Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES. 1 . Introduction The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been entrusted the task of development of Phase IV (NHDP) Projects. National Highway No. 3 commonly referred to as the AB road, is a major Indian National Highway that runs through Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra states in India. The highway is start at Agra in Uttar Pradesh and end at Mumbai. It travels through Dhaulpur (Rajasthan), Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Biaora, Maksi, Dewas and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Dhule, Nashik, and Thane (Maharashtra). Total length of NH-3 is approx 1161 Km. Study of the proposed construction activities is carried out to establish the baseline environmental aspects of the project corridor and to analyze all the expected impacts, required avoidance and the possible cost effective mitigation measures. These mitigation measures need to be stream lined with the engineering design and social impact for effective implementation. ES.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Package-II of Shivpuri-Dewas section of National Highway 3 has selected as one of highway to be developed under NHDP IV, this project is only for widening & strengthening of existing 2 lane road to 4/6 lane & improvement of its geometry. The total length of the project is 332.600 Km (including Guna bypass) from Km 236.00 (Chainage 000+000) to Km 566.450 (Chainage 332.600 (Fig. ES.1 ). The project road passing through the Six districts with 290 Nos villages viz., Shivpuri, Guna, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Ujjain and Dewas (Shivpuri District – 34 nos., Guna District – 87 Nos, Rajgarh District – 110 Nos, Shajapur District – 29 Nos, Ujjain District – 11 Nos and Dewas District – 15 Nos.) in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The road is proposed to be retrofitted into 4 lane for which ROW 60m supposedly. The existing ROW is varying from 25-60m. Consulting Engineers Group Ltd ES-0 Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh The carriageway width of the present road is generally 7.0 m to 7.5m wide. The area of direct influence of 10 meters on either side has been considered. The project road runs mainly through plain terrain. Project Stretch has 11 major bridges and 95 minor bridges. Project stretch has 284 culverts. Majority of these culverts are slab culverts with some pipe culverts. The project road crosses railway lines at 4 locations. Fig. E.1 Index Map of Project Highway ES.3 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES The analysis of alternatives has been made on the basis of “Long term Scenario with projects and Long term Scenario without project” in terms of potential environmental impacts. To asses the overall project impacts a Quantitative Analysis is carried out. This Consulting Engineers Group Ltd ES-1 Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh shows that the project has generally significant, positive impacts. The project is recommended with the adoption of mitigation measures is crucial in order to avoid adverse negative impacts. ES.4 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT The baseline environmental monitoring and discussions with the officials, NGOs and local public were conducted to establish the baseline environmental status of the study area and to assess the impacts of the proposed improvements to the project road. The baseline environmental monitoring was conducted from April to July 2010. Topography and Geology The project road runs mainly through plain terrain. The rocks exposed in the project area are granite, pegmatite, gneiss, amphibolite, quartzite, crystalline limestone, marble, silicate rocks etc. Soil Characteristics The soil along the project road is mostly medium black soils. These soils are usually dark and brown in colour with some light coloured or reddish coloured patches. Meteorology Project districts (Shivpuri, Rajgarh, Ujjain) have sub-tropical climate with hot summers from late March to early July, the humid monsoon season from late June to early October and a cool dry winter from early November to late February. The mean daily maximum temperature varies from 23.2 oC to 45oC, while the mean daily minimum temperature varies from 5.6 oC to 26.7 oC. The projects districts get 850-1135 mm rainfall every year, most of which is concentrated in the monsoon months from late June to early October. Consulting Engineers Group Ltd ES-2 Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh Hydrology The proposed project runs over many rivers (Chopat, Parvati, Ghorapachar, Ajnar, Dudhi, Tilar River), nallahs, ponds and irrigation canals. Many groundwater sources such as wells and hand pumps are also located on both sides of the existing