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Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... iii 1. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.1 PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS UNDER NGRBA ...... 2 1.2 Patna River Front Development ...... 2 1.2.1 Proposed Developments in Patna RFD ...... 3 1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF EIA ...... 3 1.4 PROPOJECT PROPONENT ...... 4 1.5 TECHNICAL CONSULTANT AND ARCHITECT ...... 4 1.6 EIA CONSULTANT ...... 4 1.7 STRUCTURE OF EIA ...... 4 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 6 2.1 EXISTING GHAT CONDITIONS ...... 7 2.2 NEED FOR PATNA RFD ...... 12 2.3 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS ...... 13 2.3.1 Development of Ghats ...... 13 2.3.2 Promenades including kiosks (connecting some of the ghats together) ...... 14 2.3.3 Community cum cultural centres ...... 17 2.3.4 Landscape work at Precinct Zones: ...... 18 2.3.5 City level parks: ...... 19 2.3.6 Improvement of approach roads to the precincts ...... 19 2.3.7 Development of Electric Crematoria at Gulbi Ghat ...... 20 2.3.8 Development of Toilet Complex ...... 20 2.3.9 Development of Interceptor Drain ...... 20 2.3.10 Environmental Awareness ...... 20 2.4 PROJECT LOCATION ...... 21 2.5 ADDITIONAL BENEFIT ...... 24 2.6 PROJECT COST ...... 24 3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK...... 25 3.1 POLICIES AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (GOI) ...... 25 3.2 Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of NGRBA ...... 30 4. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT ...... 34 4.1 PROJECT INFLUENCE AREA ...... 34 4.2 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SCREENING: ...... 36 4.3 Project Area ...... 41 4.4 Baseline Environmental Profile ...... 41 4.4.1 Meteorological environment ...... 41 4.4.2 Physical environment ...... 43

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4.4.3 ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY ...... 56 4.4.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES ...... 75 4.4.5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS ...... 80 4.5 Conclusion ...... 81 5. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 82 5.1 With or Without Project Alternatives ...... 83 5.2 Good design aspects ...... 86 5.3 Technology Benefits...... 91 6. PUBLIC CONSULTATION & STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION ...... 92 6.1 Introduction ...... 92 6.2 Methods of Public Consultation ...... 92 6.3 Focus Group Discussion with local communities ...... 93 6.4 Public Consultation with Stakeholders ...... 105 7. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 109 7.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 109 7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL FACTORS: ...... 109 7.2.1 Environmental Factors: ...... 109 7.2.2 Social Factors: ...... 109 7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES-CONSTRUCTION STAGE ...... 109 7.3.1 Quarries and Crushers ...... 109 7.3.2 Cultural and Heritage Resources: ...... 110 7.3.3 Loss of Structures...... 112 7.3.4 Generation of Dust: ...... 113 7.3.5 Noise and Vibration: ...... 113 7.3.6 Sanitation and Waste Generation: ...... 114 7.3.7 Impact on Utilities: ...... 115 7.3.8 Integration of Drainage with Patna RFD: ...... 115 7.3.9 Loss of vegetation and tree cutting: ...... 116 7.3.10 Impacts on Dolphin: ...... 116 7.3.11 Clearing of Existing Solid Waste humps: ...... 118 7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES-OPERATION STAGE ...... 120 7.4.1 Physiography and Drainage: ...... 120 7.4.2 River Water Quality: ...... 120 7.4.3 Solid Waste Generation : ...... 124 7.4.4 RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY MEASURES: ...... 127 8. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 131 8.1 Specific activities by BUIDCo ...... 131 8.2 Specific activities by Contractor ...... 131

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8.3 Implementation of EMP ...... 132 8.4 Environmental Monitoring Program ...... 144 8.4.1 Monitoring of Concessionaire / Contractor's Facilities, Plant and Equipment ...... 144 8.5 Integration of Other NGRBA Programs with Patna RFD ...... 144 8.6 Environmental Budget ...... 145 8.7 Reporting System ...... 151 9. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ...... 158

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List of Tables

Table 2-1 : Proposed Ghats for development ...... 14 Table 2-2 : Proposed Project Cost ...... 24 Table 3-1 : Environmental Regulations and Legislations ...... 26 Table 3-2 : Environmental Regulations and Legislations ...... 27 Table 4-1 : Environment and Social Screening for River Front Development ...... 36 Table 4-2: Proposed Ghats for Developments along river Ganga in Ganga Ghats ...... 41 Table 4-3 :Rainfall and Temperature at Patna in Ganga Basin ...... 42 Table 4-4: Soil Quality Analysis of Proposed Project Site ...... 50 Table 4-5: Ambient Air Quality within study area...... 52 Table 4-6: Ambient Noise Level within study area ...... 53 Table 4-7:Water Quality Sample Analysis and Results ...... 54 Table 4-8: List of trees reported in the project affected area ...... 61 Table 4-9: List of Avifauna reported in inner buffer zone ...... 64 Table 4-10:Fish Species reported in the study area ...... 73 Table 4-11List of Heritage Buildings within DPIA and IPIA ...... 76 Table 4-12: List of Indigenous Building along Ghats ...... 75 Table 4-13: Component wise Project Affected Famililies ...... 80 Table 4-14: Details of Possession of Material in PAFs ...... 81 Table 5-1: With and Without Project Scenario ...... 84 Table 6-1: Level of Consultations ...... 92 Table 6-2: Outcome of Stakeholder Participation Meeting as Held on 30th August 2013...... 106 Table 7-1: RAP Budget ...... 112 Table 7-2: Budget for Solid Waste Management...... 125 Table 7-3: Carrying Capacity Calculation for each of project ghats ...... 127 Table 8-1: Environment Management Plan ...... 133 Table 8-2: Environmental Monitoring Plan ...... 146 Table 8-3: Environmental Budget ...... 148 Table 8-4: Summary Details of Reporting ...... 151 Table 8-5: Clearance Requirements from Government of Bihar ...... 152

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List of Figures

Figure 2.1: Artists view of Golaghar Patna ...... 6 Figure 2.2: Sanitation issues along the ghats ...... 8 Figure 2.3: Slums at edge of river Ganga ...... 9 Figure 2.4:Gandhi Ghat (the only developed ghat at moment) ...... 9 Figure 2.5:Adalat Ghat Edge Condition Analysis (Boulder pitching at the edges) ...... 10 Figure 2.6:Edge condition Analysis in Krishna Ghat ...... 11 Figure 2.7 Potential of ghat as a public Space ...... 14

Figure 2.8: Urban Precincts proposed ...... 15 Figure 2.9: Design of Urban Precinct (3D-View) ...... 16 Figure 2.10:View of ghats after the proposed development of urban precinct ...... 16 Figure 2.11:Proposed Community cum Eco-centre at Gai ghat ...... 17 Figure 2.12:Restoring the riparian edge and landscaping ...... 19 Figure 2.13:Proposed approach road development of Gai ghat ...... 20

Figure 2.14:Project Location ...... 22 Figure 2.15: Landuse along project ghats ...... 23 Figure 4.1:Direct Project Influence Area (DPIA) ...... 34 Figure 4.2: Colour coded aspect map for direction of the terrain along the RFD, Patna ...... 44 Figure 4.3: DEM Map along the project section in Ganga ghat section in Patna ...... 45

Figure 4.4: Land Use along the stretch of river bank to be developed under RFD project in Patna ...... 46 Figure 4.5: Physiographic map of Bihar along the river Ganga ...... 47 Figure 4.6: Seismic Hazard Map showing the Project Area (Ganga Ghats) ...... 48 Figure 4.7:Seismic Zonation Map of India ...... 48 Figure 4.8:Sub-Basin maps of Ganga Basin ...... 49 Figure 4.9:Discharge of Raw Sewage in Ganga river from Anta Ghat (left) and Krishna Ghat (Right) ...... 56 Figure 4.10: Forest cover map of Bihar ...... 57 Figure 4.11: Photograph of Flora reported in Riparian Habitat ...... 60 Figure 4.12: Photographs of Trees Reported at Ghat Area ...... 63 Figure 4.13: Photograph of Animal Reported in study area ...... 66 Figure 4.14: Dolphins Movement in Project Study Area ...... 69 Figure 4.15: Location were Dolphins are reported ...... 71 Figure 4.16: Location of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphins Sanctuary with respect to project site ...... 72 Figure 4.17: Photographs of Species of Fishes reported during primary survey ...... 74 Figure 4.18: Locations of Heritage/Important Buildings within DPIA and IPIA ...... 78 Figure 4.19: Locations of Indigenous Buildings within Project Ghats ...... 79 Figure 7.1: Dolphins Movement ...... 116 Figure 7.2: Open disposal of Solid Waste near to Ganga Ghats ...... 119

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Figure 7.4 : Toilet Block as Proposed in the Project...... 122 Figure 7.5 : Proposed toilet Blocks (WC) ...... 123 Figure 7.6: Open disposal of Solid Waste near to Ganga Ghats ...... 126

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List of Annexure

Annexure 1.1: Guidelines for Existing Quarry Management

Annexure 1.2: Guidelines for Siting and Layout of Construction Camp

Annexure 1.3: Specific R&R Measures

Annexure 1.4: Drawings for Safety Measures

Annexure 1.5: Professor Sinha’s Report on Gangetic Dolphin in Context of Patna RFD

Annexure 1.6: INTACH’s Report on Cultural Heritage

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ACRONYMS

B.C. Before Christ

BUIDCo Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation

CPCB Central Pollution Control Board

EP Environment Protection

ESIA Environment and Social Impact Assessment

ESMF Environment and Social Management Framework

ESMP Environment and Social Management Plan

FGD Focus Group Discussion

GAP Ganga Action Plan

GoI Government of India

GoB Government of Bihar

INTACH Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

MoEF Ministry of Environment and Forests

NGRBA National Ganga River Basin Authority

NGO Non- Government Organization

NMCG National Mission for Clean Ganga

NPRR National Policy on Resettlement and Rehabilitation

NP National Park

OP Operational Policy

PAFs Project Affected Families

PAPs Project Affected Person

PMG Program Management Group

R&R Resettlement and Rehabilitation Framework

RAP Resettlement Action Plan

RFD River Front Development

SC Supervision Consultant

SPMG Special Program Management Group

SPV Special Purpose Vehicles

ULB Urban Local Body

VSPL Voyants Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

WB World Bank

WLPA Wild Life Protection Act

WLS Wild Life Sanctuary

ZSI Zoological Survey of India

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

River Ganga has a significant economic, environmental and cultural value in India. Rising in the Himalayas and flowing into the Bay of Bengal, the river traverses through a course of more than 2500km in the plains of north and eastern India. Increasing population in the basin and haphazard urbanization and industrial growth has significantly impacted the water quality of river Ganga, particularly during the dry season. The primary sources of pollution are untreated sewage and industrial wastewater, also non-point pollution sources from agriculture and livestock, religious activities and poor solid waste management also contribute significantly to the pollution.

The previous attempts to clean the river, such as Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in 1985 have provided some gains in arresting rate of water quality degradation, but lot more needs to be done.

As a major first step in this direction, Government of India (GoI) has established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) for comprehensive management of the river.

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS UNDER NGRBA

The NGRBA program will adopt a river basin approach and has been given multi-sectoral mandate to address both water quantity and quality aspects. To achieve this objective, NGRBA is implementing a project with financial assistance from The World Bank. The portfolio of investments supported by NGRBA under this project includes the following:

 Sewerage and sanitation systems/sewage treatment plants (new/up gradation)  Solid Waste Management  Industrial Pollution Control Initiatives  River front Management initiatives

These investments in the first phase of the program are spread across several cities / towns within Ganga main stem states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

PATNA RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT (RFD)

Government of Bihar through Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) intends to implement improvements to the Ganga River Front in Patna through NGRBA Program.

The River Ganga in Patna is an intrinsic part of life of Patna. Some of the most important Hindu festivals and religious congregations are celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga such as the Kumbh Mela and the Chhathh puja and large numbers of devotees gather during these festivals.

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At present the existing facilities at the Ghats for these activities are poor. The Ghats are neither big enough to accommodate thousands of devotees during Chhath festival nor there is any facility like changing rooms.

River water fronts have potential to become the recreational and cultural hubs of city and have emerged as lively urban face. River water front development also has potential to create Environmental Awareness for cleanliness of river and generating Ecological Awareness and tourism for the river edge and thus prevent disposal of untreated sewage into the river,

Considering these aspects, the proposed Patna RFD project, proposes the following improvements.

 Development of 20 ghats (from Anta ghat to Naujarghat);  Promenades including kiosks (connecting some of the ghats together); Promenade will have long walkways along the river ganga  Community cum cultural centres including places for cafeteria, reading room, Dolphin Information centre.  Landscape work in the precinct zones;  City level parks; and,  Improvement of approach roads to the precincts  Development of Crematoria in Gulbi Ghat to an electric crematoria  Development of interceptor drains (total 8 nos.)  Toilet Complex

The total cost of the project is INR 24327.00 Lakhs. The cost break up is shown in table1.

Table 1: Proposed Project Cost

S.No Description of Item Cost (INR Lakh) 1 Development of 20 ghats (from Anta ghat to Naujar ghat including 8,929.37 change room) 2 Promenades including kiosks (connecting ghats together) 8751.07 3 Community cum cultural centres 1,660.04 4 Landscape work in the precinct zones 425.60 5 City level parks 833.14 6 Improvement of approach roads to the precincts 262.11 7 Development of Gulbi ghat 750.77 8 Interceptor Drain 326.97 9 Toilet Complex 36.96 10 Information Education and communication campaign 75.00 11 ESMP Cost (including R&R Cost) 511.89 12 Add contingency (8%) 1764.08 Total 24327.00

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POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

The following laws and regulations are applicable to the proposed activities of Patna RFD:

 Policy and regulatory framework of Govt. of India;  Environmental Policy of the respective State Governments;  Legislations applicable to the construction activities;  Environment and Social Management Framework of NGRBA

The Project is seeking financing from World Bank and hence their environmental and social safeguards are also applicable to this Project.

Since, the total built up area of the project is about 2700sq.m which is less than 20,000 sq.m and the total construction area is about 69,500 which is less than 1,50,000 sq.m, the project does not attract requirement of Environmental Clearance requirements of EIA Notification, 2006 of GoI.

Similarly, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is not applicable to the project, despite the presence of Gangetic Dolphin in the river, as the project area is not located within 10 km radius of a wildlife sanctuary area.

Other Applicable important regulations are:

 The The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water Prevention and Control of (Pollution) act, 1974 will be applicable;  The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 will be applicable;  The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, as the project area is located however some old building are there along the ghats which will be protected;

Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of NGRBA:

In addition to the above regulations, NGRBA has developed an ESMF to address various environmental and social issues related to investments. According to this framework, any project supported by NGRBA shall carry out an Environment and Social Screening to understand magnitude of impacts. In general, based on screening exercise, projects are categorized either as High Impact or Low Impact category in which high impact projects require detailed ESIA study along with preparation of an EMP. The Patna RFD has been categorized as High impact category due to presence of schedule-I animal, i.e. Dolphin and resettlement requirement of 229 Project Affected Families (PAFs). Therefore a detailed EIA and EMP study has been carried out.

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BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE

In general 200m lateral distance from the right bank side has been considered as Direct Project Influence Area (DPIA) and 500 m lateral distance from the right bank side has been considered as Indirect Project Influence Area (IPIA) to access the baseline environmental conditions around the project area.

The area within this DPIA and IPIA mostly consists of built up area which also includes some old and important buildings. Very few open spaces are present within the IPIA, the prominent one being Gandhi maidan. No sensitive areas like wildlife sanctuary, national park, etc. are observed within the DPIA or IPIA. However institutions such as Patna Medical College, Patna College, B.N. College, Patna Law College, temples along the ghats, some old buildings and few schools are located in the IPIA.

Meteorology: The climate in Patna is characterized by quite hot summers to moderately cold winters. In the Ganga basin the mean maximum and mean minimum temperature as recorded in Patna is respectively 31.9°C and 20.8°C. The relative humidity ranges between 80-93%. The mean annual rainfall is 1003.4mm. The maximum Wind speed is 177 km/h while the average wind speed during the year is 5 km/h. The wind direction near the river area varies from NE during the summer season to SW during the winter season.

Topography: .The topography near the Ganga Ghats in Patna City is like a saucer and city has drainage issues during monsoon season. This core area of Ganga Ghats in Patna faces problems of ofver crowding (e.g. Collectorate ghat, Anta ghat, B.N College ghat, Gulbi ghat etc.) which has lead to enormous pressure on the physical infrastructure and traffic congestion.

Geology: Ganga ghats are part of the Indo-Gangetic alluvium, one of the three main physiographic divisions of India, which separates Extra-Peninsular regions on the north from the peninsular region on the south. The quaternary sediments are deposited unconformable on the Achaean basement.

Physiography and Soil: The project area of Patna RFD falls under active alluvial plain and the soil of the Patna river basin area is characterized by Calcareous alluvial (UstochreptsHaplaquepts) i.e. it is slightly alkaline. This shows that the alluvium deposit in this region is old alluvium deposit.

Seismicity: The DPIA and IPIA fall under Seismic Zone-IV i.e. in low hazard zone.

Drainage: The project area falls under the river basin of Ganga and sub basins of Punpun, Gandhak and Burhi-Gandak-Bagmati river basins. As per the local observation, Ganga river near the project

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Ghats are meandering to the left and during the summer season, lean flow is observed between Collectorate Ghat to Adalat Ghat at the right bank of river Ganga. Air Quality: Baseline Ambient air quality was monitored during September 2012 at 3 locations to understand the air quality of the DPIA for 24 hours in each location as per CPCB standards for the parameters like PM10, PM2.5, SOx, NOx, HC and CO. The air quality data are given in table 2.

Table 2 : Ambient Air Quality within study area

Location PM 10 PM 2.5 SO2 NO2 CO (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3)

Collector ghat 88 47 5.4 26.7 363 Dr. T.N.Banerjeeghat 54 29 4.3 21.4 275 Gulbighat 69 36 4.0 19.0 175 CPCB Standards 100 60 80 80 2000 Source: Baseline Environmental Monitoring done at project site during September 2012

Noise Quality: Noise quality monitoring has been undertaken for the duration of 24 hrs at 3 selected locations. The monitoring data is given in table 3.

Table 3: Noise monitoring result in the study area Location Leq day dB(A) Leq Night L Max dB(A) L Min dB(A) dB(A) Collectorate ghat 46.60 33.70 51.30 30.20 Gulbi ghat 43.80 31.90 48.30 25.60 Dr. T.N.Banerjee ghat 35.60 33.20 49.80 29.50 CPCB Standards 55.00 45.00 Source: Baseline Environmental Monitoring done at project site during September 2012

Soil Quality: The soil quality has been carried out in 3 locations and it has been observed that the soil quality is slightly alkaline which also support the presence of Calcareous Alluvium. The texture of soil is mostly silty loam and loamy.

Water Quality: Water quality samples were collected from 7 locations including upstream and downstream of Ganga at Anta Ghat where a major sewage outfall has been seen. In general the DO content of water is quite good ranging more than 7mg/l. The BOD content at the downstream of Anta ghat shows the impact of Sewage on Ganga as the noted BOD was observed as 12.9 mg/l. In other locations the BOD content has been seen in the range of 2-3.3 mg/l. Overall the water quality of Ganga at the project locations are still well within the bathing water quality.

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Flora and Fauna: The proposed project partly comprises of Riparian Habitat and partly terrestrial Habitat. The floristic survey of the proposed site witnesses scattered growth of grasses (mainly weeds), rooted hydrophytes, emerging hydrophytes and shrubs. Commonly reported weeds species are Congress grass (Partheniumhysterophorus), Lantana (Lantana Camara), Eipatoriumtrilpineve, Solanumxanthiocarpum and Datura (Dathurastromonium). The species of grasses reported along the banks are Cyanodondactylon, Achyranthesaspera, Saccharumarundinaceum, Vetiveriazizanoides, Ludwigiaparviflora, Rungiarepens, etc. Rooted hydrophytes are reported along the banks, where water level is less than a foot or water has recedes after flooding. The commonly reported hydrophytes are Ipomoea carnea, Argeratumconyzoides, Azollapinnata, Eichhorniacrassipes, Lemnaperpusilla, Spirodelapolyrhiza, etc. Ipomoea aquatic,etc.

The fauna reported in the area are mainly avifauna (highest diversity) followed by mammals and reptiles. The commonly reported avifauna in the study area are Common crow, Myna, Eagle, Sparrow, Babbler, Pigeon, Cattle Egrets, Red Vented bulbul, Drongo, Sparrow, Indian Roller etc. Aquatic mammals like Gangetic Dolphins (PlatanistaGangeticagangetica) have been reported in the study area.

The fish species reported in the project area include Mrigal (Cirrhinamrigala), Catla (CatlaCatla), Rohu (Labeorohita), Calbasu (Labeocalbasu), Bata (Labeobata), Kalabans (Labeodero), Tengara (Mystustengara), Singhi (Heyeropneustusfossilis), Palwa (Mystuscavasius), Pothia (Puntiussophore), Phasia (Setipinnabrevifilis).

Cultural and Heritage Resources: A detailed survey of cultural and heritage buildings in and around the project area was carried out by INTACH as part of preparation of Cultual Impact Assessment (CIA) Reort and has identified 26 structures in the DPIA. While none of them physically affected, care shall be taken during construction to avoid damages to these structures. These structures are not included either in the list of Archeological Survey of India or Government of Bihar.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS & MITIGATION MEASURES

The anticipated environmental impact both during the construction and operation sages are summarized in table 4.

Table 4: Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures S.No Potential Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Design and Pre-Construction Stage 1 Vegetation Clearance and Tree Cutting Trees are required to be saved as per the designs and drawings of promenade and ghat development. Vegetaion are to be removed before commencement of construction 2 Resettlement of PAP Nearly 229 PAFs are to be resettled as per the RAP report and

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S.No Potential Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures summary given in Annexure 1.3. 3 Prcument of plant and machinery Specifications to comply with the relevant national standard norms of emission control. 4 Set up of construction camp (For 25-30 The construction camps will be located at least 200m away Peoples) from Ganga ghats and there must be basic living standard as per the guidelines given in annexure 1.2. Construction Stage 5 Procurement of construction materials from About 10,000-15,000m3 of quarry material to be procured from existing quarry sites and thus consumption existing and approved quarry sites. For new quarries if of resources. Environmental Clearance is applicable to be obtained. Adequate safety pre-cautions to be ensured during transporation of quarry material from quarries to the construction site. Vehicles transporting the material shall be covered to prevent spillage. 6 Generation of Debris Debris generated due to the dismantling of the existing ghats, structures shall be stored at a place sufficiently away from the main channel of Ganga. The debris generated from the structures shall be reused as far as possible and the left over material shall be disposed at a suitable location with following local rules and regulations along with approval from the ‘Engineer’ and the ‘Environmental Specialist’ on the project. In no case, no debris shall be disposed into the river Ganga. 7 Noise and vibration impact to cultural and For any kind of piling work during construction vibro hammer to old buildings and safety to devotees be used instead of sheet piling to minimize vibration. Noise coming to temples along ghat during barriers shall be put at locations like Patna Medical College, construction. B.N College, Patna Law College and schools to avoid noise. 8 Discharge from existing sewer drains at Route of these discharge point to be diverted before the start of Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat ghat construction at these 2 locations; Route to be diverted through the existing trunk sewer line to the existing STP at Saidpur. This needs to be taken up by BUIDCO as a separate project.

9 Waste Water from construction camp  Adequate sanitation and waste management facility to be provided in construction camp as per Annexure 1.2 of EIA report and it is to be ensured that no liquid or solid waste get disposed into river Ganga during the construction period.

 Monitoring of water quality during construction period as per the monitoring plan

10 Impact on structures during construction  As part of the project no heritage building/indigenous buildings/temples/mosques shall be demolished;

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S.No Potential Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures

 For heritage buildings within 25 m from ghat adequate care shall be taken to minimize vibration impact. Overall piling work to be used with Vibro Piling rather than normal sheet piling.

 Chance find of any heritage structure / remnants during construction shall be immediately reported to the authorities and shall comply with Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 11 Noise from Vehicles, Plants and Equipment  Construction activities shall be avoided during evening and night time hours (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.)  All jackhammers and pavement breakers used on the construction site shall be fitted with manufacturer’s approved exhaust muffler.  Use of pneumatic impact equipment shall be restricted 100m from noise sensitive locations,. Instead of pneumatic hammers electric, hydraulic hammers could be used.  Temporary Noise Barrier at important locations of Schools and Health centres.

12 Dust Generation and Equipment Selection,  Vehicles carrying construction materials shall be covered; Maintenance and Operation  Regular water sprinkling at areas of dust generation;  Regular pollution under check for construction vehicles shall be made; 13 Loss of flora and Fauna  Fuel provision shall be made available in camp like LPG so that no tree cutting is involved for fuel wood.  Construction workers must protect natural resources and wild animals especially Dolphin  Fishing is strictly prohibited. 14 Risk and Safety  Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger from electrical equipment.  Precautions shall be made to provide proper access route to the devotees;  The safety of workers shall be taken care as per the prevailing norms;  No material or any of the sites will be so stacked or placed as to cause danger.  All necessary fencing and lights will be provided.  Protective footwear and protective goggles to all workers.  Protective eye-shields to workers engaged in welding works  Earplugs to workers exposed to loud noise (above 75dB

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S.No Potential Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures (A)),  The Contractor shall comply with all regulations regarding safe scaffolding, ladders, working platforms, etc.  The Contractor shall ensure that no paint containing lead or lead products is used.

Operation Stage

15 Sewage generation from Project and Water  Toilet complexes along with 24 other toilets will be provided Quality in the project;

 Approximately 30 KLD of sewage expected;  Septic Tank and soak pit shall be provided for the sewage; Water quality to be monitored as per monitoring plan 16 Interceptor drain has been proposed to cater surface run-off Surface Run-off from promenade and pathways and will be ultimately be linked with the drains along access roads 17 Increase of speed of water at Ghat section  As part of the project necessary green areas along the and chances of Soil Erosion banks will be protected as well as new green areas in terms of city parks shall be created. This will provide necessary bank stability.

 Further, riparian edge restoration program will be undertaken to maintain natural habitat.

 At the bottom of the ghat boulder pitching shall be made so that uniform speed is maintained. 18 Solid Waste Management  Bins along Ganga ghats @4 bins in each ghat for 20kg capacity;  254 litterbins along promenade and pathways of 1kg capacity;  Masonry bins at 6 locations to facilitate communities to dispose their waste at these bins;  Providing 2 no. of 4.5m3 bins at Anta Ghat Vegetable market;  1 dumper placer, 2 auto tripper and 1 JCB hooper type vehicle shall be provided to collect the dispose the waste generated from the proposed project. 19 The mess size of the iron wire to be used to fix the boulders below the steps at ghats close to the water line or river edge Dolphin Conservation should be four inches instead of eight inches. No indigenous grasses should be planted in the landscape

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S.No Potential Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures terraces between two ghats as in the spaces natural amphibious/aquatic grasses of riparian zone of the river grow There should be minimum or no noise under the water during implementation of the project. If any mechanized boat is used during implementation of the project, the same may be propeller guard. 20 The load bearing capacity of each ghat has been calculated to indicate the safe number of people to accomdae the ghat and promenade with a carrying capacity approach. The other health and safety measures being proposed in the project are:  Belts all along the ghats;  PPE use;  Inaccessibility to children; (Construction Netting);  4 ambulances (for 2 years of project construction period) shall be provided for any type of medical emergency; Safety Measures  Chaat festival will be restricted to these ghats during construction period;  Side Access for pedestrian movements at Mahendrughat;  Refuge access;  Increase of access to the promenade through pedestrian streets;  One way traffic to ghat where accessibility is less than 6m.  Crowd management during festivals

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Local people were extensively consulted while carrying out the EA study. A total of 8 FGDs were conducted in the project area in the project influence area. Further, municipal ward councilors, MLAs were consulted on 3rd August 2013. In addition to the above, a city level public consultation was carried out on 30th August 2013 to obtain the views of local people. While most of the people welcomed the project and views and suggestion are incorporated in the project and EMP, wherever applicable.

EMP BUDGET

In order to implement the proposed Environmental Mitigation measures a detailed Environmental Management Plan has been prepared. To implement the plan there will be a Supervision Consultant who will oversee the work of contractor. The Supervision consultant will further report the progress of

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work to BUIDCo. The final implementation monitoring for the same shall be carried out by NMCG. The total EMP budget has been considered is about INR 84.5 Lakhs. The detail about environmental budget is presented below in Table-5 Table-5 Environmental Budget

S. No Description of Item Cost (INR Lakhs) Primary Secondary Responsibilty Responsibility 1 Environmental Awareness 13.00 BUIDCo BUIDCo program towards minimizing the pollution problem for solid waste management, water pollution prevention and minimizing impact on Dolphin etc. through preparing of IEC materials, media advertisement, clippings in cinema hall etc. 2 Environmental Awareness 7.00 Contractors BUIDCo during the construction stage 3 Soil Erosion restoration work Covered in Contractor BUIDCo like retaining wall, edge Engineering Cost restoration work, turfing and vegetative cover, (BOQ item 2.1.3) 4 Establishing of Construction Covered in Contractor BUIDCo Camp including facilities for Engineering Cost drinking water, waste water treatment and solid waste (Incidental Items) disposal facilities 5 Facilities towards solid waste Covered in Contractor BUIDCo management for the project Engineering Cost (Civil Cost from Table 7.3 of EIA report) (Incidental Items) 6 Procurement of Vehicles for 32.64 BUIDCo BUIDCo solid waste management and 2 dumper bins (O&M Cost from Table 7.3) 7 Small mesh barrier to screen 8.10 Contractor BUIDCo the pious refuse preferably iron mesh with 1’’x1’’seize 8 Construction of interceptor Covered in Contractor BUIDCo drains (3000 m) to collect Engineering Cost storm water from project area and raw sewage from the (BOQ item 2.5) building lines along the ghats, connect to a suitable manhole for ultimate treatment in a STP 9 Construction of toilets along Covered in Contractor BUIDCo the promenade engineering cost (Items 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.3 of BOQ)

10  Provision of boulder Covered in Contractor BUIDCo pitching with 4incher iron engineering cost wire;  No indigenous grass (Items 2.1.3,of

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S. No Description of Item Cost (INR Lakhs) Primary Secondary Responsibilty Responsibility species to be introduced BOQ) Total Environmental Enhancement 60.74 Cost Environmental Monitoring-Construction Stage 11 Air Quality Moniutoring 0.96 Contractor BUIDCo 12 Water Quality Monitoring 3.84 Contractor BUIDCo 13 Noise Quality Monitoring 0.54 Contractor BUIDCo 14 Soil Quality Monitoring 0.72 Contractor BUIDCo 15 Travel and Transportation of 2.0 Contractor BUIDCo Laboratory Personnel Total Environmental Monitoring Cost 8.06 Contractor BUIDCo (Construction Stage) Environmental Monitoring-Operation Stage 16 Air Quality Moniutoring 1.2 BUIDCo BUIDCo 17 Water Quality Monitoring 6.4 BUIDCo BUIDCo 18 Noise Quality Monitoring 0.75 BUIDCo BUIDCo 19 Soil Quality Monitoring 9.75 BUIDCo BUIDCo 20 Travel and Transportation of 5.00 BUIDCo BUIDCo Laboratory Personnel for 5 years Total Monitoring Cost-Operation Stage 14.10 Total EMP-Cost 82.86 Contingency (2%) 1.66 Total EMP with contingency 84.52

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1. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

River Ganga has a significant economic, environmental and cultural value in India. Rising from the Himalayas and flowing into the Bay of Bengal, the river traverses through a course of more than 2500 km in the plains of north and eastern India. Increasing population in the basin and haphazard urbanization and industrial growth has significantly impacted the water quality of river Ganga, particularly during the dry season. The primary sources of pollution are untreated sewage and industrial wastewater, also non-point pollution sources from agriculture and livestock, religious activities and poor solid waste management also contribute significantly to the pollution.

