Environmental Assessment Report

Final Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 41626 August 2010

IND: Bihar Power System Improvement Project

The Final environmental examination report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Government of Bihar Bihar State Electricity Board

BIHAR POWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

FINAL REPORT INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION DISTRIBUTION COMPONENT

AUGUST 2010

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GOVERNMENT OF BIHAR

COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of government of Bihar & Asian Development Bank. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of either Government of Bihar or Asian Development Bank constitutes an infringement of copyright. Bihar Power System Improvement Project

FINAL REPORT INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION BIHAR POWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DISTRIBUTION COMPONENT

Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vi A. Assessment of Legal Framework and Policy vi B. Anticipated Environmental Impacts vii C. Environmental Assessment for the Project x D. Environment Management Plan xi E. Institutional Arrangements and Responsibilities xiv F. Monitoring and Reporting xiv G. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure xv H. Grievance Redress Mechanism xv 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Overview 1 1.2 Project Goal and Objective 2 1.3 Purpose of IEE Study 2 1.4 Scope of the IEE 2 1.5 Report Structure 2 2 POLICY AND REGULATIONS 4 2.1 Environment Policy 4 2.1.1 The National Environment Policy, 2006 4 2.1.2 ADB’s Safeguard Policy, 2009 4 2.2 Environmental Regulations in India 5 2.3 Laws Applicable to the Sub-project 6 2.3.1 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 6 2.3.2 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 7 2.3.3 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 7 2.3.4 The Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 7 2.3.5 The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 8 2.3.6 The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 8 2.3.7 The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 8 2.3.8 The Indian Forest Act, 1927 9 2.3.9 The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 10 2.3.10 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 10 2.3.11 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 10 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUB-PROJECT 12 3.1 Present Status 12 3.2 Need for the Sub-project 12 3.3 Proposed Sub-project Activities 13 3.3.1 Bhojpur Electrical Supply Circle 13 3.3.2 Samstipur Electrical Supply Circle 14

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3.3.3 Motihari Electrical Supply Circle 15 3.3.4 Nalanda Electrical Supply Circle 16 3.4 Implementation Schedule 17 3.5 Sub-projects Location 17 4 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT 19 4.1 Physical Resources 19 4.1.1 Climate 19 4.1.2 Temperature 19 4.1.3 Humidity 20 4.1.4 Wind 20 4.1.5 Land Use 20 4.1.6 Geomorphology 20 4.1.7 Hydrology and Drainage 21 4.2 Water Quality 21 4.3 Air Quality 22 4.4 Ambient Noise levels 22 4.5 Topography and Soil 23 4.6 Ecological Resources 23 4.6.1 Biodiversity 23 4.6.2 Fisheries Resources 24 4.6.3 Forests 24 4.7 Socio-Economic Development 25 4.7.1 Habitation in the Area 25 4.7.2 Industry 25 4.7.3 Transportation and Communication 25 4.8 Historic and Archaeological Sites 26 4.9 Tourism 26 5 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 27 5.1 Location Impacts 27 5.1.1 Loss of Property and Impact on Habitation 27 5.1.2 Encroachment into Cultural/Religious Structures 28 5.1.3 Encroachment into Precious Ecological Areas 29 5.1.4 Loss of Amenity (Aesthetics, Property Value) & Livelihood to Neighbours. 29 5.1.5 Cutting of Trees and Damage to Vegetation 29 5.1.6 Impact on Existing Drainage System 30 5.1.7 Interference with Other Utilities and Traffic 30 5.2 Design Impacts 30 5.2.1 Escape of Polluting Materials 30 5.2.2 Impact on Sensitive Area, Cultural/Religious Structures 31 5.2.3 Noise/Vibration Nuisances 31 5.2.4 Equipment Submerged under Flood 31 5.3 Construction Impacts 31 5.3.1 Impact due to Transport of Labour and Materials 31 5.3.2 Silt Run Off from Construction Activities 31 5.3.3 Nuisance from Vehicles, Plants and Equipment 32 5.3.4 Impact from Work in Flood Prone Areas 32 5.3.5 Impact on Water Environment 32 5.3.6 Impact on Air Quality 32 5.3.7 Public and Worker Safety 33 5.3.8 Interference with Utilities and Traffic and Blockage of Access 33 5.3.9 Disturbed Farming Activity 33 5.3.10 Borrowing of Earth 34

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5.3.11 Impact on Flora and Fauna 34 5.3.12 Impact Due to the Disposal of Solid Waste 34 5.4 Operation and Maintenance Impact 34 5.4.1 Electric Shock Hazards 34 5.4.2 Operations and Maintenance Staff Skills less than Acceptable 35 5.4.3 Oil Spillage 35 5.4.4 Staff/Workers Health and Safety during Operations 35 5.4.5 Management of Solid Waste Generated 35 6 ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN 36 7 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 45 8 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISAM 47 9 IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS & MONITORING PLAN 48 9.1 Institutional Arrangements 48 9.2 Environmental Monitoring Plan 48 9.3 Budget Estimate for EMP Implementation 50 10 CONCLUSION 51

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List of Figures and Tables Table 1.1: Power Generation in Bihar 1 Table 3.1: Sub-project Activities at Bhojpur Circle 13 Table 3.2: Sub-project Activities at Samstipur Circle 14 Table 3.3: Sub-project Activities at Motihari Circle 15 Table 3.4: Sub-project Activities at Nalanda Circle 16 Fig 3.1: Map Showing the Location of Sub-project Towns 18 Table 4.1: Land Use Pattern of Bihar 20 Table 4.2: Surface Water Quality in Bihar 21 Table 4.3: Ambient Air Quality at Gandhi Maidan, Patna 22 Table 4.4: Typical Ambient Noise Level in Bihar 23 Table 6.1: Environment Management Plan 37 Table 7.1: Summary of Consultations 46 Table 7.2: Proposed Plan for Public Consultation 46 Table 9.1: Environmental Monitoring Plan 49 Table 9.2: Budget Estimate for EMP Implementation 50

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank APDRP Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program AT & C Aggregate Technical & Commercial BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand BPSIP Bihar Power System Improvement Project BSEB Bihar State Electricity Board BSHPC Bihar State Hydro Power Corporation BSPCB Bihar State Pollution Control Board CFC Chlorofluorocarbon Cm Centimetre CTA Component Technical Assistance DBA Decibel (weighted A) DG Diesel Generator DMC Developing Member Country DO Dissolved Oxygen DPR Detailed Project Report EA Execution Agency EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environment Management Plan ESMP Environment and Social Management Unit GIS Geographical Information System GoB Government of Bihar GoI Government of India GHG Green House Gas Ha Hactre HT High Tension IA Implementing Agency IEE Initial Environmental Examination

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project iv Bihar Power System Improvement Project km Kilo metre LILO Looping in and looping out LT Low tension m Metre MoEF Ministry of Environment and Forest MW Mega Watt

NOx Oxides of Nitrogen O & M Operation and Maintenance PGCIL Power Grid Corporation of India Limited PM Project Management PMU Project Management Unit PTCC Power Telecom Coordination Committee ROW Right-of-Way RP Resettlement Plan RSPM Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter SPCB State Pollution Control Board SPM Suspended Particulate Matter

SO2 Sulphur Dioxide STP Sewage Treatment Plant TA Technical Assistance TC Total Coliform

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The objectives of the proposed Bihar Power System Improvement Project (BPSIP) are improvement of electricity supply in the State of Bihar through the relief network capacity constraints and the reduction of technical and commercial losses through augmentation and modernisation of the transmission and distribution networks of the State. The proposed scope of works under distribution component includes: (i) establishment of new 33 kV sub- stations; (ii) the renovation and modernization of 33 kV sub-stations, (iii) erection of new and upgrading and reconductoring of existing high voltage and low voltage distribution lines, and (iv) augmentation of distribution transformer capacity in seven towns in four distribution circles of Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB). A. Assessment of Legal Framework and Policy National Environmental Policy 2006 of Government of India (GoI) and Safeguard Policy 2009 of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and procedures and guidelines thereto apply to all components/sub-projects funded by ADB. The sub-projects included under distribution component of BPSIP should comply with the requirements of the following Acts, Rules, Notifications and Standards of Government of India (GoI) and policies. ƒ The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended; ƒ The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended; ƒ The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; ƒ The Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 as amended; ƒ The Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended; ƒ The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000; ƒ The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 as amended; ƒ The Indian Forest Act, 1927 as amended; ƒ The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended; ƒ The Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and ƒ The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as amended. ƒ The National Environmental Policy, 2006 of GoI and ƒ The Safeguard Policy, 2009 of ADB Owing to the nature and scale of sub-projects and associated likely minimal impacts, most of sub-projects do not fall under the ambit of the above Regulations. Limited facilities notably galvanising activities associated with distribution lines; disposal of wastes and discarded materials and sub-projects that interfere with protected areas will attract various provisions as elucidated above. The ADB issued a Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS 2009) according to which, the distribution component of the proposed project falls in the environmental category ‘B’, which requires the preparation of an IEE only.

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B. Anticipated Environmental Impacts The positive impacts of the investment program will be manifold compared to negative impacts. The negative environmental impacts are likely due to land acquisition for sub- stations, construction activities of the sub-stations and power lines and disposal of discarded materials from the reconstruction and modernisation activities. The location impacts will be comparatively low due to the low forest coverage of the State and wildlife habitats. As the main activities under the distribution component of the Investment Program will be construction of sub-stations, laying of distribution lines spread over to a large geographical area, the negative impacts, if any, will not have any cumulative impact. Loss of Forest Cover: Most of the sub-projects proposed under distribution component are confined to urban or rural areas. The sites identified for establishment of sub-stations are either government land or private agricultural land. No forest or wildlife sanctuary will be affected by the proposed distribution lines. During the detailed survey for finalisation of the alignment of the new distribution lines, all measures including diversion of the alignment will be considered to ensure that there will not be any impact on any sensitive environment like forest and wildlife sanctuaries. Loss of Property and Resettlement: The site selection for the sub-stations and distribution lines were so carefully done that the vicinity to the existing settlements such as cities, villages, buildings/huts/structures etc. are totally avoided. The sub-stations are proposed mainly on land owned by the Government and/or with other Government agencies. The land identified is vacant or agricultural land. About 180 squatters had occupied the government land identified for new sub-station at Nauranga. Few of them have to be relocated after preparing and implementing RP, as finalized by the Competent Authority of GoB based on the existing regulations of the Country and ADB’s Safeguard Policy 2009. The alignment of the proposed distribution lines will be finalised after conducting detailed physical survey of the land though which the lines passes. The line routing will be done avoiding existing settlements such as cities, villages, houses, huts, buildings, and fruit bearing trees or any other existing settlement directly related with the livelihood of people. Impacts on Flora and Fauna: The proposed alignments in the core sub-projects have avoided forests, wildlife sanctuaries and other ecologically sensitive areas. No endangered species of flora and fauna exist in the project area as well as no reserve forest is getting affected thus there is no possibility of endangering/causing extinction of any species. Land Value Depreciation: The value of properties adjacent to sub-stations, and distribution lines is likely to be decreased. Based on past experience, the nearby land prices are generally expected to rise in the areas receiving power. Historical, Cultural Monuments and Value: As a policy of selection of route and site for sub-stations, only the site, which avoids all the historical and cultural monuments, will be finalised for implementation of the Investment Program. As per the preliminary assessment carried out during preliminary surveys for site selection and route alignments in consultation with state revenue authorities and ASI, no such monuments are coming in the proposed route alignments and sub-station sites.

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Encroachment into Other Valuable Lands: The establishment of the sub-stations and infrastructure associated with the sub-stations may have slight adverse impact on the aesthetics and the value of property adjacent to the site will decrease marginally. High compound wall will be constructed around the sub-stations to form a physical separation and visual screen to the development. Crop Damage: During the construction of distribution lines there is little chance of crop damage. Compensation for the cost of crop being damaged during construction of distribution lines will be paid to the owners by BSEB. Cutting of Trees and Damage to Vegetation: Trees exist in the site selected for establishing the sub-stations and ROW of new distribution lines will have to be cut or removed. Alignment of the sub-stations and route of distribution lines will be finalised in a manner so as to avoid or minimize the cutting and removal of trees. If cutting of trees is unavoidable, then appropriate regulatory approvals from all concerned agencies should be obtained, and compensatory afforestation will be carried out. Impact on Existing Drainage System: Almost all the new sub-station sites identified are low-lying area and require to be raised to avoid flooding. The design of the sub-stations will ensure that any existing natural drainage system in the site will be protected or proper diversions will be included in the sub-project activities. Interference with Other Utilities and Traffic: The proposed distribution lines may have to cross Railway lines, telecommunication lines etc. A standing committee - Power Telecom Co-ordination Committee (P.T.C.C.) has been constituted by Government of India to plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage, which may occur to nearby telecom circuit and suggest necessary protection measures to be adopted. The committee suggests measures like rerouting of the telecom circuits, conversion of overhead telecom circuits into cables etc. to minimize the interference. Escape of Polluting Materials: Certain equipments like transformers, capacitors may generate hazardous chemicals like waste transformer oil containing PCB and other toxic metals. The design should ensure that (i) the transformers specifications will be selected as per internationally adopted standards, (ii) transformers / capacitors should be free from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), (iii) transformers / other equipments should be not contain any chemical causing GHG emission. Noise/Vibration Nuisance: Most of the equipment required at sub-station are static and will be so designed that the noise level always remains within permissible limits i.e. 85 dBA as per Indian and International standard- 7194.and the sound level 1 m outside the premises shall not exceed the permissible limit prescribed by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000. Impacts on Topography and Drainage Pattern: No alteration in the local topography, which may modify natural drainage pattern thereby, causing flooding, is envisaged. There will not be any changes in the topography on regional scale either.

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Soil Erosion and Silt Run Off: The sub-project activities involve only pit digging for foundation of sub-station buildings, towers, poles and stays for poles and stays erection. So no uncontrolled silt run off is anticipated. Nuisance from Vehicles, Plants and Equipments: Operation and movement of vehicles and plants may cause noise and nuisance. The vehicles, plants and machineries used for construction will comply with the statutory norms. At construction sites noisy construction works such as piling, concrete mixing, mechanical compaction, etc., will be carried out only during daytime (between 0600 hours to 2200 hours). Impact on Water Environment: During the construction phase, domestic sewage from construction camps and staff quarters, spillage of oil and other lubricants, disposal of construction wastes and wastewater from washing of construction equipments and vehicles may cause impact on water body. EMP with good construction practice will be implemented. Impact on Air Quality: Impacts on air quality will be mainly due to airborne dust in the vicinity of the work sites as a result of excavation and construction activities and emission from construction equipments and vehicles. The equipments and vehicles used at construction site shall comply with the norms and standards prescribed by the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. Construction materials such as stone aggregates, sand etc shall be procured only from firms having valid approvals from concerned authorities. Public and Workers Safety: During implementation of the sub-project, human safety will be a most important concern. Different types of construction materials as well as heavy vehicles may be the cause for concern. Proper contingency measures will be needed for ensuring human safety. The Contractor shall comply with requirements for the safety of the workmen as per the existing national /state /local regulations. The contractor shall supply all necessary safety appliances such as safety goggles, helmets, masks, boots, etc., to the workers and staff. Disturbed Farming Activity: The distribution lines have to be constructed partly through agricultural land. The construction activities on cropping land may damage the crops and cause losses to the public. To avoid disturbance of field crops, construction activities on cropping land will be timed within one month of harvest wherever possible. In case of any crop damage occurs, compensation for the crop damage will be given to the Affected Families as per the decisions of competent authority of the Government. Borrowing of Earth: All most all the sites for new sub-stations identified are low-lying area and need to be elevated to avoid flooding. No new borrow area will be developed exclusively for this project. The contractor will collect the required materials from approved borrow area having all valid statutory clearances. Impact Due to the Disposal of Solid Waste: The solid waste generated mostly in the form of replaced equipments i.e. transformers, capacitors, conductors, meters, batteries and other electrical equipments. The solid wastes are either recycled or sold/auctioned to registered recycling or reprocessing units. The discarded batteries should be handed over to the dealer or manufacturer or auction to registered recyclers only.