road ROW. Water Quality Seven locations were selected along the proposed project length for monitoring of existing water quality in the area. These samples have been analysed for physio-chemical parameters as per established standard methods and procedures. The ground water analysis results reveal that the water quality was slightly alkaline (pH 7.05-8.49); and total hardness varies 64 to 510 mg/l as CaCO 3; chlorides at all location was found in between 37 to 244 mg/l; and conductivity was found in range of 600-1590 µmohs/cm. The results of test analysis indicate the ground water quality was all most good except some parameters like total dissolve solids. Ambient Air Quality To establish the baseline air quality scenario two representative ambient air quality monitoring stations were selected within the study corridor covering all land use categories as per the CPCB / BIS guidelines. Continuous 24 hours monitoring was done at a frequency of twice a week at more vales less uniform intervals during April 2010 to July 2010. The observed values of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , SO 2, NO 2 and CO were good and within the prescribed limits of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the Industrial and Commercial areas published by Ministry of Environment & Forest Notification 2009. There is no major air polluting sources in the project area. The ambient air quality result different locations in project area reveals that the 3 seasonal average concentration of SPM ranges from 162 to 170 µg/m , SO 2 3 3 range between 8.8 to 9.89 µg/m and NO 2 ranges between 13 to 17 µg/m , PM 10 3 3 range between 78 to 92 µg/m & PM 2.5 range between 24 to 39 µg/m . Ambient Noise level Consulting Engineers Group Ltd ES-3 Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh Two representative locations as indicated mostly close to the project road covering industrial, commercial, and residential areas were selected for measuring the present status of ambient noise level. A sound level meter was used for monitoring of background noise level. The ambient noise level monitoring results that daytime equivalent sound level at both locations was varied day time from 60.8 to 69.5 dB (A) and night time from 61.1 to 68.5 dB (A). Biological Environment The forest stretches along the project corridor is given in table ES-1. Along the project corridor many plant species were observed viz. Palas ( Butea monosperma ), Shisham ( Dalbergia sissoo ), Aam ( Mengifera indica ), Pipal (Ficus religiosa ), Tendu ( Diospyros melanoxylon ), Saja ( Terminalia tomentosa ), Harra ( Terminalia chebula ), Kalasiras ( Albizzia lebbeck ), Neem ( Azadirachita indica ), Bija ( Pterocarpus marsupium) , Khair, Kardhai, Dhow, Salaj, Mahua, Karch, Karey, Koha, Jamun,. Dhaman Kaim, Semal, Tinach and Amaltas. Table ES-1 Detail of Forest along NH-3 S. No. Existing Km Type of Forest 1 Km 335 To Km 341 Reserve Forest 2 Km 316.750 to Km 318.200, Reserve Forest 3 Km 319.200 to Km 320.200 Reserve Forest ES.5 ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATIONS Although this widening project will has many benefits but some negative impacts will be also created viz. the diversion of about 20 ha of forest land, the cutting of about 68588 trees (mainly Teak, Babool, Shisham, Haldu and Parsa trees), losses of govt. as well as private structures, loss of productive agricultural lands and change the quality of air, water, and soil environment. Overall, it is found that the proposed project road will result in some adverse impacts to the biophysical and socioeconomic environment of the project. It needs to be mitigated by adopting appropriate mitigation measures in the design, construction and operation phase. Net environmental impacts to the physical, Consulting Engineers Group Ltd ES-4 Consultancy services for feasibility study for Shivpuri to Executive Summary Dewas Section of NH-3 (Package-II) Highway Project in the State of Madhya Pradesh biological and socioeconomic environment, will be insignificant and of short term in nature by observing proposed mitigation measures. Environment Management stating the various impacts and their mitigation measures, has been formulated to avoid/ minimise the anticipated impacts. The responsibility of implementing of suggested mitigation measures lies mainly with Contractor, Construction Supervision Consultant and PIU. During the construction and operation phases existing environment is change through many ways viz. soil erosion, loss of soil productivity, compaction of top soil, contamination of air, water & soil and destruction of biodiversity etc. ES.6 PROJECT BENEFITS Highways projects generally promote access to markets, materials and opportunities by facilitating movement of persons and goods and improve earning and thereby level of living.