Figure 1. 1The Ganga and its spirituality

The previous attempts to clean the river, such as Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in 1985 have provided some gains in arresting rate of water quality degradation, but lot more needs to be done.

As a major first step in this direction, the Government of India (GoI) has established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) for comprehensive management of the river. The NGRBA program will adopt a river basin approach and has been given multi-sectoral mandate to address both water quantity and quality aspects.

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1.1 PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS UNDER NGRBA

The NGRBA program will adopt a river basin approach and has been given multi-sectoral mandate to address both water quantity and quality aspects. To achieve this objective, NGRBA is implementing a project with financial assistance from The World Bank. The portfolio of investments supported by NGRBA under this project includes the following:

 Sewerage and sanitation systems/sewage treatment plants (new/up gradation);  Solid Waste Management;  Industrial Pollution Control Initiatives; and,  River front Management initiatives

These investments in the first phase of the program is spread across several cities and/or towns within Ganga main stem states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

1.2 Patna River Front Development

The River Ganga in Patna is an intrinsic part of life of Patna. Being a historical city1, the settlements started right along river’s bank edge and consequently the river’s edge remained unattended. Some of the most important Hindu festivals and religious congregations are celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga such as the Kumbh Mela and the Chhath puja and large numbers of devotees gather during these festivals.

At present the existing facilities at the Ghats are quite poor. There is no change room or toilet facility on the Ghats. The Ghats are neither big enough to accommodate thousands of Devotees during Chhath festival nor there is any facility like changing rooms. There is hardly any Ghat where Visitors of Patna can go for an enjoyable glimpse of river Ganges. The entire river bank is hard surface, they are either Ghats or stone pitched and there is virtually very little landscaping or soft surface along the river edge. There are also no city level parks.

River water fronts have potential to become the recreational and cultural hubs of city and have emerged as lively urban face. This can transform the water front areas from marginal use and connect to the main stream; public activity etc. The great potential of river front development eluded the people of Patna.

River water front development also has potential to create Environmental Awareness for cleanliness of river and generating Ecological Awareness and tourism for the river edge and thus prevent disposal of untreated sewage into the river, and also prevent solid waste dumping on the river banks.

1 The history of Patna spans three millennia and has the distinction of being associated with two most ancient religions of the world, namely Buddhism and Jainism. Patna was originally known as Patliputra in the Mauryan empire. The mighty river Ganges is an intrinsic part of life of Patna.

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Now with this decision of Govt. of Bihar to develop the Ganga river front, a great opportunity for urban transformation of city has emerged. The proposed Patna RFD will be developed under the portfolio of investment under NGRBA.

1.2.1 Proposed Developments in Patna RFD

The proposed Patna river front development project is spread over 6.6 km from Collectorate Ghat to Naujar Ghat and would involve the following activities:

 Development of 20 ghats (from Collectorate ghat to Naujar ghat including change room);  Promenades including kiosks (connecting some of the ghats together);  Community cum cultural centers;  Landscape work in the precinct zones;  City level parks;  Improvement of approach roads to the precincts  Development of Crematoria in Gulbi ghat with provision of electric crematoria  Development of interceptor drain;  Toilet Complex

Details of the developments are presented in Chapter-2. The total project cost proposed for Patna RFD is INR 24327.00 Lakhs.

1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF EIA

The present Patna RFD project will be implemented under NGRBA program being implemented with the financial assistance from the World Bank. As per the Environmental and Social Management Framework of NGRBA, the project has been screened (given in details in chapter-4) for its impacts and has been identified as high impact category and hence an EIA study has been carried along with specific EMP.

The scope of the EIA study has been finalized based upon the project screening and categorization and is given below:

 Project screening and scoping;  Project categorization considering as per the NGRBA ESMF ;  Detailed assessment of natural habitats in the river and its riparian areas;  Assessment of water quality along the river stretch both through secondary and primary data generation;  Preparation of study area maps for an immediate vicinity of 200m-500m from either side of the river through satellite imagery to understand the details of vegetation and potential of siltation.  Aquatic Ecological assessment of the river stretch of ghat development program;

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 Assessment of existing sewage disposal and proposed improvement mechanism for restricting sewage and other trade effluent disposal (if any) in to the ghat development section;  Assessment of proposed Solid Waste Management System as part of the proposed development;  Assessment of possible impact on river bed due to the proposed engineering measures for ghat development and possible management measures (if any);  Assessment of physical and cultural Resources along the project stretch and assessment of potential beneficial and adverse impact on such resources from the project;  Assessment of possible Environmental Quality measures and monitoring mechanism;  Assessment of possible Environment Management measures and cost;

1.4 PROPOJECT PROPONENT

Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation, Government of Bihar.

1.5 TECHNICAL CONSULTANT AND ARCHITECT

M/s Sen and Lall Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is the technical consultant for this project and M/s NilaA Architecture and Urban Design is the architect consultant for this project for the proposed river front development in Patna including development of 20 ghats, promenade including kiosks, community cum cultural centre, landscape work in the precinct zones, city level parks and development of approach road to the ghats.

1.6 EIA CONSULTANT

M/s Voyants Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is the EIA consultant for the project.

1.7 STRUCTURE OF EIA

The present EIA report is organised in following chapters.

Chapter- 1 Introduction This chapter describes briefly describes the project, NGRBA Portfolios of Investments, the ESMF and need of EIA study.

Chapter- 2 Project Description In this, chapter the existing conditions of the project area and proposed developments taken under the projects are described along with the cost summary of total investment under Patna RFD

Chapter- 3 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework This Chapter captures the policy and legal framework of government of India as well the safeguard policies of World Bank that are applicable to the project.

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Chapter-4 Description of Environment Description of the baseline environmental condition including the baseline conditions of river water quality, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, air, noise and soil quality are described in this chapter.

Chapter-5 Analysis of Alternatives This chapter describes the alternatives considered in the project towards improving the project. Chapter-6 Public Consultation This chapter briefly describes the consultation measures carried out with the various sections of common public in and around the project area and the suggestions provided under the consultation are documented.

Chapter-7 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures This chapter provides details of the potential impacts from the project on various environmental factors and mitigation measures proposed for the construction and operation stage

Chapter-8 Environmental Management Plan This chapter envisages the requirement of Environmental Management Plan including the monitoring and supervision framework for the implementation of EMP along with the budget for implementing EMP.

Chapter-9 Conclusion and Recommendation This chapter provides the conclusion about the implementation of the project and provides necessary recommendations.

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2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A detailed project report on riverfront revitalization has been prepared to enhance the potential of Patna’s river edge infrastructure and future decade. This is an unprecedented opportunity to create new public realm facing towards the river that is strongly connected to the city’s urban fabric. The report outlines a set of urban strategies that form the larger civic vision to the water front in the city and illustrates the detail proposal in ghat precincts.

The main aim of the project is to attempt with a proposal that works collaboratively with Architecture and Engineering, Urban design and Ecology and Landscape Design. The project area is spread over a length of 6.6 km of the water front starting at Collectorate ghat and down the river till Ganga Setu and beyond upto Naujar ghat.

Figure 2.1: Artists view of Golaghar Patna

The history of Patna spans three millennia and has the distinction of being associated with two most ancient religions of the world, namely, Buddhism and Jainism. The state has seen the rise and fall of mighty empires of the Mauryas and the Guptas. The Patna was originally known as Patliputra in the Mauryan empire. From this city the famed emperor Chandragupta ruled a vast empire from Bay of Bengal to Afghanistan. This state has also produced several eminent world class scholars namely:  Aryabhatt-Famous mathematician and astronomers  Chanakya-Master of State Craft and Guru of Chandragupta Maurya

It is believed that Patliputra was among the largest cities of the world between 300 and 195B.C.

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The mighty river Ganges is an intrinsic part of life of Patna. This being an historical city, the settlements started right after river’s bank edge and consequently the river’s edge remained unattended. The great potential of riverfront development eluded the people of Patna.

The famous Chhathh Puja of Eastern India is celebrated in Patna with great gaiety on river Ganga’s banks. More than five lakhs devotees offer Puja to Sun God on the occasion of Chhathh Puja in the month of October. On this occasion lakhs of people trek to Ganges and after holy dip in the Ganges worship Sun God.

Recently Ganga Aarti has started at 2 nos. ghats, namely Gandhi ghat and Bhadra ghat. The Tourism Department conducts these activities on weekly basis and this already has emerged an attractive weekly event of city. Such programs can create enormous awareness for cleanliness of river Ganges.

Now with the decision of Bihar Govt. to develop the Ganga river front, a great opportunity for Urban transformation of city has emerged.

The spread of Patna along river Ganga The spread of Patna city in and around Gandhi Maidan

2.1 EXISTING GHAT CONDITIONS

During the visit of the project team of the environmental consultants to assess the existing conditions of the ghats the following point emerges:

 Sanitation: At present the existing facilities at the ghats are quite poor. Practically there is no infrastructure in the ghats. Disposal of raw sewage from settlement and slums is very common including open defecation along the edge. Further there are dairy units along the ghat the waste is directly disposed to river Ganga (Refer Figure 2.2).

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Disposal of sewage from building lines along Domesticated animal and dairy units along ghat, ghat to river ganga disposal of animal waste to river Ganga

Open Defecation along edges of river Ganga Direct disposal of solid waste from the slum/colonies along the river bank into river Ganga Figure 2.2: Sanitation issues along the ghats

 Festivals and Safety: The ghats are neither big enough to accommodate thousands of Devotees during Chhath festival. There are high chances of accident if any mishap happens with the devotees.

 Encroachments: Illegal colonies, slums and encroachment are observed along the ghat especially at Bhadra ghat high density of slum observed. The colonies are developed so close to the bank that during monsoon, there are chances of drowning and unsafe conditions. (Refer figure 2.3).

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Figure 2.3: Slums at edge of river Ganga

 Safety issues during Night time: There is no lighting along the ghats making it really unsafe to women and general public as well. On the contrary at Gandhi Ghat has been developed well for recreational purposes.

Figure 2.4:Gandhi Ghat (the only developed ghat at moment)

 Edge Restoration:. Stone pitching has been observed along the river bank. This is a practice being done to protect the banks from erosion but this does not sustain for more than 2-3 years and every time such types of edge restoration work is done without any kind of landscaping or green area, reduces the ecological activities in the river edges and impacts the food chain (Figure 2.5).  Unsafe Ghats-No clear entry exit route: At present the ghats are very narrow and the steps are very steep especially at Mishri ghat. Almost all the ghats have some temple and devotees go for puja and making it difficult for children, women and aged persons.

Further, there is no demarked entry or exit route to the ghats from the banks which also creates unsafe conditions during mass gatherings like Chatth festival etc.

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Figure 2.5:Adalat Ghat Edge Condition Analysis (Boulder pitching at the edges)

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Figure 2.6:Edge condition Analysis in Krishna Ghat

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2.2 NEED FOR PATNA RFD

2 Patna being an historical city , the settlements started right along river’s bank edge and consequently the river’s edge remained unattended. Some of the most important Hindu festivals and religious congregations are celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga such as the Kumbh Mela and the Chhath puja and large numbers of devotees gather during these festivals.

At present the existing facilities at the Ghats are quite poor. There is no change room or toilet facility on the Ghats. The Ghats are neither big enough to accommodate thousands of Devotees during Chhath festival nor there is any facility like changing rooms. There is hardly any Ghat where Visitors of Patna can go for an enjoyable glimpse of river Ganges. The entire river bank is hard surface, there are either Ghats or stone pitched or there is virtually very little landscaping or soft surface along the river edge. There are also no city level parks.

River water fronts have potential to become the recreational and cultural hubs of city and have emerged as lively urban face. This can transform the water front areas from marginal use and connect to the main stream, public activity etc. The great potential of river front development eluded the people of Patna.

River water front development also has potential to create Environmental Awareness for cleanliness of river and generating Ecological Awareness and tourism for the river edge and thus prevent disposal of untreated sewage into the river, and also prevent solid waste dumping on the river banks.

Now with this decision of Bihar Govt. to develop the Ganga river front, a great opportunity for urban transformation of city has emerged. The proposed Patna RFD will be developed under the portfolio of investment under NGRBA.

After several discussions with the government agencies and NGRBA the need for the river front development in Patna along river Ganga was taken in to consideration mainly for the following reasons:

Upgradation of Ghats: At present the existing facilities at the ghats are quite poor. Practically there is no change room or toilet facility in the ghats. The ghats are also not big enough to accommodate thousands of Devotees during Chhath festival. There is hardly any ghat where Visitors to Patna can go for an enjoyable glimpse of river Ganges.

2 The history of Patna spans three millennia and has the distinction of being associated with two most ancient religions of the world, namely Buddhism and Jainism. Patna was originally known as Patliputra in the Mauryan Empire. The mighty river Ganges is an intrinsic part of life of Patna.

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Environmental Awareness: The proposed river front development has potential to become one of the recreational and cultural hubs of the city and can emerge as lively urban face. This can transform the water front areas from marginal use and connect to main stream, public activity etc. Once such public place is being developed then the necessary environmental awareness and citizen’s responsibility towards the cleanliness of river Ganga is expected to be developed along with increase of tourism. It is expected that the proposed river front development in Patna would enhance the environmental awareness specifically addressing (i) sanitation issues, (ii) prevent disposal of untreated sewage from the houses adjoin the ghats, (iii) prevent uncontrolled disposal of solid waste in the river, (iv) ecological awareness among people and among the fishermen specifically regarding Ganga Dolphin and (v) Open Defecation. The Project also expected to generate awareness among the pilgrims as well as with the line department regarding the health, safety and environmental issues during mass gathering of people during famous chatt festival and ?Ganga A arti? along Ganga ghats.

Ghat Landscaping:

At present only stone pitching work has been observed along the banks which are generally need to be repeated for every 2-3 years of time. This generally reduces the ecological activities along the banks.

The proposed project is proposed with ecological edge restoration work along the banks.

2.3 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS

The proposed Patna river front development project would involve the following projects:

 Development of 20ghats (from Collectorate ghat to Naujar ghat including change room);  Promenades including kiosks (connecting some of the ghats together);  Community cum cultural centres;  Landscape work in the precinct zones;  City level parks; and,  Improvement of approach roads to the precincts  Development of Crematoria in Gulbi Ghat to an electric crematoria  Development of interceptor drains (total 8 nos.)  Toilet Complex

Details of the developments are given below:

2.3.1 Development of Ghats

The proposed 20 ghats considered to be developed under this project given in table 2.1 and shown in figure 2.2 respectively.

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Table 2-1 : Proposed Ghats for development

Ghat Names Anta ghat B.N. College ghat Adalat ghat Mishri ghat T.N. Banerjee ghat Krishna ghat Baharwa ghat Rani ghat Ghagha ghat Raushan ghat Choudharytola ghat Pathri ghat Alamgaunj ghat Naurwa ghat Hanuman ghat Raja ghat Gai ghat Bhadra ghat Mahavir ghat Naujar ghat

Figure 2.7 Potential of ghat as a public Space

2.3.2 Promenades including kiosks (connecting some of the ghats together)

The proposed development of promenades are given below and shown in figure 2.8 and 2.9:

Name of Connected Ghats Precinct

Precinct-I Collectorate ghat Anta ghat B.N.College ghat Mahendru ghat till Adalat ghat

Precinct-II Adalat ghat To Gandhi ghat

Precinct-III Gandhi ghat to Rani ghat

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Name of Connected Ghats Precinct

Precinct-IIIA Gulbi Ghat to Gai Ghat

Precinct-IV Bhadra ghat Mahavir ghat Naujar ghat

Figure 2.8: Urban Precincts proposed

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Name of Connected Ghats Precinct

Figure 2.9: Design of Urban Precinct (3D-View)

After the development of the urban precincts the view of a ghat is shown in figure 2.10.

Figure 2.10:View of ghats after the proposed development of urban precinct

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2.3.3 Community cum cultural centres

Three number of community cum culture centres are proposed as given below and shown in figure 2.11.

 Community cum Eco Centre at Collectorate ghat: This centre is facilitated with community landscape court with sit out, eco-centre cum meeting hall, café sitting in the second floor. The total built up area would be 2014 sq.m.  Community cum cultural Centre at Bhadra ghat: This centre will be facilitated with food court and community hall and children centre, multi purpose hall for dance and performance and a promenade view café. The total built up area would be 1273 sq.m.  Dolphin Information Centre at Gai ghat: The total built up area would be 950 sq.m  Café at Patna College: This centre will be facilitated with café in the ground floor, Reading room and kids reading area in the 1st floor and Amphitheatre and viewing deck in the 2nd floor. The proposed built up area is 381 sq.m  Audio-Visual theatre at Gandhi ghat: This centre is facilitated with café in the ground floor, audio-visual hall in the 1st floor, amphitheater and viewing deck in the 2nd floor. Total built up area 381 sq.m.

Figure 2.11:Proposed Community cum Eco-centre at Gai ghat

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2.3.4 Landscape work at Precinct Zones:

The proposal has also put forward a framework to integrate landscape in to the existing river edge design. The landscape design has listed criteria like edge restoration, bio-diversity for wildlife, methods for carbon reduction , providing Larger open space for people for rituals, activity and exercise, walks, workshops, seminars, shade areas for people, concepts of bio-degradable garbage, flood control through landscape engineering and environmental education.

The development on the river edge has to be of a kind that doesn’t harm the river ecology. The design solution is a sustainable process. Steps have been taken to put in place on the promenade network of waste disposal. The textures and use of material be such that it would be green and environment friendly.

Landscape work has been proposed in four (4) number of precinct zones as given below and shown in figure 2.12:

Precinct Landscape Work Landscape Work Landscape Work Precinct-I Collectorate ghat to Anta ghat Anta ghat to B.N B.N College ghat to college ghat Mahendru ghat Precinct-II Mishri ghat to T.N Banerjee ghat T.N Banerjee ghat to Kali ghat Precinct-III Gandhi ghat to Bharva ghat Bharva ghat to Law Rani ghat to Gulbi ghat and Precinct- college ghat IIIA Precinct-IV Gai ghat to Naujar ghat

The proposal under the landscape works at the precinct zones will include the following aspects:

 Riparian edge restoration, planting long edge for biodiversity of wild life, carbon reduction, nutrient exchange along edge  Large open space to facilitate people for rituals, activity and exercise, walks, workshops, seminars, shade areas for people  Flood control through landscape engineering permanent and temporary  Environmental education

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Figure 2.12:Restoring the riparian edge and landscaping

2.3.5 City level parks:

Two (2) city level parks are proposed respectively at Patna College ghat and Gai ghat

2.3.6 Improvement of approach roads to the precincts

Following approach roads are proposed for improvement, which are connected through main road of Gandhi Maidan- Patna City. These approach roads varies in length (100 to 500 m) and width (5 to 20 m) according to existing accessibility.

 Approach road to precinct-I  Approach road to precinct-II  Approach road to precinct-III and IIIA  Approach road to precinct-IV  Approach road to Krishna ghat  Approach road to Choudurytola ghat  Approach road to Pathri ghat  Approach road to Gai ghat  Approach road to Raja ghat

A schematic view of proposed development of approach road is given in figure 2.13.

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Figure 2.13:Proposed approach road development of Gai ghat

2.3.7 Development of Electric Crematoria at Gulbi Ghat

At present the present crematoria uses wood as burning material. This electric crematorium will help in reducing the wood consumption and next it would give more burning facilities. These electric crematoria would help in burning 30 dead bodies in a day.

2.3.8 Development of Toilet Complex

Toilet complexes are proposed at 3 locations as part of the project namely at Collectorate Ghat, Anta Ghat and Bhadra Ghat. Nearly 600 people are expected to use each of these toilets in a day.

2.3.9 Development of Interceptor Drain

The project also envisages towards improving interceptor drains to capture the sewage getting directly disposed to Ganga from the building along the ghat and run-off and then finally disposing them off at a main drain line. A total of 8 such interceptor drains are being proposed.

2.3.10 Environmental Awareness

The proposed river front development has potential to become one of the recreational and cultural hubs of the city and can emerge as lively urban face. This can transform the water front areas from marginal use and connect to main stream, public activity etc. Once such public place is being developed then the necessary environmental awareness and citizen’s responsibility towards the cleanliness of river Ganga is expected to be developed along with increase of tourism. It is expected

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that the proposed river front development in Patna would enhance the environmental awareness specifically addressing (i) sanitation issues, (ii) prevent disposal of untreated sewage from the houses adjoining the ghats, (iii) prevent uncontrolled disposal of solid waste in the river, (iv) ecological awareness among people and among the fishermen specifically regarding Ganga Dolphin and (v) Open Defecation. The Project also expected to generate awareness among the pilgrims along with various line department health, safety and environmental issues during festivals like “Chatth Puja? and ?Ganga A arti?.

2.4 PROJECT LOCATION

The proposed project site is located along the river Ganga starting from Collectorate ghat and spread beyond the Ganga setu. Few of the ghats are proposed to be connected through promenade and would also involve landscape work.

The location map of the proposed project site is provided in Figure 2.14 and existing landuse along the ghats is presented in Figure 2.15.

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Figure 2.14:Project Location

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Figure 2.15: Landuse along project ghats

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2.5 ADDITIONAL BENEFIT

? Chhathh Festival’ is the most important festival of Bihar. Millions of devotees congregate on bank of river Ganga for taking a dip and also undertake other religious rituals. The celebration of Chhath festival would become much more comfortable to these devotees by construction of walkway and the socio-cultural centres. This will also help in developing tourist attraction as Ganga Aarti can be organized on regular basis at 2 – 3 ghats as is done in other religious cities like Varanasi, Haridwar etc. This will also help develop ecological awareness to prevent the pollution of the river.

The Promenades will provide an alternative passage for people to travel from one ghat to the other directly without getting on to the main road. This will greatly reduce traffic on main road and reduce misery of people in traffic, particularly during festival times. The Promenades will reduce the distance to be travelled and time required for going from one ghat to the other substantially. The Promenades will also provide a panoramic view of the river banks and ghats to the visitors.

2.6 PROJECT COST

The proposed cost for the project is given in Table 2.2.

Table 2-2 : Proposed Project Cost

S.No Description of Item Cost (INR Lakh) 1 Development of 20 ghats (from Anta ghat to Naujar ghat including 8,929.37 change room) 2 Promenades including kiosks (connecting ghats together) 8751.07 3 Community cum cultural centres 1,660.04 4 Landscape work in the precinct zones 425.60 5 City level parks 833.14 6 Improvement of approach roads to the precincts 262.11 7 Development of Gulbi ghat 750.77 8 Interceptor Drain 326.97 9 Toilet Complex 36.96 10 Information Education and communication campaign 75.00 11 ESMP Cost (including R&R cost ) 511.89 12 Add contingency (8%) 1764.08 Total 24327.00

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3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

The policies, regulations and administrative framework within which the project is to be implemented with respect to environmental management and protection are reviewed in this section. The review includes the sector-specific Environmental and Policies and Regulations of the Government of India, National policies regarding socio-economic issues and the Administrative framework of various agencies, such as the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Pollution Control Boards and other bodies associated with the implementation of the proposed project.

The following laws and regulations are application to the environment and social aspects of the proposed ghat development program:

 Policy and regulatory framework of Govt. of India  Environmental Policy of the respective State Governments  Legislations applicable to the construction activities

The Project is seeking financing from World Bank and hence their environmental and social safeguards are also applicable to this Project. The categorization of the project as per World Bank guideline is detailed in Chapter-4.

3.1 POLICIES AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (GOI)

Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution of India, in Article 48, of Directive Principles of the State, states that “the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife of the country”. Further Article 51-A (g), of fundamental duties, emphasizes that, “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures”. These two provisions of the constitution are the guiding principles for the environmental legislation in India.

The Government of India has laid down various policy guidelines, regulations, acts and legislations pertaining to sustainability and protection of the environment and its various components. The statutory requirements for the proposed project are discussed briefly in the following paragraphs.

 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

The Environment (Protection) Act, popularly known as EP Act, is an umbrella legislation that supplements existing environmental regulations. Empowered by the EP Act, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the Government of India has issued the following notifications regulating the siting of industry

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and operations, procuring clearance to establish industries and development of projects with appropriate Environmental Impact studies, coastal zone regulations and many other aspects of environment through notifications. One of the important notifications under this Act is EIA notification which discusses a gamut of projects under various sectors and requirement of Prior Environmental Clearance for a particular project as per the notification. The applicability of EIA notification for the Patna RFD and requirement of Prior Environmental Clearance, if any is discussed below.

 EIA Notification 14th September 2006 and its applicability for Patna RFD:

Patna RFD is a river front development which does not fall under any project category of the EIA notification 14th September 2006. However, it has mix used development including construction of large area, buildings, road carpet improvement etc. The total construction area for the Patna RFD project is given in table 3-1.

Table 3-1 : Environmental Regulations and Legislations

S.No Description of Item Area (Sq.m) 1. Ghat Construction 26,000 2. Promenade Construction 26,000 3. Buildings 2700 4 Development of Access Roads 12,800 5 Facilities and Kiosks 1996 Total construction area 69,500

The total built up area as part of the building construction is 2700 sq.m. which is less than 20,000 sq.m and the total construction area is 69,500 which is less than 1, 50,000 sq.m. Thus the project does not fall under schedule of activities 8(a) (Building and Construction Projects) or 8(b) (Area Development Projects and Townships) of EIA notification 2006 and its recent amendments and does not attract requirement of any Prior Environmental Clearance.

The key environmental laws and related regulations are given in table 3.2. The key environmental regulations can also be accessed at www.MoEF.nic.in/rules-and-regulations.

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Table 3-2 : Environmental Regulations and Legislations

S.No Act/Rules Purpose Applicabil Reasons for Applicability Authority ity

(Yes/No)

Wildlife (Protection) 1 The Wildlife Protection Act, No This act is not applicable as Chief Conservator Act 1972 1972 has been formulated no any sanctuary / national Wildlife, Wildlife in order to protect the wild park exists within 10 km wing, state forest life in sanctuaries and radius of project site. department, MoEF, National Park. GoI The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is more than 160km from project site

However, schedule-I animal, Dolphin have been observed in the left bank of Ganga for which suitable monitoring and mitigation measure have been suggested.

2 Land Acquisition Sets out rule for acquisition No No private land acquisition Revenue Act, 1894 (As of land by govt. is involved. However, the Department, State amended) social assessment study Government has identified about 229 project affected Families, residing along the bank of the river. Suitable RAP for these PAPs has been developed as part of the project.

3 The Air (Prevention To control air pollution by Yes This act will be applicable SPCB and Control of controlling emission of air during the construction Pollution) Act, 1981 pollutants as per the stage prescribed standards.

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S.No Act/Rules Purpose Applicabil Reasons for Applicability Authority ity

(Yes/No)

4 Water Prevention To control water pollution Yes This act is applicable for SPCB and Control of by controlling discharge of the construction stage of (Pollution) act, pollutants as per the the project. 1974 prescribed standards

5 The Noise Pollution The standards for noise for Yes This act will be applicable SPCB (Regulation and day and night have been for all construction Control) Rules, promulgated by the MoEF equipments deployed at 2000 for various land uses. worksite

6 Municipal Solid To manage collection, Yes This rule is applicable both Moe, CPCB, SPCB Wastes transportation, segregation, during the construction (Management and treatment and disposal of stage (from generation of Handling) Rules, municipal solid waste waste from labour camp) 2000 and generation of waste from ghat users during

operation stage.

7 The Ancient Conservation of cultural Yes The proposed development Archaeological Monuments and and historical remains is not in close proximity to Dept., GoI, Archaeological Sites found in India any ancient monument and Remains Act, declared protected under 1958 this act.

However, about 25 heritage structures old have been spotted in the project sites which are required to be protected. Appropriate conservation and protection measures are being developed as part of the project.

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S.No Act/Rules Purpose Applicabil Reasons for Applicability Authority ity

(Yes/No)

8 Public Liability Act This act details out the No Largely no such hazardous SPCB and Insurance act requirement of protection waste is being expected

1991 from hazardous materials from ghat development and accidents and sets the project hence this act is not

guideline how to store the applicable. Contractor need hazardous materials. to abide by this act if they store hazardous substances such as petroleum products, etc.