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Used oil / burned oil from in the transformers will be recycled after processing through reprocessing units registered with Ministry of Environment and Forest as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Handling and Management) Rules 1989. Electric Shock Hazards: Injury/mortality to staff and public may occur during the operation and maintenance of the power lines and sub-stations. Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimise hazards, security fences around sub-stations, barriers to prevent climbing on/dismantling of electric post/towers, appropriate warning signs on facilities and electricity safety awareness raising programs will be provided as part of the sub-project activities. Oil Spillage: Oil spillage from transformers and other equipments in the sub-stations and powerhouse may lead to contamination of land/nearby water bodies. Sub-station transformers will be located within secure and impervious bunded areas with a storage capacity of at least 100% of the capacity of oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks. Oil traps will be provided to reclaim the oil from the storm water drained from the bunded area. Staff/Workers Health and Safety during Operations: The workers and staff are exposed to a hazardous and risky working environment and accident can occur at any time. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger of electrocuting from electrical equipment and power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. All workers and staff will be given training/awareness programs on safety measures to be followed during the operation and maintenance of the system. Exposure to Electromagnetic Interference: The people and animals passing crossing the high voltage lines may be exposed to electromagnetic field. High voltage lines should be designed and maintained to comply with the limits of electromagnetic interference from overhead power lines Further impact assessment will be carried out during the design stage as per the Safeguard Policy of ADB and Environmental Regulations of the Country. The overall sector impact, however, is likely to be minimal because most of the activities under the Investment Program do not have any significant impact on the environment. C. Environmental Assessment for the Project Preliminary site selection and alignment of distribution lines was done based on the topographic sheets of the Survey of India and Forest Atlas. For the selection of the optimum route or sub-station site, route/site with the following criteria will be selected after detailed survey: (i) having minimized human resettlements; (ii) did not affect monuments of cultural or historical importance; (iii) did not create a threat to the survival of any community with special reference to tribal communities; (iv) did not affect any public utility services like playgrounds or schools; (v) did not pass through any forests, sanctuaries, national parks, etc; and, (vi) having minimized damage to the existing forest resources. A minor negative impact of the sub-project will be felt during the pre-construction and construction phases which may involve removal of vegetation and cutting of trees for carrying construction materials to the sites and erection of towers and stringing of the power lines.

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These problems would be overcome by paying adequate compensation when construction work is over and bringing back the lands to their original forms before being handed over to the owners. Crop production lost due to these activities during the pre-construction and construction phases will have to be compensated as well. Minor negative impacts like clearing of vegetation and cutting of trees at the pre-construction and construction phases should be taken care of by proper mitigation measures. Efforts should be made to avoid cutting of trees as much as possible. Cutting of some trees might be unavoidable compensatory afforestation will be done in surrounding areas for the conservation of biodiversity. The season for implementing the work should be selected by adjusting with the cropping season so as to minimise crops damage. Proper compensation will be paid and the land should be brought back to its original form before being handed back to the owners. The construction labour camps should be provided with water supply and sanitation facilities. The workers should be apprised of hygienic practices. The workers camp will be demolished on completion of the work and the site will be brought back to its original condition. The minor impact on noise level, and increase in traffic will be within the existing levels experienced by the local people. The sub-projects under distribution component will be implemented under expert supervision. The EMP and the environmental monitoring system prepared for distribution component, if properly implemented during the pre-construction, construction, post-construction, and operation phases will avoid all negative impacts due to the sub-project implementation. Therefore, the proposed sub-project will have no residual adverse impact on the environment or the eco-system. The estimated EMP cost including (i) compensation for private land, structures and trees for proposed ROW and sub-station sites, (ii) compensation for crops in ROW and tower sites, (iii) cost for implementation of EMP (iv) training of professionals and workers about accidental cases and safety measures, and (vi) monitoring plan (consultant for monitoring and transportation cost for monitoring team) is Rs.132.40 lakhs. D. Environment Management Plan An environment management plan (EMP) was developed to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts noticed during the environmental assessment of the distribution components of the investment program, the summary of which is presented below. The EMP includes adverse impacts and proposed mitigation measures to be adopted during implementation.

Summary of Environment Management Plan

Project Stage/Anticipated Mitigation Measures impact

Location Loss of forest cover Site/alignment selection will avoid location of facilities in forestlands. Minimize area with better design/technology Select degraded forest land as far possible, Implement afforestation measures on the equal area, and Obtain clearance from MoEF.

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Loss of property and Site selection will avoid displacement of community as far as possible resettlement Impacts, if any, will be addressed through integration of resettlement plans in the project. Impacts on Flora and Fauna Avoid encroachment into National Park, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserved Forest and other ecologically sensitive area by careful site and alignment selection Minimise the need by using existing towers, tall towers and ROW, wherever possible Obtain statutory clearances from the Government Historical, cultural monuments Finalise alignments for the sub-stations, and distribution lines avoiding any and value religious or cultural structures Encroachment into other Ensure the design of the system should not have any impact on visual valuable lands aesthetics Finalise the alignment to minimise impact on livelihood to neighbours Compensation for loss of crops and livelihood Cutting of trees and damage Pruning of branches of trees wherever possible to vegetation Trees allowed growing up to a height within the ROW by maintaining adequate clearance between the top of tree and the conductor as per the regulations. Compensatory afforestation at the rate of two trees for every trees cut/removed Stacking, transportation and storage of wood as per the relevant specifications /norms. Impact on existing drainage Finalise alignment avoiding blockage of drainage system system Design should ensure protection of existing drainage system Proper diversion of drainage system Appropriate siting of towers/structures to avoid channel interference Interference with other utilities Seek clearance prior to construction from department of Railways, and traffic Telecommunications and wherever necessary from aviation authorities Plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage Consultation with the public and implementation of traffic management plan Design Escape of polluting materials Transformers designed with oil spill containment systems, and purpose-built oil, lubricant and fuel storage system, complete with spill cleanup equipment. The transformers/capacitors will be selected as per internationally adopted standards and will be free from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and any chemical causing GHG emission. Noise/vibration nuisances Sub-stations sited and designed to ensure noise will not be a nuisance Equipments should comply with Indian National standard Equipment submerged under Sub-stations constructed above the high flood level (HFL) by raising the site flood and foundation Construction Loss of vegetation due to site Marking of vegetation to be removed prior to clearance clearance Strict control on clearing activities to ensure minimal clearance Silt run off from construction Develop and implement Construction Site Management Plan to cover site activities preparation to minimize clearance to adjoining vegetation and natural resources; protection of unstable soil surface from high velocity runoff with interception drains and stabilization; proper siting and protection of construction materials; construction wastes disposal practice etc Soil erosion from construction Scheduling of works in non-monsoon season will minimize the impact. This is sites very important for all hilly towns. Before the discontinuance of work on monsoon onset, erosion control measures such as on site soil stabilisation will be implemented. Nuisance from vehicles, The vehicles, plants machineries used for construction to comply with the plants and equipment statutory norms. Noisy construction works such as piling, concrete mixing, mechanical compaction, etc., will be carried out only during day time (between 0600 hours

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to 2200 hours). Monitoring of sound levels at construction sites Impact from work in flood Precautions to avoid blocking of drainage path by construction activities prone areas Avoid storing materials, chemicals and other items of work in areas where those can be washed away by the floods Impact on water environment Prevent the wastewater produced in construction from entering directly into streams, water bodies or the irrigation systems. Labour quarters shall be provided with adequate and appropriate facilities for water supply, sanitation, disposal of sewerage and solid waste. Oil and fuel spills from construction equipment will be minimized by good O&M practices. Impact on air quality Spraying of water in construction sites and on exposed earth surfaces and stock piles of sand and other construction materials, Covering of transportation vehicles with tarpaulins Monitoring of ambient air at major construction sites Public and workers safety Comply with requirements for the safety of the workmen as per the existing national /state /local regulations. Disturbed farming activity Construction activities on cropping land will be timed within one month of harvest wherever possible. Compensation for crop damage, if any Borrowing of earth Collect the required materials from approved borrow area having all valid statutory clearances. Impact due to the disposal of Collect the required materials from approved borrow area having all valid solid waste statutory clearances. Impact on flora and fauna Marking of vegetation to be removed prior to clearance Strict control on clearing activities to ensure minimal clearance. Trees allowed growing up to a height within the ROW by maintaining adequate clearance between the top of tree and the conductor as per the regulations. If cutting of trees is unavoidable, then obtain appropriate regulatory approvals Compensatory afforestation at the rate of twice the trees cut/removed Operation and Maintenance Electric shock hazards Security fences around sub-stations Barriers to prevent climbing on/dismantling of towers Appropriate warning signs on facilities Electricity safety awareness raising in project areas Operations and maintenance Adequate training in O&M to all relevant staff of distribution sub-stations and staff Skills less than distribution line maintenance crews. acceptable O&M will be prepared Regular training will be given to all relevant staff and maintenance crews to operate the system in accordance with the manuals Staff/workers health and Adequate precautions to prevent danger of electrocuting from electrical safety during operations equipment and power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. Measures such as danger signboards, danger /red lights, fencing and lights will be provided to protect the staff and workers At every workplace, first aid kit shall be readily available including an adequate supply of sterilized dressing materials, medicines and appliances in accordance with the regulations All workers and staff will be given training/awareness programs on safety measures to be followed during the operation and maintenance of the system. Management of Waste Replaced equipments i.e. transformers, capacitors, conductors, meters, Generated batteries, transformer oil and other electrical equipments to be disposed of as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 and the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.

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E. Institutional Arrangements and Responsibilities The executing agency, BSEB will set up a state-level Project Management Unit (PMU) for this purpose. The EA will form an Environment and Social Management Unit (ESMU) in PMU at the corporate level to monitor the environmental impacts during the implementation of the project. A chief officer of the company will head the cell. A qualified environmental engineer will be included in the cell to look after environmental consequences of all sub-projects. This ESMU will be responsible for the implementation of environmental management plan of the project. The regular monitoring of environmental compliance shall be undertaken to make sure that the mitigation measures proposed in EMP are complied with. Regular reports will be submitted to concerned pollution control agencies. If required, external agencies will be hired for monitoring and auditing of the EMP activities. The ESMU will be self-sufficient for monitoring the program and preparation of progress reports. The implementation of EMP during construction phase will be the responsibility of the contractor. During the construction phase, the ESMU will monitor the performance of the contractor who will be contracted to construct the work in a manner that mitigates adverse environmental impacts during the construction phase. Contractor will engage a qualified Environmental Officer to ensure implementation of the EMP, monitoring the implementation and reporting the progress of implementation. Mitigation measures of a planning, functional, institutional and procedural character will be included in the tender documents and in the supplementary activity plans. The PMU will also be responsible for ensuring all measures suggested in the EMP are included in the design and bid document. The PMU will also be responsible for monitoring and enforcement of EMP during construction. During the operational phase, the BSEB will be responsible for monitoring the environmental quality periodically to ensure that the sub-project is not causing any adverse impact to the environment. F. Monitoring and Reporting Regular monitoring of the environmental performance will be carried out as per schedule below. If required, an external environmental consultant will be engaged by BSEB for the task. Quarterly monitoring reports will be submitted to the BSEB. BSEB will use these details for preparation of half yearly report to be submitted to ADB.

Project stage Indicators Location Frequency Respon-sibility Pre- Incorporation of mitigation One-off before ESMU/PMU construction measures into design and site design approval identification as suggested in EMP Proper compensation for Sub- station site Every month ESMU/PMU Landowners, crops and and ROW sites properties. Minimization of tree cutting by All sub-projects One-off before ESMU/PMU best alignment sites approval Encroachment into forest land All sub-projects One-off before ESMU/PMU sites approval Incorporation of construction All sub-projects One off before ESMU/PMU stage mitigation measures in contract finalization of contract documents documents contract

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Construction Preparation of construction All sub-projects One-off before start ESMU/PMU stage management plan sites of construction Implementation of mitigation All construction Daily Contractor/ESMU measures sites Ambient air quality All Construction Once in a month (2 Contractor Sites monitoring stations)

Noise Construction Same as above Contractor Site Operation Implementation of SOPs and All sub-stations Once in three BSEB and training to workers and staff months maintenance Disposal of wastes All sub-stations Once in six months BSEB G. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure Public consultation/information disclosure is an integral part of the environmental assessment of the project. During the project formulation stage, BSEB had conducted detailed physical survey and analysis of the existing system. During the physical survey and during the project scoping exercise, considerable dialogue was held with the public and other the line agencies of State Government. During the reconnaissance survey and preliminary environmental assessment, focussed informal discussions were held with the local people and officials. No major environmental issues were raised during the consultation process. The people are most supportive of the project stating that the project will improve electricity supply in the area and will improve their living conditions. The SPCB and the Department of Forest were consulted, and information gathered as a part of the IEE preparation. The IEE will be disclosed in the web site of BSEB and will be made available in the BSEB Office for public reference. H. Grievance Redress Mechanism A grievance redress committee (GRC) will be established to address the concerns and grievances of the local communities and affected persons. The GRC will provide a public forum to raise any concern or objections. The GRC will comprise of representatives from the project proponent, local authorities and affected parties, and other stakeholders, as mutually agreed with the local authorities and affected persons, and senior officials from the EA. The EA will be responsible disseminating information about the functional norms of the GRC. The committee will meet at least twice a year or more frequently, if required. A complaint registering and monitoring system will be established and all public complaints will be entered into a complaints register. Complaint register will be made available at all local offices of BSEB. The Environmental Officer of the contractor will promptly investigate and review environmental complaints and implement appropriate corrective actions to arrest or mitigate the cause of the complaints. The register of all complaints together with the action taken by the contractor is to be passed to the BSEB within 48 hours of its receipt. The Environmental Engineer of ESMU will take appropriate action and place the complaint together with the action taken before the GRC within a week. The decision of the GRC shall be implemented in a time framed manner.

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project xv Bihar Power System Improvement Project

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview 1. The provision of a reliable, affordable electricity supply is a prerequisite for economic and social development in Bihar. The present installed power generation capacity of Bihar is 586.10 MW comprising of 46.10 MW hydro-power and 540 MW thermal. Details of power generation in Bihar are presented in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Power Generation in Bihar

Source Location Installed Capacity, MW Agency Hydro electric Kosi 19.20 BSHPC Sone E & W Canal 9.90 BSHPC East Gandak Canal 15.00 BSHPC Agnoor 1.00 BSHPC Dhelabagh 1.00 BSHPC Sub-total 46.10 Thermal Barauni 320.00 BSEB Muzaffarpur 220.00 BSEB Sub-total 540.00 Total 586.10 2. The Kosi Hydro-electric power station could not attain designed generation capacity and is being operated at a lower capacity. There is no power generation from thermal power stations in the state sector at present. All thermal stations are under shut down due to refurbishment/deteriorated condition. During the year 2006-2007, Bihar faced energy and peak power shortages of 8.1% and 16.9% respectively. The total generation capacity of the State is 1,629 MW of which 1000 MW is the share from central sector. It is estimated that the peak demand of the State by 2012 is 10,500 MW. To meet this increased demand, Bihar proposes to enhance its generation capacity by 5,550 MW on the state sector (3,546 MW and 2,980 MW respectively in hydel and thermal). 3. The current power distribution scenario in Bihar, which is characterised by about 47% Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, warrants a radical change, especially in the electricity distribution management. The Government of Bihar (GoB) introduced franchisee operation in distribution, mainly in urban areas of Bihar where changes in governance and improved technological and management interventions will improve operational efficiency and customer service. Inadequate and poor infrastructure in the transmission distribution system is the main constraint in providing reliable and quality power to the end users. Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) has taken up the augmentation of distribution systems in 16 circles under the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (APDRP) of the Central Government primarily to improve the quality, reliability and reduce transmission and distribution losses. The APDRP in Bihar consists of (i) establishment of new distribution sub-stations, (ii) installation of consumer and feeder metering, (iii) re-conductoring of overloaded 33 kV and 11 kV lines, (iv) renovation and modernisation of existing sub-stations and distribution transformers and (v) installation of new distribution transformers.

