Environmental Impact Assessment (Updated)
September 2017
IND: Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project (Main Report)
Prepared by Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited, Government of Bihar for the Asian Development Bank.
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 06 September 2017) Currency unit – Indian rupees (INR/Rs) Rs1.00 = $ 0.01559 $1.00 = Rs 64.122
ABBREVIATIONS AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic AAQ - Ambient air quality AAQM - Ambient air quality monitoring ADB - Asian Development Bank AH - Asian Highway ASI - Archaeological Survey of India BDL - Below detectable limit BGL - Below ground level BOD - Biochemical oxygen demand BSRDCL - Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited BOQ - Bill of quantity CCE - Chief Controller of Explosives CGWA - Central Ground Water Authority CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CO - Carbon monoxide COD - Chemical oxygen demand CPCB - Central Pollution Control Board CSC - Construction Supervision Consultant DFO - Divisional Forest Officer DG - Diesel generating set DO - Dissolved oxygen DPR - Detailed project report E&S - Environment and social EA - Executing agency EAC - Expert Appraisal Committee EFP - Environmental Focal Person EHS - Environment Health and Safety EIA - Environmental impact assessment EMOP - Environmental monitoring plan EMP - Environmental management plan ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific GHG - Greenhouse gas GIS - Geographical information system GOI - Government of India GRC - Grievance redress committee GRM - Grievance redress mechanism HFL - Highest flood level IA - Implementing Agency IMD - Indian Meteorological Department IRC - Indian Road Congress IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature IVI - Important value index IWTA - Inland Waterways Authority of India LHS - Left hand side LPG - Liquefied petroleum gas Max - Maximum Min - Minimum MJB - Major bridge MNB - Minor bridge MOEFCC - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MORSTH/ - Ministry of Road Surface Transport and Highways MORTH N, S, E, W, - Wind directions (North, South, East, West or combination of NE, SW, two directions such as Southwest and Northwest) NW NGO - Non-governmental organization NH - National Highway NOC - No Objection Certificate NOx - Oxides of nitrogen NPL - National Physical Laboratory, U.K. NBWL - National Board for Wildlife PAH - Project Affected Household PAP - Project Affected Persons PAS - Protected Areas PCC - Portland Cement Concrete PCR - Public Community Resources PCU - Passenger Car Units PD - Project Director PM - Particulate Matter PIU - Project Implementation Unit PPE - Personal protective equipment PMAE - Project Management and Authority Engineer PPT - Parts per trillion PPTA - Project Preparatory Technical Assistance PUC - Pollution Under Control PWD - Public Works Department R & R - Rehabilitation and Resettlement RCC - Reinforced cement concrete RHS - Right hand side ROB - Road Over Bridge ROW - Right of way RSPM - Respirable suspended particulate matter SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SC - Scheduled Cast – Name of a community in India SEIAA - State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority SEMU - Social and Environmental Management Unit SH - State highway SIA - Social Impact Assessment SO2 - Sulphur Dioxide SOI - Survey of India SPCB - State Pollution Control Board SPL - Sound Pressure Level SPM - Suspended Particulate Matter SPS - ADB Safeguard Policy Statement, 2009 ST - Scheduled Tribes – Name of a community in India TA - Technical assistance TDS - Total dissolved solids TSS - Total suspended solids UA - Urban Agglomeration UIDSSMT - Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USEPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency UT - Union Territories WHC - Water holding capacity WWF - World Wildlife Fund ZSI - Zoological Survey of India
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES dB(A) – A-weighted decibel ha – hectare km – kilometre km2 – square kilometre KWA – kilowatt ampere Leq – equivalent continuous noise level µg – microgram m – meter MW (megawatt) – megawatt PM 2.5 or 10 – Particulate Matter of 2.5 micron or 10 micron size
NOTE In this report, "$" refers to US dollars.
This environmental impact assessment 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.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... I A. Introduction i B. Description of the Project i C. Description of the Environment ii D. Consultation, Disclosure and Grievance Mechanism iv E. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures iv F. Conclusions and Recommendations v I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 A. Background 1 B. Project Rationale 2 C. Environment Category and Scope of the EIA Study 4 D. Methodology Adopted for the EIA Study 7 E. Structure of the Report 8 II. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORKS ...... 10 A. National (India) Environmental Policy Framework 10 B. Social Regulatory Requirements of India and State 14 C. International Treaties and Relevance to the Project 14 D. ADB Safeguard Policy Statement Requirements 15 III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 19 A. Type of Project 19 B. Location and Features of the Proposed Project 19 C. Engineering Surveys and Investigations 21 D. Projected Traffic for the Design 21 E. Components of the Project 21 F. Proposed Alignment and Conceptual Plan of Project Components 25 G. Access Roads 31 H. Site Facility to be developed for construction 35 I. Source and transport of construction materials 36 J. Disposal site 37 K. Medical facilities 37 L. Cost of the Project and Implementation Arrangement 37 IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ...... 38 A. Physical Environment 38 B. Ecological Environment 85 C. Socio-Economic Environment 107 D. Socio-Economic Profile of Project Affected Person 113 V. IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 117 A. Construction Activities and Rating of Impacts 117 B. Anticipated Environmental Impacts 119 C. Key operational stage impacts 145 D. Cumulative and Induced Environmental Impacts 163 E. Environmental Enhancement Measures 170 VI. CLIMATE CHANGE RISK AND ADAPTATION FOR GANGA BRIDGE ...... 173 A. Review of Related Literature 173 B. Predicted High Flood Level 175 C. Testing for Non-Stationarity 177 D. Return Periods vs. Return Levels 179 E. Design Flood for River Ganga at Patna 180 F. Adaptation Measure 181 G. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 182 VII. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 184 A. Introduction 184 B. ‘With Project’ and ‘Without Project’ Scenario 184 C. Alternative Alignments/Locations 188 D. Engineering / Technological Alternatives 191 VIII. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ...... 196 A. Public Consultations 196 B. Public Disclosure 213 C. Grievance Redress Mechanism 213 IX. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT ...... 215 A. Introduction 215 B. Scope of Environmental Management Plan 215 C. Impacts and Mitigation Measures 215 D. Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Program 216 E. Environmental Reporting System 218 F. Institutional Arrangement 220 G. Roles and Responsibilities 220 H. Environmental Safeguards Budget 228 X. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 230
ANNEXES Annex 1: Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist ...... 232 Annex 2: Comparison of WB and GOI Ambient Air Quality Standards ...... 236 Annex 3: Comparison of WB EHS and GOI Ambient Noise Level Standards ...... 237 Annex 3a. Indian Standard Drinking Water Specification: IS 10500:1991...... 238 Annex 4: Details of Trees to be Cut ...... 239 Annex 5: Record of Public Consultations ...... 253 Annex 6: Environmental Management Plan ...... 278 Annex 7: Environmental Monitoring Plan during Construction and Operation Phases ...... 319 Annex 8 : Tree Plantation and Management Guidelines ...... 323 Annex 9: Guidelines for Borrow Area Management ...... 326 Annex 10: Guidelines for Emergency Management System ...... 328 Annex 11: Guidelines for Waste Disposal and Management ...... 331 Annex 12: Selection and Management of Construction Campsite ...... 334 Annex 13: Muck Disposal ...... 337 Annex 14: Details of Transect Walks Conducted in the Project Influence Area ...... 340 Annex 15: Soil, Water, Air, and Noise quality sampling locations along the Project Alignment 343 Annex 16: Copy of Environmental Clearance of the Project ...... 344 Annex 17: Camp Layout ...... 348 Annex 18: Environmental Clearance for Approved Quarry Site and River Bed Sand (by third party) ...... 350 Annex 19: Guideline for Construction Material Storage and Handling Plan ...... 355 Annex 20a: Monitoring Location Coordinates with Sampling Map from December 2016 to March 2017 ...... 357 Annex 20b: Updated Sampling Locations (August 2017) ...... 362 Annex 21: Brick Kiln Location along the Southern Side of the Project ...... 363
LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Project Components ...... i Table 2: Project Categorization ...... 4 Table 3: Applicable Environmental National and State Requirements ...... 11 Table 4. Applicable Clearances ...... 13 Table 5: Key Steps in Tree Cutting Permission Process ...... 18 Table 6: Details of the Project ...... 19 Table 7. Projected Traffic for the Project ...... 21 Table 8. Approval status of construction material sources ...... 36 Table 9: Soil Quality in the Project Area (Dry Season) ...... 50 Table 10: Soil Quality in the Project Area (Wet Season) ...... 51 Table 11: Soil Quality along the alignment (15th December 2016 to 15th March 2017) ...... 52 Table 12: Land use classification of Bihar State ...... 55 Table 13: Land Use Classification in Project Influence Area based on Satellite Imagery ...... 56 Table 14: Details of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Locations ...... 58 Table 15: Techniques Used for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring ...... 58 Table 16: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM10 (24-hour average) Dryseason ...... 59 Table 17: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM10 (24-hour average) Wet season ...... 59 Table 18: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM2.5 (24-hour average) Dry season ...... 59 Table 19: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM2.5 (24 hour average) wet season ...... 59 Table 20: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to SO2 (24-hour average) Dry season ...... 59 Table 21: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to SO2 (24-hour average) wet season ...... 60 Table 22: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to NO2(24 hour average) Dry season ...... 60 Table 23: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to NO2(24-hour average) wet season ...... 60 Table 24: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to CO (24-hour average) Dry season ...... 60 Table 25: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to CO (24-hour average) wet season ...... 61 Table 26: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site ...... 62 Table 27: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur ...... 62 Table 28: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur ...... 63 Table 29: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmaspur ...... 63 Table 30: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site ...... 64 Table 31: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur ...... 64 Table 32: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur ...... 65 Table 33: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmastpur ...... 65 Table 34: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site ...... 66 Table 35: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur ...... 66 Table 36: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur ...... 66 Table 37: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmaspur ...... 67 Table 38: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site ...... 67 Table 39: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Shabalpur ...... 68 Table 40: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Mathurapur ...... 68 Table 41: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Sharmastpur ...... 69 Table 42: Details of Noise Level Monitoring Locations ...... 70 Table 43: Ambient Noise Levels Monitored in Dry/winter Season ...... 71 Table 44: Ambient Noise Levels Monitored in Dry/winter Season ...... 72 Table 45. Description of Noise Monitoring Results during December 2016 to March 2017 ...... 73 Table 46. Ambient Noise Quality Standards ...... 73 Table 47: Surface Water Quality in the Project Area (dry/winter season) ...... 75 Table 48: Surface Water Quality in the Project Area (wet season) ...... 76 Table 49: Results of Surface Water Quality (between December 2016 to March 2017) ...... 78 Table 50: Ground Water Quality in the Project area (dry/winter season) ...... 79 Table 51: Ground Water Quality in the Project area (wet season) ...... 80 Table 52: Results of Ground Water Quality (between December 2016 to March 2017) ...... 82 Table 53: ...... 88 Table 54: Forest Classification in Bihar ...... 89 Table 55: List of Trees in the Project Influence Area and Its Status ...... 90 Table 56: Protected Area Network in the State of Bihar ...... 91 Table 57: Faunal Species in Project Influence Area ...... 94 Table 58: Fish Species in the River Section under Project Area ...... 95 Table 59: Land Use Pattern based on Satellite Imagery (Year 2013) ...... 108 Table 60: Demography of Villages of Core Zone of Vaishali District ...... 109 Table 61: The Demography of Villages in project area of Core Zone of Patna district ...... 110 Table 62: List of Sensitive Receptors along the Project alignment ...... 113 Table 63: Social Categories of the DPs ...... 113 Table 64: Number of DPs ...... 113 Table 65: Vulnerable Households Affected ...... 114 Table 66: Annual Income Level of the Affected Households...... 114 Table 67: Number of DPs considered as Separate family as per LA Act ...... 114 Table 68: Educational Status of DPs ...... 115 Table 67: Occupational Status of DPs ...... 115 Table 70: Stage wise Construction Activities ...... 117 Table 71:: Rating of Impacts ...... 119 Table 72: Calculation of PM-10 Emissions from Sand Piles ...... 128 Table 73: Calculation of PM-10 Emissions from Sand Piles ...... 128 Table 74: Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels ...... 129 Table 75: Vibration Levels due to Construction Equipment and Traffic at 30 m (99 ft) ...... 129 Table 76: Noise Level Prediction during Construction ...... 131 Table 77: Noise Level Assessed at Varying Distance Due to Piling Operations ...... 131 Table 78: Annual Average Daily Motorized Traffic Data ...... 147 Table 79: Emission Factors for Different Types of Vehicles (ARAI, 2007) ...... 148 Table 77: Weighted Emission Factor for Proposed Traffic ...... 148 Table 81: CO Predicted Concentrations (ppm) for peak traffic hour ...... 149 3 Table 82: PM2.5 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) for peak traffic hour ...... 149 3 Table 83: PM10 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) for peak traffic hour ...... 149 Table 84: Baseline Pollutant Concentration at Different Locations ...... 151 Table 85: Annual Average Daily Motorized Traffic Data ...... 158 Table 86: Noise Prediction in dB (A) Along the Road Corridor ...... 158 Table 87: List of Sensitive Receptors along the Project Alignment ...... 158 Table 88: Predicted Noise Levels Along the Project Road With and Without Mitigation Measures, dB ...... 160 Table 89: Source of Construction Material for Planned Civil Interventions ...... 165 Table 90: Assessment of Induced Impacts from Proposed 6-lane Bridge Construction ...... 166 Table 91: Modeling Annual Maximum Flood at Gandhighat Station, Patna ...... 175 Table 92: % Change for Estimated Maximum Discharge ...... 180 Table 93: Projected Traffic for the New Patna Bridge ...... 182 Table 94: Projected growth rates % ...... 182 Table 95: CO2 Emission Factors ...... 183 Table 96: Comparison of ‘With’ and ‘Without’ Project Scenario ...... 186 Table 97: Comparison of Alternative Alignments for Proposed 6-lane Ganga Bridge ...... 189 Table 98: Cost Comparison of 6-lane Bridge with Three Superstructure Options ...... 193 Table 99: Details of Stakeholder Consultations & Issues Discussed ...... 199 Table 100: Summary of Public Consultations ...... 206 Table 101: Summary of Public Consultations held during June 2016 to April 2017 ...... 207 Table 102: Summary of Findings of Public Consultation and Actions Taken ...... 209 Table 103: Peoples’ Perception about Environment Parameter in the Project Area ...... 212 Table 104: Stage-wise Reporting System of PIU ...... 219 Table 105: List of Partner Organizations in Implementing the EMP ...... 227 Table 106: Summary of Environment Safeguards Budget ...... 228 Table 107: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan Cost Estimates ...... 229
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of the Project Site ...... 2 Figure 2: Connectivity of Proposed Bridge to the Regional Road Network ...... 3 Figure 3: EIA Study Area ...... 6 Figure 4: Environmental Legal Administrative Framework in India ...... 16 Figure 5: Environmental Clearance Process in India ...... 17 Figure 6: Location Map of the Project Site on Google Earth Image ...... 20 Figure 7: Location of the Project Site on SOI Topographic Map ...... 20 Figure 8: General Arrangement Drawing of Proposed Bridge ...... 23 Figure 9: Cross Section Detail of Proposed Bridge and Foundation ...... 24 Figure 10: Proposed Road Alignment of the Bihar New Ganga Bridge and Approach Roads ....25 Figure 11: Section 1: Conceptual Plan of the Project Start Point Intersection of Patna- Bakhtiyarpur chainage 0+000 (diverted NH-30) ...... 25 Figure 12. Section 2: Conceptual Plan of the Rail-Over-Bridge across Patna - Mokama Main line chainage 0+809.341 ...... 26 Figure 13. Section 3:Conceptual Plan of the Old NH-30/ chainage 1+144.588 ...... 26 Figure 14. Section 4: Conceptual Plan of the Bakhtiyarpur-Patna Toll Post ...... 27 Figure 15. Section 5: Conceptual Plan of the Bihar New Ganga Main Bridge ...... 28 Figure 16. Section 6: Conceptual Plan of the Raghopur Diara Access Ramps ...... 28 Figure 17. Section 8: Conceptual Plan of the Junction Arrangement at Mahnar Road ...... 29 Figure 18. Section 10: Conceptual Plan of the Arrangement of 6-lane facility across Hajipur to Samastipur Main line (ROB) ...... 30 Figure 19. Section 11: Conceptual Plan of the Arrangement between Chak Sikander Railway Station, NH-103 & Gazipur Chowk (End Point) ...... 30 Figure 20. Access Roads ...... 31 Figure 21. Typical Longitudinal Section Showing Access Road ...... 32 Figure 22:Typical Section Showing Jetty & Barge ...... 33 Figure 23. Locations of Zero Point South Facility and Raghopur Facility Camps ...... 36 Figure 24. Average Temperature (°C) for Patna (2000 to 2012) ...... 38 Figure 25. Five-year Average Rainfall Data of Patna ...... 39 Figure 26. Windrose Diagram of the Project Area (June, 2013) ...... 39 Figure 27. Topography of Project Area – Section 1 ...... 40 Figure 28. Topography of Project Area – Section 2 ...... 41 Figure 29. Topography of Project Area – Section 3 ...... 41 Figure 30. Topography of Project Area – Section 4 ...... 42 Figure 31. Topography of Project Area – Section 5 ...... 42 Figure 32. Geological Map of Bihar and Project Area ...... 44 Figure 33. Physiographic Map of Project Area ...... 46 Figure 34.: Soil Map of the State and Project Area ...... 48 Figure 35: Seismic Zonation Map of India and Project Region ...... 53 Figure 36: Drainage Pattern and River Basin Map of Bihar and Project Region ...... 54 Figure 37: Land use pattern in Bihar State ...... 56 Figure 38: Distribution of Land Use Pattern in Project Influence Area ...... 57 Figure 39: Average Ambient Air Quality in the Project Area (Dry Season) ...... 61 Figure 40: Average Ambient Air Quality in the Project Area (Wet Season) ...... 62 Figure 41: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in January 2015 ...... 71 Figure 42: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in February 2015 ...... 71 Figure 43: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in July 2015 ...... 72 Figure 44: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in August 2015 ...... 72 Figure 45: Coverage of Ecological Study ...... 87 Figure 46: Forest Cover Distribution of Bihar ...... 88 Figure 47: Forest Cover Map of Bihar and Project Area ...... 89 Figure 48: Protected Area Map of Bihar and Project Area ...... 92 Figure 49: Distribution Map of Gangatic Dolphin (Source: IUCN Red List) ...... 96 Figure 50: Habitats and Movement Path of Dolphins, Turtles and Gharials in Ganga near Project Area ...... 101 Figure 51: Location of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphins Sanctuary with Respect to Project Site102 Figure 52:Gharial habitat range ...... 104 Figure 53:Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) ...... 106 Figure 54: Distribution Map of Nilssonia gangetica (Source: IUCN Red List) ...... 107 Figure 55: Contours of normalized surface wind speeds, us/ur (source: USEPA AP-42) ...... 128 Figure 56.Erosion and Deposition Along the Proposed Bridge Axis, 2010 (S. Dayal and D. S. Pattanik)...... 137 Figure 57.Bridge alignment alternatives (BSRDC, 2013)...... 138 Figure 58. Superimposed courses of river Ganga from the year 1922 to 2013 ...... 139 Figure 59. Channel reflection observed in river Ganga at Patna (BRSDC, 2013) ...... 140 Figure 60: Traffic Fleet on the Bridge ...... 146 Figure 61: CO predicted concentrations (ppm) along the proposed Bridge ...... 150 3 Figure 62: PM2.5 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) along the proposed Bridge ...... 150 3 Figure 63: PM10 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) along the proposed Bridge ...... 150 Figure 64: Spatial distribution of CO concentrations ...... 151 Figure 65: Spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentrations ...... 153 Figure 66: Spatial distribution of PM10 concentrations...... 155 Figure 67: Noise contour for 1st Year ...... 161 Figure 68: Noise contour for 5th year ...... 161 Figure 69: Noise contour for 10th year ...... 161 Figure 70: Noise contour for 15th year ...... 162 Figure 71: Noise contour for 20th year ...... 162 Figure 72: Conceptual Drawing of the Noise Barrier ...... 163 Figure 73: Indicative Locations of Proposed Six-Lane Bridge and Future Road Network ...... 164 Figure 74: Annual Maximum Discharge Series of River Ganga (1965-2012) at Gandhighat Station, Patna ...... 176 Figure 75: Probability Density Function ...... 176 Figure 76: Observed Trends in Ganga River Annual Maximum Discharge ...... 177 Figure 77: GEV Fit, Non-Stationary, Ganga River at Patna ...... 179 Figure 78: Return Level versus Return Period...... 180 Figure 79: Project Alignment Options ...... 188 Figure 80: General Arrangement Drawing of Preferred Option ...... 194 Figure 81: Cross Section Detail of Preferred Option ...... 195 Figure 82: Photographs of Road Side Interviews with Affected People ...... 197 Figure 83: Photographs of Consultations with Stakeholders...... 208 Figure 84: Grievance Redress Mechanism ...... 214 Figure 85: Institutional Arrangements for Environment Safeguards ...... 222 i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Introduction
1. This report documents the findings and results of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed greenfield Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project at Patna. The scope of the EIA study covered the immediate project area and a buffer radius of 10km surrounding the project area which is referred as the “project influence area” in the rest of the report. This area includes 10-km upstream and downstream of the bridge location.