Mines and Minerals State Department 9 No/Yes Only licensed quarry will be Permission of Mining of of Mining (Regulation and used and no new quarries aggregates and sand Development) Act, will be developed for minor SEIAA/SPCB 1957 as amended minerals like stone, soil, in 1972 and river sand etc.

However, if new mining of Mining of Minerals As per the circular all more than 5ha is being as per EIA mining project (including explored the contractor notification 2006 minor minerals) irrespective may need to take and MoEF circular of their lease areas of environmental clearance. as per the Supreme operation would now Court Order require environmental 27.02.2012 clearance.

Other applicable acts and rules mostly related to the construction activities are given below:

 Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970

Engagement of labour and basic facility to be provided and labour licence to be obtained.

This act will be applicable for engagement of labour.

 Minimum Wages Act, 1948

The employer is supposed to pay not less than the minimum wages fixed by appropriate government as per provisions of the act.

This act will be applicable for engagement of labour.

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 The building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1996 ad the Cess Act of 1996

All the establishments who carry on any building or other construction work employ 10 or more workers are covered under this Act; the employer of the establishment is required to provide safety measures at the building or construction work and other welfare measures, such as canteens, first-aid facilities, ambulance, housing accommodation for workers near the workplace etc.)

This act will be applicable for engagement of labour.

 Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000

Whereas it is expedient to prohibit engagement of child in factory, mining and similar other risky work and to make necessary provision for health. Child’s safety and services and facilities while engaging them in other work.

This act will be applicable to make sure not to engage any child labour.

3.2 Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of NGRBA

An ESMF has been developed for all the NGRBA portfolios of investments. The Investments aims at preventing discharge of untreated sewage into River Ganga and thus aiding abatement of river water pollution and improvement in water quality. Consequently, this also contributes to the improvement in the status of environment health and sanitation for the citizens of the concerned cities and towns. The Investments, to be implemented, have its own beneficial as well as adverse impacts.

Objective of ESMF: The objective of ESMF is to ensure environmentally sustainable development in NGRBA’s endeavour of Mission Clean Ganga by effective management of environmental and social issues in all the investments with a special focus on the following:

 Ensure that all investments adhere to the national, state and local regulatory requirements during the design, implementation and operation stage;  Ensure that best environmental and social practices are mainstreamed/integrated during design, implementation and operation of the investments;  Strive to enhance environmental conditions wherever feasible;  Undertake to develop communication strategy, capacity building and training initiative for all stakeholders such as the SPMGs, EAs, ULBs, NGOs and common citizen.

The Riverfront Management Investments involve river front development schemes, beautification of river banks, construction of bathing ghats along rivers, lakes and water body improvements, redevelopment of cremation ground among others.

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As part of river front investments, there will not be any permanent adverse or negative impacts due to these investments, if there are no major interferences in the river flow channel hydraulics, which can trigger erosion and siltation issues either in situ or elsewhere along the course of the river. Impacts due to such investments could be minimized or mitigated by appropriate interventions and engineering designs.

The environmental issues that may arise due to investments like river front development schemes are:

 Change in land use and drainage pattern  Change in channel hydraulics, triggering erosion and siltation problems either at in situ or elsewhere along the course of river  Impact due to inadequate solid and liquid waste disposal arrangements  Impact due to inadequate sanitation , health and safety facilities  Impact on river water quality due to proposed amenities  Impact on environmental aesthetics and cultural values

However in Patna RFD, the project has been envisaged to take care of the issues in the design stage itself. For example the ecological edge restoration work, development of land scape actually helps in improving the present situation of drainage pattern. The project also envisaged to provide management of solid and liquid waste expected to generate from the project and thereby improving the river water quality.

The project also provides various benefits due to such river front development such as:

 Ensuring more safe environment for bathing for children and older people with the implementation of life guard and guard rails;  Opportunities for employment for people who will operate kiosks and other informal economic activities due to development of the ghats as an open public place to the people of Patna;  More efficient management of solid waste and sewerage generated along project ghats; and,  Improvement of safety measures with deployment of efficient exit routes during religious gatherings along the project ghats.

As regards to the Social Impacts, the requirement of land for all these investments is rather small. However, wherever there is displacement of titleholders/ non-titleholders, it may involve resettlement issues and may result in temporary loss of access to private and common properties during construction.

The ESMF of NGRBA advices to adhere to the following rules and regulations related to Environment:

 Policy and Regulatory Framework of Government of India (GoI);  Environmental Policy and Regulations of respective State Governments;

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 Legislations applicable to construction activities

The applicability of these rules and regulations pertaining to Environment largely depends upon the type of project. On a generic note each project under NGRBA need to check the applicability of following rules and regulations:

 Environment Protection Act,1986 ;  Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 14th Sep-2006;  Municipal Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000  Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 1991 (2011)  The Forest (Conservation) Act,1980  Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972  Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981  Water Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974  The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958  Public Liability and Insurance Act, 1991  Explosive Act, 1984  Minor Mineral and concession Rules  Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988  National Forest Policy, 1988  The Mining Act

The ESMF of NGRBA advices to adhere to the following rules and regulations related to Social:

 National Tribal Policy, 2006;  National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2007;  Land (Acquisition) Act, 1894 (as amended);  Forest Right Act, 2006

Screening and Categorization of Investments:

As part of the ESMF, each project are required to be scrutinized as to its location, scale and sensitivity and magnitude of its potential environmental impacts.The extent of assessment required to identify and mitigate the impacts largely depends upon the complexities of project activities. The scrutiny and screening will be based on a detailed environmental and social screening exercise.

The level of impact (high/low) will be decided based upon the overall assessment of the Environmental and Social Screening exercise.

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High Impact Category: A proposed investment will be classified as High impact category, if it is likely to impact (adverse or moderate) the environmental and social aspects of the investments. The High Category investments will also include all those investments which require the mandatory environmental clearance as per the EIA 93 notification S.O 1533 (E) dated Sept 2006, published by Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The investments categorized as “High” would require conducting an Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) by an independent agency (other than the agency designing the project) and the scope of the assessment will be decided based on the nature of the investment and the environmental and social sensitivity of the area.

The ESA report may include (a) Detailed description of the Environmental and Social condition of the project area; (b) an assessment of the potential impacts; (c) formulation of mitigation measures; (d) preparation of environmental and social management plan

The project categorization of Patna RFD has been detailed in Chapter-4 after project screening.

Conclusion:

 The total construction area of the project is 69,500 and is thus less than the threshold construction area (1,50,000) which attracts obtaining prior environmental clearance under schedule 8(b) of projects (large construction and township) as per EIA notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments;  Further the total built up are of the project is 2700 sq.m which is less than the threshold limit of built up area (20,000 sq. m) which requires prior environmental clearance under schedule 8(a) of projects as per EIA notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments;  The project area does not require any clearance under Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 with amendments made in 1988 (for details please refer section 4.4.3 of EIA report);  Project area also does not fall under any protected area declared under Wildlife protection act 1972 also is not within 10km boundary of any protected area declared under Wildlife protection act 1972 (please refer section 4.4.3 for details);  Contractor also needs to take necessary permission and NOC’s (if required) for setting up of their plant and machineries as prescribed in table 3-2;  Contractor also need to abide by various provisions of construction related acts like Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1996 ad the Cess Act of 1996, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2000;

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4. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

4.1 PROJECT INFLUENCE AREA

In Patna River Front Development (RFD) all the development work are associated with the right bank of river Ganga. Hence the right bank and the ghat sections have been considered as the influence area for the EIA study. In general 200 m lateral distance from the right bank side has been considered as Direct Project Influence Area (DPIA) and 500 m lateral distance from the right bank side has been considered as Indirect Project Influence Area (IPIA).

Figure 4.1:Direct Project Influence Area (DPIA)

The DPIA and IPIA, mostly consists of built up area which also includes some old and important buildings. There are very few open spaces in the IPIA, the only prominent one being Gandhi maidan. There is no natural sensitive area observed within the DPIA or IPIA such as wildlife sanctuary, national park, protected areas, conservation reserve, tiger reserve, protected lake, etc. However man made sensitive locations like Patna Medical College, Patna College, B.N. College, Patna Law College, temples

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along the ghats, some old buildings and few schools are observed falling within the DPIA and IPIA. The lists of such man-made sensitive areas are listed below:

 Faculty of Science-Patna Science College;  St. Joseph’s Convent High School;  Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering;  Centre for Water Resource Study;  Morning bell;  BNR training college;  Bal Vidya Niketan;  Narket ghat urdu school;  Patna Medical College;

There are some important old buildings observed within the DPIA and IPIA, which include:

 Commissioner’ Office;  St. Xavier’s School;  Old Police Lines;  Collectorate Building;  Bankipore Club;  Graham’s House;  B.N.College;  Victoria Jubilee Club;  St. Joseph’s Cathedral;  Patna Medical College;  Anjuman Islamia Hall;  Darbhanga House;  Patna College;  Khuda Baksh Library;  Wheeler Senate Hall;  Patna Science College;  NIT Patna;  Rani Ghat;  Pathar Ki Masjid;  Tekari House;

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 Badshah Nawabi Girl’s High school;  Haveli Mir Mishraf;  Rajaji Mandir;  Aadi Chitragupta Mandir;  Government Press

However none of these buildings are listed as archeologically important sites protected under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

4.2 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SCREENING:

The details of environment and social screening details are shown in table 4.1 as given below:

Table 4-1 : Environment and Social Screening for River Front Development

Environment and social information format for screening Project Title: River front development in Patna Implementing Agency: National Ganga River Basin Authority Project Cost: 243.27 Crores Project Components: Ghat development, Project Location(Area/District) S.No Screening Criteria Assessment of Category(High/Low) Explanatory note for categorization 1 Is the project in an eco- The project stretch does not fall under any Though the project area does sensitive area or adjoining kind of eco-sensitive zone, wild life sanctuary, not fall under any protected or an eco-sensitive area? national park, conservation reserve etc. conserved area (like wildlife (Yes/No). If yes, which is However, Gangetic Dolphin (a schedule I sanctuary, national park etc.), the area? Elaborate impact specie as per Wild Life Protection Act, 1972) the presence of Schedule-I wild accordingly. is present in this stretch of the River. life species , the Gangetic Dolphin the project need to be considered as r High Impact category and requires a detailed environmental assessment. Will the project create significant /limited/no social impacts?

2 Will the project create The project requires displacement of 229 The project does not involve significant /limited/no social Project Affected Families (PAFs). any land acquisition. However impacts? around 229 PAFs need to be  Land acquisition No land acquisition is involved and no income displaced. resulting in loss of from agricultural land or plantation used for These include about 25 cattle

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Environment and social information format for screening Project Title: River front development in Patna Implementing Agency: National Ganga River Basin Authority Project Cost: 243.27 Crores Project Components: Ghat development, Project Location(Area/District) S.No Screening Criteria Assessment of Category(High/Low) Explanatory note for categorization income from agricultural livelihood present there will be affected. sheds at T.N Banerjee ghat who land, plantation or other No land acquisition resulting in relocation of may get affected. existing land use. households. However, 229 PAFs (non- title holders) along the ghats will be affected and Considering these factors,  Land acquisition are need to be relocated. project is categorized as high resulting in relocation of impact category. households. Not envisaged

 Any reduction of access Not as such to tradition and river dependent communities (to river and areas where they earn for their primary or substantial livelihood).  Any displacement or adverse impact on tribal settlements(S).  Any specific gender issues. 3 Will the project creates There will be limited environmental impacts Limited environmental impact is significant/limited/no during construction stage. envisaged and with set control environmental impacts measures most of the impacts during the construction will be minimized at the stage?(Significant/limited/n  Clearance of vegetation will be required, contractor’s level. o impacts) however no tree cutting would be involved  Clearance of vegetation

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Environment and social information format for screening Project Title: River front development in Patna Implementing Agency: National Ganga River Basin Authority Project Cost: 243.27 Crores Project Components: Ghat development, Project Location(Area/District) S.No Screening Criteria Assessment of Category(High/Low) Explanatory note for categorization /tree cover  The project will be constructed in narrow area and may include demolition of structures of PAPs, ghats etc. which generates debris. Chances of construction run-off are also there. This may affect water quality during the construction  Direct discharge of stage. Category-High construction run off,  Chances of flooding is anticipated during improper storage and monsoon but limited. disposal of excavation  Chances of contamination due to improper spoils, waste and other storage of material construction materials adversely affecting water quality and flow  The roads along the ghat section are regimes. narrow and hence disruption of traffic movement during construction stage will  Flooding of adjacent be high. area  Damage to public utilities, infrastructure is however low as design has been  Improper storage and envisaged in such a manner. handling of substances  Temporary construction site is a constraint leading to so also the storage of materials. contamination of soil  Displacement of 229 household may lead and water to a possible conflict.  Elevated noise and dust  The construction is close to the river front emission and including r excavation and scaffolding work. Safety Hazard is hence high.  Disruption to traffic movements

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Environment and social information format for screening Project Title: River front development in Patna Implementing Agency: National Ganga River Basin Authority Project Cost: 243.27 Crores Project Components: Ghat development, Project Location(Area/District) S.No Screening Criteria Assessment of Category(High/Low) Explanatory note for categorization  Damage to existing infrastructure, public utilities, amenities etc.  Failure to store temporary construction sites  Possible conflicts with and /or disruption to local community  Health risks due to unhygienic conditions at works camps  Safety hazards during construction. 4 Will the project create The project may create limited environmental Impacts are anticipated both significant /limited /no impacts during the operation stage as: during the construction as well environmental impacts  Chances of flooding to adjacent areas as the operation stage. during the operation are less due to more bank Especially safety is important stage?(Significant/Limited/ protection/stabilization during the festive season. No impacts)  Effluent from the project will be taken Impact to water quality from the care through toilet/mobile toilet and proposed facilities and sewage  Flooding of adjacent interceptor drains generation is also anticipated. area  Chances of gas emission is negligible Flooding of adjacent areas is  Impacts to water quality from the project however low. The impacts are due to effluent  Proper protection in the river front where mitigated through monitoring discharge the promenade or road is given shall be and implementation of EMP.  Gas emission made to avoid unavoidable  Safety hazards circumstances/accidents etc.  Based on the recommendations of Gangetic Dolphin’ the project proposes

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Environment and social information format for screening Project Title: River front development in Patna Implementing Agency: National Ganga River Basin Authority Project Cost: 243.27 Crores Project Components: Ghat development, Project Location(Area/District) S.No Screening Criteria Assessment of Category(High/Low) Explanatory note for categorization riparian edge restoration as against stone pitching for bank stabilization. Hence this will create more natural habitat. Thus impact on f on dolphin from the project (if any) is minimized 5 Do projects of this Not applicable as per the EIA notification The proposed ghat nature/type require prior 2006. Impact-Low development work involves environmental clearance construction work less than 1, either from the MoEF or 50,000 sq.m. Further, the total from the relevant state built up area is also less than Government 20,000 sq.m. Hence, the project department?(MoEF does not require Environmental /relevant state Government Clearance. department/No clearance at all) 6 Does the project involve No clearance is required from MoEF or state any prior clearance from forest department as no tree cutting would be the MoEF or state Forest involved in this project. department for either the convention of Forest land or for tree Cutting?(Yes/NO) 7 Please attach photographs Attached separately with the form during the and location maps along screening form submission and also given in with this complete chapter-2 of EIA report. Environmental format for screening. Overall Assessment High

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After overall assessment of the project, this project can be considered high impact on Environment and Socio-economic environment. Hence as per the NGRBA framework (page 92, section 4.4.1 of NGRBA framework) the project has been categorized as high impact category.

4.3 Project Area

The proposed project is river front development of Ganga Ghats in Patna, comprising development of 20 ghats (total length of 6.60 km), promenade including kiosks, community cum cultural centre, landscape work in the precinct zones, city level parks and development of approach road to the ghats. The detail of ghats along River Ganga is provided in the Table 4-2.

Table 4-2: Proposed Ghats for Developments along river Ganga in Ganga Ghats

Ghat Names Anta ghat B.N. College ghat Adalat ghat Mishri ghat T.N. Banerjee ghat Krishna ghat Baharwa ghat Rani ghat Ghagha ghat Raushan ghat Choudharytola ghat Pathri ghat Alamgaunj ghat Naurwa ghat Hanuman ghat Raja ghat Gai ghat Bhadra ghat Mahavir ghat Naujar ghat Source: Feasibility Study

4.4 Baseline Environmental Profile

The baseline environmental setting has been studied using secondary data as well as primary data to understand the present environmental scenario of the proposed location. Primary data has been collected at site during post monsoon season in the month of September, 2012 by an NABL approved laboratory.

4.4.1 Meteorological environment

Climate

The project ghats are within 1 km from Patna City.

The climate of Patna is characterized by quite hot summers to moderately cold winters. The day temperature generally ranges from 21.1ºC (Avg.) in January to 38.7ºC (Avg.) in May and night

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temperature from 7.3ºC (Avg.) in December to 27.7ºC in May/June (Avg.). The summer begins in April and peaks in June/July with the temperature soaring up to 43°C (Max) till the moisture laden monsoon wind bring some much-needed relief to the parched fields. The rains last through August /September and continue into early October.

Relative Humidity

The relative humidity near the Ganga ghats is round 80 to 93 %.

Rainfall and Precipitation

The weather in the Ganga Ghats in Patna is characterized by a distinct wet season during the period of south west monsoon (June to September). The air temperature starts falling with the onset of the monsoon from June onwards, making the weather more humid and equable. The diurnal range between the daily mean minimum and the daily mean maximum temperature reduces progressively as the monsoon advances. Eventually, the lowest diurnal range of temperature occurs at the peak of the monsoon, which is usually in August, though sometimes in July. As soon as the monsoon is over, the diurnal range of temperature starts increasing rapidly to a maximum attained during the month of November. The rainfall and temperature detail in Patna is given in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3 :Rainfall and Temperature at Patna in Ganga Basin

S.No Station Mean Water surplus Rainfall as Mean Temp in 0C and Year Annual in wet months; expressed in Maximum Minimum Rainfall Jul-Sep (mm) percentage of (mm) annual rainfall from Jul-Sep ( 1 Patna 1003.4 807.1 80.4 31.9 20.8 (1951- 1980) Source: Indian Meteorological Department Wind Speed

The maximum wind speed is 177 km/h while the average wind speed during the year is 5 km/h

Wind Direction

By the Indian Metrological data (IMD) the wind direction near the river area varies from NE during the summer season and SW during the winter season.

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4.4.2 Physical environment

Topography

Patna district can be sub-divided into two prominent natural features comprising:

 A narrow strip of somewhat high land about 8 km in width along the Southern bank of the Ganges having very fertile soil & alluvial fertile plains in the remaining portions. Patna does not contain any hilly region. It has an entirely alluvial and flat region;

 Patna is located on the south bank of the Ganga River. The town is situated at an altitude of 48 - 51 m above mean sea level. A characteristic of the geography of Patna is its confluence of five rivers in its vicinity. The Ganga River being the largest and the other being Ghaghara, Gandak, Punpun and Sone. Patna is unique in having.

The land in the district is highly fertile. The district is devoid of any forest wealth of consequences. The alluvial text of land yields rice, sugarcane and other food grains.

The topography near the Ganga Ghats in Patna City is like a saucer and city has drainage issues during monsoon season. This core area of Ganga Ghats in Patna faces problems of over crowding (e.g. Collectorate ghat, Anta ghat, B.N College ghat, Gulbi ghat etc.) which has lead to enormous pressure on the physical infrastructure and traffic congestion. The newer development areas lying in the central and western part of Ganga Ghats comprise of both plotted developments and apartment houses.

A pre-independent image of Ganga ghats Image of collectorate ghat

Geology

Ganga ghats are part of the Indo-Gangetic alluvium, one of the three main physiographic divisions of India, which separates Extra-Peninsular regions on the north from the peninsular region on the south. The

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level plain is known to be the outcome of a granular filling of a great depression with alluvial sediments since Middle Pleistocene times. This forming a part of the flood plains of the Ganga has a monotonously flat relief. The area under study is underlain by alluvial sediments of quaternary age. The quaternary sediments are deposited unconformable on the Achaean basement.

Land use

During the baseline study the existing land use pattern with other geomorphological features around the Patna RFD project and its surrounding area has been conducted as presented here in Figure 4.2 Figure 4-3 and Figure 4-4 respectively.

In Figure 4.2 the colour coded aspect map is representing the cardinal direction, which is based on sunlight striking on the surface of the terrain along the River Ganga whioch shows the flow pattern of river Ganga.

Figure 4.2: Colour coded aspect map for direction of the terrain along the RFD, Patna

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Figure 4.3: DEM Map along the project section in Ganga ghat section in Patna

This digital elevation model(Figure 4.3) along the Patna RFD project site clearly shows the elevation pattern with direction and magnitude. This elevation map is helpful to understand the course pattern of River Ganga within our project site including water catchment area.

Further, the existing land use within the DPIA and IPIA is observed from Figure 4.4. This land uses as observed within the IPIA include mainly built up areas, major roads, vegetation, open spaces and water bodies. The map also indicates that the DPIA and IPIA is consisting of highly dense building lines.

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Figure 4.4: Land Use along the stretch of river bank to be developed under RFD project in Patna

Physiography and Soil

Physiographically, India is divided into seven major divisions: (1) Northern Mountains, (2) Great Plains (3) Central Highlands (4) Peninsular Plateaus, (5) East Coast, (6) West Coast and (7) Islands.

The Ganga basin falls entirely within the first three divisions. The peninsular plateau of the Gangetic trough (with an elevation of less than 300 meters) is filled with older (Pleistocene) and recent alluvial, forming nearly 4,000,000 Sq.Km in the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal as shown in Fig: 4.5. The project area of Patna RFD falls under active alluvial plain i.e. landform created by deposition of sediment over a long period of time by river coming from highland regions.

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Figure 4.5: Physiographic map of Bihar along the river Ganga

Soil: The Ganga basin is characterized by a wide variety of soils. The soils of the high Himalayas in the north are subject to continued erosion and the Gangetic trough provides a huge receptacle into which thousands of meters of thick sediment layers are deposited to form a wide valley plain.

Among the soil types within Ganga basin, the alluvial soil covers more than 52 per cent of the basin. The alluvial deposits of the basin not only cover the great Gangetic trough, but also extend over a sizable portion of the peninsular foreland in the form of a layer less than 3 metres thick. The entire alluvial formation is endowed with rich soil nutrients.

The Patna river basin area is characterized by Calcareous alluvial (Ustochrepts Haplaquepts) i.e. it is slightly alkaline. This shows that the alluvium deposit in this region is old alluvium deposit. In general the Calcareous Alluvium has higher potential of binding of molecules than the newer alluvium or acidic alluvium and hence the chance of erosion in Calcareous alluvium is comparatively lesser than acidic alluvium.

Seismicity

According to Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP), the state of Bihar lies in a region with moderate to low to high seismic hazard, though the project site (Ganga Ghats) lies in Low Hazard Zone (refer Figure 4-6). As per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, this state also falls in

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Zones III, IV & V. The project site (Ganga Ghats) falls under Zone IV (as per IS 1893 (Part-I): 2002), refer Figure 4-7 which indicates that it is situated in moderately stable zone.

Figure 4.6: Seismic Hazard Map showing the Project Area (Ganga Ghats)

Project Area

Figure 4.7:Seismic Zonation Map of India

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Hydrology and Drainage

The project area falls under the Ganga river basin. The River Map of Bihar is provided in Figure 4-8.

Figure 4.8:Sub-Basin maps of Ganga Basin

The major tributaries of Ganga in India include Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi.Chambal is one of the major tributaries of Yamua, which merges with Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad). These tributaries and their watershed form the 16 major sub-basins of the Ganga basin. Hoogly diverts from Ganga before Ganga enters Bangladesh.

Patna river front development is situated at the right bank of river Ganga just after the confluence of Ganga and Gandhak River. The project area mostly falls under the river basin of Ganga and sub basins of Punpun, Gandhak and Burhi-Gandak-Bagmati river basins. As per the local observation, Ganga river near the project Ghats is meandering to the left and during the summer season, limited flow is observed between Collectorate Ghat to Adalat Ghat at the right bank of river Ganga.

The major sub-basin of Ganga in project area, Gandak- Burhi Gandak contributes mean annual flow 58.967 BCM which is about 11.23 % of total tributaries.

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Soil Quality

Soil samples have been collected from 3 Ghat areas during the environmental monitoring in the month of September 2012. The location of soil samples were selected based upon following criteria:

 The spread of the project area and length;  Uniqueness of the ghats;  Waste disposal or any other related activities for soil contamination;  Any other activities which may relate to soil contamination.

Accordingly the soil samples were collected from following sites:

 Gulbi Ghat: It is well known for the cremation ground and hence is unique from the other ghats. Possibilities of soil contamination could be highest at this site, so this site was selected;  Collectorate Ghat: The start point and open defecation was seen common and hence soil quality monitoring was selected;  T.N Banerjee Ghat: Dairy units are found here and animal waste get mixed with water and soil, so selected

Characterizations of soil samples was performed by adopting methods prescribed under relevant parts of IS: 2720, “Indian Standard Methods of Test for Soils”. The soil analysis results are given in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4: Soil Quality Analysis of Proposed Project Site

Sr. Parameter Unit Gulbi ghat Collectorate ghat T. N. Banerjee ghat No. 1 pH - 8.56(1:5) 26 C 8.85(1:5) 26 C 7.8(1:5) 26 C

2 Texture - loamy sand Silt loam Loam 3 Sand % 84.2 26.1 38.3 4 Silt % 10.2 52.4 34.1 5 Clay % 5.6 21.50 27.6 6 Bulk density g/cc 1.43 1.29 1.25 7 WHC % 30.26 42.67 44.17 8 OM % 0.15 0.64 1.59 9 N mg/kg 92.23 184.46 338.18 10 P mg/kg 16.25 <4 292.49 11 K mg/kg 20 500 400

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Sr. Parameter Unit Gulbi ghat Collectorate ghat T. N. Banerjee ghat No. 12 Na mg/kg 60 60 40 13 Ca mg/kg 13584 11808 4224 14 Mg mg/kg 2678.4 2966.4 2476.8 15 EC µm/cm 68.8(1:5) 25 C 199(1:5) 25 C 112(1:5) 25 C

Source: Laboratory Analysis

The soil quality as observed shows alkaline content which supports the presence of Calcareous alluvium (as referred from secondary literature as well). Ambient Air Quality

The monitoring of the ambient air quality (AAQ) in the project site has been carried out at 3 ghats for 24 hrs. on each ghat location, by M/s Mitra S. K. Pvt. Ltd., recognised by NABL and MoEF. Sampling at each location and analysis has been carried out as per guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board and as per the requirements of MoEF.The total no of stations have been distributed throughout the project influence area so as to get representative baseline of the study area. The selection of the locations was made due to following reason:

Collectorate ghat: The road between Collectorate ghat to Anta ghat is quite congested and thus requires an air quality sample;

T. N. Banerjee ghat: Being selected as a control as being seen as one of the dust free ghat by the ESIA team members.

Gulbi Ghat: Cremation ground and hence chances of air pollution could be higher; so being selected for an air quality sample

The ambient air quality monitoring results along with locations are given in Table 4-5.

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Table 4-5: Ambient Air Quality within study area

Date of PM 10 PM 2.5 SO2 NO2 CO Location Monitoring (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) Collector ghat 14/15.09.2012 88 47 5.4 26.7 363 Dr. T.N.Banerjeeghat 15/16.09.2012 54 29 4.3 21.4 275 Gulbi ghat 16/17.09.2012 69 36 4.0 19.0 175 Limit as per CPCB notification, New Delhi, 100 60 80 80 2000 18th Nov, 2009. for Ambient air quality USEPA IS: 5182 CFR-40, IS: 5182 IS: 5182 IS 5182 : Sampling Method (Part-23)- Part-50, (Part-2)- (Part- 6)- Part 10 2006 Appendix- 2001 2006 1999 L

Source: Laboratory Analysis

Results & Analysis:

The PM10 and PM2.5 level near the Collectorate Ghat is found in the higher range possibly due to the market activities and associated dust generation. However, all the parameters of ambient air quality are found well within prescribed limit.

Noise Levels

Locations for noise monitoring along the corridor are identified based on the following criteria:

Gulbi Ghat: Crematorium ground and hence accumulation of people along with various rituals and thus possibilities sensitivies of noise generation during project construction / operation, hence been chosen for one of the noise monitoring site;

Collectorate Ghat: Government offices and gathering of many people in this area, also presence of market between Collectorate ghat to Anta ghat, hence selected as a noise monitoring location.

T.N. Banerjee Ghat: Used as a control point since it has been seen as one of calm ghat

Noise level monitoring photographs are given in Table 4-6.

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Table 4-6: Ambient Noise Level within study area

Location Date of Sampling Leq day Leq Night L Max L Min dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) Collectorate ghat 14/15.09.2012 46.6 33.7 51.3 30.2 Gulbi ghat 15/16.09.2012 43.8 31.9 48.3 25.6 Dr. T.N.Banerjee ghat 16/17.09.2012 35.6 33.2 49.8 29.5 Permissible Limits/Standards as per CPCB Leq 55 45 dB(A) Day & Night (Residential)

Source: Laboratory Analysis

Results & Analysis:

The noise quality is well within the permissible limit. The discussion with the locals indicated that the noise level goes high intermittently due to movement of water boats and other human activities. Overall, the noise quality in the project area is within the permissible limits.

Water Quality

Water quality has been analysed for Surface water of Ganga River by Mitra S. K. Pvt. Ltd., recognised by NABL and MoEF. Six representative water samples were collected in September, 2012, based on the present usage and pollution load. The physical and chemical parameters of the collected samples were tested as per established standard methods and procedures of CPCB. The selection of the stations was based on the fact that the almost all the ghats are being covered. Further, water quality at the upstream and downstream of Ganga River at Anta ghat has also been carried out to know the water quality in Ganga River at Anta Ghat. The results of water quality samples are given in Table 4-7.

