The interest of transport policy planners and the environmental protection groups are mostly in conflict even though both groups claim to meet the requirements of the same section of the society. The environmental protection programmes and environmental laws strive to address long term objectives of environmental protection and management. All major transportation projects in India require environment impact assessment and obtaining environmental clearance. This paper deals with the process of urbanisation in India and the various technical, social, political and economic aspects of transport policy aims of the governments and how these meet the environmental requirements. It also discusses the environmental setting and the economic conditions which played key roles in the delay and subsequent approval of the proposed Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) for Delhi.
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