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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Ecological concerns and electoral politics in DMIC industrial corridor
Authors
Khushboo
Abstract
DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) is One of India's largest and
most ambitious infrastructure projects. This industrial corridor has been
designed to stimulate growth in the manufacturing sector, attract foreign
investment and produce urbanisation along a 1,504 km corridor which connects
the NCR and Mumbai. These highly anticipated economic benefits have ushered in
a significant increase in population density, industrialisation and pollution
in the DMIC region. However, this increase in population density and
industrialisation has resulted in an increase in both air and water pollution,
land-use changes and the depletion of natural resources. This paper explores
how these emerging ecological concerns are related to the electoral process of
the DMIC region by using a case study approach, which is populated with
secondary data. To this end, pollution data (particularly the AQI) and
industrial clustering have been correlated with the participation metrics of
the Lok Sabha elections, including voter turnout from both 2014 and 2019.
Quantitative analysis of the data has been conducted using descriptive
statistics and correlation analysis, and in conjunction with the
geographical/political context of the DMIC. we conclude that the association
between industrialisation and pollution is a strong correlation; however, at
present their respective direct influences on voter turnout are weak.
Nevertheless, evidence exists to suggest that ecological concerns are starting
to gain political weight in those districts which have experienced an increase
in the level of industrialisation. This study suggests that ecological issues
may soon become a significant aspect of electoral politics in industrial
corridors; this has implications for sustainable development policy and
democratic accountability in India.
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Pages:168-172
How to cite this article:
Khushboo "Ecological concerns and electoral politics in DMIC industrial corridor". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 168-172
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