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4. The development of infrastructure of power distribution system in the State could not take place with requisite pace due to the following reasons: (1) Delay in land acquisition; (2) Lack of human resources; (3) Delay in formulation of project reports due to lack of base line data; (4) Lack of experience in preparation of bankable detailed project reports (DPRs); and (5) Frequent transfers of implementing officers. 5. In order to overcome these difficulties it was proposed to take assistance from ADB in power sector, which will combine loan and technical assistance programs. 1.2 Project Goal and Objective 6. The objective of the proposed investment program is the improvement of electricity supply through relief in generation and network capacity constraints and the reduction of technical and commercial losses. The proposed scope of work under distribution component includes: (i) construction of new 33 kV sub-stations across Bihar; (ii) in four distribution circles, the renovation and modernization of 33 kV sub-stations; (iii) erection of new and upgrading and reconductoring of existing high voltage and low voltage distribution lines;(iv) augmentation of distribution transformer capacity; (v) computerization of billing; (vi) the introduction of power sub-station and distribution feeder metering and data logging; and (vii) establishment of spot billing centres and a consumer communication system. 1.3 Purpose of IEE Study 7. Though the Power System Improvement Project in Bihar aims to improve the power transmission and distribution capacity of the State and ensure reliable and quality supply to the end users, the development of infrastructure facilities like sub-stations, transmission and distribution system may cause certain negative environmental impacts. These impacts may arise in the project life cycle during planning, implementation and/or during operation phases and in limited cases, may also arise after end of operation period. The initial environmental examination (IEE) was conducted for the sub-project to reveal that the distribution component of the project, owing to its scale and magnitude of activities coupled with the environmental setting of the project towns in Bihar, are unlikely to have significant negative impacts on the environment. 1.4 Scope of the IEE 8. The IEE was based mainly on secondary sources of information and field reconnaissance surveys; no field monitoring (environmental) survey was conducted. The data available with the Central and State Government Institutions, Forest Department, State Pollution Control Board and published documents were used for the preparation of IEE. Stakeholder consultation was an integral part of the IEE. 1.5 Report Structure 9. This Report contains nine sections including this introductory section: (i) introduction; (ii) policy and legislations, (iii) description of the sub-project; (iv) description of the

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 2 Bihar Power System Improvement Project environment; (v) potential environmental impacts; (vi) environment management plan; (vii) public consultation and information disclosure; (viii) grievance redress mechanism (ix) implementation arrangements and monitoring plan; and (x) conclusions.

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2 POLICY AND REGULATIONS

2.1 Environment Policy 10. Environment policy is any course of action deliberately taken to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on humans. The National Conservation Strategy and the Policy Statement on Environment and Development introduced by GoI in 1992 is in response to the need for laying down the guidelines that will help to weave environmental considerations into the fabric of our national life and of our development process. It is an expression of our commitment for reorienting policies and action in unison with the environmental perspective. GoI introduced The National Environment Policy in 2006, which is built on the earlier policy. ADB had introduced and adopting Environment Policy 2002 in the implementation of all projects funded by them. In 2009, a comprehensive Safeguard Policy, which is being followed at all stages of the projects funded by it. 2.1.1 The National Environment Policy, 2006 11. The National Environment Policy (NEP) is a response to our national commitment to a clean environment, mandated in the Constitution in Articles 48 A and 51 A (g), strengthened by judicial interpretation of Article 21. It is recognized that maintaining a healthy environment is not the state's responsibility alone, but also that of every citizen. A spirit of partnership should thus be realized throughout the spectrum of environmental management in the country. While the state must galvanize its efforts, there should also be recognition by each individual - natural or institutional, of its responsibility towards maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment. NEP is intended to mainstream environmental concerns in all development activities. It briefly describes the key environmental challenges currently and prospectively facing the country, the objectives of environment policy, normative principles underlying policy action, strategic themes for intervention, broad indications of the legislative and institutional development needed to accomplish the strategic themes, and mechanisms for implementation and review. The dominant theme of this policy is that while conservation of environmental resources is necessary to secure livelihoods and well-being of all, the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependent on particular resources obtain better livelihoods from the fact of conservation, than from degradation of the resource. 2.1.2 ADB’s Safeguard Policy, 2009 12. The objectives of ADB’s Safeguard Policy are to: (i) avoid adverse impacts of projects; (ii) minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts; and (iii) help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the capacity to manage environmental and social risks. The goal of the SPS, 2009 is to promote the sustainability of project outcomes by protecting the environment and people from projects’ potential adverse impacts. 13. Environmental Safeguards Policy 2009 is built on the following Principle: 1. Use a screening process for each proposed project, as early as possible;

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2. Conduct an environmental assessment for each proposed project. Assess potential transboundary and global impacts, including climate change; 3. Examine alternatives to the project’s location, design, technology, and components; 4. Avoid/minimize, mitigate, and/or offset adverse impacts. Prepare an environmental management plan (EMP); 5. Carry out meaningful consultation with affected people and facilitate their informed participation; 6. Disclose a draft environmental assessment (including the EMP) in a timely manner, before project appraisal, in an accessible place and in a form and language(s) understandable to affected people and other stakeholders. Disclose the final environmental assessment, and its updates if any, to affected people and other stakeholders; 7. Implement the EMP and monitor its effectiveness. Document and disclose monitoring results; 8. Do not implement project activities in areas of critical habitats, unless (i) there are no measurable adverse impacts on the critical habitat that could impair its ability to function, (ii) there is no reduction in the population of any recognized endangered or critically endangered species, and (iii) any lesser impacts are mitigated. If a project is located within a legally protected area, implement additional programs to promote and enhance the conservation aims of the protected area; 9. Apply pollution prevention and control technologies and practices consistent with international good practices such as the World Bank Group’s Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines; 10. Provide workers with safe and healthy working conditions and prevent accidents, injuries, and disease; and 11. Conserve physical cultural resources and avoid destroying or damaging them by using field based surveys. 14. According to the ADB SPS 2009, the proposed distribution component under BPSIP will fall in category – “B”, which requires preparation Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) only. The present study was carried out considering the ADB guidelines along with GoI rules and regulations.

2.2 Environmental Regulations in India 15. The conservation, protection and improvement of the environment were explicitly included in the Constitution of India by the Constitutional Amendments in 1976. Articles 48A and 51A (g) highlight the national consensus on the importance attached to environmental issues, and provide the foundation for environmental protection. The country’s comprehensive environmental legislation dates back to the introduction of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in 1974. Subsequently several other legislations came into existence for the protection and conservation of the environmental resources of the country. These regulations impose certain restrictions on new developments including

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 5 Bihar Power System Improvement Project infrastructure development projects to ensure that these projects on implementation will not cause any adverse impact on the environment. In 1980, the Environmental Appraisal Committee constituted by Government of India (GoI) provided specific guidelines for clearance for large projects/industries from the environmental angle. The next step in environmental management in India was the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. This notification laid down comprehensive procedures and requirements for obtaining EIA clearance for major developmental activities. Certain other Central Laws like Forest Act and the Forest Conservation Act also impose certain restriction on developmental activities. 2.3 Laws Applicable to the Sub-project 16. The environmental assessment and review process for any sub-project included under the Bihar Power System Improvement Project (BPSIP) would address the requirements of the following Government (Central and State) Acts, Rules, Notifications and Standards. ƒ The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended; ƒ The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended; ƒ The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; ƒ The Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 as amended; ƒ The Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended; ƒ The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000; ƒ The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 as amended; ƒ The Indian Forest Act, 1927 as amended; ƒ The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended; ƒ The Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and ƒ The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as amended 2.3.1 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 17. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was introduced on 1974 with an objective to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and for maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness of our water bodies. The Act prohibits the use of stream or well for the disposal of polluting matters. Any project/industry generating sewage or trade effluent should obtain consent to establish from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for establishing the facilities and consent to operate for beginning the operation of the plant. Necessary pollution abatement system has to be implemented along with the project to ensure that the effluent discharged from the plant/facility shall comply with the effluent standard prescribed by the Act. The power sector projects require large quantities of galvanised iron structures for the erection of transmission and distribution towers. The galvanising process will generate trade effluent and will come under the preview of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. Even though the galvanising process is not an activity directly associated with the sub-project, the Executing Agency (EA) should ensure

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 6 Bihar Power System Improvement Project that the galvanised iron structures required for the sub-project should be procured from firms having valid consent to operate from SPCB. 2.3.2 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 18. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was introduced on 1981 for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. The Act imposes restriction on establishment and operation of industrial plant1 in an air pollution control area. Consent of SPCB has to be obtained for the establishment and operation of industrial plant. The person operating the plant shall install and operate necessary pollution control equipments and maintain the emission standards prescribed. The construction activities associated with the sub-project implementation require large quantities of crushed stone metals. The stone crushers used to supply materials to the sub-project should have valid consent issued by the SPCB. Similarly the generators, if any, used in the construction activities should have valid consent of SPCB. 2.3.3 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 19. In 1986, the Environmental (Protection) Act was promulgated as an umbrella legislation that supplements then existing environmental regulations. The Act empowers the Central Government to take measures for protecting and improving the quality of environment and preventing, controlling and abating environmental pollution. The Act also empowers the Central Government to make rules prescribing standards for quality of air, water or soil, the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances, prohibition and restriction of industries and carrying on process and operations in different areas, etc. In exercise of the above powers, the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in Government of India (GoI) notified the Environment Impact Assessment Notification in 1994, the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules in 1989, the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules in 2000 and the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules in 2001. 2.3.4 The Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 20. The EIA Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 requires projects specified in the notification to obtain environmental clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. This Notification is now superseded by the Notification dated September 14, 20062 and provides a detailed and comprehensive framework for environmental clearance, requiring that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) be conducted for new development projects; Projects are now required to pass through a process of screening, scoping and classification either as category A or Category B, depending on severity of impacts and nature of projects, with a stipulated thresholds for various types of projects for categorisation.

1 Plant used for industrial or trade purposes and emitting any air pollutant into the atmosphere is termed as ‘industrial plant’

2 Ministry of Environment and Forest, Gazette of India notification, S.O.1533, 14th September 2006

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21. An application seeking prior environmental clearance in all cases shall be made in the prescribed Form after the identification of prospective site(s) for the project and/or activities to which the application relates, before commencing any construction activity, or preparation of land, at the site by the applicant. The environmental clearance process for new projects will comprise of a maximum of four stages, viz: (i) screening, (ii) scooping, (iii) public consultation, and (iv) appraisal. In the screening stage, the category B project will be further categorised as B1 or B2. In the scooping stage, Expert Appraisal Committee determine detailed and comprehensive Terms of Reference (TOR) addressing all relevant environmental concerns for the preparation of an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report in respect of the project or activity for which prior environmental clearance is sought. “Public Consultation” refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected persons and others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the project or activity are ascertained with a view to taking into account all the material concerns in the project or activity design as appropriate. All Category ‘A’ and Category B1 projects or activities shall undertake Public Consultation. In the appraisal stage, the application will be scrutinised by the Expert Committee and make recommendation to the Environmental Impact Assessment Authority which take final decision on the application. 2.3.5 The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 22. The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules was first introduced in 1989, which was amended making a total change in 2003. According to the Rules, the Occupier of the hazardous waste generating industry has to obtain an authorisation from the SPCB for the collection, transportation, treatment, reception, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. The acid residue generated during the process of galvanising the structures required for transmission and distribution lines is listed as item No.12 of Schedule I attached to the Rules and hence required to obtain authorisation from SPCB. Since the galvanising process is not an activity directly carried out under the sub-project, the EA should ensure that the galvanised iron structures required for the sub-project shall be procured from firms having valid authorisation of SPCB. 2.3.6 The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 23. Based on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, restrictions were imposed for the production and use of ozone depleting substances through the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules in 2000. The rules prescribe a time schedule for the phasing out of ozone depleting substances. Accordingly, ozone depleting substances like Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) has to be phased out by January 2, 2003. The EA should ensure that the plants and machineries proposed under the sub- project do not use any ozone depleting substance.

2.3.7 The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 24. The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules was introduced in 2001 with an objective to regulate the manufacture, processing, sale, purchase and use of batteries or components thereof. According to the Rules, the consumer/bulk consumer shall ensure that used batteries are disposed off by depositing with the dealer/manufacturer/registered recycler/importer/reconditioner or at the designated collection centres. BSEB being a bulk

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 8 Bihar Power System Improvement Project consumer should ensure that the used batteries should be handed over to the dealer or manufacturer or auctioned to registered recyclers only. 2.3.8 The Indian Forest Act, 1927 25. The Indian Forest Act was introduced in 1927 with an objective to consolidate the law relating to forests, the transit of forest-produce and the duty leviable on timber and other forest-produce. The Act empowers the State Governments to declare any forest-land or waste-land which is the property of Government, or over which the Government has proprietary rights, or to the whole or any part of the forest-produce of which the Government is entitled, as a reserved forest, protected forest or village forest. Whenever State Government decides to constitute any land as reserved forest, the State Government shall issue a notification in the Official Gazette (a) declaring that it has been decided to constitute such land as a reserved forest; (b) specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such land; and (c) appointing an officer (the Forest Settlement-officer) to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over any land comprised within such limits or in or over any forest-produce, and to deal with the same. After the issue of notification, no right shall be acquired in or over the land comprised in the notification, except by succession or under a grant or contract in writing made or entered into by or on behalf of the Government or some person in whom such right was vested when the notification was issued; and no fresh clearings for cultivation or for any other purpose shall be made in such land except in accordance with such rules prescribed by the State Government in this behalf. The Act prohibits the following activities in the reserve forest: (a) makes any fresh clearing; (b) sets fire to a reserved forest, or, in contravention of any rules made by the State Government in this behalf, kindles any fire, or leaves any fire burning, in such manner as to endanger such a forest; (c) kindles, keeps or carries any fire except at such seasons as the Forest-officer may notify in this behalf; (d) trespasses or pastures cattle, or permits cattle to trespass; (e) causes any damage by negligence in felling any tree or cutting or dragging any timber; (f) fells, girdles, lops, or bums any tree or strips off the bark or leaves from, or otherwise damages, the same; (g) quarries stone, bums lime or charcoal, or collects, subjects to any manufacturing process, or removes, any forest-produce; (h) clears or breaks up any land for cultivation or any other purpose; (i) in contravention of any rules made in this behalf by the State Government hunts, shoots, fishes, poisons water or sets traps or snares; or (j) in any area in which the Elephants’ Preservation Act, 1879 (6 of 1879), is not in force, kills or catches elephants in contravention of any rules so made. 26. The State Government may assign to any village-community the rights of Government to or over any land which has been constituted as reserved forest, and may cancel such assignment. All forests so assigned shall be called village-forests. The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any forest-land or waste-land which is not included in a reserved forest but which is the property of Government, or over which the Government has proprietary rights, or to the whole or any part of the forest produce of which the Government is entitled as protected forest. All restrictions of this Act relating to reserved forests shall so far as they are not inconsistent with the rules so made apply to village-forests.

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27. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a key piece of forest legislation passed in India on December 18, 2006. The law concerns the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades as a result of the continuance of colonial forest laws in India. 2.3.9 The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 28. The Wild Life (Protection) Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir which has its own wildlife act. It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection. Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection - offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties. This has been amended in January, 2003 and punishment and penalty for offences under the Act have been made more stringent. The objective is to provide protection to the listed endangered flora and fauna and ecologically important protected areas. The Act empowers the State Government by notification to declare its intention to constitute any area other than area comprised with any reserve forest or the territorial waters as a sanctuary if it considers that such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. No person other than, a public servant on duty or a person who has been permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden or the authorised officer to reside within the limits of the sanctuary shall enter or reside in the sanctuary, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a permit granted by the concerned authority. 2.3.10 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 29. The Biological Diversity Act introduced based on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity signed at Rio de Janeiro on June 5, 1992 provides a legal framework for the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable use sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources. The Central Government has to develop national strategies, plans, programmes for the conservation and promotion and sustainable use of biological diversity including measures for identification and monitoring of areas rich in biological resources etc. The Act empowers the State Government to notify the areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites to preserve the ecosystem. All restrictions for carrying out projects/infrastructure facilities in protected areas like Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks are applicable to such notified areas. 30. The alignment of the distribution lines and sites for new sub-stations included in the distribution component of the project are not passing through or adjacent to such biodiversity heritage sites.