2. The project is classified as environment Category A per ADB SPS requirements due to: i) potential adverse impacts expected on the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), gharial (Gavialis gangetica) and the Ganges soft shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) which are listed under the IUCN red list as endangered, critically endanged and vulnerable, respectively and under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India; ii) the large scale physical works involving huge quantities of construction material; and iii) the creation of long-term new traffic over the bridge.
3. Under the EIA Notification, 2006 of the Environmental Protection Act of India, though bridges are not specifically mentioned, the project bridge is being considered as “Building and Construction Projects with an area bigger than 20,000 square meters and hence, falls under category B requiring an environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The environmental clearance for the project has been secured in January 2016 (see Annex 14).
B. Description of the Project
4. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $832 million of which ADB will finance $500 million from its Ordinary Capital Resources (ORC).
5. The proposed bridge will take off from Kacchi Dargah (from NH-30) on the south and terminate at Bidupur (at NH-103) in Vaishali on the north to provide an alternative to the existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge located about 10 km upstream. This existing bridge is the only connection between north and south Bihar near Patna and is currently in poor condition causing traffic jams, safety issues and air pollution. Table 1 shows the key components of the Project.
Table 1: Project Components Project Total Name of the Project Districts State Components Length (km) Construction of a new six-lane • Main bridge suspension type bridge across • Approach Roads Patna and Ganges River from Deedargunj 22.76 Bihar • Toll gates Vaishali on NH-30 to Chak Sikandar in • 3 km Widening Vaishali district on NH-103 of NH103
6. The alignment of the proposed bridge is located in an area where the river divides into a north and south channel with an island called Raghopur diara in the middle. The bridge is proposed to be a bank to bank bridge running from the south (Kachhi Dargah) over the diara and to the north side (Bidurpur). Raghopur diara consists mainly of alluvial soil and parts of it get submerged annually during the monsoon season. ii
7. The project engineering team as part of feasibility study has studied various alternatives for: i) location of the alignment, ii) type of structures, and iii) type of bridge. After considering various factors such as technical feasibility, costs, resettlement impacts, environmental impacts, hydrological risks and traffic scenarios, the bank to bank concrete extra dosed bridge was recommended as the most suitable option.
C. Description of the Environment
1. Physical Environment
8. The project area is part of the Ganga river basin which covers an area of over 1 million sq. km, forming one of the largest drainage basins in the world. The project area is made up of flat alluvial plains with an average elevation of approximately 53 m above msl. The project area has humid subtropical climate with extremely hot summers from March to mid-June, monsoons from mid-July to late September and chilly winter nights, foggy or sunny days from November to February. Soil in the project area is characterized by calcareous alluvial (slightly alkaline). The site of proposed 6-lane bridge is situated in moderately stable zone which falls under seismic zone IV (as per IS 1893 (Part-I): 2002) category.
9. The land use pattern within the corridor of influence of the proposed project is mostly water bodies (Ganges river) followed by agricultural land. The project area mostly falls under the river basin of Ganga and sub basins of Punpun, Gandhak and Burhi-Gandak-Bagmati river basins. The water level varies between 45m and 50m (High Flow Level) above msl between the dry winter season and monsoon season. The pre-monsoon ground water levels were found to be generally in the range of 3m – 9m bgl (below ground level) and post-monsoon ground water levels mostly in the range of 1m – 3m bgl in the project area of Patna and Vaishali districts.
10. Sampling of water quality show that all parameters of water quality are within the IS:10500 drinking water standard except for the higher levels of total coliform and fecal coliform. Ground water samples were found to be within the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards. Sampling of air quality show that the ambient air quality levels of all pollutants are within the NAAQS. However, the PM10 and PM2.5 levels are above the World Bank Environment Health and 3 3 Safety (WB EHS) guideline values of 50 µg/m and 25µg/m respectively. The source of the PM10 and PM2.5 is the brick kilns located in Didarganj and along the banks on southern side of the project side i.e. Kacchi Dargah end.
11. Noise levels monitored at four locations along the project road show that both daytime and night time noise level exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and the WB- EHS guidelines in one location (Kalyanpur village) of four sampling locations. The source of noise in Kalyanpur village is operation of the brick factories and local domestic/commercial activities.
12. Sampling locations were updated to include Raghopur diara. Detailed locations of sampling for water and noise levels are indicated in Annex 20b.
2. Ecological Environment
13. Majority of the land use in the project area of influence is water bodies and agricultural land comprising riparian habitat and terrestrial habitat. The dominant type of habitat in the project area is “modified habitat” in the area of the approach roads. However, the area inside the Ganga serves as natural habitat for the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista Gangetica) which is listed as “endangered” under the IUCN red list, under schedule I of the Wildlife Conservation Act of India iii and listed under CITES Annex 1. Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered species, has also been reported to use the river in the project influence area as a migratory route. However, per local wildlife experts (Professor R.K Sinha of Patna University and Dr. Gopal Sharma of Zoological Survey of India, Patna), it is mainly the confluence of the Gandak river located about 14 km upstream of the project bridge site which is the main habitat for the gharial. The Raghopur diara serves as natural habitat for the Ganges soft shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) which is listed as “vulnerable” under IUCN and is also listed schedule I of the Wildlife Conservation Act of India. In addition, the diara serves as habitat to several migratory bird species. However, none of the bird species are IUCN endangered or critically endangered.
14. Other mammal species seen in the project influence area are smooth coated otters (Lutra perspicillata), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), bluebull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), jackals (Canis aureus), Indian mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) and Five-striped squirrel (F. p. chhattisgarhi). Other than these wild animals, domesticated mammals like goat, sheep, dog, cow, ox, donkey etc. are also present in the project influence area. Other reptile species seen in the project influence area are monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis), hard-shell turtle (Kachuga tecta), soft-shell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus), water snakes (Xenochrophis piscator), rat snake (Ptyas mucosus), common kraits (Bungarus caerulens) and Indian cobra (Naja naja). Avian fauna in and along the Ganga river are rich and highly diverse. Species recorded along the Ganga river in the project area are Caspian tern (Sterna caspia), Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Pied harrier (Circus melanoleucos), Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicellis), Great White pelican (Pelicanus onecrotalus). Through field surveys, the following birds were sighted in the project influence area: common crow, myna, eagle, sparrow, babbler, pigeon, cattle egrets, red-vented bulbul, drongo, sparrow and Indian roller. The species of fishes from the study include rohu, catla, hilsa, Mystus sp, Cirrhinus species, etc. The species of fishes given in Table 35 are commonly reported in the fresh water bodies like river, streams, lakes, pond and estuaries. They are widely distributed all over India and Indian sub- continents. These species of fishes are commonly used in aquaculture practice and has good commercial importance.
15. There are three faunal species that are listed as endangered under IUCN and included in schedule I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act of India in the project influence area are:
i) Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) ii) Ganges softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) iii) Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
16. Literature review, primary field surveys and consultations with local wildlife experts showed that the project area does not serve as “critical habitat” per the ADB SPS and IFC PF 6 for any of these three species mainly because the population proportion found in the project area is less than 10% of the total population and the project influence area is not a discrete management unit for any of the species.
3. Socio-economic Environment
17. In 2011, Vaishali district had a population of 3,495,021 with a population density of 1,717 people per sq. km. Of the total, 1,844,535 were male and 1,650,486 female. In 2011, Patna district had a population of 5,838,465 with a population density of 1,823 people per sq. km. Of the total, 3,078,512 were male and 2,759,953 were female. The sex ratio in Vaishali was 895 females per iv
1000 and that of in Patna was 897 females per 1000 male under the census of 2011. The average literacy rate of Vaishali was 66.60% that of Patna was 70.68% compared to 62.92% of 2001.
18. Transportation system is a key factor in the socio-economic development of any state. In comparison with other Indian states, Bihar is poorly served with transport and communication facilities. The state has about 21.77 km of roads per 100 sq. km, as against the national average of 38.33 km per 100 sq. km. The state is well endowed with potential hydroelectric power. Installed power capacity of Bihar is 540 MW, of which 320 MW is produced from Barauni Thermal Power Station and 220 MW from Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station. The state is known to be one of the popular tourist destinations in the country with Bodhgaya, the most important Buddhist site in the world.
D. Consultation, Disclosure and Grievance Mechanism
19. A total of 13 focus group discussions and 24 one-on-one key person interviews involving 362 participants from affected people, landowners, and village authorities, were carried out in May-June 2013, November – December 2014 and October 2015. Specific emphasis was given to the participants from vulnerable groups and women groups to ensure that gender concerns are addressed in the project. Out of total participants, 54 were from women group.
20. In addition, wildlife experts from local government agencies such as the Forestry Department, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Patna University, State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and Inland Waterways Authority were consulted. Several non-government organizations at local, regional as well as international levels were also consulted including World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India; Dolphin Foundation, Guwahati, Assam; Aaranyak, Guwahati; Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Delhi; and Mandar Nature Club of Bhagalpur (Bihar).
21. Bihar State Road Development Corporation Ltd. (BSRDCL) will disclose and be made available the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report to interested parties upon request. The draft final EIA report has been disclosed to the public through the ADB website 120 days before the approval of the project by ADB Board. This updated EIA report, which has been prepared during the detailed design stage will be disclosed on ADB website as well.
22. A grievance and redress mechanism (GRM) for environment safeguards has been established for the project. Depending on the seriousness of grievances, they will be addressed at three levels including the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) level, management level (BSRDCL) at the grievance redress committee (GRC) level. The GRC will comprise of members from the PIU, BSRDCL, contractor, Project Management and Authority Engineer (PMAE), and relevant experts from the Forestry Department or ZSI and others depending on the nature of the issue. The duration for responding to the complainant will range from 7 days to a maximum of 30 days depending on the seriousness of the complaint.
E. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
23. Construction activities for pre-construction, construction and post-construction and operation stages were identified. An analysis of interactions of the construction activities with the environment identified two broad types of impacts. First: impacts that are low – severe, temporary and localized and second: impacts that are low, permanent and regional.
24. Amongst the first type, severe impacts are expected on the local biodiversity and the three protected species; air quality through generation of dust and fugitive emissions and the local v hydrological regime. To address impacts on biodiversity and the protected species, several measures have been recommended for avoidance; mitigation, minimization and enhancement. It includes implementation of a Biodiversity Conservation Plan (BCP( to ensure no “net loss” of biodiversity. For mitigating and minimizing impacts of dust and fugitive emissions, mitigation measures such as water sprinkling, maintenance of minimum distances from existing communities, proper maintenance of construction equipment and vehicles are proposed. Additional hydrological studies have been recommended and further design of erosion protection measures particularly in Raghopur diara will need to be carried out. Implementation of recommended measures are expected to maintain the level of impacts to average – low, temporary and localized.
25. Second type of impacts include, among others, air pollution, increase in GHG emissions and noise levels due to generation of new traffic over the bridge. The bridge runs mainly over the river and there are only 3 settlements along the approach roads and only 4 sensitive receptors within 10m of the road edge. Projections made show that PM2.5 and PM10 exceed WB-EHS standards only in year 15 at 10m from the road edge. There will be no exceedances of GOI and WB-EHS standards for noise levels due to construction of noise barrier, difference in height of the elevated road and location of sensitive receptors. Given these factors, the impacts are expected to be low and minimal.
26. The following measures will be taken to ensure that the project will remain compliant to the ADB SPS: declaration of key biodiversity areas as no-go zones; prohibition of piling for construction of piers; prohibition of dredging; implementation of good practice guidelines; and sourcing of construction material only from existing licensed quarries.
27. An environmental management budget of US$ 1,331,484.63 or INR 85,215,016.32 has been estimated for implementation of the environmental safeguards under the project. This budget also includes cost of implementing the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMOP), and Biodiversity Conservation Plan. The EMP has been prepared for avoidance, mitigation and minimization of potential adverse impacts and enhancement of various environmental components along the project road. For each mitigation measures to be carried out, its location, timeframe, implementation and overseeing/ supervising responsibilities has been identified. Monitoring plan for construction and operation phase has been framed to ensure effective implementation of EMP.
F. Conclusions and Recommendations
28. Considering the technical, institutional and budgetary measures recommended, it is expected that the project will avoid severe, permanent and regional impacts. There will be no net loss in biodiversity. Tremendous social and economic benefits will be generated in Bihar creating a reliable, sustainable and safe access to Patna city and connection between south and the lesser developed north Bihar.
29. The EPC modality will be followed under the project. Therefore, the detailed design of the bridge and approach roads will be prepared by the contractor. Project components that will be identified during the detailed design stage are: identification of camp sites; quarries; haul routes; all season access routes to the diara; borrow areas; disposal sites and others. Considering these factors, this EIA report and EMP will be a living document and updated as needed. The next update will be carried out to include baseline biodiversity data after the baseline biodiversity study has been conducted. It will also be updated if there are major changes in project scope or if there are anticipated environmental impacts not previously considered and assessed in the present vi
EIA. No construction will be initiated inside the Ganga river and ecologically sensitive areas until the biodiversity data has been updated in the EIA report. No construction will be initiated inside the Ganga river and ecologically sensitive areas until the biodiversity data has been updated in the EIA report. Physical construction works for the main bridge and approach roads will be allowed on site upon approval of the revised EIA report and EMP. The contractor will be required to allocate enough budget to implement all items under the EMP.
