Transport infrastructure environmental impacts – UGC NET Question

Statement B is the only wrong statement because many countries require Environmental Impact Assessment for major transportation projects to examine potential impacts and mitigation options. Statements A, C and D are correct: highways can fragment habitats and cause road kills, consultation surfaces local concerns and properly designed structures can help wildlife cross roads safely. Hence, identifying B only as wrong is the correct response.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it considers both A and B as wrong, even though statement A correctly identifies habitat fragmentation and wildlife mortality as established impacts of highway construction. Grouping a correct statement with the wrong one is not logically consistent with the question’s demand.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it marks B and C as wrong. While B is false, C is correct since public consultation is a widely recognised part of participatory environmental planning and is required in many EIA processes. Treating C as wrong contradicts good governance principles.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it labels B and D as wrong together. Statement D is valid, as wildlife crossings like culverts and underpasses are an important mitigation measure in road ecology. Including D among wrong statements makes this option unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it isolates B, the only incorrect statement, and implicitly recognises A, C and D as correct. It reflects current practice where EIAs, public participation and engineering design for wildlife are key elements in managing transport-related environmental impacts.