2.3.11 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 31. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as amended in 1988 requires the State Government to give permission to use the reserve forest for non-forestry purpose only with the prior approval of the Central Government. Any sub-project component encroaching into the reserve forest will need clearance under the provisions of this Act. Neither the sub-station sites nor the distribution lines of the distribution component of the Project are passing

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 10 Bihar Power System Improvement Project through or adjacent to the reserve forest. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in a recent judgement, had permitted to lay 11 kV distribution lines through forest for the supply of electricity to rural areas.

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3 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUB-PROJECT

3.1 Present Status 32. The present installed capacity of Bihar is 586.1 MW comprising 46.1 MW Hydro and 540 MW thermal. The Koshi Hydel Power Station could not attain designed generation and is now being operated with de-rated capacity. The Hydel station needs major rehabilitation and modernization efforts. There is no generation from thermal power stations in the state sector at present. All thermal units are under shut down due to refurbishment/deteriorated condition. 33. There is acute shortage of power in Bihar resulting in excessive load shedding & agricultural production. The power supply deficit of Bihar in comparison to all India is very much alarming. Considering actual capacity addition of 21180 MW in the 10th plan and proposed capacity addition of 78577 MW in the country in the 11th plan, the anticipated power supply position has been worked out. It is expected that at the end of 11th plan though the country by and large will be able to meet its energy requirement and peak demand, Bihar may face energy and peak shortage of about 41% and 58% respectively. 3.2 Need for the Sub-project 34. Historical investment in the distribution network has failed to keep pace with demand growth. Power transformer capacity is inadequate to meet diversified demand on 11 kV feeders in many areas, 33 kV and 11 kV feeders are being loaded in excess of thermal limits, and distribution failure rates are about 19%. Power quality is poor due to undersized conductors, long low voltage circuits, and distribution transformer overloading. There is limited evidence of medium and long term network planning in accordance with internationally accepted practice. The expansion of the distribution network into additional rural areas will further necessitate modernization of distribution network.

35. Inadequate maintenance practices and poor installation of equipment have compromised safety on distribution networks. Losses arising from poorly executed connections at power and distribution transformers are far higher than normal. Improving and modernizing these practices is essential for the corporate performance improvements. There is also an urgent need to effectively meter energy flows in the network so that losses can be measured, segregated and allocated across consumer groups.

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3.3 Proposed Sub-project Activities 36. The proposed scope of distribution system work to be funded by ADB includes new 33/11 kV sub-stations and renovation and modernization of older ones. The intention is to enhance sub-station capacity and to reduce the number and extent of downstream power outages that are a consequence of the dilapidated state of sub-station switchgear and protection relays. Under the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (APDRP) of the GoI, BSEB has planned augmentation of distribution systems in 16 distribution circles to improve the quality and reliability of power and to reduce technical and commercial losses. The ADB funded schemes will be implemented in seven towns in four distribution circles. Construction of new 33 / 11 kV substations together with the R&M (reconstruction and modernization) of existing substations, construction of new 33 kV, 11 kV and LT lines and R&M of the existing lines, and installation of new DTRs (Distribution Transformers) and R&M of existing DTRs and consumer metering are the major activities proposed under the distribution component of the project. The proposed sub-project activities in each town are detailed below. 3.3.1 Bhojpur Electrical Supply Circle 37. The sub-project activities proposed in Bhojpur Circle is summarised and presented in the Table 3.1 below.

Table 3.1: Sub-project Activities at Bhojpur Circle

Sl. Details of Work Major Components of Works Unit Quantit Remarks No. y 1 Construction of Construction of new 33/11 kV Sub- No 1 Ara Town at Power new 33 / 11 kV Sub Stations House – 10 MVA Stations together Replacement of 33/11 kV transformers No 4 Powerganj in Ara Town with the R&M with those of higher capacity so that the – 15 to 20 MVA (Reconstruction & increased capacity could be created in modernization) of Japani farm in Ara the limited space of the existing sub existing Sub Town – 15 to 20 MVA stations, along with the associated Stations Buxar in Buxar Town – switchgear 10 to 20 MVA Industrial Area in Buxar Town – 3.15 to 10 MVA 2 Construction of Laying additional 33 kV line to the km 29 Ara Town – 20 new 33 kV, 11 kV existing ones Buxar Town – 9 and LT lines and R&M of the existing Replacement of the conductor and the km 36 Ara Town – 10 lines damaged insulators, etc., addition of Buxar Town – 26 the poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 33 kV line. Laying additional 11 kV line to the km 30 Ara Town – 20 existing ones Buxar Town – 10 Replacement of the conductor and the km 117 Ara Town – 55 damaged insulator, etc., addition of the Buxar Town – 62 poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 11 kV line Laying additional LT line to the existing km 70 Ara Town – 50 ones Buxar Town – 20

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Replacement of the conductor, km 145 Ara Town – 60 damaged insulators, poles, earthing, Buxar Town – 85 stay, etc., and providing junction boxes at the poles for extending service connections to the consumers of existing LT lines 3 Installation of new Installation of additional DTRs with Nos 145 Ara Town – 95 DTRs (Distribution provision for LT boxes with MCCBs, . Buxar Town – 50 Transformers) and and meters for energy audit R&M of existing Replacement of the damaged / Nos 150 Ara Town – 90 DTRs and defective AB switches, LT boxes, . Buxar Town – 60 Consumer Metering D.O.fuses, etc. in respect of the existing DTRs. Providing single phase static meters in Nos 20141 LT CT Operated – 2928 the premises of the consumers where . (Ara) HT Consumers – 6 the meters have not been installed so LT Single Phase – far along with the replacement of the 19976 defective meters with static meters in the premises of all categories of LT Three Phase – 130 consumers including the LT power 10825 LT CT Operated – 17 consumers and the consumers supplied (Buxar) HT Consumers – 6 on HT LT Single Phase – 10697 LT Three Phase – 105 3.3.2 Samstipur Electrical Supply Circle 38. The sub-project activities proposed at Samstipur Circle is summarised and presented in the Table 3.2 below.

Table 3.2: Sub-project Activities at Samstipur Circle

Sl. Details of Work Major Components of Works Unit Quantit Remarks No. y 1 Construction of new Construction of new 33/11 kV Sub- No 2 Samastipur Town at 33 / 11 kV Sub Stations Magardahi & Begusarai Stations together Town at Kankaul-20 with the R&M MVA each (Reconstruction & Replacement of 33/11 kV transformers No 3 Mohanpur in modernization) of with those of higher capacity so that the Samastipur Town – 15 existing Sub increased capacity could be created in to 20 MVA Stations the limited space of the existing sub Jitwarpur in Samastipur stations, along with the associated Town – 8.15 to 20 MVA switchgear Begusarai in Begusarai Town – 25 to 32 MVA 2 Construction of new Laying additional 33 kV line to the km 60.25 Samastipur Town – 33 kV, 11 kV and existing ones 16.00 LT lines and R&M Begusarai Town – of the existing lines 44.25 Replacement of the conductor and the km 20.60 Samastipur Town – damaged insulators, etc., addition of 10.60 the poles mid span, wherever required, Begusarai Town – of the existing 33 kV line. 10.00 Laying additional 11 kV line to the km 34 Samastipur Town – existing ones 14.00 Begusarai Town – 20.00 Replacement of the conductor and the km 146 Samastipur Town – damaged insulator, etc., addition of the 80.00 poles mid span, wherever required, of Begusarai Town – the existing 11 kV line 66.00

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Laying additional LT line to the existing km 30 Samastipur Town – ones 15.00 Begusarai Town – 15.00 Replacement of the conductor, km 131 Samastipur Town – damaged insulators, poles, earthing, 63.00 stay, etc., and providing junction boxes Begusarai Town – at the poles for extending service 68.00 connections to the consumers of existing LT lines 3 Installation of new Installation of additional DTRs with Nos 151 Samastipur Town – 101 DTRs (Distribution provision for LT boxes with MCCBs, . Begusarai Town – 50 Transformers) and and meters for energy audit R&M of existing Replacement of the damaged / Nos 80 Samastipur Town – 40 DTRs and defective AB switches, LT boxes, . Begusarai Town – 40 Consumer Metering D.O.fuses, etc. in respect of the existing DTRs. Providing single phase static meters in Nos 9673 LT CT Operated – 28 the premises of the consumers where . (Samas HT Consumers – Nil the meters have not been installed so tipur ) LT Single Phase – far along with the replacement of the 8757 defective meters with static meters in the premises of all categories of LT Three Phase – 888 consumers including the LT power 15169 LT CT Operated – 48 consumers and the consumers supplied (Begus HT Consumers – 6 on HT arai) LT Single Phase – 14995 LT Three Phase – 120 3.3.3 Motihari Electrical Supply Circle 39. The sub-project activities proposed at Motihari Circle is summarised and presented in the Table 3.3 below.

Table 3.3: Sub-project Activities at Motihari Circle

Sl. Details of Work Major Components of Works Unit Quantit Remarks No. y 1 Construction of new Construction of new 33/11 kV Sub- No 1 New 20 MVA sub 33 / 11 kV Sub Stations station in Bettiah town Stations together at Nauranga with the R&M Replacement of 33/11 kV transformers No 2 Motihari – 15 to 20 (Reconstruction & with those of higher capacity so that the MVA modernization) of increased capacity could be created in existing Sub Bettiah at Mansatola – the limited space of the existing sub Stations 15 to 20 MVA stations, along with the associated switchgear 2 Construction of new Laying additional 33 kV line to the km 6 Bettiah Town only 33 kV, 11 kV and existing ones LT lines and R&M Replacement of the conductor and the km 2 Bettiah Town only of the existing lines damaged insulators, etc., addition of the poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 33 kV line. Laying additional 11 kV line to the km 10 Motihari Town – 5 km existing ones Bettiah Town – 5 km Replacement of the conductor and the km 95 Motihari Town – 50 km damaged insulator, etc., addition of the Bettiah Town – 45 km poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 11 kV line

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Laying additional LT line to the existing km 40 Motihari Town – 20 km ones Bettiah Town – 20 km Replacement of the conductor, km 127 Motihari Town – 62 km damaged insulators, poles, earthing, Bettiah Town – 65 km stay, etc., and providing junction boxes at the poles for extending service connections to the consumers of existing LT lines 3 Installation of new Installation of additional DTRs with Nos 160 Motihari Town – 85 DTRs (Distribution provision for LT boxes with MCCBs, . Bettiah Town – 75 Transformers) and and meters for energy audit R&M of existing Replacement of the damaged / Nos 117 Motihari Town – 60 DTRs and defective AB switches, LT boxes, . Bettiah Town – 60 Consumer Metering D.O.fuses, etc. in respect of the existing DTRs. Providing single phase static meters in Nos 5283 LT CT Operated – 57 the premises of the consumers where . (Motiha HT Consumers – 12 the meters have not been installed so ri) LT Single Phase – far along with the replacement of the 4028 defective meters with static meters in the premises of all categories of LT Three Phase – 1186 consumers including the LT power 5489 LT CT Operated – 59 consumers and the consumers supplied (Bettiah HT Consumers – 7 on HT ) LT Single Phase – 4191 LT Three Phase – 1232

3.3.4 Nalanda Electrical Supply Circle 40. The sub-project activities proposed at Bihar Sharif Town in Nalanda Circle is summarised and presented in the Table 3.4 below.

Table 3.4: Sub-project Activities at Nalanda Circle

Sl. No. Details of Work Major Components of Works Unit Quantity 1 Construction of new 33 / 11 Construction of new 33/11 kV Sub-Stations No Nil kV Sub Stations together Replacement of 33/11 kV transformers with No 3 with the R&M those of higher capacity so that the increased (Reconstruction & capacity could be created in the limited space modernization) of existing of the existing sub stations, along with the Sub Stations associated switchgear 2 Construction of new 33 kV, Laying additional 33 kV line to the existing km 2.5 11 kV and LT lines and ones R&M of the existing lines Replacement of the conductor and the km 5 damaged insulators, etc., addition of the poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 33 kV line. Laying additional 11 kV line to the existing km 10 ones Replacement of the conductor and the km 120 damaged insulator, etc., addition of the poles mid span, wherever required, of the existing 11 kV line Laying additional LT line to the existing ones km 25

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Replacement of the conductor, damaged km 75 insulators, poles, earthing, stay, etc., and providing junction boxes at the poles for extending service connections to the consumers of existing LT lines 3 Installation of new DTRs Installation of additional DTRs with provision Nos. 138 (Distribution Transformers) for LT boxes with MCCBs, and meters for and energy audit R&M of existing DTRs and Replacement of the damaged / defective AB Nos. 117 Consumer Metering switches, LT boxes, D.O.fuses, etc. in respect of the existing DTRs. Providing single phase static meters in the Nos. 26703 premises of the consumers where the meters have not been installed so far along with the replacement of the defective meters with static meters in the premises of all categories of consumers including the LT power consumers and the consumers supplied on HT 3.4 Implementation Schedule 41. The sub-project is proposed to be implemented within 3 years from 2010. The phasing of works will be done keeping in view the following i. Revenue potential of the feeder ii. Criticality of the network element iii. Desired improvement in quality and reliability of the Power Supply. 3.5 Sub-projects Location 42. The sub-project activities proposed under distribution component spread over to 7 towns spread over to 4 electrical supply circles. Arrah town of Arrah (Bhojpur) District, Begusarai town, Begusarai District, Bettiah town, West Champaran District, Buxer, Buxer District, Motihari Town, East Champaran District, Bihar Sharif Town, Nalanda District, and Samastipur town, Samastipur District are the sub-project sites identified for the project. The locations of these sub-project towns are shown in Fig 3.1.

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Fig 3.1: Map Showing the Location of Sub-project Towns

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4 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Physical Resources 4.1.1 Climate 43. The climate of Bihar is part of the climatic pattern of the Indian subcontinent. It enjoys a continental monsoon type of climate owing to its great distance from the sea. The factors affecting the climate of Bihar are ƒ It extends from 220 to 270 North latitude. Hence its location is tropical to sub tropical. ƒ The Himalayan Mountains in the north have a significant bearing on the distribution of monsoon rainfall in Bihar. 44. Seasons and their duration are as follows: i. Cold weather season - December to February. ii. Hot weather season - March to May. iii. Southwest monsoon - June to September iv. Retreating southwest monsoon - October to November. 45. Bihar is mildly cold in the winter (the lowest temperatures being around 5 to 10 degree Celsius). Winter months are December and January. It is hot in the summer (40 to 45 degree Celsius). April to mid June is the hot months. The monsoon months of June, July, August, and September see good rainfall. October and November and February and March have pleasant climate. 4.1.2 Temperature 46. The climatic condition of State varies with its physio-graphic set-up. Broadly the State can be divided into three climatic zones. ƒ The Sub-Himalayan Zone ƒ The Ganga Plains Zone ƒ The part of Chotanagpur Plateau Zone of South Bihar. 47. The Sub- Himalayan Zone: It is the northern part of the State. The mean maximum temperature is 430C and mean minimum temperature is 40C 48. The Ganga Plains Zone: The Ganga plain zone forms an excessive bowl of warm air, especially during daytime. The mean maximum daily temperature even the coldest month (January) nowhere falls below 210C. West of Gaya, the daily mean maximum temperature in May rises to 400C and above. January is the coldest month when temperature falls below 100C. In lower Ganga plain the minimum temperature is somewhat higher being 110C at Patna. 49. The Parts of Chotanagpur Plateau The maximum summer temperature ranges from 460C in the western part to 420C in the east.