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background
1. The Ganges river bisects Bihar into northern and southern regions, flowing through the middle from west to east. Patna, the capital city of Bihar is located on the southern bank of the river Ganga and straddles the rivers Sone, Gandak and Punpun. At an elevation of 53 m above mean sea level (msl), the city is approximately 35 km long and 16-18 km wide and houses most of the important institutions i.e., administrative, health, and higher learning education. In the northern bank lies Vaishali district with a population of about 3.5 million, one of the most backward districts in the entire country.
2. The state of Bihar has the huge potential of industrial growth, which needs better connectivity of villages and towns with adjoining areas. The economy of Bihar state is mainly based on agricultural and trading activities. The industrial and agricultural developments have led to higher transport demand. With the higher transport demand and the expansion of the existing business, there is a growing mismatch between the vehicular population and availability of road infrastructure, which has resulted in traffic congestions, deteriorated level of traffic efficiency and road safety in existing bridges such as Mahatma Gandhi Setu. Because of the aforesaid growth and need to fulfill the mismatch, various new infrastructure development projects have been planned across the state. The Government of Bihar acting through Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) has taken the necessary action. BSRDCL has identified the urgent need of a road bridge over Ganges connecting Patna and Vaishali district.
3. Subsequently, BSRDCL had planned a conceptual scheme for linking NH-30 (Kacchi Dargah) to NH-103 (Bidupur in Vaishali district) through a six-lane iconic or similar type road suspension cable bridge over river Ganges. BSRDCL had engaged a technical advisor for preparation of feasibility study and preliminary project report of road bridge over river Ganges.
4. Based on the feasibility study, it is proposed to construct a new six-lane suspension type bridge across Ganges river from Deedargunj on NH-30 to Chak Sikandar in Vaishali district on NH-103, consisting of six-lane bridge structures of 9.760 kilometers, approach viaduct and roads of 1.5 kilometers from south and 8.5 kilometers from north, tolling and service facilities, and widening 3 kilometers of NH-103. The proposed location of the bridge is about 10 km downstream of existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna. Figure 1 shows the location of the proposed bridge over river Ganges.
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Figure 1: Map of the Project Site
B. Project Rationale
5. The existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge over Ganges river which connects Patna to Vaishali district and Northern Bihar was constructed and opened in 1982 with 4 traffic lanes and sidewalks. However, this bridge is in deteriorating condition due to rapidly increasing traffic volume and vehicle weights. At present, it is restricted to 2 lanes, leading to severe traffic 3 congestion, and is closed for heavy commercial vehicles. The travel time over the 5.6-kilometre bridge can often exceed 1 hour or more, and the alternate crossing is about 120 kilometers away. Hence, the urgent need for another bridge for transporting passengers and goods between Patna and northern Bihar.
6. Besides, the project will also provide connectivity to Raghopur Island. Raghopur is surrounded by Ganges river from all sides connected island. Every year, this area gets submerged by water due to flood by the Ganges. The island is currently connected with a small link road through pontoon bridge that connects the island with Patna city.
7. Along the proposed six-lane bridge over river Ganges will also provide connectivity to the wide regional road network which BSRDCL is currently developing. Figure 2 shows the overall regional connectivity drawn on google-earth image.
Figure 2: Connectivity of Proposed Bridge to the Regional Road Network
8. A road map and policy framework to develop and sustain a good road network in the state is provided in the Bihar Road Sector Development-New Dimensions, which calls for the state to address network capacity and quality deficiencies, strengthen its road agencies, adopt best practices to improve project implementation capacity, introduce long-term performance-based maintenance contracts, and encourage private sector to participate in road financing. Also, a strategic master plan for 20 years is being prepared under the ongoing CDTA 8170 (Road Master Plan for Bihar’s State Highway Development( to include long term vision and goals, action program, and financing plan. The strategic context is clear as India’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan seeks faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth. The government’s objectives in the transport sector include improving connectivity and developing state core network. This is supported by the ADB’s country partnership strategy with emphasis on infrastructure development for increased 4 movement of people and goods. The proposed project is consistent with plans for improving traffic movement across Bihar, and is integral to the overall road sector improvements that ADB is already financing.
9. The proposed financing modality for the project is a stand-alone project loan. The project is estimated to cost $832 million, of which ADB will finance $500 million from its Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR). The overall impact of the project will be improved transport network in Bihar. The immediate outcome will be improved connectivity between Patna and Northern Bihar. The specific project outputs will be: (i) a new bridge across Ganges river from Deedargunj on NH-30 to Chak Sikandar in Vaishali district on NH-103, consisting of six lane bridge structures of 9.760 kilometers, approach viaduct and roads of 1.5 kilometers from south and 8.5 kilometers from north, tolling and service facilities, and widening 3 kilometers of NH-103, and (ii) enhanced capacity of bridge operation and management. The project construction period will span 4 years approximately from 2016 to 2019. This will be followed by a performance based maintenance period of 5 years.
C. Environment Category and Scope of the EIA Study
10. Details on the project category under ADB SPS and GOI environmental policies are provided in Table 2.
Table 2: Project Categorization Project Category per ADB SPS 1. Category A 2. Reason for proposed i) There are risks for large scale, short term impacts and long category term irreversible impacts due to the large scale of the project requiring significant quantities of civil works; and ii) There is risk of short term and long term impacts on the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), a globally endangered species under Integrated Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is found in the Ganges river including the section over which the bridge will be built.
Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist is attached as Annex 1. 3. Type of assessment iii) Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment required Project Category/Environmental Assessment requirements under national /local policies 4. Name/names of The Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 applicable national The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 acts, regulations EIA Notification, 2006 5. Environmental Category B. Paperwork to confirm categorization as B1 or B2 is category under process. 6. Reason for category or Construction of the bridge and approach roads (considered as environmental bypasses) connecting to NH on either side is considered as assessment or N/A “Building and Construction” greater than β0,000 square meters under the EIA Notification, 2006. Hence, it is categorized as B. 5
Project Category per ADB SPS 7. Type of assessment EIA report in accordance with TOR approved by the State required Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
11. The objective of this EIA study is to identify potential environmental impacts of the proposed bridge and approach road development, and to formulate strategies to avoid and minimize adverse impacts. The scope of work to accomplish the above objective, comprise the following: • understanding the baseline environmental conditions of the project area, • identifying the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project, • recommending appropriate mitigation measures to avoid/minimize the environmental impacts, • recommending environmental enhancement measures to help improve the local environment, and • preparing an environmental management plan for achieving the above two recommended measures.
12. The area covered in this EIA study includes the location of the bridge (running over the river and the Raghopur diara) and approach roads. A 2-km buffer area is considered as the core area of impact or area of direct impact and the surrounding area of up to 10 km surrounding the bridge and approach roads including upstream and downstream of the bridge location considered as the buffer area or area of indirect impact as shown in Figure 3.
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Figure 3: EIA Study Area 7
D. Methodology Adopted for the EIA Study
13. The Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS 2009). The study methodology has been adopted in such a manner to ensure that environmental concerns are given adequate weight in the selection of alignment and design of the bridge and approach roads.
14. The environmental assessment is based on information acquired through primary data collection, secondary sources, consultations and modeling exercises. An overview of the key methods adopted for data collection and analysis is provided below.
1. Primary data collection 15. Ecological surveys were carried out in and around the project area to collect information on the flora and fauna with special emphasis on the habitat of the Gangetic dolphin, a globally endangered species known to exist in the Ganga river. Primary data on the baseline conditions of air quality, quality of surface and ground water, noise levels, soil conditions were also carried out. Primary data collection has been carried out only for both seasons i.e. the dry season data over December 2014 – January 2015 period and wet season data over July – August 2015 period. Further details on the methodology used for primary data collection is provided in Chapter 3.
16. Primary data collection was also done from December 2016 to March 2017.
2. Secondary data collection 17. A host of literature exists on the Gangetic dolphin and ongoing dolphin conservation projects. These documents were reviewed to understand its ecological habitat range, seasonal activities of breeding and feeding, migration routes etc. In addition, literature on the Gangetic river basin, the hydrological and ecological systems were also reviewed. Most information were sourced from: • The Conservation Action Plan for The Gangatic Dolphin (2010-2020) by National Ganga River Basin Authority, MoEFCC, Government of India; • The Gangatic Dolphin and Action Plan for its Conservation in Bihar (2013) prepared by Dr. R.K. Sinha for Department of Environment & Forest, Government of Bihar; • Protection of Endangered Ganges River Dolphin in Brahmaputra River, Assam, India (2009) prepared by Dr. Abdul Wakid, Programme Leader, Gangatic Dolphin Research and Conservation Programme for IUCN. • Smith, B.D. & Braulik, G.T. 2012. Platanista gangetica1. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2.
18. Data on the hydrology of the Ganga river and past flood levels were sourced from the Central Water Commission (CWC) of Patna. Data on monthly temperature and wind speed were sourced from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) of Patna. This was used for studying the climatic conditions and projection of future climate in the project area.
1Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/41758/0 8
3. Consultations 19. Consultations were carried out with local communities to get information on the baseline environmental conditions in the project area, seek the local people’s views on the project and find opportunities to modify the location and design of the project to meet their needs. Consultations were also carried out with key government agencies such as the local Department of Environment and Forest, State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Zoology Department of Patna University, State Biodiversity Board and Zoological Survey of India. Local, regional and international NGOs consulted on their views and recommendations on the project are WWF-India, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Dolphin Foundation, Guwahati, Aaranyak, Guwahati, and Mandar Nature Club of Bhagalpur. Further details on the people and agencies consulted are provided in Chapter 8 of this report on Information Disclosure, Consultation, and Participation.
4. Modelling 20. The CALINE model was used to predict future air quality and FHWA TNM Noise model was used to predict noise levels and the Transport Emissions Evaluation Model for Projects (TEEMP) to project future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the future projected traffic.
5. Analysis of information 21. The information collected through the methods described above was analysed to help identify key project impacts and provide recommendations for avoiding, minimizing, mitigating impacts and providing compensatory measures. Recommendations have also been made to enhance the local environmental conditions with the intention of having no net loss of biodiversity due to the project and maintaining the environmental conditions within baseline conditions or improving the environmental conditions in comparison to baseline conditions.
E. Structure of the Report
22. This EIA report has been presented as per requirements of the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009. The report is organised into following ten Chapters, a brief of each chapter is described below. An executive summary is also provided at the beginning of the report. • Chapter 1 - Introduction: This section describes the background information about the project and EIA study. • Chapter 2 - Policy, Legal, and Administrative Frameworks: This section summarizing the national and local legal and institutional frameworks that guided the conduct of the assessment. • Chapter 3 - Project Description: This section presents the key features and components of the proposed project. • Chapter 4 - Description of the Environment: This section discussing the relevant physical, biological, and socioeconomic features that may be affected by the proposed project. • Chapter 5 - Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures: This section presents the environmental assessment of likely positive and adverse impacts attributed to the proposed project and concomitant mitigation measures. • Chapter 6 - Climate Change Risk Assessment: This section provides an analysis of climate change impacts and risks due to the implementation of proposed project. • Chapter 7 - Analysis of Alternatives: This section covers analysis of various alternatives considered to minimise the overall impacts of proposed development 9
and suggest most appropriate alternatives based of detailed analysis of impact and risk associated with each alternative. • Chapter 8 –Consultation, Information Disclosure, and Grievance Redress Mechanism: This section describes the consultation process undertaken during the environmental examination and its results, their consideration in the project design, and manner of compliance to the ADB’s Public Communications Policy and related national laws. It is also describing the formal and informal redress procedures for registering, resolving, and reporting complaints. • Chapter 9 - Environmental Management Plan and Institutional Arrangement: This section discusses the lessons from the impact assessment and translated into action plans to avoid, reduce, mitigate or compensate adverse impacts and reinforces beneficial impacts. This plan is divided into three sub-sections; mitigation, monitoring, and implementation arrangements. • Chapter 10 - Conclusion and Recommendation: This section states whether there is a need for any further detailed specific studies/assessments and highlights key findings and recommendations to be implemented by the borrower.
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II. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORKS
23. India has a well-defined institutional and legislative framework. The legislation covers all components of environment including air, water, soil, terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna, natural resources, and sensitive habitats. India is also a signatory to various international conventions and protocols. The environmental legislations in India are framed to protect the valued environmental components and comply with its commitment to international community under relevant conventions and protocols. Asian Development Bank has also defined its Environmental and Social Safeguard policies under the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), 2009. This section summarizes the following: • National (India) Environmental Legislation and Legal Administrative Framework, • Social Safeguard Regulatory Requirements, • ADB safeguard policies and categorisation of the project, • Summary of international treaties and applicability to the project
A. National (India) Environmental Policy Framework
24. The legal framework of the country consists of several acts, notifications, rules and regulations to protect environment and wildlife. In 1976, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment created Article 48A and 51A, placing an obligation on every citizen of the country to attempt to conserve the environment. The national legislations are broadly divided under following categories: • Environmental Protection • Forests Conservation • Wild Life Protection
25. The umbrella legislation under each of above category is highlighted below: • The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 was enacted with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country. Various rules are framed under this Act for grant of environmental clearance for any developmental project, resources conservation and waste management. • The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980(Amended 1988) was enacted to help conserve the country's forests. It strictly restricts and regulates the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without the prior approval of Central Government. To this end the Act lays down the prerequisites for the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. • The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 amended 2003 was enacted with the objective of effectively protecting the wildlife of the country and to control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of wildlife and its derivatives. It defines rules for the protection of wildlife and ecologically important protected areas.
26. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) together form the regulatory and administrative core of the part. Other ministries / statutory bodies / departments responsible for ensuring environmental compliance and granting various clearances include State Ministry/Department of Environment, regional offices of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) and state forests/wildlife departments. Their key roles and responsibilities and interface among them have been concisely depicted through the flow diagram. The administrative framework 11 defines the roles and responsibility of various ministries and government departments at central and state levels. The administrative framework for environmental protection, forests conservation and wildlife protection is given in Figure 4.
27. The environmental impact assessment requirement in India is based on the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (amended 2009), all its related circulars; MOEFCC’s Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance Manual for Highways 2010, and IRC Guidelines for Environmental Impacts Assessment (IRC:104-1988) of highway projects. In addition to road and transport infrastructure development including establishment of temporary workshops, construction camps, hot mix plants, and opening of quarries for road/bridge construction work require to comply with provisions of The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (Amended 1988) and Rules 1981 (Amended 2003): The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Amended 1993); The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1972 (Amended 1988) and Rules 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (Amended 1987) and Rules 1982; The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 (Amended 2002) and Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules 2008 (Amended 2009).
28. A review is undertaken for all the environmental rules and regulations which might be applicable to the proposed bridge project. These legislations with applicability to this bridge development project are summarized below in Table 3 and approval and monitoring framework is depicted in Figure 5. There is no separate state level legislation, however, various acts like Water and Air Pollution Control are enforced through the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) level.
29. Specifically, for the proposed Ganga bridge project, the following (Table 3) environmental laws and regulations are applicable.
