; India
• ISSN: 0966-6923; 1873-1236
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102781

Although strategies to create transport corridor are prevalent in the global South, there is a lack of empirical research to evaluate these initiatives, in particular whether they have realised their general goal of reducing regional disparities. The current paper describes a multi-method approach involving spatial and non-spatial analysis to investigate spatial disparity along a proposed corridor and examine its integration within the existing settlement structure. The analytical framework is tested on India’s Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. A rationale is developed to enable a critical view of corridor policies as strategies for development in the global South. One important finding regarding policies on transport corridors is the risk that future growth will remain concentrated in districts directly linked to a proposed corridor, leaving peripheral areas marginalised. An integrative analysis of current spatial and social disparities in India shows growth to be high in areas with good accessibility between urban and rural areas. Specifically, growth in rural areas is fostered by the availability of good road network, and polytechnic and vocational institutions, whereas in urban areas, growth is positively associated with the provision of secondary schools. In order to prevent or even reduce disparities, this research recommends that spatial strategies be developed with mechanisms to enable their implementation by lower tiers of governments, that spatial plans and infrastructure outlays be reformed to improve accessibility between proposed corridors and peripheral areas, and that accessibility indicators be included in the design and implementation of transport development policies. •An ex-ante evaluation of disparities along transport corridor in India is conducted.•A multi-method approach involving spatial and non-spatial analysis is used.•Socioeconomic disparities are established.•Lack of integration between corridor and existing settlements is ascertained.•Evidence-based policy reforms are recommended for reducing disparities in India.