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4.1.3 Humidity 50. Relative humidity remains lowest during April and attains peak value during June to October. During February to May sunshine hour remains maximum in the range of 7 to 9.8 h/day. 4.1.4 Wind 51. Mean monthly wind velocity varies between 1.9 to 9.0 km/hour. During the rainy months of July, August, and September the dominant wind direction is from east, northeast and southeast. 4.1.5 Land Use 52. The land use parameter plays an important role in agricultural economics. In Bihar more than 80% of the area is cultivable land out of which 60% is under net sown area. The forestland constitutes 7% of the total area. More than 80% of the population depends on agricultural activity and the average holding is less than 0.4 Ha. One of the leading problems of Bihar is to find how best the land use is made effective in order to have intensive agricultural output.

53. In the Districts of Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Kaimur and Jehanabad all the aerable lands are under cultivation because of the availability of assured irrigation either through tube-wells or canals. The area under more than one crop yield is variable in different districts. In Patna and Nalanda districts it covers close to cent percent. The net area sown in Saran, Gopalganj, and Siwan comes to 98%, in Madhubani, Darbhanga and Samastipur it is 87%, in Gaya, Aurangabad and Jehanabad it is 86.7% and Purbi and Paschim Champaran it is 84%. The existing land use pattern can be grouped into 9 classes as shown in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1: Land Use Pattern of Bihar

Sl.No. Land use pattern Percentage 1 Pure agricultural area 61.00 2 Cultivable wastelands 10.70 3 Barren and uncultivable land 2.10 4 Orchards 1.70 5 Aerable waste land 1.10 6 Non-aerable land (under other than agriculture use) 13.00 7 Pastures 0.45 8 Forest 7.00 9 Rock & Reh land 3.00 4.1.6 Geomorphology 54. Based on broad geomorphic parameters such as relief, drainage pattern and geology Bihar may be divided into three geomorphic domains. 1. Uplifted block of hilly southern highlands comprising the northern part of the Kodarma- Santhal Pargana plantation surface, falling in parts of Bihar, northern fringe of escarpment of Chotanagpur Plateau and Rohtas Plateau

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2. The transition zone between the southern highlands and the Greater Ganga Plains, constituting the central Bihar Plains, and 3. The Ganga Foredeep of the North Bihar Plains bounded by the rising Himalaya in the north and the Ganga River in the south. 55. The geomorphic units (2) and (3) constitutes the part of Middle Ganga Basin. The Southern hills demarcate the Mid-Ganga Basin along 150 m contours. 56. Rohtas Plateau rises sharply above Sone River to a height of over 500 m above MSL. This plateau slopes down to the north and manifests steep faulted escarpment to the south Koderma-Santhal Pargana Plateau. This plateau has a gentler easterly slope into the Santhal Pargana Plains, which has elevation in the range of 150-300 m above MSL except for isolated hills. 57. Indo-Gangetic Plains; The Ganga foredeep basin as a whole and the river systems eg Gandak-Son, Ganga-Gandak and Kosi in particular have been studied in an effort to evaluate the alluvial geology and cause of natural disaster and other hazards.

4.1.7 Hydrology and Drainage 58. The water logging in Bihar is mainly due to surface ponding of water during rainy season. The drainage is very poor. Water logging has very bad effect on the ecosystem like temperature stratification, variation in nutrient contents and dissolved oxygen at different level. Reduced dissolved oxygen affects the aquatic and riparian lives. The methane gas released by waterlogged area is an element of green house effect. Due to water logging diseases are also occurring. So there is an urgent need to remove the congestion of drainage and to reclaim these areas for better environmental condition. 4.2 Water Quality 59. Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) is monitoring the water quality of the major rivers at various locations at regular interval. The water quality monitoring data of Ganga River at various locations, Ghaghra River, Sone River and Gandak River for 2004 - 2005 is summarised and presented in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2: Surface Water Quality in Bihar

Sl River Sampling Annual Average Value of Parameters No stations pH value D.O BOD T.C FC mg/l mg/l MPN/100 MPN/100 ml ml 1 Ganga Baxur 8.14 8.04 2.13 18133 7883 Patna U/S 8.04 8.30 2.04 19892 7517 Patna D/S 8.08 8.25 2.20 38292 10458 Mokama U/S 7.95 8.00 2.06 14540 7310 Mokama D/S 8.02 7.90 2.30 45000 15900 Munger 8.03 8.20 1.90 10133 5400 Bhagalpur 7.83 8.20 2.06 15900 7700 Kahalgaon 7.92 8.08 2.14 22875 9733 2 Ghaghra Chapra 7.96 8.02 1.83 3708 1867

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3 Sone Koelwar 7.90 7.90 1.80 7542 3525 4 Gandak Sonepur 7.94 8.01 1.70 4100 1948 Source: Bihar State Pollution Control Board 60. It is evident from the result that parameters like pH, DO and BOD are within the acceptable limits whereas coliform counts exceed prescribed limits even for bathing purpose. 61. In Bihar nine north-eastern districts (Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Araria, Sharsa, Supaul, Khagaria and Begusarai) are affected by excessive iron while some of the districts (Gaya, Nawada, Jamui and Munger) are affected by excessive fluoride. The 11 districts bordering Ganga River are affected by excessive Arsenic content in drinking water sources. Excessive Nitrate in few habitations has also been noticed. Ground water is used for drinking purpose and water is mainly drawn through hand pumps. 4.3 Air Quality 62. The ambient air quality of Bihar is monitored by BSPCB at different locations of Patna city. The summary of air quality monitoring done at Gandhi Maidan, commercial centre of Patna during 2004-2005 is presented in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3: Ambient Air Quality at Gandhi Maidan, Patna

Month Sulphur Dioxide, ug/m3 Oxides of Nitrogen, ug/m3 Suspended Particulate Matter, ug/m3 April. 04 Min. Max. Mean N Min. Max. Mean. N Min. Max. Mean. N May.04 8.5 62.6 21.4 53 108.0 68.8 23.4 53 203 749 422 27 June.04 7.1 52.8 14.7 71 8.4 42.7 17.1 71 124 522 270 36 July.04 6.7 16.6 10.7 65 10.5 43.2 20 65 124 309 185 33 Aug.04 6.6 17.8 9.5 72 10.4 34.8 19.5 72 116 203 154 36 Sept.04 5.6 13,5 9.4 74 12.1 40.1 25.2 74 118 207 162 38 Oct.04 6.7 23.4 10.8 66 11.1 69.3 30.8 66 109 391 185 33 Nov.04 7.7 21.3 8.9 18 19.5 91.4 54.8 18 147 286 230 9 Jan05 5.6 18.4 10.0 41 9.8 74.8 29.1 41 93 333 189 22 Annual 5.6 62.6 11.9 460 8.4 91.4 27.5 460 93 749 224 234 Note: N-Number of observations. Source: Bihar State Pollution Control Board

63. Table 4.3 indicates that the NOx and SO2 of the ambient air at Gandhi Maidan are within the limit for most of the time. The level of SO2 and NOx are the contribution of the emission from automobiles. The SPM value is by and large above the tolerance limits. The principal sources of SPM are the automobile exhaust, poor condition of the city road, exhausts of DG sets etc

4.4 Ambient Noise levels 64. Automobile revolution in urban area has proved to be a major cause of noise pollution. The movements of heavy trucks, buses, trains, jet-planes, three wheelers, tempos, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, jeeps etc fall under the list whose cumulative sound outcome is the noise pollution. Ambient noise level is being monitored by BSPCB at various locations of the State. The typical ambient noise level at Patna Town, Muzaffarpur Town and Gaya Town is presented in Table 4.4.

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Table 4.4: Typical Ambient Noise Level in Bihar

Sampling Ambient Noise Level, dBA Standard, dBA Location (Day time, Leq) Patna Town Muzaffarpur Town Gaya Town

Commercial Zone 60.8 - 84.6 68.7 - 78.8 66.4 - 78.4 65 Silent Zone 53.2 - 74.5 52.2 - 74.1 54.4 - 76.8 50 Residential Zone 54.4 - 77.6 67.4 53.6 - 74.6 55 Industrial Zone 57.4 - 72.2 -- -- 75 Source: Bihar State Pollution Control Board 65. Table 4.4 shows that the ambient sound level in all the three locations are above the limits prescribed. The heavy traffic with uncontrolled horning is the main cause of very high level of noise in these towns. 4.5 Topography and Soil 66. The soils are basically an outcome of landform, climate, land use, topography, time, and parent materials. The Government of Bihar has carried out the systematic survey of the soil of the State. Soils of Bihar have been grouped into 24 soil associations. Soils of Central Bihar have evolved largely on the alluvium of the Son River and the several smaller river systems. Colluvial soil, alluvial soil and diara soil are commonly occurring in this area. Soil in the North Bihar Plains largely falls under entisoils with several variations brought about due to vagaries of highly mobile fluvial sedimentation. 4.6 Ecological Resources 4.6.1 Biodiversity 67. In an ecosystem there is diversity of species, which attracts attention of the evolutionary and ecological factors that had been responsible for such diversification. It is the geographical pattern in species diversity that tells us about the factors contributing the diversity. In case of Bihar the diversity of fauna and flora is noticeable in the backdrop of changing physiographic and climatic zonations and its remarkable longitudinal changes across the Ganga basin. 68. A rich variety of flora and fauna had been noticed around the western Chotanagpur plateau where thick forest, sufficient hydrological input, natural abode and food were available. Further, north of the hill-system occupies the actual Ganga basin the Tarai and sub-Himalayan tracts. The actual Ganga basin, area where the agroclimatic zonation and land system zonation are the two background layers over which the biodiversity could be well accessed and accounted. The concept of species or biodiversity is actually linked with their actual number and also with the commonness and rarity of species in a particular system. Bihar lying close to the foothills of Nepal harbours a very rich and diverse flora. The major floristic families found in the areas are: Ranunculaceae, Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae, Annonaceae, Menispermaceae, Berberidaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Nelumbonaceae, Papaveraceae, Fumariaceae etc. The jungles of Bihar abound in wildlife, though some of the notable game animals and birds are fast disappearing. Three sanctuaries are in northern fringe of west Chemparan district.

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4.6.2 Fisheries Resources 69. The Gandak basin in Bihar has a chain of Ox- bow lakes originated owing to the frequent meandering of rivers. The Ox –bow lakes by virtue of their reverine origin had a renewable source of fisheries till recently. Over exploitation of biotic resources, indiscriminate land use patterns and continuous disposal of waste material have become the hallmark to these lakes. Evidently the Ox-bow lakes of Bihar are passing through a critical phase of ecological transition where in fish and fisheries are the worst causality. To achieve fish yield on sustainable basis scientific management has become imminent3. Bihar is one of India’s biggest producers of fresh water fish. Most of the catch is sold in Calcutta. 4.6.3 Forests 70. After the bifurcation of the State, only 7% of the forest remains in Bihar. Bihar is rich in biodiversity and the flood plains are potential areas of forest cover. Bihar has monsoon type of forest and forest can be divided into three major heads: ƒ Dry Deciduous forest ƒ Wet Deciduous forest ƒ Sub Himalayan and Tarai forest 71. The Dry Deciduous Forest is found in northeastern region of Kishanganj district and particularly in the water logged area. Someshwar hill area of the Kishanganj has also this type of forest. There is very high-density forest. The major vegetation type is Sal, Assan, Semal, Ghaura, Caham, Kend, Mango, and Jamun. The annual rainfall in this area is more than 120 cm. 72. Wet Deciduous Forest is found in areas where the annual rainfall is less than 120 cm. It is not dense forest. Trees are widely spread. The average height of trees is low. This type of forest is also categorised as open forest. Wet deciduous forest is found in hills of Kanpur and northeastern slopes of Chotanagpur plateau. They are also found in Rauxal, Purnia, and Araria districts. The major vegetation type is Sal, Bamboo, Khair, Pal, Shesham, Mahua, and Kend. 73. Sub Himalayan and Tarai Forest is found in northern part of Bihar and border of Nepal. The major areas in which these types of forest are found are Western Champaran, Purnia, and Araria districts. High humidity and low temperature due to height are the peculiarity of this type of forest. The major vegetation types are Sal, Tun, Oak, and Pinl. Small bushes like Sawana grass, Bamboo, Merkat, and Jhau are found in this area. 74. Due to low forest cover the State is facing acute problem of soil erosion, low size of pure sowing land and above all decreasing wild life animal. This has also resulted in air pollution also.

3 Economics of Fisheries: Ecology and Fisheries of Oxbow Lakes/ P.N Panday, B.K.Goraiand, B.C Jha, New Delhi, A.P.H Pub,2005,viii,191p

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4.7 Socio-Economic Development 75. Bihar has tremendous human resource, fertile agricultural land eco-friendly tourist resorts with their optimum utilisation potential in the backdrop of growing population. It has also been the chosen place for major public sector projects like refinery, fertiliser product and power generation. Every year many foreign tourists come to Bodh Gaya, Rajir and Vaishali. The madhubani paintings have been attracting the attention world over and could be revived and commercialised. 76. The main thrust of socio-economy lies in the agricultural sector and the peripheral rural agro industries. The land and water management programme by the State Government in the irrigational command area and the development agencies. Viz; (1) Son Command Area Development Authority (ii) Gandak Command Area Development Authority and (iii) Kosi Command Area Development Authority have been entrusted with job to take care of the secured irrigation water need, the proper maintenance, marketing of the agricultural produce and related socio-economic measures. 4.7.1 Habitation in the Area 77. The State of Bihar, with an area of 94,163 sq. km, has a population of 82,878,796 as per the Census 2001. The literacy rate is 47.5%. Bihar is the densely populated State in the country till its bifurcation. The density of population is 880 persons per sq. km as against the national average of 324. Bihar has the least number of people living in town with just 15.2% residing when compared to 28.8% in the rest of the country. 4.7.2 Industry 78. Large and medium sector of industries comprises sugar mills, distilleries, oil refinery, thermal power plant, cigarette manufacturing, cement, tannery, foundries, etc are located in the State. There are nine sugar mills presently under operation and located in North Bihar. All the distilleries are having methane recovery plant and the recovered methane is used as fuel in their boilers conserving fossil fuels. Besides the major and medium scale industries, there are a number of agro based small-scale industries functioning in the State. Based upon the raw materials and resources available in Bihar, a renewed effort has to be made to establish medium and large industries as well has to rehabilitate the sick and ailing industries of the State. 4.7.3 Transportation and Communication 79. The people in Bihar depend on railways and roadways for transportation and communication. Bihar has over 14000 km of surface roads. The Grand Trunk Road crosses it from east to west linking Calcutta and Delhi. The railway network is reasonably well developed. Patna has the main airport in the State. 80. Almost the entire State is within the reach of radio, and some 80% people can receive television. Cable television has become popular in large cities and towns. The penetration of internet into the country side is still very marginal. National newspapers are available in all major centres.

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4.8 Historic and Archaeological Sites 81. Bihar, the ancient land of Buddha, has witnessed golden period of Indian history. Archaeologists have found agricultural settlements in Bihar formed before 2000 B.C. Bimbisara unified and strengthened his kingdom during the period of Magadha rule. Bihar experienced changes in social and economic life. There are many places in Bihar that are associated with Gautama Buddhism and Vardamana Mahavira.Chandragupta Maurya was the next emperor. The Ashok is a famous emperor. Buddhism. The Nalanda University was established in Gupta period. In the medieval time Bihar lost prestige as political and cultural centre of India. Resurgence in the History of Bihar came during struggle for India’s independence. Many rulers have lived here and it fills us with a sense of pride when we think of Bihar as the “Karmabhumi” of Buddha and Mahavir. 82. The treasures of Bodhgaya are the Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi temple, Vajrasana, Chankaramana, Lotus tank, etc. The other places of interest are Barbar cave, Rajir, Jain temples, hot springs, Pippala cave, Nalanda, Patna, Vaishali, Pawapuri, Gaya, etc 4.9 Tourism 83. Since the inception of its history, which goes back to 5000 years ago, Bihar has been recognized as a cradle of movements in the field of art, culture, and religion, literature and human rights. Apostles of peace Lord Buddha, Mahavir, Great Guru Govind Singh and Mahatma Gandhi and great sufie saints further heightened with the visit of great Chinese tourist Fahien, who was distinctly narrated the attainments of the University at that time took birth on this land. 84. Bihar has basked in the glory of Magadh Empire in the period of Mauryans, Guptas and Pal. Vikramshila University, whose ruins speak of the best as this glorious seat of learning was constructed during Pal dynasty. 85. Bihar offers to tourists a variegated wealth of Indian Civilization, history and culture coupled with exquisite scenic beauties and wild life. Within tits principles are located places like Rajgir, and Patiliputra, ancient capital of mighty Magadhan Empire, Vaishali-the first republican state of the world; Bodhgaya where Lord Budha attained the supreme enlightenment, Nalanda- the great seat of international learning, and the Patna Saheb- the birth place of Guru Govind Singh, the tenth guru of Sikhs.