Table 3: Applicable Environmental National and State Requirements Sl. Activity Statute Requirement Competent Responsible Time No. Authority Agency for Required Obtaining Clearance Planning Stage: Before start of Civil Works Construction (Responsibility: Executing Agency) 1. Implementing Environment Environmenta State Level BSRDCL 6 months Project Protection Act of l Clearance EIA Authority 1986, EIA of Bihar Notification 2006 and amendments 2. Implementing Environment Tree cutting Conservator BSRDCL 6 months Project in Protection Act of permit of Forest, Forest Area 1986, Forest Government Conservation Act of Bihar Construction Stage (Responsibility: Contractor) 3. Establishing Water Act of 1974, Consent-for- State The 2-3 stone crusher, Air Act of 1981, establishment Pollution Contractor months hot mix plant, Noise Rules of Control wet mix plant 2000 and Board, Bihar and diesel Environment generator sets Protection Act of 1986 and as amended 12
Sl. Activity Statute Requirement Competent Responsible Time No. Authority Agency for Required Obtaining Clearance 4. Operating Water Act of 1974, Consent-for- State The 2-3 stone crusher, Air Act of 1981, operation Pollution Contractor months hot mix plant, Noise Rules of Control wet mix plant 2000 and Board, Bihar and diesel Environment generator sets Protection Act of 1986 and as amended 5. Use and India Explosive Explosive Chief The 2-3 storage of Act 1984 license for Controller of Contractor months explosive for use and Explosives quarry blasting storage work 6. Storage of fuel Manufacture Permission State The 2-3 oil, lubricants, storage and for storage of Pollution Contractor months diesel etc. at Import of hazardous Control construction Hazardous chemical Board or camp Chemical Rules Local 1989 Authority (DM/DC) 7. Quarry State Minor Quarry Lease State The 2-3 operation Mineral Deed and Department Contractor months Concession Quarry of Mines and Rules, The Mines License Geology Act of 1952, Indian Explosive Act of 1984, Air Act of 1981 and Water Act of 1974 8. Extraction of Ground Water Permission State The 2-3 ground water Rules of 2002 for extraction Ground Contractor months of ground Water Board water for use in road construction activities 9. Use of surface - Permission Irrigation The 2-3 water for for use of Department Contractor months construction water for construction purpose 10. Engagement Labour Act Labour Labour The 2-3 of labor license Commissioner Contractor months
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Table 4. Applicable Clearances S.No. Type of clearance Statutory Applicability Project stage Responsibility Authority 1 Prior Environmental SEIAA Applicable Applicable and BSRDCL Clearance obtained 2 Permission for Archaeological Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable activities near survey of India / the archaeological state department of protected area Archaeology 3 Clearance for Chief Wild Life Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable working / diversion Warden of sanctuary land 4 Forest Clearance State Department Only if stretch of Pre- BSRDC of Environment and forest lied in construction ENGINEER Forest and MoEF between of Proposed alignment. 5 Tree felling Forest department Felling of trees Pre- BSRDC permission construction ENGINEER 6 NOC And Consents State Pollution For establishing Construction PMAE/ Contractor under Air Water, EP Control Board batching plants (Prior to work Acts & Noise rules initiation) of SPCB 8 Permission to store State Pollution Storage and Construction PMAE / Contractor Hazardous Control Board Transportation (Prior to work Materials of Hazardous initiation) Materials and Explosives 9 Explosive license Chief controller of Storage of Construction PMAE / Contractor explosives explosive (Prior to work materials initiation) 10 PUC certificate for Department of For all Construction PMAE / Contractor use of vehicles for Transport construction (Prior to work construction vehicles initiation) 11 Quarry lease deeds Dept. of Geology Quarrying and Construction PMAE / Contractor and license and Mines borrowing (Prior to work operations initiation) 12 NOC for water Ground Water Ground Water Construction PMAE / Contractor extraction for Authority extraction (Prior to work construction and initiation) allied works 13 Soil Mining SEIAA Applicable Soil Mining PMAE / Contractor
30. In addition to the acts and regulations listed above, the Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance Manual for Highways 2010 issued by MOEFCC and the IRC Guidelines for Environmental Impacts Assessment (IRC:104-1988) of highway projects issued by Ministry of Road Surface Transport and Highways (MORTH), were referred in the process of preparing this EIA. The following requirements are particularly important and need special attention to avoid any delays for the project:
i) Although bridges are exclusively not included in the list of projects requiring an EIA as per EIA Notification 2006, the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT( recent decision (NGT Principal Bench, New Delhi Original Application No. 137 OF 2014) considered bridges with built up area ≥ β0,000 sq.m. as building projects and would 14
fall under Schedule 8(b) of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, relating to buildings, construction and development projects which are mandated to get prior environmental clearance. Since the built-up area of proposed 6-lane bridge is ≥ β0,000 sq.m., an environmental clearance was required from SEIAA. BSRDCL received the environmental clearance in January 2016 (see Annex 14). ii) Placement of hot-mix plants (Consent from State Pollution Board), quarrying (the contractor is not owning its own mines, aggregate & sand is to be procured from authorized vendor having approved mines with Environmental Clearances from SEIAA, Bihar & MoEF&CC, New Delhi) and crushers (Consent from State Pollution Board), batch mixing (Consent from State Pollution Board). Cutting of trees from non-forest land require a tree cutting permit from the local forestry department. All trees cut under the project must be compensated by compensatory afforestation as required by the State Forest Department. iii) Plants, discharge of sewage from construction camps requires No Objection Certificate (Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate) from State Pollution Control Board prior to establishment.
31. Before the start of civil works for any part of the project, BSRDCL (as project proponent) must obtain necessary permits/clearances from the respective statutory authorities. Procedures and steps to be followed to obtain various permits/ clearances under the project are presented in Table 3.
B. Social Regulatory Requirements of India and State
32. There are many rules and regulations framed by the Government of India for the protection of workers. Most of these legislations will be applicable to contractors in charge of construction. BSRDCL will ensure compliance to these social legislations through contractual obligation and regular checks & penalties. These legislations include The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996; Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; Minimum Wages Act, 1948; Workmen Compensation Act, 1923; Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972; Employee State Insurance Act; Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952; Maternity Benefit Act, 1951; Payment of Wages Act, 1936; Equal Remuneration Act, 1979; Inter-State Migrant Workmen’s (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1979; and Equal Remuneration Act, 1979.
C. International Treaties and Relevance to the Project
33. Government of India has signed many international treaties. GOI has also framed various laws, regulations and guidelines to meet country’s obligations under these treaties. The projects of this magnitude may contribute in meeting country’s obligation directly or indirectly. A screening was carried out of these treaties regarding its applicability to this project. The relevant international treaties are: • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (ratified by India in 1997): The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European Community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This amounts to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012. • Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (ratified by India in 1977): The most significant feature of the 1972 World 15
Heritage Convention is that it links together in a single document the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties. The Convention recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two. • Convention on Biological Diversity (ratified by India in 1994): It is an international treaty which considered as a key document for “sustainable development”. This became effective in 1993 to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It has 3 major goals i.e. (1) conservation of biodiversity (2) sustainable use of its components; and (3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. As an impact of this convention, the year “β010” was considered as “International Year of Biodiversity”. • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (ratified by India in 1976) - It is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals which is also known as “Washington Convention”. The text of the Convention was agreed upon by 80 countries in Washington, D. C. on March 3, 1973, and became effective in 1975, in order to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. This treaty protects about 5,000 species of animals and β9,000 species of plants by listing them in γ specific “appendices” namely “Appendix I”, “Appendix II” and “Appendix III”. • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) (India is signatory since 198γ(: This treaty is also known as “Bonn Convention”. It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. The Convention has 119 parties and the depository is the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. This treaty facilitates the cooperation of different countries to protect migratory species. 176 threatened migratory species are under conservation under this treaty. • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (ratified by India in 1982): It is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands by recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. It was signed in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Currently, The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites) includes 2,122 sites having an area of 507,470,800 acres.
D. ADB Safeguard Policy Statement Requirements
34. The Asian Development Bank has defined its safeguard requirements under its Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS 2009). The prime objectives of safeguard policy are to: (i) avoid adverse impacts of projects on the environment and affected people, where possible; and (ii) minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the environment and affected people when avoidance is not possible. This policy requires assessment, mitigation and commitment towards environmental protection. The extent of assessment depends on the category of the project. ADB’s SPS β009 classify a project depending on following three categories. • Category A: A proposed project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. An environmental impact assessment is required. 16
• Category B: A proposed project is classified as category B if its potential adverse environmental impacts are less adverse than those of category A projects. These impacts are site-specific, none or very few of them are irreversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects. An initial environmental examination is required. • Category C: A proposed project is classified as category C if it is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. No environmental assessment is required although environmental implications need to be reviewed.
MOEFCC (Nodal agency at central level for developing legislation and granting environmental clearance for the projects categorized as Category "A" as per EIA Notification)
STATE MINISTRY /DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENT Regional Office State Dept. of (State level CPCB (Monitoring body to Forest/Wildlife implementation (Technical advisory review the (Monitoring body to agency for body of MOEF and compliance of the review the environmental Watchdog for SPCB project approved by compliance of the legislations and activities ) MOEF/SEIAA) project approved by formulation of MOEF/SEIAA) legislation at State Level )
SPCB SEIAA (State level (Enforcing body for environmental Protected Area agency for Office/Divisional granting rules and regulations of Consents/ Forest Office Environmental Approvals Clearance for centre and state category 'B' level & also advisory body for Projects) Compliance State Ministry) Reporting
Compliance Consents Reporting
Compliance Reporting
Approvals Project Proponent
Figure 4: Environmental Legal Administrative Framework in India
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Figure 5: Environmental Clearance Process in India
35. Key Steps in EC Process:
1) Submission of application along with Form-I, Pre-feasibility report and other necessary documents to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) or State Environmental Appraisal Committee (SEAC) 2) Presentation of Terms of Reference (TOR) to MOEFCC or SEAC 3) Obtaining TOR from MOEFCC or SEAC 4) Preparation & submission of Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/ Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 5) Conducting Public Hearing 6) Preparation of revised EIA/EMP (as per comment of Public Hearing) 7) Preparation & submission of Final EIA to MOEFCC or SEAC along with Stage 1 forest clearance. 8) Final presentation to MOEFCC or SEAC. 9) Obtaining Environmental Clearance.
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Table 5: Key Steps in Tree Cutting Permission Process Step No. Activity No. of Days Preparation of case / application letter to the Revenue and Forest Department for 1 7 felling of trees falling within the Right of Way Area to be cleared of trees is verified on the ground with the help of Revenue 2 Department 30 Joint visit by Executive Engineer, DFO and Revenue Department staff for the 3 verification of the land and trees falling within the ROW Enumeration of trees by Forest Department after the visit of Forest Guard and Range 4 Officer (both from Forest Department). The details cover number of trees to be cut 7 along with chainage, species and girth information. List of trees to be cut is forwarded by the Range Officer to the concerned DFO for 5 15 approval The combined case paper is prepared by enclosing the documents received from 6 7 Revenue and Forest Department (as prepared in the steps mentioned above). Case is submitted to the concerned DFO the DFO Office examines the case and if 7 – 7 there are no observations, sends it to the Conservator of Forests (CF) The CF office will examine the case and if there are no observations, will approve the 8 7 felling proposal. The approval from CF office is conveyed to the concerned DFO, who further conveys 9 2 the final sanction (in writing) to Executive Engineer. DFO further directs the concerned Range Officer (Forest Department) to mark 10 1 (process is formally known as ‘hammering’( the trees for cutting. Range Officer hammers/ marks the trees in presence of Executive Engineer or his 11 10 field representative. 12 The Range Officer sends the final list of trees to the concerned DFO for information. 1
13 DFO forwards the case to Forest Corporation to call ‘tender’ for cutting the marked 3 trees. 14 DM Forest Corporation calls for bids and fixes date/s to receive the tenders. 30 After opening of the tenders and their evaluation, tree cutting work is awarded to the 15 15 selected contractor. 16 Contractor mobilizes the required labor and machinery at site. 15 17 Contractor cuts the trees 30 Total Number of Days (numbers indicate ideal situations) 187
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III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A. Type of Project
36. The proposed project is a greenfield project aimed at development of connectivity between Patna and Vaishali district through construction of a 6-lane road bridge across river Ganges. The proposed bridge will take off from Kacchi Dargah (from NH-30) at about 18 kilometers from Patna Railway station and it will terminate at Bidupur (at NH-103) in Vaishali to provide an alternative to the Mahatma Gandhi Setu and reduce the travel time, overcome traffic congestion, and provide smooth connectivity. The rationale for the proposed project is provided in Section B of Chapter 1. Summary of project is provided in Table 6.
Table 6: Details of the Project Total Road Name of the Project Project Components Districts State Length (km) Construction of a new six-lane • Main bridge 22.76 Patna and Bihar suspension type bridge across • Viaducts Vaishali Ganges River from Deedargunj on • Approach Roads NH-30 to Chak Sikandar in • Toll gates and service Vaishali district on NH-103 facilities.
B. Location and Features of the Proposed Project
37. The site chosen for the proposed 6-lane facility is situated east of Patna city in the State of Bihar. It lies between NH-30 (near Kacchi Dargah in Patna District) and NH-103 (near Bidupur in Vaishali district). The proposed bridge traverses between 25033’β7.63” N, 85015’27.87” E (Ch.0+000) to 25041’17.8β” N, 850ββ’49.65” E (Ch 22+76) at an average elevation of about 53 meters above mean sea level. The new bridge will be located about 10 kilometers downstream (east) from the existing bridge (Mahatma Gandhi Setu) to help decongest Patna and to provide all weather connectivity for communities living in Raghopur diara (river island) situated between two streams of the Ganges river. The Raghopur diara, which is surrounded by the Ganges on all sides, consists mainly of alluvial soil brought by seasonal flood making the area fertile. Although the diara has a very high potential for development as future satellite town of Patna, it is also prone to seasonal flooding but remains inhabited and cultivated during most part of the year. There is only one seasonal road link (pontoon bridge) connecting it to Patna apart from boats.
38. The alignment of the proposed bridge spans over the entire width of the Ganges river including the river island, and connect with national highways on both sides of banks, improving connectivity and substantially reducing travel time between Patna and its surrounding areas. The approved alignment of the proposed project is shown in Figure 6 (on Google earth image) and Figure 7 (on Survey of India Topographic Map).
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Figure 6: Location Map of the Project Site on Google Earth Image
Figure 7: Location of the Project Site on SOI Topographic Map 21
C. Engineering Surveys and Investigations
39. The following surveys and investigations had been carried out (as part of feasibility study) for collection of data and evolve the design for main bridge, approach roads and associated project facilities: • topographic surveys; • traffic surveys; • hydrological studies; • geotechnical and geomorphological investigations; and • existing utilities surveys.
40. These surveys had been carried out in accordance with the guidelines in IRC:SP:19 to fulfil requirement in the TOR. Findings of these surveys / investigations are incorporated in the detail design.
D. Projected Traffic for the Design
41. Projected traffic on the proposed bridge is presented in Table 7. It can be seen from the table that the projected average daily traffic (ADT) and passenger car unit (PCU) traffic is expected to increase from 22,392 and 38,975 in 2013 to 151,660 and 274,872 by 2037, respectively. About 30% of total traffic is 2 and 3-wheel vehicles and another 30% for trucks.
42. Seasonal traffic variation across the bridge range from 78% to 113% of the annual average with lowest in the month of September and highest in month of April. Daily pattern reveals traffic starts to increase as early as 3 AM and peaks between 7 to 8 AM, slightly dips between 10-1 PM. And then peaks again from 2-4 PM. Traffic then starts to ebb and reaches lowest level between 6 PM-10 PM.
Table 7. Projected Traffic for the Project Year 2-W 3-W Car/ Bus LCV Truck Tractor Fast All Slow Total Taxi/ (Car+ Fast Vehi Jeep Bus+ Vehicl cles Mini Full Truck) es No. PCU 2022 12,100 6,592 12,428 117 3,008 4,310 15,801 425 35,664 54,782 254 55,035 96,625 2027 17,779 9,686 18,260 172 4,420 6,632 24,312 425 53,796 81,686 254 81,940 145,222 2032 23,792 12,962 24,437 230 5,915 9,302 34,098 425 73,982 11,1161 254 111,415 199,641 2037 31,839 17,346 32,702 308 7,915 13,046 47,825 425 101,796 151,407 254 151,660 274,872
E. Components of the Project
43. The project consists of the following key components: a) Main 6-lane bridge length- 9.76 km Approach length - 10.00 km (south approach - 1.5 km, north approach - 8.5 km) Widening of NH-103- 3.0 km
b) Roadways- i) Main bridge approach embankments and viaducts with 6 lanes divided carriageway, configuration as per IRC Standard. ii) Connecting road to diara portion is a 4-lane divided carriageway configuration as per IRC standard. c) Approach roads including viaducts (about 1.5 km at Kachhi Dargah – south side and 8.5 km at Bidupur – north side) and associated structures; 22
d) Widening of 3.0 km of existing road NH103 on the southern side; e) Two ROB; f) Eight underpasses and bridges; g) Five junctions; h) Two toll plazas; and i) Associated service facilities.
44. Detail of each component along with conceptual plans is presented in subsequent sections. General arrangement drawing (GAD) of the proposed bridge and foundations is shown in Figures 8 and 9 respectively.
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Figure 8: General Arrangement Drawing of Proposed Bridge
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Figure 9: Cross Section Detail of Proposed Bridge and Foundation
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F. Proposed Alignment and Conceptual Plan of Project Components
45. The proposed alignment and conceptual plan of the project including approach road is shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10: Proposed Road Alignment of the Bihar New Ganga Bridge and Approach Roads
46. The entire alignment can be divided into eleven sections as discussed in the following sections:
a. Section-1 (Junction-1): take-off at the intersection of Patna-Bakhtiyarpur chainage 0+000 (diverted NH-30) roads (see Figure 11). This will require the modification and widening of the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur and allow traffic to join and exit the western carriageway of the project going towards Bidupur. The modifications include approach ramps and a flyover. However, the Plan & Profile have yet to be approved.
Figure 11: Section 1: Conceptual Plan of the Project Start Point Intersection of Patna-Bakhtiyarpur chainage 0+000 (diverted NH-30) 26
b. Section 2: Rail-over-Bridge, 6-lane facility across the Patna - Mokama Main line (see Figure 12) with a minimum span of 36 m covering the railway's right of way and having vertical clearance of 6.25 m between rail top level and bottom of ROB chainage 0+809.341.
Figure 12. Section 2: Conceptual Plan of the Rail-Over-Bridge across Patna - Mokama Main line chainage 0+809.341
C. Section- 3(Junction-2): Old NH-30/chainage 1+144.588 interchange- A 6-lane divided facility arrangement at the existing NH-30. This inter change will facilitate to connect the new 6-lane Ganga Bridge to Lok Nayak Ganga Path and old NH- 30 through viaduct/embankment (Figure 13).