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Table 4-7:Water Quality Sample Analysis and Results

Sr. No. Parameter Unit Kali Krish Collec Gandhi Anta ghat Anta ghat Gulbi Desirable Desirable ghat na torate ghat (upstrea (downstrea ghat Standard Standard ghat ghat m) m) (Bathing): (Propagation of CPCB Wilidlife and Fisheries): CPCB 1 pH 7.52 at 7.36 7.31at 7.65 at 7.49 at 7.6 at 28 C 7.45 at 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 28 C at 28 C 28 C 28 C 28 C 28 C 2 TDS mg/l 127.4 257 141.5 130.5 128.4 402 136.4 3 TSS mg/l 680 599 165 837 157 1279 170 4 TH mg/l 103.68 172.8 107.52 119.04 88.32 213.4 111.36 5 Fe mg/l 1.93 3.27 3.88 3.47 1.69 4.12 3.35 6 Cl mg/l 17.81 31.67 15.83 15.83 17.81 42.2 17.81 7 F mg/l <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 8 Ca mg/l 27.65 44.54 26.11 41.47 23.04 49.66 27.65 9 Mg mg/l 8.29 14.75 10.13 3.68 7.37 21.42 10.14

10 SO4 mg/l <1.0 25.89 1.71 28.75 7.19 56.9 3.05

11 NO3 mg/l 3.2 <0.4 5.7 3.1 2.7 12.6 11.2 12 As mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 13 Zn mg/l <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 2.7 <0.02 14 DO mg/L 7.7 7.3 7.9 7.7 7.2 6.4 7.2 >5 >4

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14 BOD mg/l 3.3 3.21 3.11 <2.0 3.21 12.9 2.1 <3 15 COD mg/l 19.48 15.58 19.48 7.79 19.48 48.4 7.79 16 Total mg/l 105.08 184.6 99.4 110.76 110.76 187.2 107.92 Alkalinity 17 Total cfu/10 30 110 50 170 280 280 23 <500 Coliform 0ml 18 Faecal cfu/10 13 21 13 17 22 22 13 Coliform 0ml Source: Laboratory Analysis

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Results & Analysis: Analysis of water quality indicates that the water is suitable for bathing and propagation of aquatic species. Further, the BOD as observed in almost all the measurement locations is more than 3mg/L, as against the CPCB standard of 3 mg/l (for bathing). However, the total coliform count in all the water quality monitoring station was observed less than 500 MPN per 100 ml (as per CPCB standards for bathing water quality). During the site visits, the consultants, at two locations (Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat) noticed discharge of storm water mixed with sewage into Ganga, including many open sewer lines (Refer figure 4-9). This demands suitable measures to avoid direct disposal of untreated sewage in Ganga.

Figure 4.9:Discharge of Raw Sewage in Ganga river from Anta Ghat (left) and Krishna Ghat (Right)

4.4.3 ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY

Forest Resources

Bihar is situated in the eastern part of India bordering Nepal and has a geographical area of 94,163 km². It is part of gangetic plains and is drained by two major rivers, the Ganga and the Gandhak. Annual rainfall in the state varies from 1000mm to 2000 mm.

The recorded forest area of the state is 6473 km² which is 6.87% of the geographical area. Reserve forest constitutes 10.70%, Protected Forest 89.28% and unclassed Forest, which is about 0.02% of the total forest area.

The proposed project falls in 7 – Gangetic plane as per the Biogeographic Classification of India and 7B Lower Gangetic Plane Province of India.

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Forest Description

Patna district has deciduous type of forest. The district has 3202 km² of Geographical area comprising 13 km² of Moderately Dense forest, 3 km² open forest and absence of Very Dense forest. Thus the forest cover of the district is 0.50% of total Geographic Area. (Source: State Forest Report ? 2009). The Forest map of Bihar is given in Figure 4.10.

Figure 4.10: Forest cover map of Bihar

The proposed ghat development area does not encounter with any kind of forest types like Reserve Forest, Protected forest or un- classed Forest (declared Protected under ? The Indian Forest Act, 1927? ) and “Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 with Amendments Made in 1988? . (Source: Forest Department Patna).

Further no tree cutting is involved in the project and with a landscape design approach all the trees will be saved as part of this project.

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Thus no forest Clearance is required for the proposed development.

Wildlife Protected area and Wildlife Sanctuary

One Wildlife National Park (Valmiki National Park) and twelve Wildlife Sanctuaries are located in Bihar. However, no National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is reported within 10 km from project boundary. The Nearest wildlife sanctuary is Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin WLS which is more than 50 km in District Bhagalpur.

Therefore clearance under ?The Wildlife (Protection) Act ? 1972? is not required for the proposed Ghat development project.

During primary survey Schedule – I mammals as per WPA – 1972, like fresh water Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) was seen in river Ganga stretch in Patna city..

Wetland:

No wetland notified under ?The Ramsar Convention ? 1971? or listed under?the National wetland Conservation Programme ? 2009? is reported within 10 km from project boundary. The nearest Wetland notified under National Wetland Conservation Programme – 2009 are:

1. Kabar Wetland – District Begusarai 2. Barilla Wetland – District Vaishali 3. Kusheshwar Asthan Wetland – Darbhanga.

Terrestrial Ecology

The core zone comprises of Riparian Habitat (transition zone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem). A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream. Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called riparian vegetation, characterized by hydrophilic plants.

Riparian zones may be natural or engineered for soil stabilization or restoration. These zones are important natural bio-filters, protecting aquatic environments from excessive sedimentation, polluted surface runoff and erosion. They supply shelter and food for many aquatic animals and shade that is an important part of stream temperature regulation.

The proposed project (Ghat Development) is partly comprises of Riparian Habitat and partly terrestrial Habitat. During primary survey it has been noticed that the existing habitat along the banks of Ganga is manmade type. Daily thousands of people visit the Ghat to take bath in Ganga as religious rituals.

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The floristic survey of the proposed site witnesses scattered growth of grasses (mainly weeds), rooted hydrophytes, emerging hydrophytes, shrubs in undisturbed area where human movement is absent and trees leaning over river water.

Among herbs species, weed are commonly reported on the river bank. Commonly reported weeds species are Congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus), Lantana (Lantana Camara), Eipatorium trilpineve, Solanum xanthiocarpum and Datura (Dathura stromonium). This is mainly due to better survival rate, higher seed production and fast growing in comparison to other herbs.

The species of grasses reported along the banks are Cyanodon dactylon,Achyranthes aspera, Saccharum arundinaceum, Vetiveria zizanoides, Ludwigia parviflora, Rungia repens, etc. These are mainly reported above the water level, in an undisturbed area.

Rooted hydrophytes are reported along the banks, where water level is less than a foot or water has recedes after flooding. The commonly reported hydrophytes are Ipomoea carnea, Argeratum conyzoides,Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes,Lemna perpusilla,Spirodela polyrhiza, etc. Ipomoea aquatic,etc. Photograph of flora reported in riparian Habitat are given in Fig: 4.11.

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Congress Grass Datura (Dathura stromonium) Cyanodon dactylon

Riparian Habitat Reprived of grass cover Extensive growth of herbs Anthropogenic activity along banks

Figure 4.11: Photograph of Flora reported in Riparian Habitat

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The phytosociological study of the core zone (terrestrial habitat) beyond the riparian habitat comprises of manmade ecosystem. Trees plantation in form of landscaping was noticed due to nearby residential area, government offices, hospitals, university, parks and market places. The species of trees reported are mainly planted, except few species which are naturally growing. These trees are fruit, flower and seed bearing and attract avifauna, small mammals and reptiles. Nesting was commonly reported. Species of trees reported during primary survey are given in Table (4.8) below.

Table 4-8: List of trees reported in the project affected area

S.No Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Type Growth 1 Peepal Ficus religiosa River Bank Natural 2 Bargad Ficus benghalensis Mahindru Ghat Natural 3 Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo Anta Ghat Natural 4 Jamun Syzygium cumini River Bank Natural 5 Neem Azadirachta indica River Bank Planted 6 Sal Shorea robusta University Ghat Planted 7 Salai Boswellia serrate University Ghat Planted 8 Bahera Terminalia arjuna Near Krishna Ghat Natural 9 Mango Mangifera indica University Ghat Planted 10 Golden shower Crassia fistula Collectrate Ghat Planted 11 Bakain Melia azadirachta Kali Ghat Planted 12 Jackfruit Artocarpus University Ghat Planted heterophyllus 13 Kadamb Anthocephalus University Ghat Planted cadamba 14 Bail Aegle marmelos University Ghat Natural 15 Siris Albizia procera University Ghat Planted 16 Devil Tree Alstonia scholaris Krishna Ghat Planted 17 Royal Palm Roystonea regia Krishna Ghat Planted 18 Amla Phyllanthus emblica Krishna Ghat Planted 19 Neem Azadirachta indica Krishna Ghat Planted 20 Coconut Coco nucifera Krishna Ghat Planted 21 Umar Ficus racemosa Krishna Ghat Planted 22 Mango Mangifera Sp Ghandhi Ghat Planted

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S.No Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Type Growth 23 Gular Ficus Glomerata Ghandi Ghat Planted 24 Palash Butea monosperma Near Ghandhi Planted Ghat 25 Gulmohar Delonix regia Near Ghandhi Planted Ghat 26 Kala siris Albizia lebbeck Near University Planted Ghat 27 Semal Bombax ceiba Near Kali Ghat Planted 28 Bair Zizyphus jujube Near Kali Ghat Planted

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Mangifera indica Ficus religiosa Ficus benghalensis

Azadirachta indica Alstonia scholaris Royal Palm Figure 4.12: Photographs of Trees Reported at Ghat Area

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Terrestrial Fauna

To study the diversity of fauna, various survey methods were adopted. The survey was mainly carried out at dawn and at dusk to study animal behavior and habitat. This study period is mainly selected as animals are most active.

Secondary data was collected from the forest department and interaction with the local was also conducted to establish baseline study for distribution of wild animals in the study area. No wild mammals are reported in the study area, due to anthropogenic activity and urbanized habitat. Domestic mammals are reported in the study area.

Avifauna:

The fauna reported in the inner buffer zone 3are mainly avifauna (highest diversity) followed by mammals and reptiles. The commonly reported avifauna in the study area during primary survey, with higher diversity are Common crow, Myna, Eagle, Sparrow, Babbler, Pigeon, Cattle Egrets, Red Vented bulbul, Drongo, Sparrow, Indian Roller etc. During site visit higher frequency of birds recorded in the project affected. This is mainly due to availability of nesting habitat, discarded foods from rituals ceremony and fruits bearing trees. Table 4.9 gives the list of avifauna reported in the core zone and inner buffer zone.

Table 4-9: List of Avifauna reported in inner buffer zone S.No Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Distribution WLPA4 1. Red Wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Bushes - Neating Common IV 2. Rock Pigeon Columba livia Old building Common IV 3. Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis Trees, grass land Sporadic IV 4. Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Trees Common IV 5. Red Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Bushes & Trees Sporodic IV 6. Common Crow Corvus splendene Trees Sporadic IV 7. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Trees Sporadic IV 8. Common Babbler Turdoides caudate Trees & Shrubs Common IV 9. Green Bee eater Merops orientalis Trees Rare IV 10. House sparrow Passer domesticus Trees & Common IV

3 The core zone for the present project is considered witin 500 m distance from the project site and the areas beyond this limit is considered as buffer zone. 4 Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, predominantly enumerated the species of common occurance, which needs lesser attentation in terms of conservation and management. Further, these species are conisedred as “Least Concern” under the Red List Category & Criteria of IUCN.

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S.No Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Distribution WLPA4 Settlements 11. Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus Trees Common IV 12. Egret Casmerodium albus Grass land Common IV &shrubs 13. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Grass land & Common IV shrubs 14. Rose ringed parakeet Psittacula Krameri Trees Sporadic IV 15 Spotted dove Spilopelia chinensis Grass land & trees Common IV 16 Bank Myna` Acridotheres Trees Sporodic IV ginginianus

Mammals:

During primary survey no wild mammals are reported in the study area. Based on secondary information like interaction with the local, wild mammals like Indian mongoose and five stripped squirrel are reported. Domesticated mammals like goat, sheep, dog, cow, ox, donkey etc. are reported. These animals are domesticated for milk and other commercial purposed.

Reptiles:

Based on forest working Plan and interaction with people dwelling nearby ghat areas, it has been confirmed that the study area witness poor reptilian distributions. Reptiles like Rat Snakes (Ptyas mucosus), Common Kraits (Bungarus caerulens), Indian cobra (Naja Naja) etc. has been reported.House Geiko and Garden Lizard are directly sighted during primary visit.

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Sparrow Common Crow

Goat Buffalo Figure 4.13: Photograph of Animal Reported in study area

Aquatic Ecology

The proposed project is located on the bank of Ganga River, which is fresh water and Lotic in nature. The proposed project is located partly on the river bank (riparian Habitat) and partly on the river bed.

During primary survey of the site, it has been noticed that no well-established riparian habitat exists. This is mainly due to urban development and other anthropogenic activity. Annually lakhs of people visit the Ghat area for ritual baths and prayers. This part of the banks also received storm and sewer water drains from Patna city. As a whole, the existing environment is not suitable for existence of any type of habitat.

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During lean period except monsoon, the depth of water available is less than one meter and maximum is 1.5 meter at few areas where ghat has been proposed. This depth is not suitable for the existence of breeding, nesting and feeding habit for large aquatic mammals and reptiles.

The Aquatic faunal survey was carried out at early morning and in the evening. Fish net were used to study the distribution of aquatic fauna in the project affected area. During primary survey no aquatic fauna are captured in the net. Fixed net were also installed and left over night to study night time movement of fishes and aquatic mammals.

Aquatic Profile of the Project Area

 Aquatic Flora (Hydrophytes):

Hydrophytes grow in habitats where water is in excessive supply. They may be free floating, submerge floating, submerged and rooted, emergent and rooted, etc.

In the proposed project area free floating hydrophytes reported during primary survey are Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia sp,

The rooted emergent hydrophytes reported along the river banks are Ipomoea aquatic, Ipomoea fistulosa and Saccharum spontaneum,

Rooted submerged hydrophytes reported in the project affected area during primary survey are Potamogeton crispes and Vallisnaria.

Some plants like Phragmites Karkar, Arundo donax, Typha sp, etc. are on the river bed during survey. They grow around water bodies with the water currents touching them occasionally; they also can survive dry periods.

 Aquatic Fauna:

Along its course (2500 km) river Ganga support rich faunal habitat. Numerous species of fishes, reptiles and aquatic mammals has been reported.

The stretch from Haridwar to Gangasagar is primarily known for the presence of Ganga River Dolphins. The population of which had been tremendously decline due to pollution caused by effluents discharge from major city, mining of sand on river bed, construction of dam, over fishing, and poaching of dolphins for using in fishing net and for meat.

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 Fauna of Study area:

Extensive survey for the distribution of aquatic fauna in the study area was carried at dawn and at dusk. Primary survey along the river bed with fisher men were carried out to establish the presence of dolphin’s habitat in the project affected area. Secondary information was collected from Zoological Survey of India and from forest department for faunal distribution.

Different faunal group like mammals, reptiles, fishes and aquatic avifauna are recorded from the study area based on primary and secondary survey.

 Aquatic mammals:

Aquatic mammals like Gangetic Dolphins (Platanista Gangetica gangetica) have been reported in the study area. The behavior and ecology is as follows:

 Gangetic Dolphins(Platanista Gangetica gangetica)

Gangetica Dolphins is Scheduled – I animals as per “The Wildlife (Protection) Act – 1972”. This animal is declared endangered by the IUCN Red List Category - 2012 and need conservation to safe guard the population.

Dolphins Habitat in Project Affected Area:

To establish the existence of Dolphins habitat in the proposed ghat development area, extensive survey was carried out at dawn, afternoon and at dusk to have rough ideas whether their distribution is driven by circadian rhythm. Secondary information was collected based on the interaction with boat men, fishermen and people dwelling near the ghat. ZSI and forested department were also consulted regarding the presence of Wildlife sanctuary and dolphins breeding site.

In addition, renowned Gangetic Dophin expert, Prof.R.K.Sinha, has reviewed the project proposals and according to his preliminary report, the entire stretch of the river along the city of Patna is a good habitat for the Gangetic Dolphin. The report further indicates that, the Gangetic Dolphin prefers deep zone with eddy counter currents and complex hydro-geomorphological formation in the river. Such habitats were formed along the left bank of the river at Patna. When the flow of Ganga was from Pahleza ghat to Digha ghat, i.e. North to South, the river used to flow very close to the city of Patna from Digha Ghat to Deedarganj.

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In last two decades the course of Ganga has shifted away from the city of Patna from Digha to Collectorate Ghat. Thus currently the Dolphin habitat close to the river front is from Collectorate Ghat downward only.

The left bank of the river at Patna was protected by brick and boulder pitching since long back as this bank used to be the erosion side of the river. The boulder and bricks along the river bank have been found to be good habitat for many of the invertebrates and breeding sites of some of the important fish species. The Dolphin feeds on small size (usually about 10 cm long or less) fish as its gullet is very small. Occasionally it also feeds on mud-dweller small fishes groveling in the bottom of the mud.

The Gangetic Dolphin have been observed near the cremation ghats, ferry ghats, bathing and washing ghats. In areas with human activities like bathing and washing ghats, ferry ghats and cremation ghats people tend to throw some edible items which could attract the fishes and ultimately Dolphin.

Dolphin Movement Ghat Development Sand Deposit

Figure 4.14: Dolphins Movement in Project Study Area

No feeding habitat is reported in the project area due to low water depth, island formation due to sand deposition and frequent movement of motor driven boats, effluent discharge pollution the water towards

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right banks and other anthropogenic activity has deprive the right bank (ghat development area) from dolphins movement.

Based on secondary information, discussion with ZSI and Forest department, higher frequency of dolphins movement is reported at three location in the study area (within 10 km from project boundary). They are

1. Ganga – Gandhak confluence site 1. Danapur - Punpun Bridge 2. Fatuwah – Trivani Ghat. (Source: Zoological Survey of India, Patna, Bihar) Dolphins are reported at these sites because fishes are maximum available at the confluence site and where counter current exists, which make them easier to catch prey. Dolphins prefer to stay where water depth is more, counter current in water exists and water beels exists and confluence point with streams and rivers (refer Figure 4.15).

Wildlife Sanctuary ? Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located near Bhagalpur, between Sultangaunj and Kahalgaon

(Source: Conservation and Biomonitoring in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar, India) more than 160 km (aerial distance) downstream of project site of Patna RFD.

The sanctuary is a 50 km stretch of the Ganges River from Sultangaunj to Kahalgaon. Designated in 1991, this sanctuary is earmarked for conservation of Dolphins. Figure 4.16 gives the location of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphins Sanctuary with respect to project site.

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Ghat Development Area Locations Dolphins

Figure 4.15: Location were Dolphins are reported

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Vikramshila WildlifeSanctuary

Ghat Development

Figure 4.16: Location of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphins Sanctuary with respect to project site

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Other Aquatic Fauna:

Fishes

Ganga River is adobe for variety of fishes. To have an idea about the fishes distribution netting were carried out along the proposed Ghat, sand deposited area within the river and on left banks. The number of fishes caught is less in the right bank (proposed project area) in comparison to the left bank. Highest catch of fishes were reported near the sand island on course of river. Secondary information about fishes distribution were collected from fishery department and from the fisher men.

The species of fishes reported during primary visit are Rohu, Catla, Hilsa, Mystus sp, Cirrhinus Sp, etc. Species of fishes reported in the study area is given in table 4.10.

The species of fishes given in Table 4.10 are commonly reported in the fresh water bodies like river, streams, lakes, pond and estuaries. They are cosmopolitan in distribution and are reported all over India and Indian Sub continents. These species of fishes are commonly used in aqua culture practice and had good commercial importance.

Ecologically these species are primary and secondary consumer in the freshwater ecosystem mainly in rivers. They are primary food for secondary consumers like fresh water dolphins (Platanista Gangetica gangetica), gharials, crocodiles, turtles, etc. They do not have fix breeding and nesting site and mainly spawn during monsoon season when the water is diluted, laden with silt and current of water is high to keep their spawn (egg) floating for hatching of eggs. Hence they breed all over river, streams, lakes, etc during favorable conditions.

Therefore the species of fishes reported in table are not confined to project site only but are reported all over Ganges courses.

Table 4-10: Fish Species reported in the study area

S.No Common Scientific Name Categories Category as per IUCN ? Red Name List 1. Mrigal Cirrhina mrigala Indian Major carps Not Included 2. Catla Catla Catla Do Not Included 3. Rohu Labeo rohita Do Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 4. Calbasu Labeo calbasu Do Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 5. Bata Labeo Bata Indian Minor Carp Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 6. Kalabans Labeo dero Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 7 Wallaga attu Not Included 8. Rita rita Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 9. Cyprinus carpio Other fishes Vulnerable A2ce (As per Ver 3.1) 10. Channa punctate Not included

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S.No Common Scientific Name Categories Category as per IUCN ? Red Name List 11. Channa marulias Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 12. Tengara Mystus Tengara Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 13 Ponthia Puntius sophore Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 14 Puntius ticto Not Included 15 Singhi Heyeropneustus Non Included fossilis 16 Palwa Mystus cavasius Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 17 Phasia Setipinna brevifilis Non Included (Source: Primary data & Fishery department, Patna)

Catla Catla Labeo rohita Cirrhina mrigala

Mystus Tengara Prawn Puntius sophore

eel Fish Aristichthys nobilis Cyprinus carpio Figure 4.17: Photographs of Species of Fishes reported during primary survey

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Hence it has been observed that most of the fish species observed in the project stretch are either not included in the IUCN-Red List or under “Least Concern” category except Cyprinus carpio which iscategorized as “Vulnerable”. Suitbale measure shall be given in EMP so that the existing population of this psecies is not destrioyed from the project.

4.4.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES

Although the DPIA and IPIA do not counter with any kind of archeologically important building/site conserved listed under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, some heritage buildings were observed along with many indigenous cultural resources like temples within the IPIA. The lists of such important heritage as well as uindeginous buildings within DPIA and IPIA are given in table 4.11 and 4.13 respectively.

Table 4-11: List of Heritage and Indigenous Building within DPIA

S.No Name of the Structure Purpose of Uses Grade as per ICOMOS 1 Collectorate Building Administrative I 2 Temple Complex near Collectorate Ghat Religious II 3 Bankipore Club near Collectorate Ghat Club I 4 B.N.College near B.N. College Ghat Academic I 5 Railway Reservation Centre at Mahendru Ghat Public Services III 6 Patna Civil court at Mahendru Ghat Administrative II 7 Temple complex at adalat Ghat Religious II 8 Temple Complex at Mishri Ghat Religious 9 Patna Medical College at T.N Banerjee Ghat Academic and Hospital II 10 Patna College and Darbhanga House at Kali ghat Academic and heritage I 11 Batheja Mandap at Patna College Ghat Religious II 12 Hostels of Patna University at Krishna Ghat Academic and Residential II 13 Patna Science Collge at Krishna Ghat Academic II 14 National Institute Technology at Gandhi Ghat Academic IIB 15 Law college hostel block at Law college ghat Academic II 16 Temple complex at Rani Ghat Religious I 17 Temple complex at Ghagha ghat Religious II 18 Remnants of Tekari House at Raushan Ghat Ancient Building I 19 Temple complex at Chaudhury Tola Ghat Religious II 20 Ruins of Haveli Mir Ashraf at Chaudhury Tola Ancient Building I Ghat 21 Badshah Nawab Rizvi Girls Training school at Academic III Pathri Ghat 22 Mosque at Alamganj Ghat Religious III 23 Temple complex at Raja Ghat Religious II 24 Fortification at Raja Ghat Ancient I 25 Government Press at Mahavir Ghat Public Service building IIB 26 Adi Chitragupta Temple at Naujar Ghat Religious I

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Source: Cultural Impact Assessment Report by INTACH, December 2013

For the assessment of the values of cultural heritage the grade scale proposed in the cultural impact assessment (CIA) report by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage ( INTACH ) is based on International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS’) guideline on heritage impact assessments of Cultural World Heritage Properties. According to it the value of the asset may be defined using the following grade scale:

 Grade-I: Equavalet to High;  Grade-II: equivalent to medium;  Grade-III: Equivalent to low

As the cultural heritages referred in the CIA report are not Cultural World Heritage Properties, the very high was eliminated from this list. Also negotiable and unknown potential were not considered in the CIA report as the selection was already made for heritage. The details of the meaning of grades is given in table 4.12.

Table 4-12 ICOMOS? Value Table

Grading Archaeology Built Heritage or Historic Historic Landscape Intagible Cultural Heritage Urban Landscape or association High Nationally-designated Nationally designated Nationally Nationally-designated Archaeological structures with standing designated historic areas Monuments remains. landscape of or activities associated with protected by the State outstanding interest. globally-important Party’s laws. Other buildings than can Intangible be shiown to have Undesignated Cultural Heritage activities. Undesignated sites of exceptional qualities in landscapes of the quality and their fabric or historical outstanding interest. Associations with particular importance to associations not innovations, technical or be designated. adequately reflected in the Undesignated movements of national listing grade. landscapes of high significance. Assets that can Conservation Areas quality and to acknowledged containing very Importants importance, and of Associations with particular national buildings. demonstrable individuals of national research objectives. national value. importance. Undesignated structures of clear national Well preserved importance. historic landscapes, exhibiting considerable conherence, time depth or other critical factors. Medium Designated or Designated buildings. Historic townscapes Areas associated with undesignated Historic or built-up Intangible Cultural heritage assets that can (unlisted) buildings that areas with important activities as evidenced by contribute significantly can historic local to regional be shown to have integrity in their registers. research objectives. exceptional buildings, or qualities or historical built settings. Associations with particular associations. innovations or Landscapes of developments of regional Conservation Areas regional value. or local significance. containing buildings that contribute Averagely well significantly to its historic preserved historic Associations with particular character. landscapes with individuals of regional reasonable importance. Designated special coherence, time- historic depth or other

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Grading Archaeology Built Heritage or Historic Historic Landscape Intagible Cultural Heritage Urban Landscape or association landscapes. critical factors.

Undesignated historic landscapes that would justify special historic landscape designation. Low Designated or “Locally Listed” buildings. Robust Intangible Cultural heritage undesignated undesignated activities of local assets of local Historic (unlisted) historic significance. importance. buildings of landscapes. modest quality in their Associations with particular Assets compromised by fabric or Historic landscapes individuals of local poor preservation historical associations. with importance. and/or importance to local poor survival of Historic Townscape or interest Poor survival of physical contextual built-up groups. areas in which activities associations. areas of limited historic occur or are integrity Historic landscapes associated. Assets of limited value, in their buildings, or built whose value is but settings. limited by poor with potential to preservation and/ contribute or poor survival of to local research contextual objectives. associations.

Table 4-13List of Heritage and Indegenous Buildings within IPIA

S. Important Heritage Site Distance from Year of Purpose of Use No Patna RFD Construction (Approx. m) 1 Gol-Ghar, Patna; 1000 1786 Tourist Place 2 Commissioner’ Office; 850 1952 Administration Office 3 St. Xavier’s School; 820 1940 School 4 Old Police Lines; 325 Administration Office 5 Graham’s House; 120 Administrative Office (ASI Circle office) 6 Victoria Jubilee Club; 120 1924 Club 7 St. Joseph’s Cathedral; 265 Religious 8 Anjuman Islamia Hall; 25 1885 Community Centre 9 Khuda Baksh Library; 222 1891 Academic 10 Wheler Senate Hall; 345 1926 Academic 11 Pathar Ki Masjid; 24 1621 Religious 12 Rajaji Mandir; 11 Religious Among these important heritage sites only Gol Ghar Patna, is an archeologically important site, which is about 1 km from the project area. The figures showing the locations of heritage and indigenous buildings are placed in Figure 4.18 and 4.19 respectively. The CIA report is placed in Annexure-1.6 and the recommendation of the report for restoring the heritage structures are given in Chapter 7.

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Figure 4.18: Locations of Heritage/Important Buildings within DPIA and IPIA

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Figure 4.19: Locations of Indigenous Buildings within Project Ghats

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4.4.5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS

The impact of this development project in stretch of 6.6 kilometres were identified through a series of exercises including social screening during early project preparation stage and detailed social impact assessment and public consultation in the project area. In addition to various positive project impacts perceived due to the proposed project intervention, some negative social impacts in terms of loss of structures/housings are also envisaged from the project.

Since the project does not involve any private land acquisition hence, there will not be any impacts on titleholders land or structures. As revealed from the social survey, a total of 229 residential structures all belong to non-titleholder i.e. squatters are likely to be affected by the project. The project impacts are due to mainly ghat development component. Out of 229 affected families, 194 will be affected due to ghat development and rest of the 35 will be affected due to construction of approach road. The social impact due to different activities of different project component is summarised here in Table- 4.13

Table 4-14: Component wise Project Affected Famililies

Number of Sl. No. Project Components Affected Families PAPs 1 Development of Ghats 194 943

2 Construction of Promenades 0 0 3 Community cum cultural centers. 0 0 4 Landscape work in the precinct zones 0 0 5 City level parks 0 0 6 Construction of Approach Roads* 35 160 Total 229 1103 * Only at Mahendru Ghat

However, in all non-titleholders affected structure 84.72 % are semi-permanent and rest included under temporary structures.

Socio - Economic Profile of PAFs

The total PAFs (229) contributes an average family size of 4-8. Their composition was slightly tilted in the favors of males at 54.31% as compared to 45.69% females. All affected people falls under Hindu religion in which 42.79 % included under Schedule Caste category while 52.14% comes under Other Backward Caste and rest are General Category. Most of the persons in this project affected area are illiterate (51.95 %) and

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married (86.03 %). For employment they are engaged in daily wage labour (165 out of total) hence, 62.45 % of PAFs limited to an income category of 3000-5000 per month. The possession of durable consumer items by the PAFs is shown in Table-4.14

Table 4-15: Details of Possession of Material in PAFs

Sl. Items Possession %age No. 1 Electric fan 79 34.50

2 Mobile phone 37 16.16

3 TV 27 11.79

4 Cycles 2 0.87

5 Rickshaw 1 0.44

6 Thela 2 0.87

7 Boat 5 2.18

Out of total 229 numbers of PAFs identified during the survey in which 24 female headed household will be affected by the project. Women’s status in illiteracy, work force participation rate, general health conditions etc. are found to very backward in project area. In PAFs, 39 females contribute their hand in income of their family through different employment. However, out of 39 women, 32 are engaged in daily wage labour job, five (5) are sweeper and one woman is contributing service and cattle rearing.