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5 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

86. The main purpose of Bihar State Power Sector Investment Program proposed by Bihar State Electricity Board is to augment the transmission and distribution network and reduce the transmission and distribution losses and thereby ensure reliable and good quality supply of electricity to the people in Bihar. As such, the project has many benefits to the people of Bihar. This section, however, focuses on the identification of potential adverse environmental impacts short and long term. Mitigation measures are proposed with recommended monitoring actions to be conducted during implementation to minimize any adverse environmental impacts. The mitigation measures will form the basis for an environmental monitoring plan during the implementation stage of the sub-project components. 87. The screening for environmental impacts is broken down into four categories, coinciding with the major phases of the sub-project. ƒ Location impacts: those impacts associated with site selection, and include loss of on- site biophysical array and encroachment either directly or indirectly on adjacent environment. It also includes impacts on people who will lose their homes or livelihood by the development of that site. ƒ Design impacts: those impacts arising from project design, including technology used, scale of operation/throughput, waste production, discharge specifications, pollution sources and ancillary services. ƒ Construction impacts: those impacts caused by site clearing, earthworks, machinery, vehicles and workers. Construction site impacts include erosion, dust, noise, traffic congestion and waste production. ƒ O& M impacts: those impacts arising from the operation and maintenance activities of the infrastructure facility. These include routine management of operational waste streams, and occupational health and safety issues. 5.1 Location Impacts 88. At the sub-project planning stage one of the factors that govern the evolution of project is the possible infringement with the environmentally sensitive areas. Wherever such infringements are substantial, different alternative options are considered. While identifying the distribution component for the sub-project, preliminary site selection was done avoiding the forest area or private land to the extent possible. 5.1.1 Loss of Property and Impact on Habitation 89. The site selection for the sub-stations is so carefully done that the vicinity to the existing settlements such as cities, villages, buildings/huts/structures, etc. are totally avoided. The new sub-stations at Motihari, and Bettiah are proposed in land either with the State Government or with BSEB. In Battiah at Nauranga site, about 8 acres of BSEB land is available. The entire land is now occupied by squatters. About 180 squatters are there at the site may be impacted by establishment of the sub-station. The area required for the sub- station is less than 2 acres. During the design stage, detailed survey will be conducted and

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 27 Bihar Power System Improvement Project the site with minimum/no impact on the squatters will be selected for establishing the sub- station. In case of any resettlement, RP will be prepared and implemented. The new sub-stations at Begusarai, Samastipur, Arrah, and Buxer are also proposed at government land or BSEB land. All sites identified, except Nauranga are vacant or agricultural land and no habitation has to be rehabilitated. In case of any additional land is required during implementation, the people are willing to give their land for the development and no involuntary resettlement issues needing preparation of RP exists. The land, if any, required will be acquired after paying the compensation for cost of land, as finalized by the Competent Authority of GoB based on the existing regulations of the Country and ADB’s Resettlement Policy. 90. No land is to be acquired for construction of 11 kV and LT lines as per existing law; therefore the project does not require any additional land for erecting distribution lines. The distribution lines are proposed mainly through the ROW of existing roads and therefore no additional land is required for distribution network also. 91. The alignment of the proposed new distribution lines will be finalised after conducting detailed physical survey of the land though which the lines passes. The line routing will be finalised avoiding existing settlements such as cities, villages, houses, huts, buildings, and fruit bearing trees or any other existing settlement directly related with the livelihood of people.

5.1.2 Encroachment into Cultural/Religious Structures 92. All the sites proposed for the new sub-stations will not encroach into any cultural or religious structures. The alignment of the sub-stations will be finalised keeping maximum clearance to these structures. All precautions and safety measures will be adopted to ensure that the establishment and operation of the sub-station will not affect the functioning of these cultural and religious institutions/structures. 93. The alignments for the distribution lines will be selected avoiding any religious or cultural structures. As per the preliminary assessment carried out during route alignment selection in consultation with State Revenue Authorities and ASI, no such monuments are coming in the proposed route alignment. Detailed survey of the selected route will be conducted and the final alignment will be decided based on the survey report. In case any encroachment is noticed during the survey, necessary deviations in the alignment will be made to ensure that there will not be any encroachment into cultural/religious structures. 94. In the proposed sub-project, the preliminary selection of sites for sub-stations and route alignment of distribution network were done without any encroachment into cultural/religious structures. Hence no impact on these structures is anticipated.

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5.1.3 Encroachment into Precious Ecological Areas 95. All the activities of the sub-project are proposed urban areas. There are no precious ecological areas like forest, national parks, or wildlife sanctuaries located within the territorial limits of sub-project towns. Hence new sub-stations proposed and the alignment of distribution lines proposed under the sub-project will not have any impact on precious ecological areas. 5.1.4 Loss of Amenity (Aesthetics, Property Value) & Livelihood to Neighbours. 96. The establishment of the sub-stations and towers for the power lines may have adverse impact on the aesthetics and the value of property adjacent to the site will decrease considerably. High compound wall will be constructed around the sub-stations to form a physical separation and visual screen to the development. 97. The spacing between the towers/poles is approx. 60 to 67 metre; these will not affect the visual aesthetics of the localities. Based on past experience land prices are generally expected to rise in the areas receiving power. Further, sub- transmission lines considered in this project are passing through the areas, which are already electrified. So the land-use is not going to change in foreseeable future. Therefore, the value of land will not be adversely affected to a significant degree. 98. During the construction of sub-transmission and distribution lines there is little chance of crop damage. The compensation for the cost of crop being damaged during construction of sub transmission and distribution line will be paid by the BSEB. The amount of compensation is assessed by the Competent Authority of Revenue Department of GoB depending upon the extent of damage type of crop and its market value. The BSEB will arrange to pay the awarded amount of compensation to each Project Affected Family (PAF) prior to taking up construction activity in the presence of authorized revenue authority. No compensation is payable for the land used as ROW for erecting the poles since the ownership of the land remains with the original owner and the farmer is allowed to use his land in the way he likes / allowed to grow the crop. 5.1.5 Cutting of Trees and Damage to Vegetation 99. Few trees exist in the site selected for establishing the sub-stations, which may have to be cut and removed. Similarly few trees exist at the alignment selected for the distribution lines. Alignment of the sub-stations and route of the distribution lines will be finalised after detailed survey in a manner so as to avoid or minimize the cutting and removal of trees. For the power lines pruning of branches of trees will done wherever possible. If cutting of trees is unavoidable, then appropriate regulatory approvals from all concerned agencies should be obtained, and compensatory afforestation should be carried out at the rate of two trees for every trees cut/removed within the project-influenced area. The stacking, transportation and storage of the wood will be carried out as per the relevant specifications /norms. 100. The exact number to trees affected by the construction of new distribution lines and the sub-stations can be ascertained only after detailed survey and finalisation of actual alignment of these lines and sub-stations. Considering the nature of the sub-project towns where the new distribution lines and sub-stations are proposed, it is estimated that an extent of 2 hactres of land needed to be afforested. About 2,000 trees will be planted at the rate of

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1000 per hactre as part of the sub-project activities. An amount of Rs.1.08 lakhs is included in the budget for compensatory afforestation activities 5.1.6 Impact on Existing Drainage System 101. Almost all the new sub-station sites identified are low-lying area and require to be raised to avoid flooding. Since the land required for each sub-station is only about 5000 m2 it is unlikely to obstruct the existing natural drainage system. The design of the sub-stations will ensure that any existing natural drainage system in the site will be protected or proper diversions will be included in the sub-project activities. 102. As the proposed distribution lines are constructed aerially and the blockage of ground surface is limited to area of pole footings, which is very small, there is little possibility of affecting drainage pattern. 5.1.7 Interference with Other Utilities and Traffic 103. The proposed sub-transmission and distribution lines may have to cross Railway lines, telecommunication lines etc. As per regulations enacted by Government of India, it is mandatory for BSEB to seek clearance prior to construction from department of Railways, Telecommunications and wherever necessary from aviation authorities that are likely to be affected by the construction of sub transmission lines. The sub transmission lines affect nearby telecommunication circuits by causing electrical interference. A standing committee -- Power Telecom Co-ordination Committee (P.T.C.C.) has been constituted by Government of India to plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage, which may occur to nearby telecom circuit and suggest necessary protection measures to be adopted. The committee suggests measures like rerouting of the telecom circuits, conversion of overhead telecom circuits into cables etc to minimize the interference. The cost of such measures, if required is determined by the Committee and is shared by BSEB and Telecom Department on the basis of prevailing norms and guidelines. 104. Wherever sub-transmission lines cross the railways, clearance is taken from that department. In general, the system is planned and executed in such a way that adequate clearance is maintained between lines on the one hand, and railways, civil aviation and defence installations on the other. 105. The implementation of the sub-project may interfere with the traffic. The local people will be consulted and alternate arrangements and traffic management plan will be drawn up and implemented to minimise the nuisance caused to the public.

5.2 Design Impacts 5.2.1 Escape of Polluting Materials 106. The equipments to be installed on lines and sub-stations are static in nature and do not generate any fumes or waste materials. Transformers will be designed with oil spill containment systems, and purpose-built oil, lubricant and fuel storage system, complete with spill cleanup equipment. Certain equipments like transformers, capacitors may generate hazardous chemicals like waste transformer oil containing PCB and other toxic metals. The design should ensure that (i) The transformers specifications will be selected as per internationally adopted standards, (ii) Transformers / capacitors should be free from

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 30 Bihar Power System Improvement Project polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), (iii) Transformers / other equipments should not contain any chemical causing GHG emission. 5.2.2 Impact on Sensitive Area, Cultural/Religious Structures 107. As per the preliminary route selection, the distribution lines proposed will not pass through or adjacent to national park, wildlife sanctuary or other ecologically sensitive area and may not encroach into cultural/religious structures. The design should ensure that optimum routes are adopted taking into consideration of the following. (i) the route of the proposed line does not involve any human rehabilitation, (ii) any monument of cultural or historical importance is not affected by the route of the line, (iii) the proposed route of line does not create any threat to the survival of any community with special reference to Tribal Community, (iv) the proposed route of line does not affect any public utility services like playgrounds, schools, other establishments etc, (v) the line route does not pass through any sanctuaries, National Park etc and (vi) the line route does not infringe with area of natural resources 108. No forestland, national park or sanctuary involved in the route of proposed lines covered under sub-project. 5.2.3 Noise/Vibration Nuisances 109. The equipments to be installed at sub-station may likely to cause noise/vibration. Most of the equipment required at sub-station are static and will be so designed that the noise level always remains within permissible limits i.e. 85 dBA as per Indian and International standard- 7194.and the sound level 1 m outside the premises shall not exceed the permissible limit prescribed by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000. 5.2.4 Equipment Submerged under Flood 110. The sites identified for the sub-stations are low lying area and hence the equipment installed may be flooded during rainy season. Sub-stations will be designed above the high flood level (HFL) by raising the site and foundation. 5.3 Construction Impacts 5.3.1 Impact due to Transport of Labour and Materials 111. Transport of labour and materials will produce dust and noise, which is expected to be very low. Effect of noise will be confined to the hours of construction activity. Exhaust gases are also emitted due to movement of heavy machineries used for construction. The vehicles and machinery used for the construction shall comply with the statutory emission standards prescribed and shall be strictly adhered to. All vehicles, equipments and machineries shall be regularly serviced and well maintained to ensure that emission levels comply with the relevant statutory standards. 5.3.2 Silt Run Off from Construction Activities 112. The sub-project activities involve only pit digging for foundation of sub-station buildings, towers, poles and stays for poles and stays erection. So, uncontrolled silt run off is not expected. However, Construction Site Management Plan covering: site preparation to minimize clearance to adjoining vegetation and natural resources; protection of unstable soil surface from high velocity runoff with interception drains and stabilization; proper siting and

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 31 Bihar Power System Improvement Project protection of construction materials; construction wastes disposal practice etc. will be developed and implemented to prevent any possible silt run off. 5.3.3 Nuisance from Vehicles, Plants and Equipment 113. The plants and equipments required for construction activities would be of small mechanical devices e.g. trucks and manual labour therefore nuisance to the nearby properties is not anticipated. The vehicles, plants machineries used for construction will comply with the statutory norms. At construction sites noisy construction work such as piling, concrete mixing, mechanical compaction, etc., will be carried out only during daytime (between 0600 hours to 2200 hours. All vehicles and equipment used in construction shall be fitted with exhaust silencers. During routine servicing operations, the effectiveness of exhaust silencers shall be checked and if found to be defective shall be replaced. The noise level from any item of plant(s) must comply with the relevant legislation for levels of sound emission. 5.3.4 Impact from Work in Flood Prone Areas 114. The new sub-station sites identified are low-lying area and likely to be flooded during rainy season. There is chances of flood washing out the materials stored for construction and contaminate the water body. Precautions will be taken to ensure that construction activities of sub-stations shall not lead to aggravate floods in flood prone areas. When working in flood prone areas during rainy season, the contractor shall avoid storing materials, chemicals and other items of work in areas where those can be washed away by the floods. 5.3.5 Impact on Water Environment 115. During the construction phase, the wastewater will comprise domestic sewage from construction camps and staff quarters, contamination due to spillage of oil and other lubricants, contamination due to disposal of construction wastes and wastewater from washing of construction equipment and vehicles. The construction contractors will be required to adopt water-saving construction practices and conduct training of construction workers to minimize the discharge of wastewater. The work shall be carried out in such a manner that pollution of natural watercourses, ponds, tanks and reservoirs is avoided. Measures shall be taken to prevent the wastewater produced in construction from entering directly into streams, water bodies or the irrigation systems. Construction labourers’ quarters shall not be located within 200 m from waterways, within any environmentally sensitive or protected areas or near to sites of religious, cultural or archaeological importance. Labour quarters shall be provided with adequate and appropriate facilities for water supply, sanitation, disposal of sewerage and solid waste. Oil and fuel spills from construction equipment will be minimized by good O&M practices. Vehicles /machinery and equipment serving and maintenance work shall be carried out only in designated locations /service stations approved by the EA. Small settlement ponds will be used for treatment of washings of vehicles before it is discharged. The cans and containers will be provided with spill trays to contain the spills. 5.3.6 Impact on Air Quality 116. Impacts on air quality will be mainly due to airborne dust in the vicinity of the work sites (both at sub-station sites and along the route of the distribution lines where towers are

Initital Environmental Examination - Distribution Component_Bihar Power System Improvement Project 32 Bihar Power System Improvement Project required to be located) as a result of excavation and construction activities and emission from construction equipments and vehicles. During material handling activities dust and particulates may be generated. Spraying of water in construction sites and on exposed earth surfaces and stock piles sand and other construction materials, covering of transportation vehicles with tarpaulins and training of equipment operators and drivers in fuel efficiency and anti-idling can effectively reduce the air emissions. The equipments and vehicles used at construction site shall comply with the norms and standards prescribed by the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. 5.3.7 Public and Worker Safety 117. All reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent danger of the workers and the public from accidents such as fire, explosions, falling rocks, falling to excavated pits, breaking flood diversions, chemical sprays, unsafe power supply equipment and lines etc. 118. The Contractor shall comply with requirements for the safety of the workmen as per the existing national /state /local regulations. The contractor shall supply all necessary safety appliances such as safety goggles, helmets, masks, boots, etc., to the workers and staff. 119. The contractor has to comply with all regulations regarding safe scaffolding, ladders, working platforms, gangway, stairwells, excavations, trenches and safe movement of the workers and staff. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger of electrocuting from electrical equipment and power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. Measures such as danger signboards, danger /red lights, fencing and lights will be provided to protect the public and workers. All electric power driven machines to be used in the construction shall be free from defect, be properly maintained and kept in good working order. 5.3.8 Interference with Utilities and Traffic and Blockage of Access 120. Access to the site will be along existing roads or village paths; minor improvements to paths may be required wherever necessary, but no major construction of roads will be necessary either during construction or as a part of maintenance procedures. The proposed distribution lines may have to cross Railway lines, telecommunication lines etc. 121. As and when a line crosses any road/ railways line, the terminal poles are located at sufficient distance so as not to cause any hindrance to the movement of traffic. Stringing at the construction stage is carried out during lean traffic period in consultation with the concerned authorities and angle poles are planted to facilitate execution of work in different stages. 5.3.9 Disturbed Farming Activity 122. The distribution lines have to be constructed mainly through existing road side and through agricultural land. The construction activities on cropping land may damage the crops and cause losses to the public. To avoid disturbance of field crops, construction activities on cropping land will be timed within one month of harvest wherever possible. In case of any damage to agriculture, compensation will be given as per the existing norms.