Figure 13. Section 3:Conceptual Plan of the Old NH-30/ chainage 1+144.588
27 c. Section 4: Bakhtiyarpur-Patna Toll Post – a 12-lane toll facility with 6-lane truck posts equipped with weighbridges has been proposed as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14. Section 4: Conceptual Plan of the Bakhtiyarpur-Patna Toll Post d. Section 5: Ganga Main Bridge– The proposed 6-lane facility across Ganga (Main Bridge) starts from Chainage km 1+270 near Sabalpur village and ends at Chainage km11+029 on Bidupur end Chak Saiyad Ali Darba, with total length of almost 9.76 km (Figure 15).The river Ganga is divided into two parts: the South Channel (lying towards Patna) and North Channnel (lying towards Bidupur, Vaisahli). The South Channel crosses the alignment between chainage 1+373 & 2+800(width 1427 m) and North channel crosses the alignment between 9+500 & 10+930 (width 1430 m). One small channel i.e. Dry river (Sukha Nadi) originating from South Channel crosses the alignment between 5+710 & 5+843 (width 133m) later submerged in north channel. The alignment and bridging design were selected considering the vulnerability of the diara to flooding, erosion and scouring. The main bridge start from the South bank and crosses North bank through diara having a span length of 150 m keeping the Navigational requirement of IWAI (Class VII type river) minimum requirement of 100m for horizontal clearance between piers and vertical clearance of 10m above HFL. An Extra-dosed type (PSC super structure) of six lane carriageway over the RCC pier and well foundations are being considered as best suitable bridge configuration to fulfill the site conditions.
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Figure 15. Section 5: Conceptual Plan of the Bihar New Ganga Main Bridge
e. Section 6 (Junction 3): Connection with Raghopur Diara - Four lane ramps (viaduct) in each direction connecting the diara to the 6-lane facility at chainage 4+574 have been proposed as shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16. Section 6: Conceptual Plan of the Raghopur Diara Access Ramps
f. Section 7: Beyond the North abutment – A 6-lane facility road structure will be partially on viaduct above 6m height and thereafter on earthen embankment/retaining wall, with grade separation at crossing with Mehnar Road.
g. Section 8 (Junction 4): Junction Arrangement at Mahnar Road Chainage 12+812 intersection will be raised to over pass the 6-lane facility. Existing Mehnar road 29
will be connected through two loops and four slip roads with the 6-lane facility to provide free movement of traffic at the junction. Ramps will be provided for vehicles going to Hajipur, Mahnar, and NH-103. The conceptual plan of proposed arrangement is shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17. Section 8: Conceptual Plan of the Junction Arrangement at Mahnar Road h. Section 9 (Junction 5): Arrangement between Mahnar Junction and Chak Sikander Railway Station- 6-lane facility chainage 19+698 on NH-103 shall be taken on embankment/retaining wall between Mehnar Junction and Chak Sikander Railway Station with provisions of openings for cross drainage, vehicular, pedestrian, cattle crossings, minor streams and major bridge across Ganga River. i. Section 10: Arrangement of 6-lane facility across Hajipur to Samastipur Main line (ROB) - The 6-lane facility shall cross the Hajipur to Samastipur Main through a 6- lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) with a minimum span of 36 m covering the railway's right of way and having vertical clearance 6.25m between Rail top level and bottom of ROB. The conceptual plan of proposed arrangement is shown in Figure 18.
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Figure 18. Section 10: Conceptual Plan of the Arrangement of 6-lane facility across Hajipur to Samastipur Main line (ROB)
j. Section 11: Arrangement between Chak Sikander Railway Station, NH-103 & Gazipur Chowk (End Point) - The 6-lane facility will finally join NH-103 near Chak Sikander on embankment. From this point onwards to its junction with the proposed Tazpur-Vaishali road, the NH-103 will be widened to 6-lane width including at grade junction arrangement at Chak Sikander and Gazipur Chowk (end point). Figure 19 show the conceptual plan of proposed arrangement.
Figure 19. Section 11: Conceptual Plan of the Arrangement between Chak Sikander Railway Station, NH-103 & Gazipur Chowk (End Point)
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k. Other Associated Facilities: Some more road widening and road diversion works will be needed to disperse the traffic. The road from junction of 6-lane facility on NH-103 to Paswan Chowk (on NH-19) will require to be widened to 4-lane width over a length of nearly 3 km. A bypass to Paswan Chowk and Ramashish Chowk may be provided for dissipating traffic coming from 6-lane facility on NH-103. This will also facilitate free flow of traffic between Patna and Muzaffarpur avoiding congested Ramashish Chowk. These improvements will take place outside the project’s scope but will be considered as associated facilities.
G. Access Roads
a. Construction of Access Road
47. The construction of access road from Ch. (+) 1.2Kms to Ch. (+) 2.8Kms across river Ganga within the Project Right Of Way (PROW).
C/L OF PROPOSED BRIDGE ALIGNMENT
Ch. (+) 2.8 Kms
Ch. (+) 1.2 Kms
Figure 20. Access Roads
48. The access road shall be prepared considering the transportation of all essential materials for bridge construction. The top of the proposed road shall be kept at a suitable level so as to enable safe movement of vehicles during dry season. The access road shall not be used during monsoon season, as the materials shall be transported through barges.
49. Considering the movement of vessels across river through the perennial channel that exists in the south stream, barges shall be operated which connects the access road from approximately Ch. (+) 2.65Kms to Ch. (+) 2.8Kms. No obstruction shall be caused to the water flow, across this channel during the course of operation.
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50. The access road proposed would be primarily prepared by following steps:-
Step -1: Levelling of the existing river bed
Step -2: Cutting/Filling of river bed to suite the slope for access road
Step -3: Compacting the river bed using adequate water and rollers
StepFlow -4: Chart Brick Showing bat/Moorum Steps shall Involved be laid forin accessproviding road firm preparationbase for smooth plying of vehicles, if required
51. Whereever stream exists in the channel (apart from the perennial channel between Ch. (+) 2.65Kms to Ch. (+) 2.8Kms), necessary provisions like Hume pipes shall be kept, for allowing the water flow during the dry season.
Figure 21. Typical Longitudinal Section Showing Access Road 33
Figure 22:Typical Section Showing Jetty & Barge
b. Demolition of access road 52. The objective of this method is to lay down a procedure to channelize the flow of river Ganga with proper cutting in the access road (Ch: 1.2 to 2.4) & removal of south channel jetty J0 prior to monsoon.
53. As per scheduled completion of the activities for the Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project & to start the island works, smooth flow of material/machineries /workers transit was required through the stream of the river Ganga between the Island and the South Chainage km 1.2, hence access road & jetty from chainage 1.2 km to chainage 2.65 km across the river Ganga was constructed. The access was considered for the transportation of all workers, materials & machineries for construction activities.
54. Dismantling of the south channel access (ch. 1.40 km to ch. 2.80 km ) includes the following: 1. South Channel access road : Ch 1.40 km to ch 2.60 km ) 2. Temporary material jetty –J0 – (ch 2.60 km to ch 2.80 km )
55. Demolition Methodology. There is total length of 1.4 km ( CH 1.4 km – CH 2.8 km ) as planned access of which Ch 1.4 km to CH 2.4 km is access & balance 200 meter is active channel . The planned access consists of: (a ) Access road (b) Temporary jetty ( J0)
56. Access road: • The top crust of access road should be scrapped and GSB layer (150 mm ) shall be collected back for the next season which will reduce the stiffness of the top crust by eliminating any foreign material to go in river flow . • Various cuts up to open ground level would be made so that to channelize the river flow . • The width of the cuts should be as below:
SI No Chainage (km ) Width of Cut (m) Location 01 1.5 50 Patna side 02 1.67 30 - 03 2.0 20 - 03 2.2 20 - 04 2.4 20 River side 34
• The invert level of the cut location should be same as the original bed level prior to the formation of access road. • The provided Hume pipe @ Ch 1.5 KM should be removed and retrieved while cut formation
57. Jetty J0: • The top crust of jetty should be scrapped and GSB layer (150 mm ) shall be collected back for the next season which will reduce the stiffness of the top crust by eliminating any foreign material. • The HDPE jumbo bags shall be retrieved from jetty fence as much as practicable. • The bamboos & balla should be removed from jetty approach and jetty at most feasible extent as the these materials are environment friendly in nature .
58. Dismantling sequence. The sequence of the dismantling shall be as below :
RIVER SIDE
Dismantling of the 40 m J0 approach with associated Balli Piles
Removal of GSB (150 mm ) from the top of the jetty –J0
Removal of GSB (150 mm) from Chainage km 2.6 to km 2.3
Cut formation of 20 meters @ chainage : km 2.4
Removal of GSB (150 mm) from chainage km 2.3 to km 2.1
Cut formation of 20 meters @ chainage : km 2.2
Removal of GSB (150 mm) from chainage km 2.1 to km 1.9
Cut formation of 20 meters @ chainage : km 2.0
Removal of GSB (150 mm) from chainage km 1.9 to km 1.5
Cut formation of 30 meters @ chainage: km 1.67
Removal of GSB (150 mm) from chainage km 1.5 to km 1.4
Cut formation of 50 meters @ chainage: km: 1.5
PATNA SIDE
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H. Site Facility to be developed for construction
59. During the construction phase three camps are proposed to be developed along the alignment: 1. Zero Point South Facility Camp (at chainage 0+000) 2. Raghopur Facility Camp (at chainage 4+500) 3. Bidupur Facility Camp (yet to be decided)
60. These camps do not fall inside designated no go zones which are: a) Flood plains of western end of Raghopur diara-The Raghopur camp lies in eastern end of Raghopur diara. b) River banks or river edges of the two channels c) Minimum distance of 100m between the edge of river bank and construction camps, storage yards, batching plants etc. Raghopur camp lies more than 500 m away from river bank.
61. Camp Details:
1. Zero Point South Facility Camp (at chainage 0+000)
62. The camp is spread over an area of 49,452.58 sqm. (12.22 acres) includes project office, assembly area, kitchen, water tank, wash area, toilet, septic tank, open fitness centre, medical centre, sewage treatment plant, ambulance (24 hours), staff mess, recreational centre, outdoor games. Layout of the zero point camp area is attached as Annex 15.
2. Raghopur Facility Camp (at chainage 4+500)
63. The camp is spread over an area of 175,482.45 sqm. (43.36 acres) and includes project office, assembly area, kitchen, water tank, wash area, toilet, septic tank, open fitness centre, medical centre, sewage treatment plant, ambulance (24 hours), staff mess, recreational centre, outdoor games. Layout of the zero point camp area is attached as Annex 15.
3. Bidupur Facility Camp
64. The camp location is under process of selection of identification.
65. The Zero Point South Facility Camp (chainage 0+0000) is 1380 m from South Channel of Ganga River while Raghopur Facility Camp (chainage 4+500) is 3120 m from South Channel and 6400 m from North Channel of Ganga River. Figure 23 provides the camp locations and distances from South and North channels of Ganga River.
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Figure 23. Locations of Zero Point South Facility and Raghopur Facility Camps
I. Source and transport of construction materials
67. The contractor has not owned any mines till date, however they are in the process of acquisition of mines. Now contractor is procuring materials from the approved third party quarry and sand mines. The details of third party quarry and the estimated quantity of the materials are as follows:
Table 8. Approval status of construction material sources S. Construction Estimated Source Quarry/Sand mines No. Materials Quantity Approval Status 1 Aggregate (20 mm) 513,909 ton Jagarnathpur, Block 1, Block- Approved mines from Chandauti, District-Gaya SEIAA, Bihar 2 Aggregate (10 mm) 523,005 ton Jagarnathpur, Block 1, Block- Approved mines from Chandauti, District-Gaya SEIAA, Bihar 3 River sand 709,468 ton Balu Ghat, District Nawada, Approved riverbed from Bihar MoEF&CC, New Delhi 4 Cement 200,000 ton Ultratech, Ambuja & ACC -- (grade 43) 5 Ad mixture 3,820 ton -- -- 6 Borrow Area -- The site is under and Required statuary consideration & finalization clearance will be taken once the site is finalized
S. No. Description of bill Total value of works in % Total value of works in Rs Cr 1 Main Bridge (A) 93.3 2906.30 2 Road Work (B) 4.70 146.405 3 Other Works 2.00 62.300 Total 100 3115
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68. Transportation of construction materials to the diara will vary during different seasons. During dry season, construction materials will be transported from temporary accsss road to Jetty Jo (Sabapur) and by barge, from Jetty Jo to J3 (Raghopur). During monsoon season, construction materials will be transported by barge from jetty 14 (Sabalpur), Patna to J3 (Raghopur).
J. Disposal site
69. The selection of site for disposal of muck and other soild waste is under process.
K. Medical facilities
70. Both the camp (Zero point & Raghopur) has 24 hrs. first aid and ambulance facilities. The first aider is also available at both camps. Registered doctor from MCI (Medical Council of India) has been appointed and tie up with nearby hospital has been established for emergency cases.
L. Cost of the Project and Implementation Arrangement
71. The total cost of the project including main bridge, approaches (viaduct, embankments), ramps and connections to diara, along with ROBs near Banka Ghat and Chak Sikander Railway stations is shown in table above. The total cost of the project works is INR 5000 crores (USD 832 million). This cost does not include: i) planning, detailed design, administration, PMC; ii) protection works/guide bunds; iii) geological and geo-technical investigations prior to construction; iv) environmental mitigation measures; v) land acquisition; vi) toll plaza and road furniture; and vii) taxes.
72. The project will be implemented under EPC contract modality. EPC is a form of contracting arrangement where the EPC Contractor is made responsible for all the activities from design, procurement, construction, to commissioning and handover of the project to the End-User or Owner.
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IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
73. To assess the impacts of the proposed improvement to the project road, field visits were made by consultants to understand environmental profile of the project influence area. This involved field inspections at all the sensitive locations, collection of secondary information for all the environmental components and discussions with the officials, NGO’s and local populace. The profile presented below comprises of the following:
• Physical environmental components such as meteorology, geology, topography, soil characteristics, air quality, surface and sub-surface water quality; • Biological environmental components such as aquatic, biotic and marine flora, fauna and mammals, and • Land environment in terms of land use, and soil composition.
A. Physical Environment
1. Climate and Meteorology
74. Seasons and temperature range. The project area has humid subtropical climate with extremely hot summers from March to mid-June, monsoons from mid-July to late September and chilly winter nights, foggy or sunny days from November to February. The highest recorded temperature is 46.6 °C and the lowest is 2.3°C. The temperature during the summer season ranges between 18°C and 32°C and between 9°C and 29°C during the winter season. The average annual rainfall is 1130 mm. There is heavy rainfall in the months of July, August and September. During the other months of the year there is little or no rainfall (Indian Meteorology Department, Patna).
75. Meteorological data of the study area was collected for the winter months of December 2014 and January 2015. The minimum average temperature recorded during the study period was 17°C and 8°C in December 2014 and January 2015, respectively. The maximum temperatures recorded were 29°C and 18°C in December 2014 and January 2015 and December 2014, respectively. The overall average ambient temperature during the period was 18°C. Figure 24 shows the average maximum and minimum temperature in Patna.
Figure 24. Average Temperature (°C) for Patna (2000 to 2012)
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76. Relative humidity. The minimum average relative humidity recorded during the study period was 84% and the maximum was 100%. The overall average relative humidity was 83% during the study period.
77. Rainfall. The recorded annual average rainfall in the Patna district during 2009 – 2013 was 922 ± 150mm. Most of the rainfall was observed in August-September and least in November-December. During the last five years, the highest rainfall recorded was 1162mm in
2011. The district level rainfall data of last five year of Patna district is presented in Figure 25.
(Source: Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) Patna). Figure 25. Five-year Average Rainfall Data of Patna
78. Atmospheric Pressure. The daily average atmospheric pressure level during study period was 1016hPa ± 3hPa.
79. Wind Speed and Pattern. The daily average wind speed was 5 km/hr ± 3 km/hr. The winds were predominantly observed blowing from W followed by WNE and NW. The calm hours observed were 35%. The wind rose diagram of the project area is presented in Figure 26.
Figure 26. Windrose Diagram of the Project Area (June, 2013)
40
2. Topography and Geology
80. Topography. The project is in the state of Bihar in Northern India near the city of Patna, which is the capital city of the state. The proposed bridge site lies between 200γβ’5γ.99” N, 85016’41.89” E (Kachhi Dargah( to β5041’17.8β” N, 850ββ’49.65” E (Bidupur(. The new bridge will be located about 10 kilometers downstream (east) from the existing bridge (Mahatma Gandhi Setu). The topography in the proposed project area is mainly plain as shown in Figure 27 to Figure 31. The project area forms part of the Ganga river basin which covers an area of over 1 million sq. km forming one of the largest drainage basins in the world. The project area is made up of flat alluvial plains with an average elevation of approximately 53 m above m.s.l.