4.5 Conclusion

The base line environmental profile of the project influence area indicates that the air, water and noise quality of the project area is good and is within the permissible limits of the regulatory authorities. The aquatic and terrestrial ecology of the project area also does not present any sensitive species. However, presence of Gangetic Dolphins in the river, number of heritage structures along the river banks, residential structures and cattle sheds on the banks of the river, makes the sensitive from environmental and social impact point of view.

In addition, a few drainage and waste water channels also discharge into the river and could create conflicts with the construction and operation of the River Front Development Project. These aspects, requires particular attention in the assessment of impacts and development of mitigation measures for the project.

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5. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

Analysis of alternatives involves a thorough study of the possible future conditions in the project study area of the possible future conditions in the project area in response to a set of alternatives without the project or status quo condition. The development of ghats and promenade is proposed with a noble intention to provide:

 A comprehensive public place for the citizen of Patna a public spanning the entire city length, which at present is not available;  Enhance the safety during local festivals and minimizing water related pollution  Enhance the environment awareness among local people and to create a sense of pride of their city’s river edge.

Existing condition

The River edge is a discontinuous 6.6 km stretch of 28 Ghats-isolated and unconnected at the river edge. Some of the Ghats are very well connected with city and are actively used and some of them are only used at a local level due to their poor accessibility and connectivity to city but are well knitted and forms an important part of community structure as recreational space.

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EXISTING CONDITION- Isolated small Ghats with individual access

Access Access Access

City boundary Ghat Ghat Ghat River Isolated Ghats- not connected, hence limited use and view Small Ghats, hence less space for recreation

TRADITIONAL APPROACH

Access Access Access City boundary Ghat Ghat Ghat River Wide Ghats with bigger space for gathering and recreation, but still limited use because of individual access

The detailed strategies and overall design proposal can be understood from DPR chapter 4. In brief, the strategies followed to address the issues mentioned above are:

 Create an active urban edge to riverfront  Upgrade and organize access to ghats  Renew local potential  Structure existing open spaces connection to river  Ghat and promenade designs to provide multi use public space with facilities

5.1 With or Without Project Alternatives

Keeping in view the site conditions and the scope of development of the area, the ‘with’ and ‘without’ project scenarios have been compared as shown in Table 5.1. By looking at the table it can be concluded that “with” project scenario with positive/beneficial impacts will vastly improve the environment and enhance social and economic development of the region compared to the “without” project scenario, which will further deteriorate the present environmental setup and quality of life. Hence the “with” project scenario with minor reversible impacts is an acceptable option than the “without” project scenario

Limited impacts on vegetation are expected during construction. Little air and water pollution is expected from the proposed construction activities; however these are localized impacts and can be minimized with proper construction schedule and enclosing harmful construction within the ghat area. The possible storage of any kind of hazardous materials may need to be used carefully as the same has the potential to put risk

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on water quality. As part of the project, however no tree cutting is involved as revealed during the discussion with the project proponent.

Table 5-1: With and Without Project Scenario

Component With Project Scenario Without Project Scenario Selection of Ghats The ghats selected in the project are from Without the project, first of all for improvements Collectorate ghat till Naujar ghat. Study such scientific way of has been made to understand the development of ghat would not requirement of development for the happen. various ghats in the project area. It has been observed that from Digha Ghat to Collectorate ghat (the starting location of project) i.e. the river Ganga has shifted to a large extent and large extent of land mass surfaced. Hence the ghat development work has been taken up only from Collectorate ghat onwards.

A public Place for The proposed project would minimize the Without the project such Patna requirement of public place in Patna and opportunity of creating a public would enhance tourism potential and place would not have been attract tourists. achieved and other associated improvements like good approach road to ghats, green parks and gardens, promenades would not have been considered.

With the present proposal of improving Without the project, such the ghats and developing promenades opportunities are reduced and there will be easiness of gathering unhygienic and risky condition Easy of access number of people during the Chatt during the festivals would during Festival festivals and would minimize chances of prevail. mishaps during crowded festival time. Additionally, as part of the project apart

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Component With Project Scenario Without Project Scenario from developing the ghats, various exit routes are being provided to manage the devotees during emergency etc., if any.

The promenade has been designed after Without the project, there is no careful consideration of public usage. The connection between ghats facilities along the promenade provide along the river. comfortable walking stretches along with kiosks. In case of overcrowding in one Promenade ghat, the devotees are able to move to nearby ghats through the connection provided by promenade, thus providing a safer environment to large crowd gatherings along with recreational facilities. (DPR chapter 6) Environment These chances for awareness Education The development of the project with generation on Dolphins and Dolphin awareness centre will enhance environmental education will be the chances of minimizing the impact on very minimum without the river dolphins and aid in its conservation project. through creation of more awareness. .

Public Awareness With the proposed development the This opportunity is lost without chances of enhancing public awareness the development and the increases towards minimizing the river disposal of wastewater will pollution and disposal untreated waste continue. Environment These opportunities would be With the project environment friendly Friendly lost and flash flood and erosion embankment development like riparian embankment would continue. edge restoration, , control of flood through development (DPR landscape along the banks are possible chapter 7) Public Facilities With the project there will be facilities like These facilities and

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Component With Project Scenario Without Project Scenario public toilets, solid waste management, opportunities would be lost policing to minimize uncivilized activities without the development. (like taking alcohol and other narcotics) The facilities like toilet, solid waste disposal system and lifeguard stations- provide safety, awareness and prevent solid waste being disposed into the river. Development of The development of Crematoria at Gulbi Without the project the burning Crematoria at Gulbi ghat will be made with electric challah. with wood will continue and ghat Further, the place will be enclosed to disposal of waste materials into minimize the disposal of body ash, un Ganga will still continue. burnt wood and other ritual materials in

the river.

5.2 Good design aspects

 Accessibility

At present, ghats have disconnected access mostly encroached and narrow to commute. In the proposal, existing access to ghats are widened and enhanced for easy movement of the people. During festival times, emergency evacuation routes have been proposed leading away from each ghat with provision for ambulance parking and movement being directions one way, forming a loop system. Existing access roads identifies and enhanced, thus limiting the construction cost more economical.

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The project would instill a sense of pride in the citizens, thus creating awareness, causing behavior change and protecting the river and its ecology. The constant monitoring and usage would prevent unethical activities and illegal fishing.

 River Edge

Currently the river banks are prone to erosion and suffer from garbage dumping. The riparian edge restoration proposed in-between the ghats protect the erosion and retain the local flora and fauna preserving the existing environment. The presence of promenade and solid waste disposal system discourages tourists to discard garbage into river.

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Riparian within loose boulders, Gabions with grass, plants with native shrubs to control soil erosion and planting along the river edge.

To protect the littoral zone which provides the vital area for symbiotic exchange between the river and land, no new species of landscaping are proposed in the areas between the ghats. The existing flora and fauna are encouraged to remain and grow.  Construction techniques The construction techniques proposed are familiar to local workers; materials used are locally available thus preventing large transit of materials. Environmentally friendly materials (non-lead based paints etc.) are proposed in construction, finishes with natural stones are proposed for durability and aesthetically pleasing. Periodic inspection and supervision during construction ensures good practice.

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 Solid waste

At present garbage dumps are present along the river edge. The ghats and in between edges suffer from strewn garbage and lack of toilets leads to unhygienic conditions. Adequate solid waste collection bins and pick up and disposal locations are proposed along the promenade. Adequate public toilets are also proposed along each ghat location which is currently absent.

 Heritage buildings

Currently, buildings of heritage value remain neglected without proper use. The proposal incorporates the existing heritage and indigenous buildings in the development. This protects dilapidated buildings from further deterioration. Indigenous temples already popular amongst locals are identified and developed integrating current practices, with proposed activities. This enhances the local potential with minimum constructed intervention.

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 Trees

The river edge has number trees. In the proposal, Existing trees along the river edge have been marked, avoiding any construction around the tree. The promenade design meanders around the existing clusters, maximizing shade. Stilt construction provides flexibility to avoid roots of the trees to prevent damage to trees.

The design of the promenade meanders around existing tree clusters minimizing tree cutting as shown below

 Lighting and Water

Currently except for the functioning ghats, there are no street lights or general lighting present. The proposal includes LED lights conserving energy. Architectural features are highlighted, adequate street and post lights are proposed providing security and access in evenings. All kiosks and toilets are provided with water supply to facilitate the visitors.

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5.3 Technology Benefits

With the proposed development there will environment friendly embankment development which is intended towards the following:

 Riparian edge restoration, planting long edge for biodiversity for wildlife, carbon reduction, nutrient exchange along edge;  Control of flood and overflowing through landscape along the banks and engineering

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6. PUBLIC CONSULTATION & STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION

6.1 Introduction

Consultation is a process in the project cycle in which an attempt is made to involve the public as stakeholders in project preparation through consultation and focus group discussion meetings. Stakeholders’ participation and consultation have been viewed as a continual course of action, which promote public understanding and help eradicate hurdles in the way of the project. Consultation during project preparation as an integral part of the social assessment process not only minimizes the risks and unwanted propaganda against the project but also removes the gap between the community and the project formulators, which leads to timely completion of the project and making the project people friendly.

6.2 Methods of Public Consultation

Keeping in mind the objective of minimizing adverse impact and the need of the stakeholders’ participation for the smooth implementation of the project, consultation with the members of different sections of society, the affected people, identified vulnerable groups including women headed households, slum dwellers regular Ghat visitors, venders, boatman, vegetable seller, tourist and students of the project area were carried out. The consultation with vulnerable people was made with the aim of building awareness among them so that likely potential adverse impacts of the project on the target vulnerable population may be minimized. In this regard several meetings were organized at various locations, as detailed in this chapter. Consultations were carried at different level (Table 7.1) to elicit required information (their view & opinions).

Table 6-1: Level of Consultations

Key Stakeholders Types of Consultations Local communities Individual interview, field level observations, community consultations & meetings Political and Policy Makers Formal meetings and discussion

Individual affected households Census & Socio – economic Survey Tourists & Students Focus Group Discussions Women’s groups Focus Group Discussions Other vulnerable groups (SC, OBC etc.) Focus Group Discussions Fisher man and Boat mans Focus Group Discussions Vegetable seller Focus Group Discussions Slum dwellers Focus Group Discussions

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The main objectives of undertaking these consultations were:

 To seek inputs from the stakeholders on the project design and understand the priorities / concerns of the communities  To make affected persons aware of the project impacts and broad provisions of the R&R policy  Dissemination of information to build awareness among APs and inform them about the objective of the project.  Discuss about the training requirements to enhance their skills & restore the livelihood.

6.3 Focus Group Discussion with local communities

Public consultation is a continual process and has been carried out at all stages throughout the project period. In order to understand the issues of the potential APs, public consultations were conducted in all Ghats. Some of the Affected Persons expressed their views about the proposed ghat Development project. A total 8 such Focus Group discussion were conducted during the EIA preparation period. The name of Focus group discussion is given below:

FGD-1 : Local vegetable seller and boatman at Anta ghat

FGD2 : Local ghat Users in Mahendru ghat and Collectorate ghat

FGD3 : Slum population along river Ganga between Misri to Dr. T.N.Banerjee ghat

FGD4 : Common ghat users coming to ghat for passing time during evening period at Gandhi

ghat and Kali ghat

FGD5 : Relatives who gather in the funeral at the crematorium at Baikuntha Dham ghat

FGD6 : General Public discussion may be at some tourist place of the city (like Golaghar or

Gandhi Maidan to know their perception about ghat development work)

FGD7 : Local fishermen to understand their livelihood and possibility of any impact on them.

FGD8 : Discussion with local fishermen for discussion as part of river Dolphin, its observation

frequency, poaching provisions and use of its oil for fishing etc.

A summary of different issues discussed with the potentially affected persons are given below.

1. Public Consultation with Vegetable sellers Community at Anta Ghat, Patna Minutes

Date: 19th Sep, 2012 Time: 10:00 to 11:30 Place: Anta Ghat

Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYANTS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra

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3. Mr. Ashok kumar 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das

Name of participants: 1. Nanank Rai 2. Shambhu 3. Harinder 4. Subhas 5. Shatrughan 6. Rohit 7. Shiv Poojan 8. Virendar 9. Rajkumar 10. Nandoo 11. Asharfi Rai 12. Om Prakash

The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Construction of partially build religious structure  proper sanitation facilities to the Vegetable growers coming from Diara for selling their vegetables to the whole sale dealers  Construction of Pucca road up to the Ghat for better accessibility for commuters  cleaning of the Ghat and stop direct dumping of vegetable wastes in the river Ganga  Develop a sewerage treatment plant before this Ghat  Ensure participation of Vegetable Venders for the maintenance of Ghat after rejuvenation/ maintenance The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

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Public Consultation with local people at anta Ghat

2. Public Consultation held with Slum dwellers at Mahendu Ghat, Patna Minutes

Date: 19th Sep, 2012 Time: 12:00 to 1:30 Place: Mahendru Ghat Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das Name of participants: 1. Makhiya Devi 2. Rajan 3. Ganesh Ram 4. Amar Kumar 5. Abhishek Kumar 6. Kailash Kumar 7. Arvind Malik 8. Umesh Ram 9. Pradeep Kumar 10. Shambhu Ram The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Develop approach road Problem of direct access of the Ghat for the community  Develop an approach road for the access of Ghat by the slum dwellers/Ghat users

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 Improve the sanitation and basic facilities for the slum dwellers  Water logging problem in the slum  Employment Opportunity for Slum Dwellers during construction work The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

Public Consultation with the slum dwellers at Mahendru Ghat

3. Public Consultation on with Woman group at T N Banerjee Ghat, Patna Minutes Date: 20th Sep, 2012 Time: 10:00 to 12:30 Place: T N Banerjee

Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das Name of participants: 1. Jooli Kumari 2. Munni Devi 3. Asha Devi 4. Khushabu devi 5. Geeta Devi 6. Sadhana Devi 7. Chanda Devi 8. Mamata Devi 9. Keshari Devi 10. Seema kumara 11. Rajani Devi

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The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Problem of toilet and bathroom facility for woman  Lack of basic facilities like water, electricity in the slum  Employment issue also raised by woman and slum dwellers  Slum is situated at highly risk prone area

The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

Public Consultation at Dr. T.N.Banerjee Ghat

4. Public Consultation held with Vulnerable Community at Mishri Ghat, Patna Minutes

Date: 21th Sep, 2012 Time: 9:30 to 11:00 Place: Mishri Ghat Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok Kumar 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das Name of participants: 1. Uday Malik 2. Munna Ram 3. Sunil Malik 4. Sujeet Ram

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5. Kanhae Ram 6. Suraj Malik 7. Gudiya devi 8. Rinki devi 9. Manju 10. Videshwar Mahato 11. Lalan Mahato The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Construction for community toilets and sanitary latrines for slum dwellers  Problem of water and electricity for slum dwellers  Employment problem in vulnerable groups were found  Increase employment opportunity in construction work. APs should be given priority for getting employment.

Public Consultation with Mishri Ghat

5. Public Consultation held with Fisher Man and Boatman Community at Baharwa Ghat, Patna Minutes

Date: 21th Sep, 2012 Time: 12:00 to 1:00 Place: Baharwa Ghat Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra

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2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok Kumar 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das Name of participants: 1. Lalan yadav 2. Bachcha ray 3. Vijay Rai 4. Gulab Prasad 5. Amir lal 6. Styanarayan 7. Bhikhan Rai 8. Ashok Chand 9. Gopal Rai 10. Sujan Rai 11. Amarjeet Rai 12. Sanjay Rai The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Provide proper sanitation facilities along with efficient operation and maintenance system to the Fisher man/ boatman community using Ghat and regular Ghat visitors for taking bath in the Holy River  In the rejuvenation of Baharwa Ghat special emphasis should be given on the deepening of Ghats and sufficient space for boats man  In order to ensure proper cleaning of the Ghats dumping of solid waste must be stopped near river Ganga by community  Ensure participation of Fisher man/ boatman community for the maintenance of Ghat after rejuvenation The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

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Public Consultation With Local boatmen and fishermen

6. Public Consultation held with Ghat users at Gulbi Ghat (Vaikunth dham), Patna Minutes

Date: 21th Sep, 2012 Time: 1:30 to 2:30 Place: Gulbi Ghat

Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das

Name of participants: 1. Naresh Thakur 2. Gulshan Thakur 3. Chotu Kumar 4. Shobhit Singh 5. Sakaldeep Singh 6. Pradip Singh 7. Ramavtar Rai 8. Maheshwar Rai 9. Janardan Pandit 10. Rampukar Rai 11. Rameshwar Singh The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief

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summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Lack of space on the Ghat for people who comes for buried the dead bodies  Approach road is congested because of vendors sitting along the road.  Ghat should be wide and attractive.  Provision for proper sanitation facilities for the Ghat users

The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

Consultation with local people at Gulbi Ghat-Crematorium

7. Public Consultation held with Students at Patna Collage Ghat, Patna Minutes

Date: 21th Sep, 2012 Time: 3:00 to 4:00 Place: Patna Collage Ghat

Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS 1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok Kumar 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das 5. Name of participants: 1. Manish Tiwari 2. Ramayan Ram 3. Sunil Jaiswal 4. Shakti Singh 5. Sushil Kumar

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6. Amit Singh 7. Aman Singh 8. Rajesh Yadav 9. Mulchand Agrawal 10. Rajveer Singh 11. Pawan Kumar The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Approach should be improved of all the Ghats so one can reach easily with their vehicle.  Availability of Safe Drinking water facility should be ensured at each Ghat.  Fixation of Dustbins at various places and provision of modern Sanitation facility should be provided at each Ghat  Provision of good quality canteens at major Ghats should be ensured  Disposal of sewerage system directly in to rivers must be stopped immediately..  Student should involve in Awareness campaign regarding Saving of Holy Ganga.

The meeting was concluded by Mr. Y. P. Mishra followed by vote of thanks given by Mr. Ashok Kumar.

Consultation with Students at Patna College

8. Public Consultation held with Tourists and Regular Ghat visitors at Gandhi Ghat, Patna Minutes Date: 21th Sep, 2012 Time: 4:30 to 6:00 Place: Gandhi Ghat Attended by: Consultancy team from VOYATS

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1. Dr. Dushyant Mishra 2. Mr. Y P Mishra 3. Mr. Ashok Kumar 4. Mr. Avadhesh Das Name of participants: 1. Ankit Kumar 2. Rahul Raj 3. Prem Mishra 4. Susheel Kumar Singh 5. Uma Kumari 6. Madhavi Kumari 7. Birendra Singh 8. Nand Jee Singh 9. Radjeet Sharma 10. Vinod Sharma 11. Jitendra Shrivastav 12. Padmeshchand Shrivastav The public consultation meeting was flagged-off by Dr. Dushyant Mishra who welcomed the participants and briefed them about the agenda of the meeting. Further the meeting was carried forward by Mr. Y P Mishra, who presented the details about the NGRBA project, future government plans, possible assistance by World Bank, stake-holder participation during the project, etc. A brief summary of all the important points discussed during the meeting are mentioned in the following points:

 Development of proper approach roads for all weather. .  Drinking water facility should be ensured properly  Daily cleaning of Ghat for attracting more spiritual tourists during Aarti.  Park should be developed and clothes should not be dry on the railings of the park  Proper place should be determined for the spiritual activities (Mundan etc.)  Development/ increase of cafeteria and its modernization according to the social needs  Safety of tourists from bad elements in and around the Ghat area.

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Public Consultation with the local people at Gandhi ghat with local tourists

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6.4 Public Consultation with Stakeholders

In additional to the Focus Group discussions, a city level public consultation was held on 30th August 2013 at 11.00 am in Krishna Memorial Hall in Patna, to seek inputs from the larger stakeholders.

Necessary advertisements in local media and communications were issued prior to the meeting to inform the public about the meeting. This advertisement cum invitation was published in reputed news papers (bith national and local) for the announcement of the public consultation meeting indicating the date and venue of the meeting. The advertisement is given in photoplate below.

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Mr. Mishra, GM, BUIDCo introduced the audience about the religious and other aesthetic importance of river Ganga and also highlighted the exiting scenario. He also appraised about the government initiative to protect and maintain the quality of river Ganga. In this continuation, Mr. Mishra welcomed their own Managing Director and DPR Consultant to explain more about the BUIDCo and this RFD Project.

Managing Director explained the entire project in connection with importance of river Ganga with local people. He also emphasised that development will be in eco sustainable manner. Finally, after presentation of project through PPT a video was presented that presents the proposed RFD project. Number of suggestions and comments were later emerged from the public during the subsequent discussions and these are summarized in Table 6.2.

Table 6-2: Outcome of Stakeholder Participation Meeting as Held on 30th August 2013.

S.No. Issues/Suggestions Response from BUIDCo/DPR Consultant 1. There is a need to develop other ghats as well Development of other ghats is being from Digha to Collectorate ghat. considered by GoB. 2. What about the management practices opted A well framed system has been proposed for for construction of tent during construction construction of construction camps with phase and solid waste management practices proper sanitation facility and with the help of Patna Municipal Corporation the MSW management will be taken care. 3. Crematoria system near Digha ghat should be As this ghat is not in the project area, this developed which may reduce the burden on will be presented to GoB. other ghat of Patna 4. There is an existence of siltation problem in This issue is beyond the current scope of river Ganga, Gandak and Kosi, Which reduces the RFD project. the water availability along the ghats. 5. There is need to change human behavior This aspect is being considered as part of regarding control to level of pollution in Ganga the awareness program proposed in project. and also need to involve local people for security purposes. 6. During peak rain fall time, will any landscape Designing has been done by considering get affected and can we do cycling on these factors. ; The project proposes only pathway. pedestrian pathway and no cycling will be possible. 7. We should think more about open landscaping Designing has been done by considering rather than construction and the engagement these factors. of local people for labour purposes will be appreciated.

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S.No. Issues/Suggestions Response from BUIDCo/DPR Consultant 8. Heritage and old monuments should be This aspect has been considered in the preserved and renovated and this project and specialized agencies are development should be sustainable in both working on protection and conservation of engineering and environmental aspects. the structures. 9. There should be a particular ghat or place for Proper facility of access roads is proposed disposal of god or goddess statue during as part of the project along with various different festive season. Facility of access refuge access routes for safety purposes. road should be provided for this purpose. 10. Untreated disposal from different point through These have considered in the project, as far nallah should be avoided. as feasible and will be further improved in the proposed city level sewerage project. 11. Is there any scheme of development for The Managing Director of BUIDCo replied people/structure, which gets affected from this that without compensation or rehabilitation development project. or resettlement, the project will not move forward. An NGO has been assigned the task of developing suitable measures for the rehabilitation of the affected people/Families. 12. The remaining ghats of Patna should be The Managing Director of BUIDCo joined through this development. answered that they can be considered in another phase.

The program ended with Vote of Thanks from Mr. Mishra to all the persons present in the consultation program. The photgraphs of the public consultation meeting is given below:

Location of Consultation Banner of Consultation Program

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Gathering in the Consultation Meeting People expressing their views, suggestions

Reply of a raised question by M.D of BUIDCo Video forcasting based on RFD project

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7. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES

7.1 INTRODUCTION

This Chapter presents an anticipated impacts that are likely as a result of the project, identified based on the analysis of project activities and the environmental elements of the project area.

7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL FACTORS:

During the initial site visit to the project site between During September 2012, almost all the existing ghats were visited to identify the major Environmental and Social factors as per the guidelines of WB and ESMF of NGRBA. The factors which were looked into include:

7.2.1 Environmental Factors:

• Change in Landuse and drainage pattern • Change in channel hydraulics, triggering erosion and siltation problem either at in-situ or elsewhere along the course of the river • Impact due to inadequate solid and liquid waste disposal arrangements • Inadequate sanitation, health and safety facilities • Impact on river water quality due to proposed amenities • Impact on environmental aesthetics and cultural values • Impact on natural habitat (if any)

7.2.2 Social Factors:

• Land availability/requirement; • Loss of structures • Loss of livelihood • Impacts on common property resources etc. These factors were considered while preparing the project impact and its mitigation measures during the construction as well as operation stages of the project.

7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES-CONSTRUCTION STAGE

7.3.1 Quarries and Crushers

Excavation of quarries and borrow pits for obtaining rocks, soil and aggregate materials for the construction of bathing ghats and promenades and other construction items is proposed under this project. Also sand, cement, steel and other materials would be required as part of the project. It has been estimated that as part of the project around 10,000-15,000m3 of aggregates are required for the construction purpose.

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Mitigation Measure:

The quarry materials shall be sourced from approved local quarries. All other construction material shall be procured by the contractor from agencies / sites approved by the regulatory authorities, as applicable.

All existing quarries from where the contractor obtains the material, shall comply with the Guidelines for Existing Quarry Management of ESMP (Annexure 1.1). .

7.3.2 Cultural and Heritage Resources:

Along the ghats there are about 26 cultural resources like temples, indigenous buildings, mosques and other old buildings (Please refer table 4.11) within the DPIA along with some other buildings within IPIA (refer table 4.13 in Chapter-4). Though none of the buildings are of Archeological Important Sites (except Goal Ghar which is 1 km away from site) however chances of vibration impact to these buildings during the construction activities is high. According to INTACH’s preliminary report on Cultural Impact Assessment, the City of Patna has few officially protected monuments and detailed survey of the heritage buildings at the riverfront is required as many of these building have importance being already recognized by books, researchers and also by the population. As per the CIA report, INTACH has given the following recommendations for mitigating the potential impacts as listed below:

Archeological , Built Heritage and Historic Landscape Impact Due to the proposed RFD project and its construction activities there could be direct or indirect impact on the building structures of those listed in the CIA report as well as placed in table 4.11 of the EIA report (Refer chapter-4). Especially the structures with Grade-I and Grade-II require adequate attention. Mitigation Measures:  Mitigate the adverse effect on Built Heritage and Historical Landscape through design interventions that respect the historic character of the buildings and some historic areas;  Reuse of heritage structures instead of demolitions;  Avoid vibration close to buildings during construction;  Undertake ground investigations on site after excavations and removal of vegetation, before starting the construction works;  During the construction work ensure effective monitoring of the site to safeguard any unknown archaeological resource discovered during construction work on site;

Spatial and Visual Impacts: There could be potential that the proposed RFD and the structures proposed under the project may obstacle the visual of these heritage buildings from the river front.

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Mitigation Measures:

Avoid/minimize visual onstruction of the heritage buildings through designs that will highlight the buildings and with coherent typologies.

The report also emphasized to take care of the environmental and social and community impacts. The related mitigation measures are already discussed in this EIA report as well as in the Resettlement Action Plan report prepared separately for the this project and given as a summary in Annexure 1.3. Additionally as part of the project following mitigation measures shall be taken up:

Mitigation Measure:  No major piling work to be involved. However if it is involved then the site of piling work shall be carefully selected to avoid any vibration related impact to these temples/religious structures etc. along the ghat. Vibration damper shall be used to minimize the impact of vibration to cultural resources as felt suitable. Instead of normal piling hydraulic or vibro5 hammer shall be used especially for those heritage building which are within 25 m distance from Ghat;  Adequate diversion signs shall be displayed in the access route for the devotees towards these cultural heritage and temples.  Warning signs shall be given if there is any large excavation, piling work and scaffolding work involved.  Night time construction shall be avoided and proper lighting shall be given in the construction areas as well as in the access route of the devotees during the evening/night time to avoid any accidents.  A conservation architect shall be deployed to guide the contractor on identification and on conservation of structures in the project area ;  Demolition of any heritage structure shall be not be done  Chance find of any heritage structure / remnants during construction shall be immediately reported to the authorities and shall comply with Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

Cultural and Heritage resources are shown in Figure 4.18 and Figure 4.19 respectively. Further the report of INTACH is annexed as Annexure 1.6.

5 Hydraulic and Vibro hammer work with a core cutting technology and puts the pile all together instead of normal piling and hammering. The advantage is that it reduces the noise of normal piling work.

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7.3.3 Loss of Structures

The project construction work may require clearance of 229 structures along the banks. As per the social impact assessment identifies impacts on about 229 PAFs for rehabilitation and resettlement. . The debris generated from the demolition of these structures shall also be managed carefully.

Mitigation Measures:

Prior to the demolition of the structures all the affected families shall be compensated as per the requirements of NGRBA ESM and shall be relocated at a suitably (as per the plans given in the SIA and RAP report prepared separately as part of the project. The summary of the RAP report is given in Annexure-1.4. The RAP budget proposed under project is given table 7.1.

Table 7-1: RAP Budget

S.No Entitlement Unit Quantity Amount (In Rs)

1 Compensation for Dwelling Unit 229@Rs 34350000 Structure 150000 (as per Rajiv Awas Yojna)

2 Assistance for Cattle Cattle Shed 25@ Rs 15000 375000 Shed per cattle shed

3 Shifting Assistance PAFs 229@Rs 10000 2290000

4 ERG to Cattle shed PAFs 25@10000 250000 owner

5 Special Assistance to PAFs 164@10000 1640000 Vulnerable PAFs

Sub-Total (A) 38905000

6 RAP Implementation Cost for NGO 1800000

7 M&E Cost 800000

8 Contingency (5%) 1717500

Sub-Total (B) 4317500

Grand Total 43222500

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The debris generated from the structures shall be reused as far as possible and the left over material shall be disposed at a suitable location with approval from the ‘Engineer’ and the ‘Environmental Specialist’ on the project. In no case, no debris shall be disposed into the river Ganga.

7.3.4 Generation of Dust:

There would not be any crushing activities involved in the project and hence chances of fugitive emission are negligible.