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5.3.10 Borrowing of Earth 123. All most all the sites for new sub-stations identified are low-lying area and need to be elevated to avoid flooding. Soil is required for this purpose. Since the quantity of soil required is not substantial, no borrow pit will be established as part the sub-project activities. The contractor will collect the required materials from approved borrow area having all valid statutory clearances. 5.3.11 Impact on Flora and Fauna 124. The sub-project activities are proposed through open land or agricultural fields and no forest or sensitive area is involved. Therefore, no endangered species of flora and fauna exist in the sub-project area as well as no reserve forest is getting affected. Thus there is no possibility of endangering/causing extinction of any species. 125. Three metre wide strips of land under each conductor will be cleared during construction. Marking of vegetation to be removed prior to clearance, and strict control on clearing activities will be done to ensure minimal clearance of vegetation and trees. Trees allowed growing up to a height within the ROW by maintaining adequate clearance between the top of tree and the conductor as per the regulations. If cutting of trees is unavoidable, then appropriate regulatory approvals from all concerned agencies should be obtained, and compensatory afforestation should be carried out at the rate of two trees for every tree cut/removed within the project influenced area. 5.3.12 Impact Due to the Disposal of Solid Waste 126. The solid waste generated mostly in the form of replaced equipments i.e. transformers, capacitors, conductors, meters, batteries and other electrical equipments. Since rehabilitation and modernisation of existing sub-stations are one of the major activities under the sub-project, management of these wastes is most important. The phased out equipments are sent back to the central storage. From these storages, these equipments are recycled or sold / auctioned to registered recycling or reprocessing units. The discarded batteries should be handed over to the dealer or manufacturer or auction to registered recyclers only. 127. Used oil / burned oil from in the transformers will be recycled after processing through reprocessing units registered with Ministry of Environment and Forest as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Handling and Management) Rules 1989.

5.4 Operation and Maintenance Impact 5.4.1 Electric Shock Hazards 128. Injury/mortality to staff and public may occur during the operation and maintenance of the sub-stations and distribution lines. Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimise hazards, security fences around sub-stations, barriers to prevent climbing on/dismantling of sub-transmission towers, appropriate warning signs on facilities and electricity safety awareness raising programs will be conducted as part of the sub-project activities.

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5.4.2 Operations and Maintenance Staff Skills less than Acceptable 129. The untrained and inexperienced staffs attending the operation and maintenance of distribution lines and sub-stations may lead to unnecessary environmental losses of various types. Adequate training in O&M will be given to all relevant staff of sub-stations and transmission line maintenance crews. O&M manuals will be prepared and regular training will be given to all relevant staff and maintenance crews to operate the system in accordance with the manuals. 5.4.3 Oil Spillage 130. Oil spillage from transformers and other equipments in the sub-stations may lead to contamination of land/nearby water bodies. Sub-station transformers will be located within secured and impervious bunded areas with a storage capacity of at least 100% of the capacity of oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks. Oil traps will be provided to reclaim the oil from the storm water drained from the bunded area. 5.4.4 Staff/Workers Health and Safety during Operations 131. The workers and staff are exposed to a hazardous and risky working environment and accident can occur at any time. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger of electrocuting from electrical equipment and power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. Measures such as danger signboards, danger /red lights, fencing and lights will be provided to protect the staff and workers. All workers employed in hazardous activities shall be provided with necessary protective gear. At every workplace, first aid kit shall be readily available including an adequate supply of sterilized dressing materials, medicines and appliances in accordance with the regulations. All workers and staff will be given training/awareness programs on safety measures to be followed during the operation and maintenance of the system. 5.4.5 Management of Solid Waste Generated 132. Management of solid waste generated during the O&M of facilities provided is one of the most important aspects. The solid wastes generated are mostly in the form of replaced equipments i.e. transformers, capacitors, conductors, meters, batteries, transformer oil and other electrical equipments. These materials will be collected and disposed off through registered recycling/reprocessing units or handed over to the manufacturers/dealers as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 and the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.

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6 ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

133. An environment management plan (EMP) is developed to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts noticed in the previous chapter and to monitor it during implementation stage. Table 6.1 gives the environmental management plan for the sub- project. The EMP includes adverse impacts and likely mitigation measures, monitoring requirements and responsible authorities to implement the EMP.

134. BSEB gives due care for implementation of all components of the sub-project. The proposed sub-project does not harm the present environment as already described in details in Chapter 5. Minor environmental impacts were noticed during the sub-project construction stage for which an EMP has been prepared and will be implemented along with the sub- project. The EMP prepared will form part of the bid documents and the contractor entrusted with the implementation of the sub-project will be made responsible for implementing same as a contractual obligation. The contractor shall appoint / designate a qualified Environmental Officer as soon as the contract is finalized and awarded. The Environmental Officer will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of EMP from the pre-construction and construction phases. The contractor shall be responsible in reporting the implementation of the EMP to the EA based on an agreed reporting format either monthly or periodically, as agreed. As part of the institutional arrangement, the EA should form a social and environment management unit within the organisation headed by a qualified Environmental Engineer who will be responsible for the supervising the implementation of EMP and periodic reporting to higher authorities. The regular monitoring of the environmental aspects shall be undertaken to make sure that the mitigation measures proposed in EMP is implemented properly. Regular reports will be submitted to concerned pollution control agencies.

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Table 6.1: Environment Management Plan

Project stage – anticipated Proposed mitigation measure Parameter to be Measurement Institutional Responsibility Cost Environmental issues and monitored frequency impacts Implem- Super- entation vision Pre-construction (Planning and Design) Loss of property and impact The alignment of proposed new sub-stations Route alignment Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of land on habitation and distribution lines to be finalised after of sub- commencement acquisition cost detailed physical survey transmission and of The line routing will be finalised avoiding distribution lines implementation existing settlements such as cities, villages, houses, huts, buildings, fruit bearing trees or Consultation any other existing settlement directly related RP with affected with the livelihood of people. implementation parties – once In case of acquisition, preparation and in a quarter implementation of SRP. Encroachment into Finalise alignments for the sub-stations and Route alignment Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of detailed cultural/religious structures distribution lines avoiding any religious or of distribution commencement siting and cultural structures lines and sub- of alignment survey stations implementation /design Encroachment into precious Avoid encroachment into National Park, Location of sub- Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of detailed ecological areas Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserved Forest and stations and line finalisation of siting and other ecologically sensitive area by careful site alignment design alignment survey and alignment selection /design Loss of amenity (aesthetics, Ensure the design of the system should not Design of sub- Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of detailed property value) & livelihood have any impact on visual aesthetics stations and commencement siting and to neighbours Finalise the alignment to minimise impact on alignment of lines of alignment survey livelihood to neighbours implementation /design Compensation for loss of crops and livelihood RP implementation Cutting of trees and damage Alignment of sub-stations and route of lines to Alignment of lines Once prior to ESMU PMU Rs.700 per tree for to vegetation be finalised to avoid or minimize the cutting and layout of sub- commencement planting and and removal of trees stations of maintaining it for 3 Pruning of branches of trees wherever implementation years possible Afforestation plan

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Trees allowed growing up to a height within the ROW by maintaining adequate clearance between the top of tree and the conductor as per the regulations. Compensatory afforestation at the rate of two trees for every trees cut/removed 2 hactres of land will be afforested at the rate of 1000 trees per hactre as part of the sub- project activities Stacking, transportation and storage of wood as per the relevant specifications /norms. Impact on existing drainage Finalise alignment avoiding blockage of Design Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of detailed system drainage system documents of commencement siting and Design should ensure protection of existing sub-stations and of alignment survey drainage system alignment of lines implementation /design Proper diversion of drainage system Appropriate siting of towers to avoid channel interference Interference with other Seek clearance prior to construction from Clearances Once prior to ESMU PMU utilities and traffic department of Railways, Telecommunications obtained commencement and wherever necessary from aviation of authorities implementation

Plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage Implementation of Periodically Consultation with the public and during Contractor ESMU Part of traffic Construction cost. implementation of traffic management plan management plan construction

Escape of polluting Transformers designed with oil spill Specifications of Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of design materials containment systems, and purpose-built oil, plant and inviting bids lubricant and fuel storage system, complete equipment with spill cleanup equipment. The transformers specifications will be selected as per internationally adopted standards Transformers / capacitors should be free from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) Transformers / other equipments should not contain any chemical causing GHG emission. Noise/vibration nuisances Sub-stations sited and designed to ensure Design document Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of design

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noise will not be a nuisance inviting bids Equipments should comply with Indian and International standard Equipment submerged Sub-stations constructed above the high flood Design document Once prior to ESMU PMU Part of design under flood level (HFL) by raising the site and foundation inviting bids B. Construction Impact due to transport of The vehicles and machineries used shall Statutory Once in a Contractor ESMU Part of construction labour and materials comply with the statutory emission standards clearances month cost All vehicles, equipments and machineries shall Maintenance of be regularly serviced and well maintained vehicles Loss of vegetation due to Marking of vegetation to be removed prior to Vegetation Once in two Contractor ESMU Part of construction site clearance clearance, and strict control on clearing marking and site weeks during cost activities to ensure minimal clearance clearance construction activities Silt run off from construction Develop and implement Construction Site Implementation of Once in a week Contractor ESMU Part of construction activities Management Plan to cover site preparation to Construction Site during cost minimize clearance to adjoining vegetation and Management Plan construction natural resources; protection of unstable soil surface from high velocity runoff with interception drains and stabilization; proper siting and protection of construction materials; construction wastes disposal practice etc Nuisance from vehicles, The vehicles, plants machineries used for Monitoring of Once in a Contractor ESMU Rs.2,000 per plants and equipment construction to comply with the statutory sound levels at month monitoring norms. construction site Noisy construction works such as piling, concrete mixing, mechanical compaction, etc., will be carried out only during day time (between 0600 hours to 2200 hours. All vehicles and equipment used in construction shall be fitted with exhaust silences. During routine servicing operations, the effectiveness of exhaust silencers shall be checked and if found to be defective shall be replaced. Monitoring of sound levels at construction sites Impact from work in flood Precautions to avoid blocking of drainage path Stocking of Once in a week Contractor ESMU Part of construction prone areas by construction activities materials and cost

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Avoid storing materials, chemicals and other construction items of work in areas where those can be activities washed away by the floods. Impact on water Adopt water-saving construction practices and Construction site Once in a week Contractor ESMU Part of construction environment conduct training of construction workers to cost minimize the discharge of wastewater. Ensure that pollution of natural watercourses, ponds, tanks and reservoirs is avoided. Prevent the wastewater produced in construction from entering directly into streams, water bodies or the irrigation systems. Construction labourers’ quarters shall not be located within 200m from waterways, within any environmentally sensitive or protected areas or near to sites of religious, cultural or archaeological importance. Labour quarters shall be provided with adequate and appropriate facilities for water supply, sanitation, disposal of sewerage and solid waste. Oil and fuel spills from construction equipment will be minimized by good O&M practices. Vehicles /machinery and equipment serving and maintenance work shall be carried out only in designated locations /service stations approved by the PMU. Small settlement ponds will be used for treatment of washings of vehicles before it is discharged. The cans and containers of oil and lubricants to be provided with spill trays to contain the spills. Impact on air quality Spraying of water in construction sites and on Construction site Once in a week Contractor ESMU Part of construction exposed earth surfaces and stock piles of cost sand and other construction materials, Covering of transportation vehicles with tarpaulins

Training of equipment operators and drivers in fuel efficiency and anti-idling can effectively Ambient air Once in a Contractor ESMU Rs.3,000 per test

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reduce the air emissions. quality monitoring month Equipments and vehicles used at construction for suspended site shall comply with the norms and standards particulate matter prescribed by the Environment (Protection) Act and respirable 1986. suspended solid Stone aggregates required for construction activities to be purchased from quarry/stone crusher having valid approval from statutory authorities. Monitoring of ambient air at major construction sites Public and worker safety Comply with requirements for the safety of the Implementation of Once in a week Contractor ESMU Part of construction workmen as per the existing national /state health and safety cost /local regulations. measures Contractor to prepare and implement a health and safety plan.

Supply all necessary safety appliances such as safety goggles, helmets, masks, boots, etc., to the workers and staff. Contractor to arrange for health and safety training sessions Comply with all regulations regarding safe scaffolding, ladders, working platforms, gangway, stairwells, excavations, trenches and safe movement of the workers and staff. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent danger of electrocuting from electrical equipment and power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. Measures such as danger signboards, danger /red lights, fencing and lights will be provided to protect the public and workers. All electric power driven machines to be used in the construction shall be free from defect, be properly maintained and kept in good working order Interference with utilities and As and when a line crosses any road/ railways Tower location Consultation Contractor ESMU Part of construction traffic and blockage of line, the terminal poles are located at sufficient and line alignment with public and cost access distance so as not to cause any hindrance to local authorities the movement of traffic.

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Stringing at the construction stage is carried out during lean traffic period in consultation with the local people and concerned authorities Disturbed farming activity Construction activities on cropping land will be Timing of start of Once before Contractor ESMU Part of construction timed within one month of harvest wherever construction starting cost possible. construction Compensation for crop damage, if any Borrowing of earth Collect the required materials from approved Statutory Once before Contractor ESMU Part of construction borrow area having all valid statutory Approvals for starting cost clearances. borrow areas construction Impact on flora and fauna Marking of vegetation to be removed prior to Clearing of trees Once in two Contractor ESMU Part of construction clearance and vegetation week cost Strict control on clearing activities to ensure minimal clearance. Disposal of Trees allowed growing up to a height within cleared the ROW by maintaining adequate clearance vegetation as between the top of tree and the conductor as approved by the per the regulations. statutory If cutting of trees is unavoidable, then obtain authorities appropriate regulatory approvals Compensatory afforestation at the rate of twice Compensatory the trees cut/removed afforestation Felled trees and other cleared or pruned vegetation to be disposed of as authorized by the statutory bodies. Impact due to the disposal Recycle or sell/auction to registered recycling Disposal of solid Once in a Contractor ESMU Part of construction of solid waste or reprocessing units. wastes month cost The discarded batteries to be handed over to the dealer or manufacturer or auction to registered recyclers only. Used oil / burned oil from in the transformers to be recycled after processing through reprocessing units registered with Ministry of Environment and Forest Operation and Maintenance Impact Electric shock hazards Security fences around sub-stations Report on training Once in two BSEB BSEB Part of O & M Cost Barriers to prevent climbing on/dismantling of and accident week towers

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Appropriate warning signs on facilities Electricity safety awareness raising in project areas Operations and Adequate training in O&M to all relevant staff Posting of Staff Once in a BSEB BSEB Part of O & M Cost maintenance staff skills less of sub-stations and sub-transmission line month than acceptable maintenance crews. No of training O&M manuals and standard operating conducted practices (SOP) will be prepared Regular training will be given to all relevant staff and maintenance crews to operate the system in accordance with the manuals and SOPs. Oil spillage Sub-station transformers to be located within Sub-station Once in 3 BSEB BSEB Part of O & M Cost secure and impervious bunded areas with a bunding months storage capacity of at least 100% of the capacity of oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks. Oil traps will be provided to reclaim the oil from the storm water drained from the bunded area. Staff/workers health and Adequate precautions to prevent danger of Health and safety Once in month BSEB BSEB Part of O & M Cost safety during operations electrocuting from electrical equipment and practices power supply lines including distribution boards, transformers, etc. Measures such as danger signboards, danger /red lights, fencing and lights will be provided to protect the staff and workers All workers employed in hazardous activities shall be provided with necessary protective gear At every workplace, first aid kit shall be readily available including an adequate supply of sterilized dressing materials, medicines and appliances in accordance with the regulations All workers and staff will be given training/awareness programs on safety measures to be followed during the operation and maintenance of the system. Management of waste Replaced equipments i.e. transformers, Disposal of waste Once in a BSEB BSEB Part of O & M Cost generated capacitors, conductors, meters, batteries, month transformer oil and other electrical equipments

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to be collected and disposed of to through registered recycling/reprocessing units or handed over to the manufacturers/dealers as per the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 and the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.

