Through systematic, complex yet accurate researches, it can confirm and guarantee that by the year 2050, over 25 million km of newly paved roads will be developed worldwide. The number of roadways is increasing and by the projected results will bound to cover and encircle the planet more than 600 times. Approximately 90 percent of the new roads will be constructed in developing nations where a significant level of bio-diversity present along with environmental importance.
Plenty of developing nations are borrowing from international lenders by negotiating access to their natural resources to expand their infrastructure. With the given unprecedented pace along with the extent of these initiatives, it is crucial to critically assess the potential consequences of large-scale road and highway projects.
Despite the drawbacks, the construction of these new roadways can lead to sizeable economic and social benefits. However, if these plans and projects are poorly planned, implemented and executed, these new roads can provoke serious cost overruns aiding corruption and environmental damage while generating sparse economic benefits and often leading to political and intense social conflicts.
By drawing inferences and referring to examples from other developing nations, different types of risk can be identified and observed and which can hinder construction of road projects in wet and dry tropical environments. The said such risks asserted are often inadequately considered and recognized by project proponents, evaluators and by the general public forming a systematic tendency to overestimate project benefits when compared and while apprehending understating project risks. This is why a more precautionary and environmentally friendly perspective approach is needed to reduce risks while trying to maximize the benefits of new road projects in the tropics.