Though the project does not involve huge construction activities as such, still the following activities have the potential for dust generation during construction stage:

 Excavation work for demolishing the old stairs in the project ghats as well as demolition of buildings and structures;  Construction of new ghats, promenade and other structures as proposed;  Movement of vehicles carrying construction materials;

Mitigation Measure:

 Area of dust generation to be suppressed by spraying of water through sprinklers;  The demolition work for building and structures shall be carried out in a controlled manner , so that dust generation is minimum;  Necessary protection shall be provided during demolition, to avoid spillage of debris in to the River  The debris shall be cleared on the same day to storage or disposal site, as needed.  Necessary dust cover arrangements shall be provided to the public and sensitive buildings around the demolitions site  Workers involved in the demolition shall be provided with face mask to minimize impact on their health.  Regular pollution under check for construction vehicles shall be made;  Further, idling of vehicles to be stopped during construction period;  Automatic diesel logger may be installed in vehicles to minimize idling

7.3.5 Noise and Vibration:

The project involves piling work due to the construction of ghat, promenade and building which may generate noise during the construction. The project area being surrounded by number of old and heritage buildings and some manmade sensitive locations like schools and hospitals (refer list of schools and hospitals in section 4.1 in Chapter-4) therefore impact from noise and vibration is a concern. Further Dolphin’s entire life system depends on echo-location, noise pollution in its habitat is harmful for this species.

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Mitigation Measures:

 Hydraulic or Vibro pilling shall be adopted instead of normal sheet pilling. This reduces the vibration and noise to a large extent;  Construction activities especially the use of impact pile drivers shall be restricted during evening and night time hours (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.)  All jackhammers and pavement breakers used on the construction site shall be fitted with manufacturer’s approved exhaust muffler.  Use of pneumatic impact equipment shall be restricted 100m from noise sensitive locations, cultural resources during night time. Instead of pneumatic hammers electric, hydraulic hammers could be used.  The local power grid shall be used to limit generator noise  Provision of ear-plugs to contractors exposed to high noise levels.  Provision of temporary noise barrier at sensitive locations (like schools and hospitals), especially at following locations: - B.N College; - Darbhanga House; - Patna College; - Khuda Baksh Library; - Tekari House (though not a school but a heritage building very near to Ghat); - Badshah Nawabi Girl’s high school; - Patna Medical College and Hospital

7.3.6 Sanitation and Waste Generation:

The construction camp for the workers may have issues related with safe drinking water, sanitation and solid waste generation. These if not properly managed may go to river Ganga.

Mitigation Measure:

Workers shall be provided with adequate sanitation and waste management facilities in their construction camps. Makeshift toilets shall be prepared in the camps and waste from the toilets shall be provided with septic tank and soak pit. The location of the construction camp shall be at least 200m away from the river bank.

Some of the possible locations where the construction camp may be established include the following:

 Option-1: Area near to Gandhi setu where Gammon Construction Company used the site for the construction of Gandhi setu  Option-2: Open area near back side of Gai Ghat;

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 Option-3: At the left bank of river Ganga at Hajipur site. In this case the materials and labour are to be brought to the project site through Gandhi setu;

Waste management activities shall also be undertaken and biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes shall be separately collected and taken to the nearby waste collection point placed by Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC). At every access street to the Ghat, PMC has secondary collection point responsible for pick up and disposal of garbage. The primary locations are along the promenade as recycle bins at every ghat, toilet, kiosk and along the promenade. The guideline towards establishing the construction camp is given in Annexure 1.3. and shall comply with the Building and Other Construction Workers Rules (BOWCR) of Government of India.

7.3.7 Impact on Utilities:

As part of the project there are no utility lines (like water supply, sewer lines) in the project are and thus chances of disturbance to such utility channels are negligible during the construction work.

However, there are two lateral drains which discharges wastewater from other parts of the city into Ganga mainly at Anta Ghat and at Krishna Ghat. The project proposes divert these channels through rehabilitation of the existing trunk sewer and will be connected to the existing STP at Saidpur. This STP currently receives around 33 MLD of sewage (against the total capacity of 45 MLD) and the load from Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat altogether will be 6.64 MLD. There is already a trunk sewer that connects these ghats connecting to Saidpur STP. Hence it is feasible to divert the discharge from Anta Ghat and Krishna ghat to Saidpur STP. The existing trunk sewer line and pump house that is closed present due to maintenance problems may be restored with suitable improvements. This activity shall be taken up and implemented separately by BUIDCo.

7.3.8 Integration of Drainage with Patna RFD:

As indicated in Chapter-4, at 2 locations namely Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat Drainage channel along with city sewage get disposed off at river Ganga. Although such impacts are not directly generated from the present RFD project, however such discharge of sewage at places of River front may pose aesthetic impact to the visitors and tourists. If such sewage discharge is continued then bathing at these ghats may not be allowed during the operation stage of the RFD.

Mitigation Measure:

As indicated in section 7.3.7, these channels will be diverted to the existing trunk sewer, as a long term measure, rehabilitation of the sewerage network and augmentation of Saidpur STP shall be taken on priority, to ensure the wastewater from these channels is diverted permanently from the river front. The DPR for the sewage network and STP augmentation is in the advance stage of preparation and the approval decision for the same is expected shortly.

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7.3.9 Loss of vegetation and tree cutting:

Clearance of vegetation, bushes is involved in the project but no tree cutting is involved. Additionally new public parks and landscape areas shall be created in the project.

7.3.10 Impacts on Dolphin:

Based on the outcome of primary survey and secondary information (chapter 4) it has been reported that Gangetic Dolphin is present in the Ganga stretches of Patna.

Dolphin Movement Path Ghat Development Sand Deposit

Figure 7.1: Dolphins Movement

Based on discussions with ZSI6 and Forest department, higher frequency of dolphins movement is reported at three locations in the study area (within 10 km from project boundary). They are

 Ganga – Gandhak confluence site  Danapur - Punpun Bridge  Fatwah – Trivani Ghat.

(Source: Zoological Survey of India, Patna, Bihar)

Further as part of the project, Professor Ravindra Kumar Sinha of Patna Science College (a renowned expert on Gangetic Dolphins in India) was engaged by BUIDCo to assess the impact of the proposed RFD project on Gangetic Dolphin:

6 Zoological Survey of India, the only taxonomic organization in the country involved in the study of all kinds of animals from Protozoa to Mammalia, occurring in all possible habitats from deepest depth of the ocean to the peaks of Himalaya, was established on 1st July, 1916 to promote survey, exploration and research leading to the advancement in our knowledge of the various aspects of the exceptionally rich animal life.

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The report identifies that in the last 2 decades the course of Ganga has shifted away from the city of Patna from Digha to Collectorate ghat. Thus currently the dolphin habitat close to river front is from Collectorate Ghat and upstream (away from the locations of the proposed ghats). In addition, the left bank of the river at Patna is protected by brick and boulder pitching since long back as this bank have found to be the erosion side of the river. The boulders and bricks along the river bank have been found to be good habitat for many of the invertebrates and breeding sites for some of the important fish species. The Dolphin feeds on small size (usually about 10cm long or less) fish as its gullet is very small. Occasionally it also feeds on mud dweller small fishes, snails, insect larvae etc. while groveling in the bottom mud. Littoral zones of rivers i.e. close to the river banks are preferred habitat for small fishes and invertebrates. Thus the stretches close to the banks of the river are good foraging ground for the Dolphins.

Dolphins are also observed near cremation ghats, ferry ghats, bathing and washing ghats. It is understood that in the area of human activities like bathing and washing ghats, ferry ghats and cremation ghats, people tend to throw some edible items which could attract fishes and ultimately Dolphin.

As the Gangetic Dolphin is ‘blind’ and its entire life system depends on echo-location, noise pollution in its habitat is dangerous for this species. Further many cases of strikes with motorized vessel have been observed to be fatal for the dolphin in and around Patna. The preliminary report of Professor Sinha is attached as Annexure 1.5.

Mitigation Measure Proposed in Project:

Based on this report of Prof. Sinha the following mitigation measures are proposed in the implementation of the project:  The mesh size of the iron wire to be used to fix the boulders below the steps at ghats close to the water line or river edge should be four inches instead of eight inches. The boulders should be in the river water even in the leanest months. The invertebrates and fishes should have access to the boulder pitching.  No indigenous grass should be planted in the landscape terrace between two ghats as in these spaces natural amphibious/aquatic grasses of riparian zone of the river grow which are breeding grounds for various terrestrial and aquatic insects and provides habitats for amphibious/aquatic invertebrates. The planted grasses will get destroyed due to deposition of fresh mud during flood every year. Whereas the natural amphibious/aquatic grasses germinate and grow as a natural process every year. It is advisable that landscaped terraces should not be allowed to dump solid waste and be used as open lavatory It should not be allowed for cattle wallowing.  There should be minimum or no noise under water during the implementation of the project. If nay mechanized boat is being used during the implementation of the project the same must have propeller guard.

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In addition, a Dolphin Information Centre an exhibition cum awareness generation centre for common public is proposed at Gai Ghat. Further to ensure, avoidance of impacts on dolphins during the operation phase of the project, BUIDCo is working with Prof.Sinha, to carry out a detailed assessment of impacts of the project on Gangetic Dolphins and his recommendations will be implemented appropriately.

Further as part of Dolphin Conservation, Government of India has already established an Working group under the chairmanship of Prof R.K.Sinha as well as an advisory committee. The working group has also prepared a Conservation Action Plan report which has been disclosed in the website of NGRBA. Further to this advisory committee, Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) are actively getting involved in identifying various dolphin conservation measures in critical stretches of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In this regard, Centre for Environment and Education (CEE0 was already entructes with a project of community awareness for a span of 2 years (july 2010 to September 2012). As part fo the program, CEE has established a network of 15 NGOs, 525 schools, 470 teachers and several stakeholders . The programme components included:  Research and Documentation;  IEC material Development and Production;  Review Workshop;  Orientation of Partner Agencies;  Teachers Training Programs;  School activities;  Dolphin Melas;  Regional Dolphin Camps;  Additional initiatives

Talks are on with this group as well as reputed institutes like WWF, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) and various forest and wildlife divisions in India towards making joint effort for Dolphin conservation considering its legal, scientific and awareness requirements. Govt. of India has already declared Dolphin as National Aquatic animal.

7.3.11 Clearing of Existing Solid Waste humps:

Solid waste dumps are seen all along the edge of river Ganga and during monsoon they get washed into the Ganga. The waste is generally disposed by the local community who does not have facility for primary collection point. These locations include:  Collectorate Ghat;  Krishna Ghat;  Bharwa Ghat;

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 Law College Ghat;  Rani Ghat;  Gai Ghat

Figure 7.2: Open disposal of Solid Waste near to Ganga Ghats

Mitigation Measures: During the construction stage the existing waste as found accumulated in the project area shall be taken and will be handed over to the secondary collection point of Patna Municipal Corporation. Additionally Masonry bins are being proposed to cater to the waste generated from the communities so that they are regularly cleaned and disposed through smaller vehicles and ultimately taken to the larger vehicle for disposing to the disposal site of Patna Municipal Corporation. The detailed drawings of the Solid Waste Masonry bins are given in the impact from solid waste as described in Operation Stage.

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7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES-OPERATION STAGE

7.4.1 Physiography and Drainage:

Impact:

The proposed ghat development activities for the project involve development of existing ghats, preparation of walkway and promenade above the banks and restoration of riparian edge. As such there is no such change in drainage network . However a localized increase in river portion velocity is likely when it comes in contact with the ghat section and this increase in speed may sometime create increased drag to the open bank immediately after the project construction section.

Mitigation Measure:

The chances of increase of river flow speed with the development of ghat and localized erosion will be minimum as immediately after the ghat there will be riparian edge restoration and embankment protection with gabion structure will persist. This will reduce the localized water speed and thereby would minimize the chances of in-situ erosion.

Further at the bottom there will be boulder pitching throughout which will maintain the speed of the water and localized increase of speed is not envisaged.

7.4.2 River Water Quality:

 It is envisaged that with the development of the project there would be increase in all sorts of population along the ghats and promenades and hence chances of pollution to river water is expected (mainly solid waste and sanitation issues).  Further during the various Hindu rituals and festive season various pious refuse are also disposed which when biodegrade pollute the river body. Mitigation Measure7: The number of existing visitors at each ghat at present is around 100. However, after completion of the project the expected population coming to each ghat would be around 400-500. The total population expected at a time for all the 20 ghats is about 8000-10,000.

Hence the total sewage generation considering 60% of visitor will use toilet at least once the quantum of sewage generation would be:

0.6*10000*5(ltr) = 30000 Liter i.e. 30 KLD.

As part of the project 24 toilets are being proposed in the project and toilets shall be proposed in the promenade with a septic tank and soak pit arrangement. During the special events like Chaat, Govt. PMC provides makeshift toilets like mobile toilets to take care of the situation. The waste water will be disposed by the PMC and will be treated in the STPs. Further to cater the run-off from the promenade

7 This compliance mitigation measure is given on the basis of observation received from NMCG and World Bank on draft ESIA report. The compliance to all such observations are given in Annexure 1.7.

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ad pathways interceptor drain is being proposed which will be connected to existing drainage lines along the access road. The interceptor drain drawings are given along with DPR in the following DPR drawings in section A:

 PROM/PH-01.1  PROM/PH-01.2  PROM/PH-01.3  PROM/PH-01.4 The drawing of toilets is given figure 7.4 and 7.5 may also be referred as DPR drawing number TB/A- 01.

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Figure 7.3 : Toilet Block as Proposed in the Project

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Figure 7.4 : Proposed toilet Blocks (WC)

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Small mesh barrier are proposed to screen the pious refuse. Once screened these pious refuse may be taken by safai karmachari to be disposed off to dustbins.

The mesh barrier shall be given at each ghat. The mesh barrier will be constructed at the downstream of the ghat with extension into the river around 20m perpendicular to the direction of flow and then a bend against the direction of the flow for 2m.

The height of the mesh should be approximately 2/3rd of the stair height (measured from the lowest levels of the stairs). The mesh shall be iron mesh with sizes of 1”x1” mesh size (Mesh code A25)

During festive season makeshift toilet arrangement shall be made in addition to the toilets proposed in the project.

7.4.3 Solid Waste Generation8 :

Impacts:

 The projected population in each ghat after the completion of the project is expected to be around 400. The quantum of waste generation could be around 200gm/capita. Hence the total waste generation from 20 ghats would be around = 400*20*200/1000=1600 kg (400 is the maximum expected population);  Chances of little generation is there along the promenade and pathways;  During festive season and when huge numbers of pilgrims gather at various ghats, additional waste collection bin facility is generally provided by urban local body. Additionally, as part of the project few such bins are proposed so that no direct waste disposal is being made to the river body;  Huge vegetable waste being seen dumped at Anta Ghat vegetable market area which leads to unhygienic condition; and,  Community near the area used to put solid waste in the bank of river Ganga which ultimately goes to Ganga through inundation during monsoon.  Also no regular waste collection. Mitigation Measures:

 To take care of this quantum of waste 4 dustbins will be provided in each ghat and each dustbin will have capacity of 20 kg. Hence capacity of waste collection= 4*20*20=1600 kg;  In additional along the promenades for a total length of 5000m a total of 254 number of litter bins (i.e. 1 liter bin per 20 m length) shall be provided with capacity of 1 kg each. This when used in full capacity can take care of 254 kg of solid waste;

8 This compliance mitigation measure is given on the basis of observation received from NMCG and World Bank on draft ESIA report. The compliance to all such observations are given in Annexure 1.6.

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 In Anta ghat area, for the fresh vegetable market 2 big dustbins of 4.5m3 capacity has been proposed so that the waste generated from the market can be taken care.  To avoid open disposal of solid waste by the communities at 6 identified location as mentioned in section 7.3.11, masonry bins shall be provided.  Since the waste collection in Ganga ghat area has been observed quite regular Waste Collection vehicles are proposed to be procured. Since the access roads will be on an average 4m wide therefore smaller tippers may be proposed which may ultimately dispose the waste to bigger tipper truck to dispose the waste to the disposal site of Patna Municipal Corporation.  The drawing of masonry waste collection point is shown in Figure 7.5.  The generated waste will be collected everyday by the maintenance staff and the collected waste will be disposed to the secondary collection points to the nearby areas provided by PMC.  Apart from these identified projects, as part of the EMP a detailed environmental awareness program has been proposed with the involvement of local schools. The awareness program can be in the forms of waste cleaning, road play along the promenades.  The budget for the proposed solid waste management is given in table 7.3 below:

Table 7-2: Budget for Solid Waste Management

S.No Description of Item No. Of Units Unit Cost Total Cost Coverage (INR Rupees) (INR Rupees) 1 4 dustbins at each ghat 80 10000 8,00,000 Civil Cost with 20 kg capacity 2 Litterbins with 1 kg 254 6000 15,24,000 Civil Cost capacity 3 Compactor dustbins at 2 70000 140000 O&M Cost Anta Ghat with capacity 4.5 m3 4 Masonry dustbins 6 60000 360000 O&M Cost 5 Hydraulic Dumper Placer 1 600000 600000 O&M Cost 6 Auto tipper 2 700000 1400000 O&M Cost 7 Hooper with front end 1 800000 800000 O&M Cost loader Total Cost of SWM 5624000 Total Civil Cost 2324000 Civil Cost Total O&M Cost 3264000 O&M Cost

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Figure 7.5: Open disposal of Solid Waste near to Ganga Ghats

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7.4.4 RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY MEASURES:

As part of the project risk assessment and safety measures, carrying capacity approach has been taken to understand the withstand capacity of the ghats as well as promenade for the maximum number of population. Various tailor made safety measures are accordingly being proposed in the project:

 Carrying capacity of the safety aspects:

The aspect of carrying capacity is related to the carrying capacity of the Ghats as well as the promenades in which during the festive season generally large number of people gathers.

One of the good aspects of the project is that it will provide a large space to the devotees instead of conglomeration of large density of people in one ghat. Project ghats and associated promenade will facilitate to spread the devotees so that the concentration of large number of people at one place is reduced.

 Calculation of carrying capacity on Ghats and Promenade:

The proposed Ghats are of the configuration of 60mx20-30m with a depth ranging between 24-30m.

The total area of a ghat approximately varies between 60x20=1200 sq.m to 60x30=1800 sq.m.

For example in anta ghat the area is 1800 sq. m where nearly 2-3 persons per Sq.m can be allowed and thus it becomes around 5000 persons in Anta ghat that can be allowed at a time.

The load calculations are based upon IS code with a reference of 6 kilo Newton/sq.m.

It is estimated that overall around 1,00,000 people can be allowed with the proposed design of the Ghats at a time within the 6.5 km of proposed project areas. The list of people allowable in each ghat is given in table 7.3.

Table 7-3: Carrying Capacity Calculation for each of project ghats

Sl. Name of Ghats Size of Total Area Person accommodate No. the Ghats of the Ghats at Ghats

1 Anta ghat (60x30) m 1800 sqm 5400 person

2 B.N.College ghat (60x24.50) m 1470 sqm 4400 person

3 Adalat ghat (70x25.80) m 1806 sqm 5400 person

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Sl. Name of Ghats Size of Total Area Person accommodate No. the Ghats of the Ghats at Ghats

4 Mishri ghat (60x35) m 2100 sqm 6300 person

5 T.N. Banerjee ghat (60x31.80) m 1908 sqm 5700 person

6 Krishna ghat (70x24.6) m 1722 sqm 5100 person

7 Brahva ghat (60x35) m 2100 sqm 6300 person

8 Rani ghat (60x28) m 1680 sqm 5000 person

9 Gulbi ghat (40 x 10) m 400 sqm 100 person

10 Ghagha ghat (60x28) m 1680 sqm 5000 person

11 Raushan ghat (60x24.50) m 1470 sqm 4400 person

12 Choudhary Tola ghat (60x27.80) m 1668 sqm 5000 person

13 Pathri ghat (70x35) m 2450 sqm 7300 person

14 Alamganj ghat (70x35) m 2450 sqm 7300 person

15 Laurwa ghat (60x27) m 1620 sqm 4800 person

16 Hanuman ghat (60x27) m 1620 sqm 4800 person

17 Raja ghat (70x23.80) m 1666 sqm 5000 person

18 Gai ghat (40x46.45) m 1858 sqm 5500 person

19 Bhadra ghat (90x40) m 3600 sqm 10000 person

20 Mahavir ghat (60x40) m 2400 sqm 7000 person

21 Nauzar ghat (60x40) m 2400 sqm 7000 person

Accordingly safe structural designs are being incorporated in the project.

Health and Safety Measures: In addition to carrying capacity the project will also undertake following general health and safety measures are given below:

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 Belts all along the ghats;  PPE use;  Inaccessibility to children; (Construction Netting);  Medical check-up;  Local labour will be hired for the project to the extent possible and no camping along the project areas would be allowed;  4 ambulances (for 2 years of project construction period) shall be provided for any type of medical emergency;  Contacts with nearby hospital, primary health centres etc. shall be established;  Reporting format for accidents and near miss accidents shall be prepared and will be maintained and will be monitored on fortnightly basis by the SHE (Safety, Health and Environmental ) officer of the project;  Chaat festival will be restricted to these ghats during construction period;  Side Access for pedestrian movements at Mahendru ghat;  Refuge access;  All along promenades for better accessibility  One way traffic to ghat where the accessibility is less than 6m;  In other cases 2 way traffic can be provided;

Safety measures towards the access to the promenade from Collectorate ghat to Rani ghat:

Access to the promenade has been increased by proposed pedestrian streets connecting the existing street network to the promenade

a. 6m wide access proposed between Collectorate complex and Bankipur club b. 2.5m proposed adjoining SBI Campus towards Proposed Anta ghat. c. 3m between B.N.College and Ganga mahal towards Proposed B.N.College ghat d. 6m between GM residence and Railway reservation Centre towards Mahendru ghat. e. 4.5m along Patna college campus towards proposed Adalat ghat f. 6m adjoining Patna medical college and hospital towards Proposed Mishri ghat. g. 6m towards proposed Banerjee ghat h. 6m adjoining Darbanga house towards Kali ghat i. 6m adjoining Patna college science and NIT towards Patna college ghat j. 6m towards proposed Krishna ghat k. 5m adjoining engineering college building towards Gandhi ghat l. 6m adjoining Law college towards proposed Bharawa ghat m. 4m through campus university quarter towards Rani ghat  Streets above 5m width are to be used for two way pedestrian traffic and streets under 5m are used as one way towards the promenade and alternate access roads made away from promenade

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 Safe gathering areas (Refuge areas) are provided at Gandhi ghat, Adalat ghat, B.N. College ghat.  Refuge areas are connected to evacuation routes. The details of refuge access routes are shown in Annexure 1.4.  Evacuation routes are provided at an interval of (approx.) 300m leading away from promenade and Ghats.  Provision for Ambulance access and parking on each evacuation route  1 life guard station provided at every ghat.

Crowd Management during festivals:

The crowd management is an important aspect for minimizing the safety hazards and risks related to it. In Patna the crowd management during the festivals is the responsibility of District Magistrate and his team. Generally it is like they depute number of police personnel in each of the Ghats with separate access route for ongoing and outgoing visitors.

In this regard recently a District level Disaster Management Plan has been prepared and the draft report is under the approval stage. The draft management plan includes the arrangement for following aspects:

 Adequate crowd management through limiting the time of stay of persons in the ghats;  The suggested measures adopted in the project can also be shared with the DM so that accordingly crowd management can be made;  Separate entry and exit route to minimize any panic related hazard;  Close circuit television at strategic points as well as in the entry and exit point to monitor traffic inflow and outflow;  Adopting the proposed access routes as suggested in the project for crowd management;  Ensure that the maximum allowable load of persons in the Ghats as suggested in the project does not exceed at any point of time;  Adequate signage shall be provided along with public address system through media, newspapers and Addressable by the polices;  Policing to restrict the entry of any kind of vehicles towards the ghat approach roads during the festival season, only pedestrians are allowed along the approach roads;  Life boat and life jackets shall be provided in each ghat to provide safety during any kind of emergency conditions;

A separate crowd modelling study is being prepared by IIT-Delhi. The detailed recommendation of the Crowd Modelling study will be implemented in the project.

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8. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Environment Management Action Plan (EMP) is required to ensure sustainable development of the proposed river front development project in Patna both during the construction as well as during operational phases. The EMP is site and time specific including necessary responsibility matrix.

In general, the urban development department, Bihar known as Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BUIDCo) (with assistance from Contractor and Independent Engineer/Supervision Consultant) is the responsible entity for ensuring that the mitigation measures as suggested in the ESMP are carried out. Mitigation measures for Environment and Social impacts are listed in Table 8-1. The list provides reference implementing organisation and responsible entity.

8.1 Specific activities by BUIDCo

The role of BUIDCo in the implementation of ESMP involves the following activities:

 EIA clearance from NGRBA and World Bank;  Disclosure of ESIA document as well as in the info shop of World Bank and

 Permission from line department for laying of drainage line, construction of toilets and connection to city sewer line;

 Diversion of drainage outfall points at Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat (to be completed before the completion of construction work of RFD and to be taken up as a separate project);

 Permission for tree felling (if any) ;

 Displacement of encroachers from project site;

 Carrying out necessary environmental monitoring of Air, Water, Noise and Soil Quality during the Operation phase for a period of 5 years

 Conducting a detailed study to assess the impacts of the project on Gangetic Dolphins and implementation of its recommendations

 Deployment of specialised conservation team during the construction phase to identify chance find archaeological remnants and provide guidance to contractors on conservation

8.2 Specific activities by Contractor

The activities to be performed by the contractor to implement the EMP shall comprise the following:

 Obtain consent to establish from state pollution control board under air and water act;  Felling of trees (if at all required) with the prior permission of Forest Department;  Finalizing the selection of material sources (quarry and borrow material, etc.) and shall follow necessary guidelines as given in Annexure 1.1, and Annexure 1.2).

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 Carrying out necessary environmental monitoring of Air, Water, Noise and Soil quality during the construction stage;  Selection, design and layout of construction areas, labour camps etc. (Refer Annexure 1.3)  Implementation of other mitigation measures, as recommended by EIA

8.3 Implementation of EMP

The Environmental Officer of the contractor should be available for the entire duration of the project and shall be primarily responsible for compliance of EMP. The Environmental Specialist from the Independent Engineer/ Supervision Consultant shall monitor the compliance of the EMP and all the design drawings of various civil structures shall be implemented after his approval. The proposed organogram for the implementation and monitoring of ESMP is presented in figure 8-1. Contractor shall report the implementation of the EMP to the Environmental Expert of Supervision Consultant as well as to BUIDCo through monthly reports. Further a quarterly report is required to be prepared and to be given to NMCG for the implementation of EMP.

Managing Director BUIDCo

CGM

GM (Tech) GM (Works) GM (Admin.)

Scheme Implementation Team (including EMP and R&R implementation)

Team Leader (Supervision Consultant) Project Manager (Contractor)

Environmental Expert Environmental Officer (Supervision Consultant) (Contractor)

Figure 8-1: Organization Structure for Implementation of EMP

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Table 8-1: Environment Management Plan

Responsibility Environmental Cross Mitigation Measures9 Location10 Time Frame11 Impact / Aspect Implementati reference Supervision on

DESIGN STAGE Issues from Various issues raised were examined & suitably stakeholder Along the ghats During Design Contractor BUIDCo EIA and DPR incorporated based on merit. Consultations PRE-CONSTRUCTION STAGE Tree cutting and All the trees are required to be saved. Vegetation will Before vegetation required to be removed from the ghat section before Along the ghats construction Contractor BUIDCo Forest Act clearance the commencement of construction. starts Mobilisation & Site Clearance

The project affected Families shall be suitably relocated Along the ghats and Before Annexure 1.3 Resettlement of as per the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) after giving adjoin areas and access construction BUIDCo BUIDCo of EIA and PAPs necessary compensation as per RAP budget. roads Starts RAP

National Specifications of plant and machinery to be procured Ambient Air Procurement of need to comply to the relevant national standard norms Prior to and Noise plants and and with the requirements of emission control and mobilization at Contractor BUIDCo Quality machineries noise pollution abatement requirement as per the site Standard of standards prescribed by CPCB CPCB Setting up of The construction camps (for 25-30 people) will be Option1: Near Gandhi During Annexure 1.2 construction located at least 200m away from Ganga ghats and Setu; Establishment, Contractor SC, BUIDCo of EIA . camps there must be basic necessary (temporary) living Operation and

9 Some of the mitigation measures are preventive in nature while some others include additional measures in terms of environmental conservation and involve physical and construction work. 10 Unless otherwise stated, the Project Site covers area around the ghats. 11 Time frame refers to the duration or instant of time when the mitigation measures will be taken.

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accommodation and ancillary facilities per the guideline Option2: Back side of Gai Dismantling of given in Annexure 1.2. Ghat; Such Camps.

Option3: Left Bank of Ganga at Hajipur site

CONSTRUCTION STAGE Land  Quarry material shall be sourced from approved and licensed quarries.  For new quarry if Environmental Clearance is applicable to be obtained.  For operating new quarries, the Contractor shall Standard Quarrying During Engineering obtain materials from quarries only after consent of Along the ghats Contractor SC, BUIDCo Material sources concerned authorities and only after development of a construction Practices and comprehensive quarry’ redevelopment plan. Annexure 1.1.  Adequate safety precautions shall be ensured during transportation of quarry material from quarries to the construction site. Vehicles transporting the material shall be covered to prevent spillage.  Oil & fuel spills from construction vehicles equipment shall be controlled by good O&M practices like maintaining diesel log book, and regular maintenance of the heavy vehicles and At fuel storage areas – equipments; During Guidelines of Contamination of and at DG set operating SC, BUIDCo, Construction. Contractor CPCB and soil  If there is any oil spill that must be reported to the areas. SPIU highest level of the working team of the contractor World Bank and immediately the oil spill are shall be convered within absorbents like Absorbent Mat (like Pig Oil Absorbent Mat)

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 DG set (if used) shall be placed in a concreted mountain platform so that oil spillage does not mix with the soil;  The used oil from DG set to collected at certain intervals and shall be sold to authorized vendors of Bihar State Pollution control Board. Debris generated due to the dismantling of the existing ghats and other concrete structures (Collectorate ghat) and buildings and slums shall be stored at a place Generation of General sufficiently away from the main channel of Ganga. Throughout Project During Debris Corridor. Construction Contractor SC, BUIDCo Construction

Practices The generated debris shall be re-used efficiently if found suitable for using mainly as fill materials and stone pitching work. AIR  Vehicles carrying construction materials shall be Along the ghats, all covered; access roads, During Dust Generation Contractor SC, BUIDCo  Regular water sprinkling at areas of dust temporarily acquired construction generation. sites.