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7 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

135. Public consultation/information disclosure is an integral part of the environmental assessment of the Project. During the project formulation stage, BSEB had conducted detailed physical survey and analysis of the existing network. During the physical survey and project scoping exercise, considerable dialogue was held with the local people, and BSEB and other the line agencies of State Government. The objectives of these consultations were as follows: i. Disseminating information on the project to the stakeholders and thereby helping them better understand the trade-offs between Project benefits and disadvantages. ii. Helping identify key causes of environmental problems. iii. Gaining a better understanding of existing environmental conditions. iv. Reducing potential conflicts and substantial delays. v. Recognize possible alternatives. vi. Helping to establish a comprehensive environmental management plan by incorporating local input and know-how. vii. Ensuring the sustainability of the Project. 136. During the reconnaissance survey and preliminary environmental assessment, focussed informal discussions were held with the local people and officials. No major environmental issues were raised during the consultation process. The people are most supportive of the project stating that the Project will improve electricity supply in the area and will improve their living conditions.

The SPCB and the Department of Forest were consulted, and information gathered as a part of the IEE preparation. Further public consultations were made with the affected groups at the site during the CTA Team’s visits to the sites and their grievances and observations were taken into account in the project formulation as well as the preparation of the IEE. The summery of consultations conducted are detailed in Table 7.1.

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Table 7.1: Summary of Consultations

Sl. Consultation Consultation Details Participants No. Date 1. 23-08-2007 Discussions on the suitability of the proposed site for Local people (22) at Nalanda new sub-station and public concern on the project sub-station site, Principal and activities. The site at Manibaba Akharha Temple is staff of Nalanda College, acceptable to the local people and officials. No District Collector and Officials environmental issues pointed out. of District Administration, BSEB officials. 2. 24-08-2007 Discussions on the suitability of the proposed site for Local people (11) at Kankal, new sub-station and public view on the project at Bagusarai new sub-station activities. The local people are in favour of the site, Officials of District Project, as it will improve the power situation in their Administration, BSEB area. No environmental issues pointed out. officials. 3. 05-09-2007 Discussions on the suitability of the proposed site for Local people at Arrah (5) new new sub-station and public view on the project sub-station site, BSEB activities. The local people are in favour of the officials. Project, as it will improve the power situation in their area. No environmental issues pointed out 4 06-09-2007 Consultation on the environmental issues associated S.N.Rao, Member Secretary with the Project activities and statutory clearances and officials of Bihar State required for the Project. The SPCB is in favour of the Pollution Control Board at Project as no serious environmental issues are Patna. anticipated from the Project activities. 5. 07-09-2007 Consultations with local people on the suitability of Local people at Magardahi in the proposed site for new sub-station and views on Samastipur new sub-station the project activities. The local people are in favour site, BSEB officials. of the Project, as it will improve the power situation in their area. No environmental issues pointed out 6. 14-09-2007 Consultations with local people on the suitability of Local people at Muthihari the proposed site for new sub-stations and views on new sub- the project activities. The local people are in favour (10) and Bettiah of the Project, as it will improve the power situation station sites, BSEB officials in their area. No environmental issues pointed out 7. 18-09-2007 Consultations with local people on the suitability of Local people at Buxer new the proposed site for new sub-stations and views on sub-station site, BSEB the project activities. The local people are in favour officials. of the Project, as it will improve the power situation in their area. No environmental issues pointed out 8. 19-09-2007 Consultation on the environmental issues associated Ranvir Sangh, IFS, Assistant with the Project activities and statutory clearances Conservation of Forest, required for the Project. The Forest Department is in Ashok Prashad, IFS, Director favour of the Project as no serious environmental of Social Forestry, issues are anticipated from the Project activities Department of Environment and Forest and officials 137. The process of such consultation will be continued during sub-project planning and design stage, implementation and even during operation and maintenance stage. The proposed plan of public consultation is given in Table 7.2.

Table 7.2: Proposed Plan for Public Consultation

Sl. No. Activity Technique Schedule 1. Planning and design Group discussion and one to one meeting During detailed route stage alignment survey 2. Construction Phase Localized group meeting, During entire Pamphlet/Information brochures, Public construction period display etc. 3. O & M Phase Information brochures, Operating field offices, Continuous as and when Response to public enquiries, Press release required

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8 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISAM

138. A grievance redress committee (GRC) will be established to address the concerns and grievances of the local communities and affected persons. The GRC provides a public forum to raise any concern or objections. The GRC comprises of representatives from the project proponent, local authorities and affected parties, and other stakeholders, as mutually agreed with the local authorities and affected persons, and senior officials from the EA. The EA will be responsible disseminating information about the functional norms of the GRC. The committee will meet at least twice a year or more frequently if required. A complaint registering and monitoring system will be established and all public complaints will be entered into a complaint register. Complaint register will be made available at all local offices of BSEB. 139. An Environmental officer and Community Liaison Officer will be employed by the Contractor to make the public aware of the short-term inconveniences and long-term benefits of the sub-project in order to gain full support of the beneficiaries for the sub-project. Beneficiaries will also be made aware of preventive care to avoid environmental health- related hazards. The Community Liaison Officer will be responsible for community liaison and handling public complaints regarding environmental/social related matters. All public complaints will be entered into the Complaints Register. The Environmental Officer will promptly investigate and review environmental complaints and adopt appropriate corrective actions to arrest or mitigate the cause of the complaints. The register of all complaints will be passed on to the PMU within 48 hours of their receipt, with the action taken by the Environmental Officer on complains thereof. The complaint register shall be placed at a convenient place, easily accessible by the public. The Environmental Engineer of Environment and Social Management Unit will take appropriate action and place the complaint together with the action taken before the GRC within a week. The decision of the GRC shall be implemented in a time framed manner.

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9 IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS & MONITORING PLAN

9.1 Institutional Arrangements 140. The executing agency for Distribution component of BPSIP is BSEB. It will set up a state-level Project Management Unit (PMU) for this purpose. The EA will form an environment and social management unit (ESMU) in PMU at the corporate level to monitor the environmental impacts during the implementation of the project. A chief officer of the company will head the ESMU. A qualified environmental engineer will be included in the unit to look after environmental consequences of all sub-projects. The ESMU will assist the PMU in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of distribution component of BPSIP. During the planning and detailed design stages of the project, the PMU will primarily be responsible for supervising the implementation of mitigation measures and monitoring their performance. Technical mitigation measures will be incorporated into site layout planning and designs. 141. During project implementation stage, the Environmental Engineer will: (i) review the IEE / EIA documents; (ii) inspect and ensure compliance with the mitigation measures proposed in the IEEs / EIAs and EMPs for all components the sub-project; and (iii) provide necessary training. 142. The implementation of EMP during construction phase will be the responsibility of the contractor. During the construction phase, the ESMU will monitor the performance of the contractor who will be contracted to construct the work in a manner that mitigates adverse environmental impacts during the construction phase. Contractor will engage a qualified Environmental Officer and a Community Liaison Officer to ensure implementation of the EMP, monitoring the implementation and reporting the progress of implementation. Mitigation measures of a planning, functional, institutional and procedural character will have been included in the tender documents and in the supplementary activity plans. The PMU through the ESMU will also be responsible for ensuring all measures suggested in the EMP are included in the design and bid document. 143. During the operational phase, the BSEB will be responsible for monitoring the environmental quality periodically to ensure that the sub-project is not causing any adverse impact to the environment. 144. ADB will review and approve IEEs and EMPs prior to finalisation of contracts and commencement of work. ADB will review monitoring reports and officially disclose the IEEs on its website in accordance with the ADB’s Public Communications Policy 2005.

9.2 Environmental Monitoring Plan 145. An environmental monitoring plan for the sub-project is developed and presented in Table 9.1. This plan includes monitoring plan for mitigation measures proposed and monitoring requirements at different stages. The frequency of monitoring and the parameters to be monitored were identified and presented in Table 9.1.

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Table 9.1: Environmental Monitoring Plan

Project Parameters to Respon- Preliminary Location Measurement Frequency stage be Monitored sibility Costing Pre- Incorporation NA Design check One-off ESMU/PMU Part of construction of mitigation before project measures into design management design and site approval (PM) costs identification as suggested in EMP Proper Sub- station Site visits and Every ESMU/PMU Part of PM compensation sites interaction with month costs for and ROW public Landowners, sites crops and properties. Minimization of Distribution Site visit and One-off ESMU/PMU Part of PM tree cutting by Sub-station interaction with before costs best alignment sites and design engineers approval line alignment Encroachment Distribution Site visit and One-off ESMU/PMU Part of PM into forest land sub-station interaction with before costs sites and design engineers approval sub- transmission and distribution lines Incorporation NA Inspection of One off ESMU/PMU Part of PM of construction contract before costs stage documents finalization mitigation of contract measures in contract documents Construction Preparation of NA Inspection of plan One-off ESMU/PMU Part of PM stage construction as per the EMP before start costs site recommendations of management construction plan Implementation Construction Site visits Weekly Contractor/E Part of PM of mitigation sites Consultation with SMU costs measures local people, workers Inspection of construction records Ambient air All Suspended Once in a Contractor Rs. 72,000 quality Construction Particulate Matter month (2 per year Sites (SPM), monitoring Respirable stations) Particulate Matter (RSPM) Noise Construction Sound level, Leq Same as Contractor Rs. 48,000 Site above per year Operation Implementation All Sub- Inspection of O & Once in BSEB Part of O & and of SOPs and stations M records three M cost maintenance training months Disposal of All Sub- Inspection of Once in six BSEB Part of O & wastes stations stock records months M cost

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9.3 Budget Estimate for EMP Implementation 146. The construction activities on cropping land may damage the crops and cause losses to the public. Compensation for the crop damage will be given to the Affected Families as per the decisions of competent authority of the Government. An amount of Rs.30.00 lakhs has been included in the budget for giving compensation to the Affected Families. The distribution lines may likely to affect nearby telecommunication circuits by causing electrical interference. A standing committee - Power Telecom Co-ordination Committee (P.T.C.C.) has been constituted by Government of India to plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage, which may occur to nearby telecom circuit and suggest necessary protection measures to be adopted. In order to implement the recommendations of PTCC, an amount of Rs.12.00 lakhs is provided in the budget for EMP implementation. The responsibility for implementation of EMP is vested with the contractor. The contractor has to engage an environmental officer and community liaison officer for effective implementation of EMP and monitoring the implementation. The mitigation measures suggested in the EMP has been made part of the contract estimate. Certain measures like spraying of water in construction sites to suppress dust emission, sanitation measures at labour camps, providing fencing and protective measures, etc which are not covered by the sub-project activities will have to be paid extra to the contractor. In order to meet these expenses, a provision of Rs.70.00 lakhs included in the budget. Environmental quality such as particulate matter and noise level at the work sites will have to be monitored periodically as per the monitoring program detailed in Table 9.1. An amount of Rs.6.00 lakhs has been included for meeting the cost of environmental quality monitoring for 3 years. The EA has to create an ESMU with qualified Environmental Engineer and a Social Expert to look after the effective implementation of EMP and preparing periodic environmental monitoring reports to statutory authorities and other agencies. Also the EA has to establish GRC to deal with any complaint arise against the project. The expense for functioning of ESMU is included in the Transmission component of the project. For meeting the incidental expenses of ESMU and the expenses of GRC, an amount of Rs.9.42 has been provided for the entire project period. In order to compensate the impact on trees and vegetation due to the sub-project activities, about 2 hactres of land proposed to be afforested with about 2,000 trees. An amount of Rs.1.08 lakhs (at Rs.54,000 per ha) is included in the budget to meet the expenditure for afforestation activities. Cost estimate for the implementation of environment management plan and monitoring costs for the sub-projects are provided in Table 9.2 below:

Table 9.2: Budget Estimate for EMP Implementation

Sl. No. Particulars Cost, Rs. Lakhs 1 Crop compensation 30.00 2 Compensation to PTCC 12.00 3 Cost of EMP implementation (contractors scope) 70.00 4 Environmental monitoring (3 years) 6.00 5 Environmental Management 9.42 6 Compensatory afforestation (2 hactres with 2,000 trees) 1.08 Contingency @ 3% 3.90 Total 132.40

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10 CONCLUSION

147. The main objective of this distribution component of the Bihar Power System Improvement Project is to improve the electricity supply to the people of Bihar in terms of reliability and duration through reduction in distribution loss and improvement to distribution network. Thus ultimately this sub-project aims to improve overall living condition of the people of Bihar. This initial environmental examination has been conducted to identify and assess negative impacts and to develop an EMP to mitigate the negative impacts that may arise from the implementation of the proposed sub-project. 148. Major components proposed under this sub-project are supply and erection of distribution sub-stations and network. The civil construction work is limited to the construction of foundations for the towers and sub-station buildings. The sub-project activities are proposed mainly in urban areas. Forest, national park or wildlife sanctuary are avoided. The enroute of distribution lines is not rich in physical resources. The sites for sub-stations and the alignment of new distribution lines were selected tentatively avoiding sensitive areas and religious or cultural properties. The sites identified for the sub-stations are mainly Government land. The sites identified are mainly agricultural land without any habitation or trees. Trees and vegetation along the ROW of the distribution lines will be slightly affected during construction. About 2 hactres of land will be afforested as part of the sub-project to compensate the impact on trees and vegetation. During construction slight impact on the ambient air quality and noise level is anticipated. An EMP was drawn up as part of the initial environmental examination which on implementation will mitigate the negative impacts due to the implementation of the sub-project. Thus, the initial environmental examination of the sub- project does not identify any serious environmental issues due to the location and implementation of the sub-project. In most cases, environmental issues identified are typical for the type of component construction, and a range of proven mitigation strategies exist to address them. 149. The specification for equipments required for the sub-project activities i.e. transformers, capacitors will be adopted following the latest international standards to avoid the chances of GHG emissions as well as use of PCBs. Special attention will be given to health and safety aspects. The solid waste generated as phased out equipments i.e. batteries, transformers etc. shall be disposed off as per the statutory requirements prescribed by Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 and the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001. 150. This IEE has assessed all potential environmental impacts associated with the sub- project. There are no impacts, which are significant or complex or which needs an in-depth study to assess the impact or to develop the mitigation measures. The environmental impacts identified are manageable, and EA will implement the mitigation measures stated in the EMP. The EMP prepared through this IEE process is sufficient to mitigate the identified impacts, and therefore no further study such as an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required. It is concluded that the proposed sub-project should proceed to the implementation phase subject to the mitigation measures and monitoring programs identified in the IEE.

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