Citation :

Shanaya Ghai, "Assessing the Socio-Economic Impact of National Highway Development on Small Food Outlets and Retail Establishments in Semi-Urban and Rural India: A Critical Insight," International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1-7, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/IJEMS-V13I2P101

Abstract

The paper analyses the positive and negative linkages with respect to highway development, along with the relevance of various economic theories, namely the theory of Eminent Domain, the Pareto Optimality theory, and the Kaldor-Hicks criterion, in its construction and welfare impact. Both primary and secondary data that were collected indicated that the positive impact was far greater than the negative impact. The primary data specified the discontentment in terms of sales and revenue of the establishments positioned on the highway before it was built. This may be a very small portion of the total, but as these inhabitants are from the marginalised sections of the Indian economy, it is imperative that their well-being is taken care of. The government has adopted various laws and legislations, but must ensure their correct implementation and the best possible solution for this section of society.

Keywords

Pareto Optimality Theory, Theory of Eminent Domain, Kaldor-Hicks Criterion, Land Acquisition, Highway, Retail Stores, Land Acquisition Compensation.

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