 Regular pollution under check for construction vehicles shall be made; Equipment Along the ghats, all  Further, idling of vehicles to be stopped during Selection, access roads, During construction period; Contractor SC, BUIDCo Maintenance and temporarily acquired Construction. Operation  Automatic diesel logger may be installed in vehicles sites to minimise idling  Monitoring of air Quality as per the monitoring plan Water Discharge from  Route of these discharge point to be diverted before Anta Ghat and Krishna Whenever Contractor under the Will be taken existing sewer the start of ghat construction at these 2 locations; Ghat encountered supervision of BUIDCo and up by BUIDCO

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Responsibility Environmental Cross Mitigation Measures9 Location10 Time Frame11 Impact / Aspect Implementati reference Supervision on drains at Anta  Route to be diverted through the existing trunk sewer during Bihar Rajya Jal Parishad as a separate Ghat and Krishna line to the existing STP at Saidpur. construction project Ghat  Adequate sanitation and waste management facility to be provided in construction camp as per Annexure 1.2 Waste Water from of EIA report and it is to be ensured that no liquid or During solid waste get disposed into river Ganga during the Construction Camp Contractor BUIDCo Annexure 1.2. construction camp Construction construction period.  Monitoring of water quality during construction period as per the monitoring plan  The debris generated from the structures shall be reused (as a quarry material within project site) as far as possible and the left over material shall be disposed at a suitable location with following local rules and regulations along with approval from the ‘Engineer’ and the ‘Environmental Specialist’ on the project. In no case, no debris shall be disposed into Refer Clause Disposal of Debris the river Ganga. 11.8 under Along construction During and other wastes  Further, contractor to develop a comprehensive areas and Contractor BUIDCo section VII of Construction into Ganga debris and solid waste management and disposal Construction Camp the bid plan considering the local laws and approval from document. BUIDCo.  Empty paint or emulsion containers to be disposed off;  Solid Waste generated from construction camp shall be disposed as per the approved waste management plan Physical and Cultural Resources Impact on cultural  As part of the project no heritage building/indigenous SC, BUIDCo Refer Figure heritage/structure buildings/temples/mosques shall be demolished; Location of Heritage Construction and 4.18 and Figure Contractor s during  For heritage buildings within 25 m from ghat Building near to Ghat period Conservation 4.19 of EIA and construction adequate care shall be taken to minimize vibration Consultants Annexure 1.6

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impact. Overall piling work to be used with Vibro Piling rather than normal sheet piling.  During vibration muffler to be used.  A conservation architect shall be deployed to guide the contractor on identification and on conservation of structures in the project area ;  Demolition of any heritage structure shall be not be done  Chance find of any heritage structure / remnants during construction shall be immediately reported to the authorities and shall comply with Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Noise  Construction activities shall be avoided during evening and night time hours (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.)  All jackhammers and pavement breakers used on the construction site shall be fitted with manufacturer’s approved exhaust muffler. Various plant  Use of pneumatic impact equipment shall be and machinery Noise from restricted 100m from noise sensitive locations,. All the ghat section and Throughout manufacturing Vehicles, Plants Contractor SC, BUIDCo Instead of pneumatic hammers electric, hydraulic surrounding area construction guidelines and and Equipment hammers could be used. OSHA  Use hydraulic or vibro impact hammers in place of guidelines diesel hammers for piling work;  The local power grid shall be used to limit generator noise  Provision of ear-plugs to contractors exposed to high

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noise levels. Flora and Fauna  Fuel provision shall be made available in camp like All the ghat section and After Loss of trees for LPG so that no tree cutting is involved for fuel wood. surrounding camp area completion of Contractor SC, BUIDCo fuel wood construction activities  Construction workers must protect natural resources and wild animals especially Dolphin All the ghat section and During  Fishing is strictly prohibited. Contractor SC, BUIDCo surrounding area construction  Throwing of food items in Ganga be restricted as that attracts fish as well as Dolphin  No debris or any contaminated material to be disposed during the construction stage; Fauna  No indigenous grasses should be planted during the Gangetic Dolphin construction of landscape terraces;  No natural amphibious/aquatic grasses of the Refer All the ghat section and During riparian zone of the river be disturbed as these are Contractor SC, BUIDCo Annexure 1.5 surrounding area construction breeding ground of various terrestrial and aquatic of EIA insects;  No underwater noise shall be created during the construction activities. Piling work to use minimum underwater noise so that Dolphins are not disturbed; Socio-Economic Environment The Contractor will provide, erect and maintain barricades, including signs marking flats, lights and Ghat sections and During Accidents Contractor SC, BUIDCo flagmen as required by the SC along the ghat sections, approach roads Construction approach roads etc. Resettlement Nearly 229 Families are getting affected as part of the Locations as mentioned During Appendix 1.3 BUIDCo BUIDCo and RAP Action of People project. in RAP report Construction Report

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Affected population will be compensated as per entitlement framework presented in the RAP report

Nearly 25 families have cattle shelters. They will be Appendix 1.3 Resettlement of provided with necessary financial one time financial During Contractor T.N. Banerjee Ghat BUIDCo and RAP Cow shelters assistance like @ Rs 15,000 for each cattle shed and Construction , BUIDCo report ERG to cattle shed owner @ Rs 10,000. Risk and Safety  Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger from electrical equipment.  Precautions shall be made to provide proper access route to the devotees to access the cultural resources/temples during the construction stage along with adequate signage to avoid any accidents;  The safety workers shall be taken care as per the prevailing norms and life boat and jackets shall be kept in adequate numbers;  No material or any of the sites will be so stacked or Risk and Safety EHS During from construction placed as to cause danger or inconvenience to any Entire Project site. Contractor SC, BUIDCo guidelines of Construction activities person or the public. WB  All necessary fencing and lights will be provided to protect the public.  Protective footwear and protective goggles to all workers employed in mixing asphalt materials, cement, lime mortars, concrete etc.  Protective eye-shields to workers engaged in welding works  Protective goggles and clothing to workers engaged in stone breaking activities and workers shall be seated at sufficiently safe intervals  Earplugs to workers exposed to loud noise (above

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75dB (A)), and workers working in crushing, compaction, or concrete mixing operation.  The Contractor shall comply with all regulations regarding safe scaffolding, ladders, working platforms, gangway, stairwells, excavations, trenches and safe means of entry and egress.  The Contractor shall ensure that no paint containing lead or lead products is used except in the form of paste or readymade paint.  All accidents and safety incidents at the project site and involving contractor shall be immediately reported to the Employer and the Engineer.  To ensure safety of the temporary accesses during construction, safety devices shall be installed.  Workers undertaking various operations during construction shall be protected by providing helmets, masks, safety goggles, hand gloves and rubber Safety Measures boots etc. During During All construction sites Contractor SC, BUIDCo  First aid kits shall be provided at construction site for construction Construction workers to meet minor accidents during construction  The transportation of construction material prefererlly be brought to the project site during evening hours (7-10 p.m) or during early morning (5- 8 a.m) to avoid congestion in the project area.  The generaretd and collected solid waste will be transportaed on or before official or academic time schedule (10 am to 6 pm).  At every workplace, good and sufficient water supply During Hygiene shall be maintained to avoid waterborne / water- All Worker’s Camps Contractor SC, BUIDCo Appendix 1.2 construction related / water-based diseases to ensure the health

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and hygiene of workers.  Adequate drainage, mobile toilets shall be provided at workplace.  Preventive Medical care shall be provided to workers.  An action plan shall be prepared and implemented OPERATION STAGE  Toilet complexes along with 24 other toilets will be provided in the project; Sewage  Approximately 30 KLD of sewage expected; Figure 7.4 and generation from Toilets shall be provided During  Septic Tank and soak pit shall be provided for the BUIDCo BUIDCo 7.5 of EIA Project and Water along the promenade Operation sewage; report Quality  Water quality to be monitored as per monitoring plan

 Interceptor drain has been proposed to cater surface Along promenade from BUIDCo BUIDCo DPR Drawings Surface Run-off run-off from promenade and pathways and will be Collectorate Ghat to Rani During PROM/PH- ultimately be linked with the drains along access Ghat Operation 01.1 to 01.4 roads Increase of speed  As part of the project necessary green areas along Entire Project corridor During BUIDCo BUIDCo DPR drawings of water at Ghat the banks will be protected as well as new green bank length Operational for Ghat section and areas in terms of city parks shall be created. This Stage section chances of Soil will provide necessary bank stability.

Erosion  Further, riparian edge restoration program will be undertaken to maintain natural habitat.

 At the bottom of the ghat boulder pitching shall be made so that uniform speed will be maintained. To minimize the waste disposal in river Ganga, the Ghat Locations and During BUIDCo BUIDCo Figure 7.6 Solid Waste following measures shall be undertaken: Promenade and waste Operation

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Management dump areas where Stage  Bins along Ganga ghats @4 bins in each ghat for masonry bins proposed 20kg capacity; like Collectorate Ghat,  254 litterbins along promenade and pathways of Krishna Ghat, Bharwa 1kg capacity; Ghat, Law College Ghat,  Masonry bins at 6 locations to facilitate Rani Ghat and Gai Ghat communities to dispose their waste at these bins;  Providing 2 no. of 4.5m3 bins at Anta Ghat Vegetable market;  1 dumper placer, 2 auto tripper and 1 JCB hooper type vehicle shall be provided to collect the dispose the waste generated from the proposed project.  The mess size of the iron wire to be used to fix the BUIDCo BUIDCo boulders below the steps at ghats close to the water line or river edge should be four inches instead of eight inches. The boulders should be in river water even in the leanest month. The invertebrates and fishes should have access to the boulder pitching.  No indigenous grasses should be planted in the Along the ghats and Dolphin During Ganga river stretch for Conservation landscape terraces between two ghats as in the Operational the conservation Annexure 1.5 spaces natural amphibious/aquatic grasses of Stage riparian zone of the river grow which are breeding grounds for various terrestrial and aquatic insects and provide habitats for amphibious/aquatic invertebrates.  It is advisable that landscape terraces should not be allowed to dump solid waste and be used as open

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lavatory. It should not be allowed for cattle wallowing.  There should be minimum or no noise under the water during implementation of the project. If any mechanized boat is used during implementation of the project, the same may be propeller guard.

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8.4 Environmental Monitoring Program

The Environmental Monitoring Programme has been detailed out in Table 8-2. Successful implementation of the Environmental Monitoring Program is contingent on the following:

 The Supervision Consultant (SC) is to request the Contractor to commence all the initial tests for monitoring (i.e. for Air, Water Quality and Noise Levels) early in the Contract to establish 'base' readings (i.e. to assess the existing conditions prior to effects from the Construction activities being felt);

 The SC to request the Concessionaire / Contractor to submit for approval a proposed schedule of subsequent periodic tests to be carried out;

 Monitoring by the SC’s Environmental Officer of all the environmental monitoring tests, and subsequent analysis of results;

 Where indicated by testing results, and any other relevant on-site conditions, SC to instruct the Concessionaire / Contractor to:

o Modify the testing schedule (dates, frequency);

o Modify (add to or delete) testing locations;

o Verify testing results with additional testing as/if required;

o Require recalibration of equipment, etc., as necessary; and,

o Request the Concessionaire to stop, modify or defer specific construction equipment, processes, etc., as necessary, that are deemed to have contributed significantly to monitoring readings in excess of permissible environmental "safe" levels.

8.4.1 Monitoring of Concessionaire / Contractor's Facilities, Plant and Equipment

 All issues related to negative environmental impacts of the Contractor's Facilities, Plant and equipment are to be controlled through:

 The Contractor's self-imposed quality assurance plan

 Regular / periodic inspection of the Concessionaire / Contractor’s plant and equipment

 Monthly appraisal of the Contractor.

Other environmental impacts are to be regularly identified and noted on the monthly appraisal inspection made to review all aspects of the Contractor's operation. The officer is to review all monthly appraisal reports, and through the team leader is to instruct the Contractor to rectify all significant negative environmental impacts.

8.5 Integration of Other NGRBA Programs with Patna RFD

Patna RFD is only one of the portfolios of investments under NGRBA towards cleaning the Ganga. In Patna alone Patna RFD can’t reduce the pollution load that is coming into river Ganga in the form of raw sewage or semi-treated sewage. The city urgently needs construction of STPs and establishing

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sewerage networks to minimize the waste load to river Ganga. Considering the same the improvement work for the sewerage network in various zones are already undertaken. However, the sewerage network in sewerage Zone-III (Saidpur) and Zone-IVA (North) shall be taken up in priority with augmentation of existing STP to cater to more sewage treatment. This will ultimately held in minimizing the pollution in river Ganga. Till the construction period of the RFD (26 months) the drainage outfall points at Anta Ghat and Krishna Ghat will be diverted through trunk sewer line to the existing STP at Saidpur so that no discharge outfall in being made at these Ganga ghats.

8.6 Environmental Budget

The environmental budget for the various environmental management measures proposed in the ESMP is detailed in Table 8-3. There are several other environmental issues that have been addressed as part of good engineering practices, the costs for which have been accounted for in the Engineering Cost. The rates adopted for the budget has been worked out on the basis of market rates and the Schedule of rates. Various environmental aspects covered/will be covered under engineering costs are listed below:

 Turfing and Pitching of slopes with landscaping work

 Riparian Edge Restoration  toilets with septic tanks and connection to city sewer  Drainage along the ghats to collect the discharge from the residents and connecting to city sewer  City Parks and beautification work etc.  Safety Measures and Exist routes;  Solid Waste Management

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Table 8-2: Environmental Monitoring Plan Env. Compone Stage Institutional Responsibilities nt Parameter Standards Locations Frequency Implementation Supervision 3 PM10 g /m , Plant site, and at 1 seasons Contractor through approved 3

n PM2.5 g/m , locations of baseline annually except monitoring agency/Lab SC and BUIDCo ructio Const SO2, NOX, CO CPCB monitoring monsoon 3 PM10 g /m , Once in a year 3 At locations of BUIDCo or its SPV

Air Quality Air Quality PM2.5 g/m , except monsoon BUIDCo baseline monitoring Oper ation ation SO2, NOX, CO for first 5 years. pH, temperature, Grab sampling, DO, BOD, COD, once during Oil & construction for Contractor through approved Grease, Total At locations of pre-monsoon, monitoring agency/Lab SC and BUIDCo Suspended construction of ghats monsoon and Solid, turbidity,

Construction post monsoon at Total Hardness, Surface Water all ghats Chlorine, Iron, Quality Standard Total Coliform. IS:3025 pH, Grab sampling, temperature,Oil once in a years

Surface Water Quality Surface Quality Water & for first 5 years at Grease, Total At locations of BUIDCo or its SPV 4 urban precincts BUIDCo Suspended baseline monitoring in up stream and

Operation Solid, turbidity, downstream and Chlorine, Iron, one control. sulphate, nitrate Leq dB (A) (Day Ambient Noise Once during and Night) Contractor through approved Standard At ghat construction construction at SC and BUIDCo Average and monitoring agency/Lab on CPCB sites and promenade ghat construction Noise Levels Peak values sites Constructi

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Env. Compone Stage Institutional Responsibilities nt Parameter Standards Locations Frequency Implementation Supervision Leq dB (A) (Day and Night) At locations of Once in year for BUIDCo or its SPV Average and BUIDCo baseline monitoring 1st 5 years Peak values Operation Physical Parameter: Near Construction Texture, Grain sites along the ghat Size, Gravel, at locations of Sand, Silt, Clay; baseline monitoring Once in a season Chemical Contractor through approved and areas of storage except monsoon Parameter: pH, monitoring agency/Lab SC and BUIDCo of materials, for construction Conductivity, equipments, period

Construction Calcium, construction camp Magnesium, etc. Sodium,

Nitrogen, Absorption Ratio Soil Physical : Texture, Grain Size, Gravel, Sand, Silt, Clay; Chemical Parameter: pH, Once in a year BUIDCo or its SPV BUIDCo Conductivity, for first 5 years,

Operation Operation Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Nitrogen, Absorption Ratio

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Table 8-3: Environmental Budget

Total cost (INR) Item Unit cost Component Description Unit Quantity Cost No. (INR) Detailed Cost (Lakh) 1 MITIGATION / ENHANCEMENT COST Environmental Environmental Awareness program towards minimizing the pollution problem for solid 1.1(a) Awareness waste management, water pollution prevention and minimizing impact on Dolphin etc. No. Lump sum 13,00,000 1300000 13 (During Operation) through preparing of IEC materials, media advertisement, clippings in cinema hall etc. Environmental Awareness during the construction stage for providing necessary information pertaining to minimizing municipal solid waste, debris, sewage into Ganga including various health effects like HIV and STD and other construction related health Environmental, and Safety aspects Health and Safety 1.1(b) IEC Material Printing and Publishing No. Of set 20 5000 100000 1 awareness (During Construction) Signages and Hoardings No. 15 10000 100000 1.5

Health Check-up (including HIV and AIDs) No. 150 3000 450000 4.5

Soil Erosion restoration work like retaining wall, edge restoration work, turfing and 1.2 Soil Covered in Engineering Cost (BOQ item for 2.1.3 for ghat section) vegetative cover, Health and Establishing of Construction Camp including facilities for drinking water, waste water 1.3 Covered in Engineering Cost as incidental cost Hygiene treatment and solid waste disposal facilities Solid Waste covered in Engineering Cost as incidental cost 1.4 Facilities towards solid waste management for the project (Civil Cost from Table 7.3) Management Solid Waste Procurement of Vehicles for solid waste management and 2 dumper bins (O&M Cost 1.5 32.64 Management from Table 7.3) Small mesh barrier to screen the pious refuse to be provided at each ghat. The mesh barrier will be constructed at the downstream of the ghat with extension into the river around 20m perpendicular to the direction of flow and then a bend against the direction 1.6 Water Quality of the flow for 2m. M. 1800 450.00 8,10,000.00 8.1 The height of the mesh should be approximately 2/3rd of the stair height (measured from the lowest levels of the stairs). The mesh shall be iron mesh with sizes of 1”x1” mesh size (Mesh code A25) 1.7 Water Quality Construction of interceptor drains of length 3000m to collect storm water from project Covered in Engineering Cost (BOQ No.2.5)

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Total cost (INR) Item Unit cost Component Description Unit Quantity Cost No. (INR) Detailed Cost (Lakh) area and sewage from the building lines along the ghats (where existing), connect to a suitable manhole for ultimate treatment in a STP. Covered in Engineering Cost (Covered under Under Promenade 1.8 Water Quality Construction of toilets along the promenade BOQ no. 2.2.3 (civil), 2.2.4 (electrical), 2.3 (plumbing))

 Provision of boulder pitching with 4incher iron wire;  No indigenous grass species to be introduced Covered in Engineering Cost (BOQ Item no. 2.1.3) 1.9 Flora and Fauna

TOTAL MITIGATION / ENHANCEMENT COST (A) 60,74,000.00 60.74 2 MONITORING COST 2.1 Construction Stage Sampling of Ambient Air Quality and gaseous pollutants as per CPCB Standard No. of 2.1.1 Procedures at 4 locations once in a season except monsoon for 1.5 years as per the 16 1,500.00 24,000.00 0.24 Samples Air Monitoring Plan Analysis charges of Ambient air from samples collected for NO , SO , PM , PM , and No. of 2.1.2 x 2 2.5 10 16 4,500.00 72,000.00 0.72 CO as per MoEF charges Samples Grab sampling, for all the season at active construction sites along the project areas No. of 2.1.3 for pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon during construction as per monitoring 60 400.00 24000.00 0.24 Samples Plan Analysis of water quality at locations in the monitoring plan for pH, Turbidity, total Surface Water solids, COD, BOD, DO, Chlorides, Hardness, Oil & Grease, TSS, TDS, Total Coliform, Quality Iron, Fluorides, Nitrates, E. coli, Total coliform and faecal coliform etc. as specified in No. of 2.1.4 60 6,000.00 360,000.00 3.6 "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater" published by WEF, Samples AWWA and APHA as per direction of Environmental Specialist / Environmental Engineer of the Engineer and as per MoEF rate list. Monitoring of noise level for 3 seasons (pre monsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon) - 2.1.5 Noise Nos. 18 3,000.00 54,000.00 0.54 once in a season except monsoon at 6 locations as per the Monitoring Plan Sampling and analysis of soil quality - once in a season except monsoon at 4 locations 2.1.6 Soil Nos. 16 4500.00 72000 0.72 as per Monitoring Plan at pre and post monsoon season Travel and Transportation cost of Monitoring Team No. Of Trip 2 100000.00 200000 2.00 Monitoring Cost during Construction Stage 8,06,000.00 8.06

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Total cost (INR) Item Unit cost Component Description Unit Quantity Cost No. (INR) Detailed Cost (Lakh) 2.2 Operation Stage Sampling of Ambient Air Quality and gaseous pollutants once in a year at 4 locations No. of 2.2.1 (Collectorate Ghat, Banerjee Ghat, Gulbi Ghat, Krishna Ghat) for 5 year for one 20 1,500.00 30,000.00 0.3 Samples Air season as per the Monitoring Plan Analysis charges of Ambient air from samples collected for NO , SO , PM , PM , O No. of 2.2.2 2 2 2.5 10 3 20 4,500.00 90,000.00 0.9 and CO as per MoEF charges Samples No. of 2.2.3 Grab sampling, twice a year at 10 locations for 5 years as per monitoring plan. 100 400.00 40000.00 0.4 Samples Analysis of water quality at locations in the monitoring plan for pH, Turbidity, total solids, COD, BOD, DO, Chlorides, Hardness, Oil & Grease, TSS, TDS, Total Coliform, Water Quality Iron, Fluorides, Nitrates, E. coli, Total coliform and faecal coliform etc. as specified in No. of 2.2.4 100 6,000.00 600000.00 6.0 “Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater” published by WEF, Samples AWWA and APHA as per direction of Environmental Specialist / Environmental Engineer of the Engineer and as per MoEF rate list. Monitoring of noise level - once in a season except monsoon at 5 locations (baseline 2.2.5 Noise Nos. 25 3000.00 75,000.00 0.75 monitoring locations) for 5 years as per the Monitoring Plan Sampling and analysis of soil quality - once in a season except monsoon at 3 locations 2.2.6 Soil Nos. 15 5000.00 75,000.00 0.75 for 5 years as per the Monitoring Plan Monitoring Cost during Operation Stage for 5 years 9,10,000.00 9.10 Travel and Transportation Cost for the Monitoring Work Trip 5 100000 500000 5.00 TOTAL MONITORING COST (B) 22,16,000.00 22.16 TOTAL EMP COST (A+B) 82,86,000.00 82.86 Contingency Cost (2%) 165720.00 1.96 Total EMP with Contingency 8451720 84.52

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8.7 Reporting System

Reporting system for the suggested monitoring program operates at two levels as:

 Reporting for environmental condition indicators and environmental management indicators(except tree cutting indicator)  Reporting for operational performance indicators at the SPV and BUIDCo level

Contractor and Engineer (Supervision Consultant) operate the reporting system for environmental condition and environmental management indicators (except tree cutting). The Environmental Management Unit of SPV/BUIDCo will operate the reporting system for environmental management indicator and operation performance indicators. The PIU will set the targets for each activity envisaged in the EMP beforehand and all reports will be against these targets. Contractor will report to the Engineer on the progress of the implementation of environmental conditions and management measures as per the EMP. The Engineer will in turn report to the SPV/BUIDCo on a quarterly basis. A copy of the report shall also be sent to NMCG for monitoring. Reporting formats have been prepared, which will form the basis of monitoring, by the Engineer as required.

Table 8-4: Summary Details of Reporting

Contractor Engineer SPV/BUIDCo Format Implementation & Item Stage Reporting No Reporting to Supervision to SPV Engineer EM 1 Setting up of Pre- One Time One Time One Time One Time Construction Construction Camp EM 2 Construction Construction Quarterly Continuous Quarterly Quarterly Safety EC 1 Pollution Construction As Per Monitoring Quarterly Quarterly Quarterly Monitoring Plan EC 2 Pollution Post As Per Monitoring Quarterly Quarterly Quarterly Monitoring Construction Plan

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In addition to these formats, to ensure that the environmental provisions are included at every activity of the implementation by the contractor, it is suggested that the approval of the environmental personnel of the engineer is required in the request for application to proceed or other similar reporting formats used by the contractor. These will not only ensure that the environmental provisions are addressed but also link the satisfactory compliance to environmental procedures prior to approval of the Interim Payment Certificate (IPC) by the Engineer. The activities by the contractor that can impact the environment will be identified based on discussions between BUIDCo and its SPV, team leader of the Engineer (Supervision Consultant) and the Environment Health and Safety (EHS) personnel of the Engineer. The decisions will be communicated to the contractor prior to the start of the construction activities.

Table 8-5: Clearance Requirements from Government of Bihar

Applicability to the Time Responsibility Sr.No. Clearances Acts Approving Agency Project Required Execution Supervision PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STAGE 1 Permission for Withdrawal of Surface Applicable (If the Engineer, Water from Rivers, Bihar Rajya Jal contractor is 3 months Contractor Supervision Nala, Water harvesting Parishad extracting surface Consultant structure/Reservoirs/Po water) nds/Irrigation canals 2 Commissioner of Mines and Minerals mines and director Engineer, Permission for Sand (Development and Bihar mines and Applicable 2 months Contractor Supervision Mining from river bed Regulation) Act, 1957 geology development Consultant corporation 3 Commissioner of Mines and Minerals mines and director Engineer, Permission of Opening (Development and Bihar mines and Applicable 2 months Contractor Supervision New Quarry Regulation) Act, 1957 geology development Consultant corporation 4 Storage of Hazardous Hazardous Waste Chemicals (Management and Applicable (if the Engineer, Handling) Rules 1989 and Bihar Pollution Control contractor stores 3 months Contractor Supervision Manufacturing Storage Board such hazardous Consultant and Import of Hazardous chemicals) Chemicals Rules 1989 5 Disposal of Construction Water (Prevention and Engineer, Waste and Liquid Bihar Pollution Control Control of Pollution) Act Applicable 2 months Contractor Supervision effluent from Labour Board 1974 Consultant camps 6 Applicable for all Engineer, Pollution Under Control Central Motor Vehicles Transport Department vehicles being used 1 month Contractor Supervision Certificate Act 1988 (GoB) in construction Consultant 7 Executing Agency of Engineer, Labour & Employment Employing Labour Building and other Applicable 1 Week Contractor Supervision Department, GoB construction act, 1996 Consultant 8 Engineer, Labour & Employment Registration of Workers Labour Welfare Acts. Applicable 1 month Contractor Supervision Department, GoB Consultant

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Format EM1: Construction Camp and Storage Area

Construction Stage: Report - Date____ Month______Year______

(Site Layout of Construction camp and working drawings of dwelling units with allied facilities to be attached with format)

Format to be submitted before target date (decided by BUIDCo or its SPV) of establishing camps

Location of Camp (Mention the name of nearest Ghat)

D N G

Sl. No. Item Unit Details Remarks 1 Detail of item camp A Size of Camp Mxm B Area of Camp sq.m C Distance from Nearest Settlement D Distance from Ganga Ghat E Date of camp being operational dd/mm/yy F Present land use G No other trees with girth > 0.3m. Details of Storage area (Availability of impervious H Mxm surface) Availability of separate waste disposal from storage I Cum area 2 Details of work force A Total No of Labourers Nos B Total no of Male Workers Nos C No of Male Workers below 18 years of age Nos D Total no of Female Workers Nos E No of Female Workers below 18 years of age Nos F No of Children Nos 3 Details of dwelling units A No of dwellings/huts Nos B Minimum Size of Dwelling Mxm C No of openings per dwelling Nos D Minimum size of opening Mxm E Walls Specifications F Roofing Specifications G Flooring Specifications H Drinking Water Tank Specifications I Capacity of Drinking Water Tank Cum J Size of Drinking Water Tank Mxmxm K Total no of WC Nos L No of WCs for female workers Nos M Minimum Size of WC Mxm N Total No of Bathrooms for female workers Nos

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O Size of septic tank for WC/Baths Mxmxm Capacity of Water Tank for WCs/Bathrooms and P general purpose Q Fencing around camp Y/N 4 Details of facilities A Availability of security guard 24 hrs. a day Yes/No B Details of First Aid Facility Yes/No C Availability of Dar Care Centre Yes/No D Availability of dust bins (capacity 60 ltr.) Nos

Certified that the furnished information is correct the quality of work is as per god practice and all relevant information as required is attached.

Contractor

Engineer In Charge

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EM 2 Checklist for construction safety

Non Corrective Sl.No. Safety Issues Yes No Penalty Remarks compliance Action Safety during Construction Stage 1 Appointment of qualified Environment Health and Safety Officer 2 Approval for Construction safety Management plan by the Engineer 3 Provision of flags and warning lights 4 Provision of adequate staging, form work and access (ladders with handrail) for works at a height of more than 3.0 m 5 Demarcations(fencing, guarding and watching ) at construction sites 6 Provision for sufficient lighting especially for night time work 7 Arrangements for controlled access and entry to construction Zones 8 Safety arrangements for Road users/Pedestrians 9 Arrangements for derouting devotees to temples 10 Construction Workers safety-Provision of personnel protective equipments 11 A. Helmets B. safety Shoe C. Dust masks D. Hand Gloves E. Safety Belts F. Reflective Jackets G. Earplugs for labour 12 Work employed on bituminous works,stone crushers, concrete batching plants etc.providied with protective goggles ,gumboots etc. 13 Workers engaged in welding work shall be provided with welder protective shields 14 All vehicles are provided with reverse horns. 15 All scaffolds, ladders and other safety devices shall be maintained in as safe and sound condition 16 R personnel 17 Ensuring the sanitary conditions and all waste disposal procedures & methods in the camps 18 The contractor shall provide adequate circuit for traffic flow around construction areas, control speed of construction vehicles through road safety and training of drivers, provide adequate signage, barriers and flag persons for traffic control 19 P personnel

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Format EC1: Target Sheet for Pollution Monitoring

Construction Stage: Report - Date______Month______Year______

( Location at which monitoring to be conducted as per EMP)

S.No. Location Details of Duration of Instruments Method Completion Target Reasons for Location monitoring Used Used Target Date of Delay, if any Date Completion if task completed Air Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Water Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Noise Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Soil Quality Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5

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Format EC2: Target Sheet for Pollution Monitoring

peration Stage: Report - Date______Month______Year______

(Locations at which monitoring to be conducted as per EMP)

S.No. Location Details of Duration of Instruments Method Completion Target Reasons for Location monitoring Used Used Target Date of Delay, if any Date Completion if task completed Air Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Water Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Noise Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5 Soil Quality Monitoring 1 2 3 4 5

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9. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Overall as part of the Environmental and Social screening study the project is placed in category B having minor reversible impacts and no such irreversible impacts. The project DPR has already taken many environmental measures which were being suggested during the visit during the screening study like (i) Providing toilet with connection to city sewer; (ii) escape route for the pilgrim during rush hour; (iii) parking for the boats at the anta ghat; (iv) riparian edge restoration. The project as such does not involve any such hazardous activity and hence have moderate-low impact.