81. The topography of the region can be subdivided into two prominent natural features comprising: i) a narrow strip of somewhat high land about 8 km in width along the Southern bank of the Ganges having very fertile soil & alluvial fertile plains in the remaining portions. Patna does not contain any hilly region. It has an entirely alluvial and flat region; and ii) Patna is located on the south bank of the Ganga river. The town is situated at an altitude of 48 -51 m above mean sea level. A characteristic of the geography of Patna is its confluence of five rivers in its vicinity. The Ganga River being the largest and the other being Ghaghara, Gandak, Punpun and Sone. Patna is unique in having five rivers in its vicinity.
Figure 27. Topography of Project Area – Section 1
41
Figure 28. Topography of Project Area – Section 2
Figure 29. Topography of Project Area – Section 3
42
Figure 30. Topography of Project Area – Section 4
Figure 31. Topography of Project Area – Section 5
82. The land in the project area is highly fertile. The district is devoid of any forest. The alluvial texture of land yields rice, sugarcane and other food grains. The Ganga river which is about 2,525 km long originates from the Himalayan mountains (at an elevation of 7010m) and glaciers in the 43 north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The river passes through 4 states in India and flows into Bangladesh. The river crosses over from West Bengal state of India into Bangladesh where it is then called the Padma river. In Bangladesh, as the river flows in a south – easterly direction it is joined by the Jamuna river. Ultimately it becomes the Meghna river which flows into the Bay of Bengal.
83. Geology. The project area is underlain by unconsolidated formation, which is quarternary to upper quarternary of age group (Figure 32). Lithologically, the project area is made up of recent alluvium, clay, silt, sand, and gravel pebbles with concentration of calcareous materials.
84. The project area is part of the Indo-Gangetic alluvium, one of the three main physiographic divisions of India, which separates Extra-peninsular regions on the north from the peninsular region on the south. The level plain is known to be the outcome of a granular filling of a great depression with alluvial sediments since Middle Pleistocene times. This forming a part of the flood plains of the Ganga has a monotonously flat relief. The area under study is underlain by alluvial sediments of quaternary age. The quaternary sediments are deposited unconformable on the Achaean basement. Quaternary alluvial deposit consisting of alternate layers of sand, silt, clay and gravel forms prolific unconfined and confined aquifer system. The unconfined aquifer system consists of sand layers with parting of thin clay layers up to a depth of 60-70 m. The clay layers at shallow depth are not regionally extensive as such the entire sequence behaves as unconfined aquifer system. The transmissivity of the aquifer varies from 1000 to 5000 m2/day. The specific yield varies between 8-12%. The movement of ground water is in south-east direction towards the river Ganga. The aquifer has high potential with an estimated yield of 50- 100 m3. 44
Source: State of Environment Report for Bihar, 2007 Figure 32. Geological Map of Bihar and Project Area 45
3. Physiography and Soil
85. Physiography: Physiographically, India is divided into seven major divisions: (1) Northern Mountains, (2) Great Plains (3) Central Highlands (4) Peninsular Plateaus, (5) East Coast, (6) West Coast and (7) Islands.
86. The Ganga basin falls entirely within the first three divisions (Figure 33). Northern Mountains comprises the Himalayan ranges including their foothills. The Gangetic plains, situated between the Himalayas and the Deccan plateau, constitute the most fertile plains of the sub-basin ideally suited for intensive cultivation. The Central highlands lying to the south of the Great plains consists of mountains, hills and plateaus intersected by valleys and river plains. They are largely covered by forests. Aravali uplands, Bundelkhand upland, Malwa plateau, Vindhyan ranges and Narmada valley lie in this region.
87. The project area for proposed 6-lane bridge near Patna falls under active alluvial plain i.e. landform created by deposition of sediment over a long period by river coming from highland regions.
46
Figure 33. Physiographic Map of Project Area 47
88. Soils: Predominant soil types found in the Gangatic sub-basin are sandy, loamy, clay and their combinations such as sandy loam, loam, silty clay loam and loamy sand soils. Soils in the project area are mostly active alluvial plain i.e. landform created by deposition of sediment over a long period by river coming from highland regions. Among the soil types within Ganga basin, the alluvial soil covers more than 52 per cent of the basin. The Patna district has mainly four types of soils ranging from moderately well drained to poorly drained, acidic to slightly alkaline and medium to heavy textured.
89. The project areas within Patna river basin is characterized by calcareous alluvial (slightly alkaline). This shows that the alluvium deposit in this region is old alluvium deposit. In general, the calcareous alluvium has higher potential of binding of molecules than the newer alluvium or acidic alluvium and hence the chance of erosion in calcareous alluvium is comparatively lesser than acidic alluvium. The deltaic fill material ranges in size from clays to medium sands, all of which are susceptible to erosion. The percentage of phosphorus is higher in this region. This soil is richer in lime content and kanker than Balsundari soil. This forms the typical paddy land of the project region.
90. Figure 34 present the soil profile of the region and project area.
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Figure 34.: Soil Map of the State and Project Area2
2Source: State of Environment Report (2007) for Bihar published by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board. 49
91. Soil Quality: Four soil samples (each during dry and wet seasons) were collected from the project area (see Annex 20b) and analyzed for its physical and chemical properties. Characterization of soil samples was performed by adopting methods prescribed under relevant parts of IS: β7β0, “Indian Standard Methods of Test for Soils”. The results of the analysis are presented in Table 9 (dry season) and Table 10 (wet season).
92. It can be seen from the table that soils in the project are in slightly alkaline in nature with pH value ranging from 7.0 to 8.1. Maximum potassium content found was 300 mg/kg in Didarganj area whereas maximum phosphorous content of 36.08 mg/kg was also recorded at Didarganj area. Maximum calcium content of 2823 mg/kg was found in Kalyanpur area. The sand and clay contents of the soils in the region ranged from 35.85 to 51.15% to 34.35 to 51.20%, respectively during dry season. There are no significant changes observed in the soil quality of study area during dry and wet seasons except minor changes in sand - silt clay ratio which may be due to soil erosion during wet season.
93. During recent base line data collection from 15th Dec 2016 to 15th March 2017, it was observed that pH values range from 6.7-8.56. Maximum potassium content was 178 mg/Kg at Sabalpur & Mathurapur. Maximum calcium content 3529 mg/Kg was observed at Zero Point Didarganj Area. The sand & clay content of the soil in the sampling area ranges from 48-63 % and 24-30% respectively.
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Table 9: Soil Quality in the Project Area (Dry Season)
Saifabad (Diara Sl. Kalyanpur Madhurpur Didarganj Parameter Unit Area) No. 5/1/2015 14/2/2015 7/2/2015 12/1/2015 18/1/2015 19/2/2015 25/1/2015 21/2/2015 1. pH (1:5 suspension) - 7.29 7.55 7.25 7.98 6.97 7.1 7.96 8.1 2. Electrical Conductivity at µmhos/cm 150 115 155 109 150.0 155.00 128.0 125.0 25OC (1:5suspension.) 3. Bulk Density gm /cm3 1.28 1.35 1.26 1.32 1.19 1.05 1.16 1.23 4. Magnesium(as Mg) mg/kg 369.0 140.50 370 149.01 503.10 510 796.0 800 5. Sodium (as Na) mg/kg 246.14 125 250 127.0 168.86 170.65 192.0 198 6. Sand % by mass 50.48 42.50 51.15 41.27 39.49 40.09 36.78 35.85 7. Clay % by mass 34.25 48.32 35.20 49.41 47.81 49.20 50.35 51.20 8. Silt % by mass 15.27 9.18 13.65 10.32 12.7 10.71 12.87 12.95 9. Nitrogen mg/1000g 0.076 0.080 0.073 0.072 0.067 0.062 0.071 0.075 10. Potassium (as K) mg/1000g 123.0 168.0 125.0 170.0 232.00 250.00 286.0 300.0 11. Phosphorus mg/1000g 30.41 27.40 31.55 28.07 31.84 32.20 34.02 36.04 12. Organic Matter %by mass 0.57 0.72 0.60 0.70 0.82 0.79 0.72 0.69 13. Water Holding Capacity %by mass 31.68 30.2 30.25 28.70 32.85 35.23 35.10 33.26 14. Infiltration Rate mm/hr 20.8 23.0 22.1 19.0 15.0 16.1 19.0 18.25 15. Calcium mg/1000g 2725.0 2500 2823 2413.0 2589.0 2525 2024.0 2127 16. Sodium Absorption Meq/100gm 0.23 0.19 0.20 0.21 0.24 0.298 0.23 0.22 ratio(SAR) 17. Exchangeable Sodium - 3.24 4.21 3.29 4.28 5.04 5.12 3.58 3.64 Percentage 18. Porosity %by mass 28.57 26.30 30.25 28.70 32.00 30.25 32.02 33.10 19. Available Sulphur (as S) mg/1000g 217.0 225 220.13 228 196 201 185.00 190 20. Available Manganese as mg/1000g 3.30 4.36 3.42 4.34 5.02 5.10 2.46 2.52 (Mn) 21. Available Iron as (Fe) mg/1000g 5.00 7.1 5.1 6.96 5.67 6.2 4.86 4.95 Source: Field testing and analysis carried out as part of EIA study.
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Table 10: Soil Quality in the Project Area (Wet Season) Saifabad (Diara Sl. Kalyanpur Madhurpur Didarganj Parameter Unit Area) No. 24/7/2015 12/8/2015 24/7/2015 12/8/2015 26/7/2015 14/8/2015 26/7/2015 14/8/2015 1. pH (1:5 suspension) - 7.10 7.15 7.60 7.44 7.10 7.34 7.46 7.52 2. Electrical Conductivity at µmhos/cm 146 148 104 112 136.00 142.00 124.00 121.00 25OC (1:5suspension.) 3. Bulk Density gm /cm3 1.15 1.20 1.26 1.30 1.21 1.22 1.17 1.20 4. Magnesium (as Mg) mg/kg 324.0 344 146.70 134.40 482.10 480.70 768.0 792.70 5. Sodium (as Na) mg/kg 242.10 236.18 124.80 123.60 165.11 168.23 184.37 192.10 6. Sand % by mass 52.40 54.30 44.50 45.60 42.22 43.12 37.91 36.22 7. Clay % by mass 35.10 36.20 48.30 47.35 45.22 48.10 47.25 48.30 8. Silt % by mass 12.50 9.5 7.2 7.05 12.56 8.78 14.84 15.48 9. Nitrogen mg/1000g 0.051 0.061 0.052 0.065 0.062 0.065 0.051 0.060 10. Potassium (as K) mg/1000g 99.10 121.0 160.0 164.0 221.00 220.00 236.0 285.0 11. Phosphorus mg/1000g 20.51 28.22 26.10 25.40 30.22 31.41 32.21 34.22 12. Organic Matter %by mass 0.70 0.68 0.76 0.79 0.91 0.84 0.76 0.84 13. Water Holding Capacity %by mass 28.56 29.20 27.30 29.50 30.10 32.44 31.40 30.22 14. Infiltration Rate mm/hr 20.10 24.50 21.30 24.50 16.50 18.20 20.10 19.20 15. Calcium mg/1000g 2670.0 2956 2376.0 2588 2476.0 2471 1976.0 2215 16. Sodium Absorption Meq/100gm 0.24 0.26 0.20 0.18 0.22 0.31 0.20 0.21 ratio(SAR) 17. Exchangeable Sodium - 3.44 3.50 4.21 4.20 4.89 4.55 3.41 3.55 Percentage 18. Porosity %by mass 30.50 32.30 30.10 28.50 34.10 32.76 35.02 34.21 19. Available Sulphur (as S) mg/1000g 212.0 218.0 224.10 221.0 174 195 167.00 181 20. Available Manganese as mg/1000g 3.10 3.22 4.24 4.15 4.89 4.80 2.51 2.30 (Mn) 21. Available Iron as (Fe) mg/1000g 4.99 4.98 5.36 6.22 5.11 5.89 4.72 4.77 Source: Field testing and analysis carried out as part of EIA study.
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Table 11: Soil Quality along the alignment (15th December 2016 to 15th March 2017) S1(Zero Point S. No. Parameter Unit S2 (Sabalpur) S3 (Mathurapur) S4 (Sharmastpur) near Didarganj) 1 pH (1:5) - 8.55 8.56 8.43 6.7 2 Conductivity (1:5) µmhos/cm 178 332 208 442 3 Color - Brown Brown Dark Brown Yellowish Brown 4 Texture Sandy Clay Sandy Clay Loam Sandy Clay Sandy Loam 5 Silt % 22 17 12 13 6 Clay % 30 26 28 24 7 Sand % 48 57 60 63 Sodium Absorption 8 - 0.69 0.51 0.37 0.37 Ratio Cation Exchange 9 Meq/100gm 21 14.79 13.6 7 Capacity 10 Porosity % 16 23 24 30 Water Holding 11 % 35.5 30 32 26 Capacity 12 Bulk Density gm/cc 1.88 1.87 1.89 1.6 13 Chloride as Cl mg/kg 349 295 447 50 14 Calcium as Ca mg/kg 3529 1782 1941 1118 15 Sodium as Na mg/kg 159.5 99 69 50 16 Potassium as K mg/kg 129.5 178 178 110 17 Magnesium as Mg mg/kg 278 601 385 121 18 Organic matter % 0.8 0.85 0.62 0.75 19 Available Nitrogen mg/kg 210 243 232 156 20 Phosphorous mg/kg 38 23 38 44 21 Zinc as Zn mg/kg 55 42 39 45 22 Magnesium as Mg mg/kg 292 390 191 376 23 Copper as Cu mg/kg 22.4 20 12 22 53
4. Seismicity
94. The seismic zonation map of India (Bureau of Indian Standards map) is shown in Figure 35. It can be seen from the map that the entire Bihar state falls in Zones III, IV and V. The project site of proposed 6-lane Ganga Bridge is situated in moderately stable zone which falls under seismic zone IV (as per IS 1893 (Part-I): 2002) category.
Figure 35: Seismic Zonation Map of India and Project Region
5. Hydrology and Drainage
95. The project area falls under the Ganga river basin. Figure 36 present the drainage pattern and river basin map of river Ganges and the project area.
96. The major tributaries of Ganga in India include Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi. Chambal is one of the major tributaries of Yamua, which merges with Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad). These tributaries and their watershed form the 16 major sub-basins of the Ganga basin. Hoogly diverts from Ganga before Ganga enters Bangladesh. 54
97. The proposed site for the 6-lane bridge over river Ganges is situated about 10 km downstream of Patna city. The project area mostly falls under the river basin of Ganga and sub- basins of Punpun, Gandhak and Burhi-Gandak-Bagmati river basins. As per the local observation, Ganga river near the project site is meandering to the left and during the summer season.
98. The major sub-basin of Ganga in project area, Burhi-Gandak-Bagmati contributes mean annual flow of 58.967 BCM which is about 11.23 % of total tributaries.
Figure 36: Drainage Pattern and River Basin Map of Bihar and Project Region3
6. Land Use
99. Land use pattern in the project area has been analysed based on the data published by various government agencies supplemented by data collected during field surveys and satellite
3 Source: State of Environment Report (2007) for Bihar published by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board. 55 imaginary data obtained from authentic source. Figure 37 show the land use pattern of the Bihar state as a whole whereas Table 12 present the land use pattern in the project area.
100. It can be seen from Table 12 that agriculture is the dominant land use in the state with over 60% of the area is cultivable land followed by forest land which constitute about 6% of the total area.
Table 12: Land use classification of Bihar State4 S. No. Category of Land use Area (Unit in Lakh Ha.) (Unit in %) Total Geographical Area 93.60 100 1 Forest 6.16 6.6 2 Barren and non-cultivable land 4.37 4.7 3 Land put to non-agricultural uses 16.38 17.5 4 Culturable wasteland 0.46 0.5 5 Permanent pasture grazing land 0.18 0.2 6 Miscellaneous crops & grooved 2.31 2.5 7 Other fallow (2 to 5 tears) 1.39 1.5 8 Current fallow 5.67 6.1 9 Net area sown 56.68 60.6 A.Total cropped area 79.95 - B.Area sown more than once 23.27 -
4 Source: State of Environment Report 2007, Bihar State Pollution Control Board. 56
Land Use pattern of Bihar State
Barren and Non- Land put to Non- Cultivable Land agricultural uses 4.69% 17.47% Forest Culturable 6.59% wasteland Permanent Pasture Grazing land Net area sown 0.20% 60.48% Miscellaneous crops & Grooved 2.50% Other fallow Current fallow (2 to 5 tears) 6.09% 1.50% Figure 37: Land use pattern in Bihar State
101. The land use pattern within the corridor of influence of the proposed project is mostly water bodies (river Ganges) followed by agricultural land. Agricultural activities are being practiced along the proposed alignment of approach roads on both sides of the bridge. Table 13 and Figure 34 present the land use pattern within project’s corridor of influence obtained based on satellite imagery of 2012 of the project area. Water bodies occupy about 61 % land area followed by agriculture and plantation which accounts to 31% and 5% respectively.
Table 13: Land Use Classification in Project Influence Area based on Satellite Imagery5 Sl. No. Land Use Class % of the Study Area 1. Agriculture 30.55 2. Settlements area 02.45 3. Horticulture & plantation 05.10 4. Land not used for agriculture 01.14 5. Water bodies (river/drain/pond/tank/well) 60.76 Total 100
5Source: Field surveys and satellite maps data for the project influence area of 10 km radius.
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Figure 38: Distribution of Land Use Pattern in Project Influence Area
Agriculture
31% Se lements area
Hor culture & Planta on
61% Barran Land 5% 2% Water bodies 1%
7. Air Quality
102. Ambient air quality in the project area is quite pure compared to Patna main city where emission level is reportedly higher. There are no major industrial activities in the project area, however operation of brick kilns near proposed sites is leading to higher level of SPM. These brick kilns, vehicular pollution and dust arising from unpaved surfaces are main sources of pollution in the project area.
103. There is no secondary data available in the project area. Air quality sampling has been carried out for both winter/dry and wet seasons to establish the baseline for ambient air quality in the project area.
104. The baseline status of the ambient air-quality was assessed using a scientifically designed ambient air-quality monitoring network. The design of this network was based on the following:
• meteorological conditions; • the assumed regional influences on background air quality; • the areas where impact would most likely be greatest; • present land use along the proposed alignment; and • traffic congestion points.
105. To establish the baseline ambient air quality, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (AAQM) stations were set up at four locations representing various sensitive locations as indicated in Table 11 (Image 1). Annex 20a Image 1: Air Quality Monitoring Station Setup shows the data collection locations for air and at Project Area other parameters. Updated sampling locations are indicated in Annex 20b.
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Table 14: Details of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Locations Sl. No. Location Code Name of the Location Source 1. A1 Kalyanpur Village Residential 2. A2 Jafarabadih Village Residential 3. A3 Majlishpur (School) Sensitive 4. A4 Didarganj Commercial
106. At each of the four locations (see Annex 20a) monitoring was undertaken as per new notification issued by MOEFCC on 16th November 2009. Dry season monitoring has been conducted in the month of January 2015 whereas wet season monitoring has been carried out in the month of July-August 2015. Data for the following parameters were collected. • PM10 • PM2.5 • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) • Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), and • Carbon monoxide (CO).
107. The sampling of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx was undertaken on a 24-hourly basis while 8-hourly samples were collected for CO. The PM, SO2, and NOx were monitored using M/s Envirotech Instruments Private Ltd; make Respirable Dust Sampler (APM 460) (Image 1) along with gaseous attachment (Model APM 415 & 411). Whatman GF/A filter papers were used for PM. Carbon monoxide (CO) samples were monitored by using M/s Endee Engineers Pvt. Ltd. make gas detector model No. CO96 & GP - 200P respectively.
108. Methodology adopted for sampling and analysis and instrument used for analysis in laboratory are presented in Table 15.
Table 15: Techniques Used for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Minimum Instrument Sl. No Parameter Technique Detectable Limit Used (μg/m3) Respirable Dust Sampler Electrical 1. PM10 and PM2.5 1.0 (Gravimetric method) Balance 2. Sulphur Dioxide Improved West & Gaeke Method Colorimeter 5.0 Jacob & Hochheiser modified (Na- 3. Nitrogen Oxide Colorimeter 5.0 Arsenite) Method 4. Carbon Monoxide Gas Chromatograph 0.01
109. The samples were analysed at an accredited laboratory by MOEFCC. The results are compared with new NAAQS set by Government of India (MOEFCC) for respective zones as well as those of World Bank EHS Standards. A comparison of NAAQS of India and World Bank’s standards for ambient quality has also been made and presented as Annex 2.
110. A summary of results for each location is presented in Table 16 to Table 25. Ambient air sampling locations are shown in Annex 20a.
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6 Table 16: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM10 (24-hour average) Dry season 3 PM10 Concentration, µg/m Location Name Code 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- Avg. Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 24hours Kalyanpur Village A1 74 87 98 92 100 104 82 84 90 Jafarabadih Village A2 64 80 90 84 75 83 98 93 83 Majlishpur (School) A3 48 64 58 70 82 80 68 74 65 Didarganj A4 86 90 105 96 102 116 88 92 97
7 Table 17: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM10 (24-hour average) Wet season 3 PM10 Concentration, µg/m Avg. Location Name Code 24- 25- 31- 01- 08- 09- 16- 17- 24 Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug hours Kalyanpur Village A1 51 62 54 57 62 67 64 60 59.62 Jafarabadih Village A2 48 46 52 54 50 46 49 53 49.75 Majlishpur (School) A3 42 48 44 51 53 56 54 58 50.75 Didarganj A4 65 68 72 62 74 61 58 69 66.12
Table 18: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM2.5 (24-hour average) Dry season 3 PM2.5 Concentration, µg/m Avg. Location Name Code 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- 24 Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan hours Kalyanpur Village A1 40 45 61 54 58 62 48 50 52 Jafarabadih Village A2 36 50 54 45 44 51 55 49 48 Majlishpur (School) A3 30 36 35 42 42 49 41 45 40 Didarganj A4 52 63 66 57 64 63 49 53 58
Table 19: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to PM2.5 (24 hour average) wet season 3 PM2.5 Concentration, µg/m Location Name Code 24- 25- 31- 01- 08- 09- 16- 17- Avg.24 Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug hours Kalyanpur Village A1 32 34 37 35 36 38 37 34 35.37 Jafarabadih A2 32 28 34 27 35 32 30 34 31.50 Village Majlishpur A3 33 35 38 36 34 35 39 42 36.50 (School) Didarganj A4 38 36 39 34 40 37 38 45 38.37
Table 20: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to SO2 (24-hour average) Dry season 3 SO2 Concentration, µg/m Location Name Code 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- Avg. Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 24 hours Kalyanpur Village A1 13 15 10 12 14 12 08 11 12
6Source: Dry/winter season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the month of January 2015. 7Source: Wet season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the months of July-August 2015. 60
3 SO2 Concentration, µg/m Location Name Code 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- Avg. Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 24 hours Jafarabadih A2 11 14 09 10 12 09 10 12 11 Village Majlishpur A3 08 10 09 11 08 10 09 10 9 (School) Didarganj A4 12 14 16 09 13 15 10 12 13
Table 21: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to SO2 (24-hour average) wet season SO Concentration, µg/m3 Cod 2 Location Name 24- 25- 31- 01- 08- 09- 16- 17- Avg.24 e Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug hours Kalyanpur Village A1 9 10 12 8 8 9 11 8 9.37 Jafarabadih Village A2 8 7 6 6 8 9 8 7 7.37 Majlishpur (School) A3 9 6 8 7 10 8 8 9 8.12 Didarganj A4 10 12 10 8 14 12 11 13 11.25
Table 22: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to NO2(24 hour average) Dry season NO Concentration, µg/m3 Cod 2 Location Name 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- Avg. e Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 24 hours Kalyanpur Village A1 20 22 16 15 19 15 18 20 18 Jafarabadih Village A2 16 21 17 19 22 18 15 13 18 Majlishpur (School) A3 14 18 15 18 20 18 12 15 16 Didarganj A4 18 24 19 20 23 21 16 22 20
Table 23: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to NO2(24-hour average) wet season 3 NO2 Concentration, µg/m Cod Location Name 24- 25- 31- 01- 08- 09- 16- 17- Avg. 24 e Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug hours Kalyanpur Village A1 14 18 12 15 11 12 10 14 13.25 Jafarabadih Village A2 15 11 10 9 10 12 13 12 11.5 Majlishpur (School) A3 14 16 17 11 15 14 13 12 14.25 Didarganj A4 16 21 15 14 18 22 18 21 18.12
Table 24: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to CO (24-hour average) Dry season CO Concentration, µg/m3 Avg. Location Name Code 05- 06- 12- 14- 19- 21- 27- 29- 24 Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan hours Kalyanpur Village A1 1210 1688 1255 1020 1121 1832 1507 1688 1415 Jafarabadih Village A2 910 847 855 784 917 1040 1211 1131 962 Majlishpur (School) A3 712 703 798 855 782 645 512 784 724 Didarganj A4 1400 1800 1429 1047 1288 1325 1802 1504 1149
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Table 25: Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to CO (24-hour average) wet season CO Concentration, µg/m3 Avg. Location Name Code 24- 25- 31- 01- 08- 09- 16- 17- 24 Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug hours Kalyanpur Village A1 712 510 550 620 640 724 728 815 662.3 Jafarabadih Village A2 650 475 580 482 620 710 655 640 601.5 Majlishpur (School) A3 714 612 578 810 714 690 661 675 681.7 Didarganj A4 918 924 1024 817 1121 918 976 1051 968.6
111. The above tables show that the ambient air quality level of all the air pollutants are within the NAAQS but the PM10 and PM2.5 levels are above the WB EHS guideline values of 50 and 25 3 µg/m for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The source of the PM10 and PM2.5 is the brick kilns that are in Didarganj and along the banks on southern side of the project side i.e. Kacchi Dargah end.
112. Figures 39 and 40 shows the graphical presentation of the average existing ambient air quality along the project road at four monitored locations done from 24 July – 17 August, 2015.
250
200
150
100
50
Concentration(ug/m3) 0 PM10 PM2.5 SO2 NO2 Parameter A1 A2 A3 A4 GOI Standard WB Standards
Figure 39: Average Ambient Air Quality in the Project Area (Dry Season)
62
250
200
150
100
50 Concentration(ug/m3)
0 PM10 PM2.5 SO2 NO2 Parameter A1 A2 A3 A4 GOI Standard WB Standards
Figure 40: Average Ambient Air Quality in the Project Area (Wet Season)
Table 26: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site December 2016 to March 2017 Ambient Air Quality Data December 2016 Location: AAQ1 (Zero Point)
S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 26-27 Dec 2016 172 62.6 16 33.4 0.11 2. 28-29 Dec 2016 173 58 18 31.8 0.1 Min 172 63 16 31.8 0.1 Max 173 62.6 18 33.4 0.11
Average 172.5 60.3 17.00 32.60 0.11 98th Percentile 172.98 62.51 17.96 33.37 0.11 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 50(guideline ) 20(guideline ) 40(guideline,1 25 (guideline ) 75-150 50-125 year) 200 WB-EHS 37.5-75 (interim None (interim (interim (guideline 1 target) target) target) hour )
Table 27: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur Ambient Air Quality Data December 2016 Location: AAQ2 (Village Shabalpur )
S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1 26-27 Dec 2016 170.8 67 19 36.7 0.11 2 28-29 Dec 2016 172.6 68.4 17.6 38 0.1 Min 170.8 67 17.6 36.7 0.1 Max 172.6 68.4 19 38 0.11
Average 171.7 67.7 18.30 37.35 0.11 98th Percentile 172.56 68.37 18.97 37.97 0.11 63
Ambient Air Quality Data December 2016 Location: AAQ2 (Village Shabalpur )
S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 40(guideline,1 50(guide line ) 25(guide line) 20(guideline ) year) 200 WB-EHS 75-150 (interim 37.5-75 (interim 50-125 (interim None (guideline 1 target) target) target) hour )
Table 28: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur Ambient Air Quality Data December 2016 Location: AAQ3 (Village Mathurapur ) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1 27-28 Dec 2016 125 60 14.6 29.6 0.13 2 29-30 Dec 2016 126.6 58.6 15.8 26.8 0.11 Min 125 58.6 14.6 26.8 0.11 Max 126.6 60 15.8 29.6 0.13
Average 125.8 59.3 15.20 28.20 0.12 98th Percentile 126.57 59.97 15.78 29.54 0.13 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 50(guideli 25(guidelin 20(guideline) 40(guideline, ne) e ) 1year) 200 WB-EHS 50-125 None 75-150 37.5-75 (interim (guideline,1 (interim (interim target) hour ) target) target)
Table 29: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmaspur Ambient Air Quality Data December 2016 Location: AAQ4 (Village Sharmastpur) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1 27-28 Dec 2016 130.6 60.8 14.4 20.8 0.12 2 29-30 Dec 2016 132.4 59.8 15.8 22.3 0.11 Min 130.6 59.8 14.4 20.8 0.11 Max 132.4 60.8 15.8 22.3 0.12 Average 131.5 60.3 15.10 21.55 0.12 98th Percentile 132.36 60.78 15.77 22.27 0.12 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards WB-EHS 50 (guide line) 25 (guide 20 (guide 40 None 75-150 line) line) (guideline,1ye (interim 37.5-75 50-125 ar) 200 target) (interim (interim (guideline, 1 target) target) hour )
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MONITORING RESULTS IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2017 Table 30: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site Ambient Air Quality Data January 2017 Location: AAQ1 (Zero Point) PM ,µg/ S. N Date 10 PM ,µg/m³ SO µg/m³ NO µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ m³ 2.5 2, 2, 1. 2-3 Jan 2017 170 62 16 33 0.11 2. 4-5 Jan 2017 171 59 17.4 32.6 0.13 3. 9-10 Jan 2017 170.6 60.7 18 31.4 0.1 4. 11-12 Jan 2017 169 61.6 18.6 33.8 0.12 5. 16-17 Jan 2017 171.2 62 16.7 34 0.08 6. 18-19 Jan 2017 172 61.8 19 30.8 0.1 7. 23-24 Jan 2017 171.6 59.6 17.8 31.8 0.12 8 25-26 Jan 2017 170.8 62.6 20 34 0.11 Min 169 59 16 30.8 0.08 Max 172 62.6 20 34 0.13
Average 170.775 61.1625 17.94 32.68 0.11 98th Percentile 171.95 62.00 18.95 33.98 0.13 NAAQS 100 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 50 40 (guideline) 25 (guideline ) 20(guideline ) (guideline,1yea WB-EHS 75-150 37.5-75 (interim 50-125 (interim r) 200 None (interim target) target) (guideline, 1 target) hour )
Table 31: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur Ambient Air Quality Data January 2017 Location: AAQ2 (Village Shabalpur ) PM ,µ S. N Date 10 PM ,µg/m³ SO µg/m³ NO µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ g/m³ 2.5 2, 2, 1. 2-3 Jan 2017 174 67 17 36 0.12 2. 4-5 Jan 2017 173.6 66.8 16.7 34.6 0.11 3. 9-10 Jan 2017 174 67.6 18 37 0.1 4. 11-12 Jan 2017 172.6 68 19.2 35.8 0.13 5. 16-17 Jan 2017 170 66.6 18.4 38 0.09 6. 18-19 Jan 2017 172 70 16.6 37.6 0.11 7. 23-24 Jan 2017 173.8 68.4 15.8 36.6 0.1 8 25-26 Jan 2017 174 69 17.6 38.2 0.12 Min 170 66.6 16.6 34.6 0.09 Max 174 70 19.2 38 0.13
Average 172.7 67.66 17.65 36.50 0.11 98th Percentile 174.00 69.80 19.12 37.96 0.13 NAAQS 100 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 50 (guide 20 40(guideline, 25 (guideline) (guideline) line ) 1year) 200 WB-EHS None 75-150 37.5-75 50-125 (guideline 1 (interi (interim target) (interim hour ) m target) target)
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Table 32: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur Ambient Air Quality Data January 2017 Location: AAQ3 (Village Mathurapur ) PM ,µg/ S. N Date 10 PM ,µg/m³ SO µg/m³ NO µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ m³ 2.5 2, 2, 1. 3-4 Jan 2017 125 58 13 28 0.13 2. 5-6 Jan 2017 124 57.6 15.6 26.7 0.12 3. 10-11 Jan 2017 125.6 58.7 17 29 0.16 4. 12-13 Jan 2017 126.2 56 16.8 30 0.11 5. 17-18 Jan 2017 123.4 58.3 14 28.6 0.12 6. 19-20 Jan 2017 126 57.6 17.9 27 0.1 7. 24-25 Jan 2017 123 60 15.7 28.2 0.08 8 26-27 Jan 2017 127 60.2 14 30.2 0.09 Min 123 56 13 26.7 0.08 Max 127 60.2 17.9 30.2 0.16
Average 125.025 58.3 15.50 28.46 0.11 98th Percentile 126.18 59.84 17.79 29.88 0.16 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 50(guide 25(guide line) 20 (guideline) 40(guideline,1 line ) year) 200 WB-EHS 37.5-75 50-125 None 75-150 (interim (interim (guideline 1 (interim target) target) hour ) target)
Table 33: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmastpur Ambient Air Quality Data January 2017 Location: AAQ4 (Village Sharmaspur) PM ,µg/ PM ,µg/m S. N Date 10 2.5 SO µg/m³ NO µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ m³ ³ 2, 2, 1. 3-4 Jan 2017 129 59 14 23 0.13 2. 5-6 Jan 2017 128.6 60 15.6 21.4 0.11 3. 10-11 Jan 2017 130 58 16 20.8 0.1 4. 12-13 Jan 2017 128.7 59.6 15.8 23.6 0.12 5. 17-18 Jan 2017 132 61.2 16.4 24 0.09 6. 19-20 Jan 2017 131 60.8 15.7 24.6 0.14 7. 24-25 Jan 2017 133 58.6 14.8 27.8 0.1 8 26-27 Jan 2017 128 61.4 18 26.6 0.12 Min 128 58 14 20.8 0.09 Max 133 61.4 18 27.8 0.14