The major conclusions of review study are given below:

Conclusion:  The ghat development work does not require environmental clearance as the covered built up area is approximately 65,000 sq.m which is less than 1,50,000 sq.m and thus does not fall in schedule 8(b) of EIA notification 2006. The total built up area is also less than 20,000 sq.m and hence it does not fall under schedule 8(a) also.  Reserve Forest (RF) diversion, wild life clearance, protected forest clearance are not applicable;  None of Project area is not falling within 10km on either side of a National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.  CRZ clearance zones are not triggered as the project area is not within a coastal zone

 For Ganga river Dolphin is endangered species reported along the project stretch but mostly concentrated in the left bank;  As such no major impact is envisaged in Gangetic Dolphin from the present RFD project  8 number of Focus group discussion and one public consultation with stakeholders was conducted;;  Plan for riparian edge restoration has been proposed with saving of all the trees along the Ghats;  Plan for toilets are proposed  Plan for City Parks are proposed

 Plan for community cum cultural centres are proposed  Plan for Dolphin Information Centre proposed  Adequate Solid Waste Management to be taken in the project;  Separate Crowd modeling study is being undertaken and accordingly necessary safety measures shall be taken;  Necessary refuge access routes are proposed to minimize risks;  A total 229 project affected families will be resettled.

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 Overall the project proposes very minor impact which can be taken proposed care with proposed implementation of ESMP

Recommendation:

The project as such not going have any severe impact on river Ganga as the project itself is taking necessary environmental care. However, still raw sewage disposal has been noticed at various section of the river Ganga along with disposal of solid waste near ghat area along with open defecation. It is expected that as part of the proposed development of the project and measures as proposed under EMP and DPR scheme if implemented properly then the objective of the project will be successful. Further the recommendation as given in the preliminary report of Professor Sinha (Refer Annexure 1.5) for Dolphin Conservation and Preliminary report of INTACH (Refer Annexure 1.6) for on Cultural heritage conservation may be referred during the construction for the protection of Dolphin and Cultural resources.

.

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ANNEXURES

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Annexure 1.1: Guidelines for Existing Quarry Management

The Contractor will finalise the locations from the list given by Consultant's for procuring materials. The Contractor shall establish a new quarry only with the prior consent of the Supervision Consultant (SC) only in cases when: (i) Lead from existing quarries is uneconomical and (ii) Alternative material sources are not available. The Contractor shall prepare a Redevelopment Plan for the quarry site and get it approved by the SC.

The construction schedule and operations plans to be submitted to the SC prior to commencement of work shall contain a detailed work plan for procuring materials that includes procurement, transportation and storage of quarry materials.

CONSTRUCTION STAGE

Development of site: To minimise the adverse impact during excavation of material following measures are need to be undertaken:

i) Adequate drainage system shall be provided to prevent the flooding of the excavated area

ii) At the stockpiling locations, the Contractor shall construct sediment barriers to prevent the erosion of excavated material due to runoff

iii) Construction of offices, laboratory, workshop and rest places shall be done in the up-wind of the plant to minimize the adverse impact due to dust and noise.

i) The access road to the plant shall be constructed taking into consideration location of units and also slope of the ground to regulate the vehicle movement within the plant.

iv) In case of storage of blasting material, all precautions shall be taken as per The Explosive Rules, 1983.

QUARRY OPERATIONS INCLUDING SAFETY

Remarks SI. Item Unit Details by IE, if No. any 1. Name / identity of the location 2. Nearest project road Chainage. 3. Name of the owner 4. Area involved Arrangement with the owner (agreement with the third party / contractor should be attached as an Annexure and should 5. Cum necessarily require the adaptation of good quarry management practices - a description of the requirements should be included) Quantity of material to be withdrawn vis-à-vis the material 6. available 8. Machinery & equipment to be used Cum

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Remarks SI. Item Unit Details by IE, if No. any 9. Drainage plans 10. Top soil management 11. Description of the operating practices 12. Health facilities Safety provisions made including fire protection systems and the 13. availability of different personal protective equipment Conditions laid down in the clearances / licenses and plans to 14. ensure compliance 15. Monitoring plans for air quality

16. Information on whether or not the quarry will be closed under this

project. If yes, the proposed closure & restoration plan.

17. Photograph of the quarry prior to commencing operations.

19. Sketch of the layout of the quarry

i) During excavation, slopes shall be flatter than 20 degrees to prevent their sliding. In cases where quarry strata are good and where chances of sliding are less this restriction can be ignored.

ii) In case of blasting, procedure and safety measures shall be taken as per The Explosive Rules, 1983

iii) The contractor shall ensure that all workers related safety measures shall be dune as per guidelines for Workers and Safety.

Topsoil will be excavated and preserved during transportation of the material measures shall be taken to minimize the generation of dust and prevent accidents.

The SC shall review the quarry site for the management measures during quarry operation, including the compliance to pollution norms.

POST CONSTRUCTION STAGE

 The Contractor shall restore all haul roads constructed for transporting the material from the quarries to construction site to their original state.

 The IE shall be entrusted the responsibility of reviewing the quarry site for the progress of implementation of Redevelopment Plan.

 The redevelopment of exhaust quarry shall be the responsibility of the agency providing the permit to ensure the implementation of Redevelopment Plan.

For existing quarry managed directly by a third party / contractor from whom the contractor is sourcing the materials, the plan should contain the following:

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Attach Photograph of Proposed Site, Location Map, consents, licenses and Agreement with land owner.

REMARKS

Submitted Checked Approved

Signature Signature Signature

Name Name Name

Designation Designation Designation

Contractor Contractor Independent Engineer

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Annexure 1.2: Guidelines for Siting & Layout of Construction Camp

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(A) SITING

The contractor based on the following guidelines shall identify the location of the construction site. The construction site shall be located:

. The construction camps will be located at least 200 m away from Ganga Ghats at identified sites. The living accommodation and ancillary facilities for labour shall be erected and maintained to standards and scales approved by the resident engineer.

. On non-agricultural lands, as far as possible

. Not within 1000m of either side of locations of Forest areas.

. All sites used for camps must be adequately drained. They must not be subject to periodic flooding, nor located within 300 feet of pools, sink holes or other surface collections of water unless such water surface can be subjected to mosquito control measures.

. The camps must be located such that the drainage from and through the camps will not endanger any domestic or public water supply.

. All sites must be graded, ditched and rendered free from depressions such that water may get stagnant and become a nuisance.

(B) LAYOUT

The Contractor during the progress of work will provide, erect and maintain necessary (temporary) living accommodation and ancillary facilities for labour to standards and scales approved by the engineer. All temporary accommodation must be constructed and maintained in such a fashion that uncontaminated water is available for drinking, cooking and washing. Safe drinking water should be provided to the dwellers of the construction camps. Adequate washing and bathing places shall be provided, and kept in clean and drained condition. Construction camps are to be sited away from vulnerable people and adequate health care is to be provided for the work force.

Sanitation Facilities: Construction camps shall be provided sanitary latrines and urinals. Sewerage drains should be provided for the flow of used water outside the camp. Drains and ditches should be treated with bleaching powder on a regular basis. The sewage system for the camp must be properly designed, built and operated so that no health hazard occurs and no pollution to the air, ground or adjacent watercourses takes place. Compliance with the relevant legislation must be strictly adhered to. Garbage bins must be provided in the camp and regularly emptied and the garbage disposed off in a hygienic manner

Shelter at Workplace: At every workplace, there shall be provided free of cost, four suitable shelters, two for meals and two others for rest, separately for use of men and women labourers. The height of shelter shall not be less than 3m from floor level to lowest part of the roof. Sheds shall be kept clean and the space provided shall be on the basis of at least 0.5m2 per head.

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Canteen Facilities: A cooked food canteen on a moderate scale shall be provided for the benefit of workers wherever it is considered necessary. The contractor shall conform generally to sanitary requirements of local medical, health and municipal authorities and at all times adopt such precautions as may be necessary to prevent soil pollution of the site.

First aid facilities: At every workplace, a readily available first-aid unit including an adequate supply of sterilized dressing materials and appliances will be provided as per the Factory Rules. Workplaces remote and far away from regular hospitals will have indoor health units with one bed for every 250 workers. Suitable transport will be provided to facilitate taking injured and ill persons to the nearest hospital. At every workplace an ambulance room containing the prescribed equipment and nursing staff will be provided.

Health Care Facilities: Health problems of the workers should be taken care of by providing basic health care facilities through health centres temporarily set up for the construction camp. The health centre should have at least a doctor, nurses, duty staff, medicines and minimum medical facilities to tackle first-aid requirements or minor accidental cases, linkage with nearest higher order hospital to refer patients of major illnesses or critical cases.

The health centre should have MCW (Mother and Child Welfare) units for treating mothers and children in the camp. Apart from this, the health centre should provide with regular vaccinations required for children.

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Annexure 1.3 (Specific R&R Measures)

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Provisions in Entitlement Framework

This entitlement matrix has been developed in accordance with the basic principles adopted in the RPF and analysis of initial identification of project impacts.

In case where a State Government through any Act or Gazette Notification or as approved by any authority of State Government (duly authorized for the purpose) as per their approved procedure has fixed a rate for compensation of land and is higher than the provisions under the project, the same may be adopted by the Competent Authority in determining the compensation for land.

Similarly, in case where a State Government through any Act or Gazette Notification or as approved by any authority of State Government (duly authorized for the purpose) as per their approved procedure has fixed a rate for resettlement and rehabilitation assistance and is higher than the provisions under the project, the same may be adopted by the Executing Authority.

The following is the entitlement matrix, as per the NPR&R 2007:

Table1: Entitlement Matrix for PAFs along Ganga River Front at Patna

Type of Impact/ Loss Unit of Entitlement Entitlements as per Policy Entitlement Loss of Structure by Non Titleholder Loss of structure Household Compensation  Non vulnerable squatters and (immovable assets at replacement encroachers will be notified and given constructed by cost one month time to remove their assets. squatters and  Vulnerable squatters and encroachers encroachers) Special a) No compensation for land provisions for b) Compensation for loss of affected vulnerable structural area will be paid at the replacement cost to be calculated as per latest prevailing basic schedules of rates (BSR) without depreciation.  Shifting assistance of Rs. 10000/- for squatters.  Right to salvage material from the demolished structure for both squatters and encroachers. Livelihood losses Squatters Rehabilitation  Assistance to be paid as per the (NTH)/ assistance prevailing MAWs for 180 days

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Agricultural  Training would be provided for laborer/ upgradation of skills to the PAFs. sharecropper  Employment opportunity for PAFs in losing primary the sub project works, if available and if source of so desired by them. income Or  National/State level job card under National Rural Employment Guarantee Program. Licensed Rehabilitation  Those mobile vendors in possession of mobile Assistance a permit from local authorities to vendors and operate in the affected area will be kiosk treated as kiosks operators. operators  Kiosk operators and vendors licensed to operate from affected locations will be entitled to a one time lump sum assistance of Rs. 4000/-. Other Impacts 8 Additional Vulnerable Special  One time lump sum assistance of Rs. Assistance to households Assistance 10000/ to vulnerable households. (This vulnerable groups including BPL, will be paid above and over the other SC, ST, WHH, assistance(s) as per this framework) disabled and handicapped Adverse indirect Community/ Special  Allocation of one percent of capital cost impacts on Titleholder assistance of the sub project cost as neighborhood and Neighborhood Development Fund drop in land values  One time financial assistance to the due to location of immediate private land owners landfill and/or STP adjacent to the project site @ Rs 15000 per hectare to each person in the records of rights  Green belt around the landfill site and / or STP site. Loss of community Community Special  The common property resources and infrastructure/ assistance the community infrastructure shall be amenities relocated in consultation with the community

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Loss of access to Community/ Special  Provide alternative access private and / or households assistance common resource property Temporary impact Community / Compensation  The contractor shall bear the cost of during construction like Individual any impact on structure or land due to disruption of normal movement of machinery during traffic, construction or establishment of damage to adjacent construction plant parcel of land / assets  All temporary use of land to be through due to movement of written approval of the landowner and heavy machinery and contractor. plant site  Location of Construction camps by contractors in consultation with PEA  The Project authority will ensure security and access to households in close proximity of the construction camps and that camps must be located at least 500 m from the habitation. Any other impact  Unforeseen impacts shall be not yet identified, documented and mitigated based on whether loss of the principles agreed upon in this asset or livelihood policy framework.

Income Restoration Measures:

Income Restoration Measures as per the R&R Policy:

As per the R&R Policy of the project capacity-building efforts will be made for PAFs, which aim at skill up gradation through various income generation training programmes and schemes. The R&R policy has the provision of mitigating loss of income through cash compensation and capacity building for self-employment.

Training Need Assessment:

One of the strategies for economic sustenance of the PAPs is to help them improve their production level or to impart new skills/upgrade skills through training. The project will have to conduct training need assessment (TNA) of PAFs. For PAPs who intend to diversify their economic activity, suitable income restoration schemes will be identified on individual basis and training need would be assessed. Besides training in scheme specific skills, general entrepreneurship development will also

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form part of the training programme, mainly to improve the management capabilities of EP. The Training will be organized in the plan period itself. The NGO contracted for the implementation of RAP will be assigned this task. Besides, training programs organized by other government agencies will also be availed. The past experiences have shown that roughly three-fourth of the PAPs require training. It will be the responsibility of the project to ensure that PAPs receives, training in desired trade. The NGO contracted will act as a facilitator and training will be imparted either by the government agencies or a professional and competent outside agency.

Inter-Agency Linkages for Income Restoration and other R&R Support

For Income restoration it is important that available skills with the PAPs is identified and further upgraded. During verification survey, NGO should specifically ask about the skill possessed other than the one related to their current occupation. NGO contracted for implementation should also conduct a survey among the PAPs with options of various skills related to the resource base of the area and available market (with proper forward and backward linkages) and accordingly selected trades for training. Based on the training, NGO will identify income-generating activities for sustainable economic opportunities. NGOs in consultation with the PAPs, project staff, district administration and other stakeholders in institutional financing and marketing federations will prepare micro-plans for IR activities.

In case of creation of alternative livelihood schemes, felt needs of the target group population will be prioritized through people’s participation. Further, these options will be tested for their viability against availability of skills, resource base of the area and available appropriate technology. Suitable alternative livelihood schemes will be chosen finally, where training on skill upgradation, capital assistance, and assistance in the form of backward-forward linkages can be provided for making these pursuits sustainable for the beneficiaries or the target groups.

A comprehensive support system to the PAPs will ensure income security. The project will work as a facilitator to the people in the enterprise (but will not act as providers for each and every livelihood opportunity). The PAPs are required to participate in developing feasible long- term income generating schemes. The long- term options are expected to be developed during the implementation of the RAP and also supported by the government assistance.

Short Term IR activities

Short term IR activities mean restoring PAPs’ income during periods immediately before and after relocation. Such activities will focus on the following:

• Ensuring that adequate compensation is paid before relocation • Providing short term, welfare based grants and allowances such as: • Free or subsidized items

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• Transitional allowances or grants until adequate income is generated, special allowances for vulnerable groups • With consideration of PAPs skills and needs, promoting PAP access to project related employment opportunities such as: • Work on relocation teams (e.g., driver, food provision, etc.)

Long term IR schemes

The long term IR schemes are listed below:

Petty Traders

Under this scheme, the availbility options are grocery shop, vegetable & fruit shop, stationary, cloth, tea & snacks, ready-made garments, beetle shop etc. PAPs those who are already in the trade and business are suitable for these activities. Implementing NGO will have to decide on type of shops to be established as per demand.

Skill related Schemes

The options available under this scheme are tailoring, carpentry, masonry, mobile repair, computer operator, beautician, motor winding, cycle/motor cycle/auto repair, driving (auto/Matador/etc.), Television/Tape records/Watch repairing, Pottery, Leather works, etc. PAPs those who are in such trades can undergo training for skill upgradation to supplement their annual income. Industrial Training Institutes imparts training in such trades. Training can also be imparted through professional and competent outside agency especially hired for the purpose. The implementation of above- mentioned activities requires organization of credit camps. Extending financial credit support is an important component of IR schemes. It requires organization of credit camps for EPs. Local government officials, NGOs and PAP representatives apart from project officials, will attend these camps. The purpose of the camps would be to allow local financial institutions to inform participants of credit options and how to avoid procedural delays. All formalities related to processing of applications for credit assistance will be completed at these camps. For these kinds of camps project staff along with NGO, will have to coordinate closely with the Lead Bank managers and other commercial banks operating in the district.

Monitoring of IR Schemes

The monitoring of IR schemes will be carried out along with the monitoring of other components of RAP by an outside agency contracted for the purpose. The contract will specifically provide for regular (every six months) monitoring of income restoration of PAPs. The monitoring will be carried out based on economic indicators. Vulnerable PAPs who lose their livelihood due to the project will be assisted in alternative economic rehabilitation schemes and vocational training for skill up gradation as per the requirement of suggested economic scheme.

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Provisions for Vulnerable Groups

Distribution of project affected households is mentioned in below table. There are 164 vulnerable households as per the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) out of 229 that may be impacted due to this project. Vulnerability of project affected households has been identified based on social and economic criteria. As per vulnerability criteria 164 HHs are socially vulnerable. Socially vulnerable households are woman headed households, Schedule Castes. Table: Vulnerability Status of PAFs

S. No. Vulnerability Number (Without Double Count)

1 WHH 24

2 SC 73

3 BPL 67

Total 164

Source: Primary survey, 2013

Impact Mitigation Strategy/Plan

Income restoration

Measures for income restoration are one of the most crucial and vital components of resettlement planning and implementation. They are integrated with the development project involving involuntary resettlements. The World Bank policy states that the loss of the livelihoods in the projects with involuntary resettlement can severely affect people especially those from the vulnerable groups and other disadvantaged section of the society leading to impoverishment.

Women Involvement in Development Process

Participation of women has been envisaged specifically in the following areas:  In the pre-planning and planning stages, participation from women in the consultation process is a must. The NGOs will make sure that at least 33%* of project affected women are adequately consulted in all stages of the project cycle.  Field team of the NGO shall include at least-one women investigator/facilitator.  Compensation for land and assets lost being same for all the affected or displaced families, women headed households shall be provided adequate attention and counseling by the NGO during RAP implementation. *This proposal is as for recommendations of the women reservation bill.

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 It is imperative that the NGRBA ensures that the women are consulted and invited to participate in group-based activities, to gain access and control over the resource as a part of the RAP  The NGOs should make sure that women are actually taking part in LA&R&R processes such as issuance of identity cards, opening accounts in the bank, receiving compensation amounts through cheque in their name or not, etc. This will further widen the perspective of participation by the women in the project implementation.  Under the entitlement framework there are a number of provisions kept for compensation and assistances towards the losses incurred upon the impacted women headed households by the project.  The assistances to be provided to women as a vulnerable group should create alternative livelihood for them to ensure their sustainable socio-economic upliftment.  The implementing agencies should provide trainings for upgrading the skill in the alternative livelihoods and assist throughout till the beneficiaries start up with production and business.  Women's participation should be initiated through Self-Help Group formation in each of the wards affected by the project. These groups should then be linked to special development schemes of the Government, like SGSY.  Women's participation should be ensured for monitoring and evaluation activities.  Monitoring of project inputs concerning benefit to women should invite their participation that will make the process more transparent to them. Women should be encouraged to evaluate the project outputs from their point of view and their useful suggestions should be noted for taking necessary actions for further modifications in the project creating better and congenial situation for increasing participation from women.

Involvement of Women in Construction Activities

The labour force required for the construction activities will be mostly of high-skill nature since a lot of machine work will be involved in the construction of the project. But there will be requirement of unskilled labour where women may likely to involve in such work. Women as family members of the skilled and semi-skilled labourers will also stay in the construction camps and will be indirectly involved during the construction phase. The families of labourer will include their children also. The construction contractors are expected to bring along their labour force. Thus, in most cases the labourers, both male and female, will be migratory labourers. But, the involvement of local labour force, especially for unskilled activities cannot be fully ruled out. There will be involvement of local women also in the local labour force. Foreseeing the involvement of women both directly and indirectly in the construction activities, certain measures are required to be token towards welfare and well-being of women and children in-particular during the construction phase.

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Measures for Income Restoration and up-liftment of Vulnerable People The entitlement matrix has evolved a number of measures towards resettlement and rehabilitation of vulnerable families including women headed households, SC/ST below poverty line and the poor getting affected by its projects. The considerations therein have been compiled as follows:

All the affected families falling under the vulnerable category including the poor will be assisted to uplift their economic status irrespective of their ownership status. Whether they possess or do not possess legal title to the lands/assets, whether they are tenants or encroachers or squatters, they will be assisted in restoring their livelihoods as per the entitlement matrix.

The Environment and Social Management Unit proposed as part of the project are required to maintain the social support network for women headed households as far as possible so that they remain closer to their locations and /or provide special services at the new sites. Special assistance would consist of the following:

 Allowing the PAPs for site selection  Relocating them near the present site wherever possible  Providing assistance with dismantling salvageable materials from their original home  Providing them priority for access to all other mitigation and development assistance  Monitoring their nutritional and health status The entitlement matrix for the vulnerable people is given below:

Additional Assistance to Affected The project authorities shall, at @Rs. 500/- vulnerable Families Families their cost, arrange for annuity =Rs.98,300 per (Disabled, destitute, (229) policies that will pay a pension for months orphans, widows, @Rs. 500/- life to the vulnerable affected (It can be unmarried girls, per month persons of such amount as may be associated with abandoned women, per prescribed by the appropriate the Social persons above fifty Vulnerable Government subject to a minimum Assistance years of age; who are not (widows (22) of five hundred rupees per month. Programmes provided or can not unmarried (NPR&R, 2007;Ref 7.17) e.g.- Old Age and immediately be provided girls (151) Widow Pensions with alternative livelihood, persons > Programmes as and who are not 50 years of well as Marriage otherwise covered as part Age(23)) Assistance of a family (Ref 6.4 V) Programmes of Ministry of Social- Women Welfare, Govt. of India)

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Additional assistance for Affected NA Tribal families Family Who have not been Affected Shall be entitled to a rehabilitation NA provided agricultural land; family grant equivalent to seven hundred or fifty days minimum agricultural employment wages (750 MAW) or such other higher amount as may be prescribed by the appropriate Government (NPR&R, 2007;Ref 7.14 )

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R&R Budget:

S.No Entitlement Unit Quantity Amount (In Rs)

1 Compensation for Dwelling Unit 229@Rs 34350000 Structure 150000 (as per Rajiv Awas Yojna)

2 Assistance for Cattle Cattle Shed 25@ Rs 15000 375000 Shed per cattle shed

3 Shifting Assistance PAFs 229@Rs 10000 2290000

4 ERG to Cattle shed PAFs 25@10000 250000 owner

5 Special Assistance to PAFs 164@10000 1640000 Vulnerable PAFs

Sub-Total (A) 38905000

6 RAP Implementation Cost for NGO 1800000

7 M&E Cost 800000

8 Contingency (5%) 1717500

Sub-Total (B) 4317500

Grand Total 43222500

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Annexure 1.4 (Drawings for Safety Measures)

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Evacuation route from each Ghat sections

General Access route to Ghat sections

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Annexure 1.5: Professor Sinha?s Report on Gangetic Dolphin in Con text of Patna RFD

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Preliminary Report Regarding the Impact of the River Front Development Project on Dolphin Habitat in River Ganga at Patna

Under the River Front Development project, approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India between Collectorate ghat and Naujar ghat (6.6 K.M.), twenty ghats and a promenade (6 m wide) to connect to the different ghats, are proposed to be constructed. Besides, some buildings will also get constructed for various purposes. There are some already constructed ghats like Mahendru ghat, Kali ghat, Gandhi ghat, Law college ghat, etc. in same stretch. The space in between consecutive ghats has been proposed as landscaped terraces. The terraces through series of steps would gradually lead to the river edge and would be landscaped with indigenous species which would protect the river edge during the rain from erosion. The landscaped edges could be used during the suitable seasons according to the lies in open of the stepped terraces by the continuous ascending and resending water of the river. It is required to conduct a study about impact of project on Gangetic dolphins in Ganga River during implementation of the project. As during months of July and September the river is flooded, no such study is possible. But due to administrative exigencies, BUIDCo is requesting me to submit a preliminary report based on my earlier study and vast experience of working on Gangetic dolphins. After discussion with the concerned technical experts of BUIDCo and their consultant; and going through Detailed Project Report following is my preliminary report which may be help to the BUIDCo.

I visited most of the proposed and existing Ghats which were accessible by road in the month of August 2013. The river Ganga was heavily flooded. Almost all the existing Ghats and the sites of the proposed Ghats were completely inundated.

The entire stretch of river along the city of Patna has been a good habitat for the gangetic dolphin. The Gangetic dolphins prefers deep zone with eddy counter currents and complex hydro geomorphological formation in the river. Such habitats were formed along the left bank of the river at Patna. When the flow of Ganga was from Pahleza ghat to Digha ghat, i.e. North to South, the river used to flow very close to the city of Patna from Digha to Deedarganj. The city of Patna used to have a long (About 20 km) river front about two decades ago. Currently, half of the river front has been lost as Ganga shifted away from the city as its flow changed from North South to East-West, i.e. from Maner to Danapur. There are several reasons for this change, including the enhanced sand mining at the confluence of river Son and Ganga near Maner and many brick kilns close to Ganga at Digha ghat. The confluence of Gandak has been a very good habitat for round the year. In the last ten years, the confluence of Gandak has also shifted about 4-5 KM from Gulbi ghat to Khajekalan ghat.

In the last two decades the course of Ganga has shifted away from the city of Patna from Digha to Collectorate ghat. Thus currently the Dolphin habitat close to river front is from Collectorate ghat downward only. The left bank of the river at Patna was protected by brick and boulder pitching since long back as this bank used to be the erosion side of the river. The boulders and bricks along the river bank have been found to be good habitat for many of the invertebrates and breeding sites for some of

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the important fish species. The dolphins feed on small size (usually about 10 cm long or less) fish as its gullet is very small. Occasionally it also feeds on mud-dweller small fishes, snails, insects larvae etc. while groveling in the bottom mud. Littoral zones of river i.e. close to river banks are proffered habitat for small fishes and invertebrates. Thus the stretches close to the bank of rivers are good foraging ground for the dolphins.

The Gangetic dolphins have been observed near cremation ghats, ferry ghats, bathing and washing ghats. We understand that in the area of human activities like bathing and washing ghats, ferry ghats and cremation ghats people tend to throw some edible items which could attract the fishes and ultimately the dolphins.

As the Gangetic dolphin is ‘blind’ and its entire life system depends on echo-location, noise pollution in its habitat is dangerous for this species. Many cases of strike with motorized vessels have been observed to be fatal for the dolphin in and around Patna.

I was informed that under the proposed RFD project below the steps of the Ghats near water line/ river edge would be boulders fixed with meshed iron wire. The size of the mess would be eight inches.

The space in between two consecutive ghats has been proposed as land scape terraces. The terraces through series of steps would gradually lead to the river edge and should be landscaped with indigenous species of grasses which would protect the river edge during the rains from erosion.

Buildings at different ghats are proposed for various purposes including one Dolphin Research Centre at Gai ghat.

I understand that there will be not much impact of the RFD Project on dolphin habitat in the Ganga at Patna. Nevertheless, I would like to make following recommendations to be taken into account during the implementation of the project:

1. The mess size of the iron wire to be used to fix the boulders below the steps at ghats close to the water line or river edge should be four inches instead of eight inches. The boulders should be in river water even in the leanest month. The invertebrates and fishes should have access to the boulder pitching. 2. No indigenous grasses should be planted in the landscape terraces between two ghats as in the spaces natural amphibious/aquatic grasses of riparian zone of the river grow which are breeding grounds for various terrestrial and aquatic insects and provide habitats for amphibious/aquatic invertebrates. The planted grasses will get destroyed due to deposition of fresh mud during flood every year; whereas the natural amphibious/aquatic grasses germinate and grow as a natural process every year. It is advisable that landscape terraces should not be allowed to dump solid waste and be used as open lavatory. It should not be allowed for cattle wallowing.

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3. It may be noted that already fund for a National Dolphin Research Centre has been available to the Government of Bihar by the Planning Commission of India. Various administrative decisions have been taken by the Government of Bihar regarding location, administration, future funding etc. for this centre. It is not advisable to construct another Dolphin Research Centre at Gai ghat under the RFD project. Moreover, it is not clear who will manage this center on long term. Under the situation, I would like to suggest that fund available for Dolphin Research Center under the RFD project be merged and made available to the National Dolphin Research Center. 4. There should be minimum or no noise under the water during implementation of the project. If any mechanized boat is used during implementation of the project, the same may be propeller guard.

I understand this preliminary report with some recommendations will allow BUIDCo to proceed with the tendering process of the project. Detailed research on the impact of the RFD project on dolphin habitat may be concluded in due course of time.

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Annexure 1.6: Preliminary Cultural Impact Assessment Report (Prepared by INTACH)

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