Average 130.03 59.82 15.79 23.98 0.11 98th Percentile 132.88 61.15 16.35 27.42 0.14 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 50 (guide 25 (guide 20 (guide 40 line ) line) line ) (guideline, WB-EHS 75-150 37.5-75 50-125 1year) 200 None (interim (interim (interim (guideline 1 target) target) target) hour )
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MONITORING RESULTS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2017 Table 34: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site Ambient Air Quality Data February 2017 Location: AAQ1 (Zero Point) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 6-7 Feb 2017 167 62 16.7 32 0.1 2. 8-9 Feb 2017 168 59 18 33.6 0.12 3. 13-14 Feb 2017 166 58 17.6 30 0.11 4. 15-16 Feb 2017 168.6 63.4 15.8 34.6 0.08 5. 20-21 Feb 2017 167.6 64 16 31.4 0.11 6. 22-23 Feb 2017 168.5 58.4 17 35 0.1 7. 27-28 Feb 2017 165 63.6 16.8 34.8 0.12 Min 165 58 15.8 30 0.08 Max 168.6 64 18 35 0.12
Average 167.2428571 61.2 16.84 33.06 0.11 98th Percentile 168.59 63.95 17.95 34.98 0.12 NAAQS 80 µg/ 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 50 (guide 25 20(guide 40m(guideli line) (guideline) line) ne,1year) WB-EHS 75-150 37.5-75 50-125 200 None (interim (interim (interim (guideline 1 target) target) target) hour )
Table 35: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Shabalpur Ambient Air Quality Data February 2017 Location: AAQ2 (Village Shabalpur) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 6-7 Feb 2017 173 66 17 34 0.12 2. 8-9 Feb 2017 172.6 65.6 16.8 36.4 0.14 3. 13-14 Feb 2017 174 67 18 33.3 0.1 4. 15-16 Feb 2017 171 64.6 17.4 30.4 0.11 5. 20-21 Feb 2017 176 68.4 16.7 34.3 0.12 6. 22-23 Feb 2017 175.4 66.7 17.8 33.6 0.1 7. 27-28 Feb 2017 174.3 68 18.2 30 0.11 Min 171 64.6 16.7 30 0.1 Max 176 68.4 18.2 36.4 0.14 Average 173.75 66.61 17.41 33.14 0.11 98th Percentile 175.93 68.35 18.18 36.15 0.14 NAAQS 80 µg/ 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 20(guide line ) 40(guidelin 50(guide line ) 25(guide line ) e,1year) 50-125 WB-EHS 75-150 (interim 37.5-75 (interim 200 None (interim target) target) (guideline target) 1 hour )
Table 36: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Mathurapur Ambient Air Quality Data February 2017 Location: AAQ3 (Village Mathurapur) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 7-8 Feb 2017 124 57 12 27 0.1 2. 9-10 Feb 2017 123 56.4 11 26.2 0.11 3. 14-15Feb 2017 125 58 12.3 26.4 0.13 67
Ambient Air Quality Data February 2017 Location: AAQ3 (Village Mathurapur) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 4. 16-17 Feb 2017 126 60 13 25 0.12 5. 21-22 Feb 2017 123.4 59.4 11.6 23 0.08 6. 23-24 Feb 2017 126 58.6 14 27 0.1 Min 123 56.4 11 23 0.08 Max 126 60 14 27 0.13
Average 124.56 58.23 12.32 25.77 0.11 98th Percentile 126.00 59.94 13.90 27.00 0.13 NAAQS 80 µg/ 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 20(guide 50(guideline ) 25(guideline) 40(guideli line) ne,1year) 75-150 37.5-75 WB-EHS 50-125 200 None (interim (interim (guideline target) target) (interim target) 1 hour )
Table 37: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Village Sharmaspur Ambient Air Quality Data February 2017 Location: AAQ4 (Village Sharmaspur) SO S. N Date PM ,µg/m³ PM ,µg/m³ 2, NO µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 10 2.5 µg/m³ 2, 1. 7-8 Feb 2017 130 60 14 22 0.12 2. 9-10 Feb 2017 132 59 12 21 0.11 3. 14-15Feb 2017 131 61 16 20.3 0.08 4. 16-17 Feb 2017 128 61.4 15 22.4 0.13 5. 21-22 Feb 2017 128.6 59.8 14.4 23.6 0.1 6. 23-24 Feb 2017 131.4 62 16.2 21.4 0.12 Min 128 59 12 20.3 0.08 Max 132 62 16.2 23.6 0.13
Average 130.16 60.53 14.60 21.78 0.11 98th Percentile 131.94 61.94 16.18 23.48 0.13 NAAQS 80 µg/ 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards µg/m3 20(guide 50(guideline ) 25(guideline) 40(guideli line) ne,1year) 75-150 37.5-75 WB-EHS 50-125 200 None (interim (interim (guideline target) target) (interim target) 1 hour )
MONITORING RESULTS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH 2017 Table 38: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Project Site Ambient Air Quality Data March 2017 Location: AAQ1 (Zero Point) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 6-7 March 2017 170 62 16 33 0.12 2. 8-9 March 2017 171 63.2 15.6 32.4 0.14 3. 13-14 March 2017 169 58.4 17 34 0.11 4. 15-16 March 2017 171.4 59 17.6 31.6 0.1 Min 169 58.4 15.6 31.6 0.1 Max 171.4 63.2 17.6 34 0.14 Average 170.35 60.65 16.55 32.75 0.12 68
Ambient Air Quality Data March 2017 Location: AAQ1 (Zero Point) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 98th Percentile 171.38 63.13 17.56 33.94 0.14 80 µg/ NAAQS Standards 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 µg/m3 50(guide 20(guide 25(guideline ) 40(guidelin line) line) e,1year) 37.5-75 WB-EHS 75-150 50-125 200 None (interim (guideline (interim target) (interim target) target) 1 hour )
Table 39: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Shabalpur Ambient Air Quality Data March 2017 Location: AAQ2 (Village Shabalpur ) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 6-7 March 2017 173 67 17 37 0.1 2. 8-9 March 2017 172.4 66.4 18.6 36.4 0.12 3. 13-14 March 2017 173.6 67.6 16.8 37.7 0.11 4. 15-16 March 2017 172 65 19.4 38 0.09 Min 172 65 16.8 36.4 0.09 Max 173.6 67.6 19.4 38 0.12
Average 172.75 66.5 17.95 37.28 0.11 98th Percentile 173.56 67.56 19.35 37.98 0.12 NAAQS Standards 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 50(guide 25(guide 20(guide 40(guideline, line) line) line) 1year) 200 WB-EHS 75-150 37.5-75 50-125 None (guideline 1 (interim (interim (interim hour ) target) target) target)
Table 40: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Mathurapur Ambient Air Quality Data March 2017 Location: AAQ3 (Village Mathurapur ) S. N Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ 1. 7-8 March 2017 124 58 14 29 0.12 2. 9-10 March 2017 123 57.6 13.8 27.6 0.1 3. 14-15 March 2017 125 58.6 12 28.4 0.13 4. 16-17 March 2017 126 59.4 11.7 30 0.11 Min 123 57.6 11.7 27.6 0.1 Max 126 59.4 14 30 0.13
Average 124.5 58.4 12.88 28.75 0.12 98th Percentile 125.94 59.35 13.99 29.94 0.13 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 25(guide 50(guide line) 20(guideline) 40(guideline, line) 1year) 200 WB-EHS 75-150 50-125 None (interim 37.5-75 (interim (guideline 1 target) (interim target) hour ) target)
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Table 41: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Sharmastpur Ambient Air Quality Data March 2017 Location: AAQ4 (Village Sharmaspur) Date PM10,µg/m³ PM2.5,µg/m³ SO2, µg/m³ NO2, µg/m³ CO, mg/m³ S. N IS 5182 (Pt- ELPL/III/SO IS 5182 IS 5182 (Pt- IS 5182 (Pt- DD-MM-YY 23) P/23 (Pt-02) 06) 10) 1. 7-8 March 2017 130.2 61 15 22 0.13
2. 9-10 March 2017 132 60.4 14.8 23.4 0.11
3. 14-15 March 131.6 57.6 15.7 24 0.12 2017 4. 16-17 March 128 58 16 21.6 0.1 2017 Min 128 57.6 14.8 21.6 0.1 Max 132 61 16 24 0.13
Average 130.45 59.25 15.38 22.75 0.12 98th Percentile 131.98 60.96 15.98 23.96 0.13 NAAQS 100 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/ µg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Standards 50(guide 25(guidelin 20(guideli 40(guideline,1 line) e ) ne ) year) 200 WB-EHS 75-150 37.5-75 50-125 None (guideline 1 (interim (interim (interim hour ) target) target) target)
3 3 113. The 24-hourly average PM2.5 level varied station-wise between 58.6 g/m to 68.4 g/m in December 2016, 56 g/m3 to 70 g/m3 in January 2017 and 56.4 g/m3 to 68.4 g/m3 in February and 57.6µg/m3 to 67.6 µg/m3 in March 2017.. In the study area the 24-hourly average 3 values of PM2.5 observed at location was above NAAQS limit of 60g/m and WB-EHS limit of 25 3 g/m . Some of the PM2.5 observations are generally below the limits compared to NAAQS, but fell short of WB-EHS standard of 25 g/m3. The exceedances can be attributed to brick kiln operation, dust from approved sand quarry, dusts generated from vehicular movement and from trucks carrying aggregates without cover.
3 3 114. The 24-hourly average PM10 level varied station-wise between 125 g/m to 173 g/m in December 2016, 123 g/m3 to 174 g/m3 in January and 123 g/m3 to176 g/m3 in February and 3 3 . 123 µg/m to 173 µg/m in March 2017. In the study area the 24-hourly average values of PM2.5 observed at location was above the limit of 100g/m3 (NAAQS) and 50 g/m3 (WB-EHS) . Some of the observations outside the project area (Shabalpur, Mathurapur and Sharmastpur) also 3 exceeded NAAQS limit for PM10, but not WB-EHS guidelines of 50 g/m . These exceedances can be attributed to brick kiln operation and dusts generated from quarry and transport.
3 3 115. The 24-hourly average SO2 level varied station-wise between 14.60 g/m to 19.00 g/m in the month of December, 16 g/m3 to 38 g/m3 in the month of January and 11 g/m3 to18.20 g/m3 in month of February and 11.70 µg/m3 to 19.40 µg/m3 in month of March. In the study area 3 the 24-hourly average values of SO2 observed at location was below the limit of 80 g/m .
116. The 24-hourly average NOx level varied station-wise between 20.80 g/m3 to 38.00 g/m3 in the month of December, 20.80 g/m3 to 38 g/m3 in January and 20.30 g/m3 to 36.40 g/m3 in February and 21.60 µg/m3 to 38.00 µg/m3 in March. In the study area the 24-hourly average 3 values of SO2 observed at location was below the limit of 80 g/m . 70
8. Noise
117. Noise pollution is not a current problem in the region except in commercial locations and urban areas where there are major settlements and high traffic flow. Few commercial locations in Patna and Hajipur will experience increase in noise levels but still the ambient noise quality is expected to be within the permissible limits prescribed by CPCB.
118. During construction period, temporary increase in the noise levels are expected from the movement of construction machineries and construction activities. Suitable barriers and timely scheduling of construction activities will minimize these impacts.
119. No secondary information was available on noise level in the project area. To establish the baseline noise quality in the project area, a reconnaissance survey was undertaken to identify noise generating sources and sensitive receptor such as school, hospitals, temples, built-up areas. Four locations listed in Table 42 were selected for monitoring the noise level.
Table 42: Details of Noise Level Monitoring Locations Sl. No. Location Code Name of the Location Source 1. N1 Kalyanpur Village Residential 2. N2 Jafarabadih Village Residential 3. N3 Majlishpur (School) Sensitive 4 N4 Didarganj Commercial
120. Methodology: In each of the four locations (see Annex 20a)8, Sound Pressure Level (SPL) measurements were taken at an interval of 1 minute using a sound level meter of Lutron make Digital Sound Level Meter. At all these locations, daytime noise levels were monitored during the period 6 am to 9 pm and night-time noise levels during the period 9 pm to 10 pm. Noise readings, with setting at ‘A’ response - slow mode, were recorded. The readings were tabulated and a frequency distribution table prepared from which 24 hourly, hourly, and Average Leq noise levels were calculated.
121. Presentation of Results: The results of the noise level monitoring were analysed and compared both with national (NAAQS of India) and World Bank EHS Guidelines. A comparison on noise level requirements between the WB EHS guidelines and the NAAQS under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 of GOI is given in Annex 2. It can be said that the required levels are equal for residential, institutional and educational areas. The NAAQS requirements for commercial areas are more stringent while the WB EHS requirement for daytime noise in industrial area is more stringent.
122. Tables 43 and 44 present the noise levels monitoring carried out in the months of January and February 2015 for dry/winter season and July and August 2015 for wet season. Figures 37 to Figure 40 show the graphical presentation of noise levels for dry/winter and wet seasons.
8 Sampling locations were updated and detailed in Annex 20b. 71
Table 43: Ambient Noise Levels Monitored in Dry/winter Season9 06-01-2015 13-02-2015 No Location Leq - Day Leq - Night Leq - Day Leq - Night dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) 1 Kalyanpur Village (N1) 54.3 47.6 53.6 46.8 2 Jafarabadih Village (N2) 49.7 42.4 48.6 41.2 3 Majlishpur (School) (N3) 50.4 39.8 51.2 38.4 4 Didarganj (N4) 60.8 43.2 58.7 41.5 Source: Dry/winter season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the month of January and February 2015.
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60
50
40
30
20 Noise (Leq) Level dB(A) in 10
0 Location N1 N2 N3 N4 Leq Day Leq Night
Figure 41: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in January 2015
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60
50
40
30
20
10
Noise (Leq) Level dB(A) in 0 N1 N2 N3 N4 Location Leq Day Leq Night
Figure 42: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in February 2015
9Source: Dry/winter season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the month of January and February 2015. 72
Table 44: Ambient Noise Levels Monitored in Dry/winter Season10 24-07-2015 16-08-2015 No Location Leq - Day Leq - Night Leq - Day Leq - Night dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) 1 Kalyanpur Village (N1) 54.8 49.2 54.1 48.2 Jafarabadih Village 2 50.4 44.4 49.5 42.4 (N2) Majlishpur (School) 3 48.6 41.2 50.4 39.6 (N3) 4 Didarganj (N4) 58.1 45.7 59.2 43.2 Source: West season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the months of July-August 2015.
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60
50
40
30
20
10 Noise (Leq) Level dB(A) in 0 N1 N2 N3 N4 Leq Day Leq Night Location Figure 43: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in July 2015
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60
50
40
30
20
10
Noise (Leq) Level dB(A) in 0 N1 N2 N3 N4 Location Leq Day Leq Night
Figure 44: Average Noise Level (Leq) in the Project Area in August 2015
10Source: Dry/winter season ambient air quality monitoring carried out by EIA Team in the month of January and February 2015. 73
123. Locations N1 and N2 fall under the zone of residential area, location N3 falls under educational institute area and location N4 falls under commercial zone. The baseline noise levels for night time are slightly above the standard requirements for both WB EHS and NAAQS for location N1, Kalyanpur village with a recorded level of 47.6 dB(A) against the 45dB(A) limit for residential areas. The source of noise in Kalyanpur village is operation of the brick factories and local domestic/commercial activities. There is no major variation in the seasonal noise levels in the project area.
Table 45. Description of Noise Monitoring Results during December 2016 to March 2017 Description Of Noise Monitoring Stations & Monitoring Results Limits in dB Result in dB (A) Leq (A) Leq Location S. N Locations Class Average Average code Day Night Day Noise Night Noise time time Level Level 1 Zero Point NQ-1 Commercial 64.0 55.0 65 55 2 Village Shabalpur NQ-2 Commercial 68.0 53.0 65 55 3 Village Mathurapur NQ-3 Commercial 61.0 54.5 65 55 4 Village Sharmaspur NQ-4 Commercial 59.0 54.3 65 55
Table 46. Ambient Noise Quality Standards GOI NAAQS Limits in dB(A) Leq WB EHS Guidelines, in dB (A) Leq Area Category of Area/ Day Time Night Time Day Time Night Time Code Zone 0600-2200 hrs 2200-0600 hrs 0600-2200 hrs 2200-0600 hrs (A) Industrial area 75 70 70 70 (B) Commercial Area 65 55 70 70 (C) Residential Area 55 45 55 45 (D) Silence Zone* 50 40 None None
124. The noise levels at all location is below the CPCB standard except at Sabalpur during the day time because of the heavy vehicular movement from the nearby brick kiln, loaded sand carrying truck, movement of public vehicles and traffic congestion due to Mahatma Gandhi bridge that partially collapsed ongoing repair and maintenance work. Compared to World Bank EHS guidelines, noise levels are all within the limit for commercial zone.
9. Water Resources and Water Quality
125. Per WB-EHS guidelines on waste water and ambient water, waste water discharges should not result in contaminant concentrations to exceed ambient water quality criteria. For cases where there are no local ambient water quality criteria it recommends reference to other criteria such as the US EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
126. Surface Water Resources: The project area is lying on the Ganga river basin. The Ganga river is the main surface water body in the project area. The river is joined by four other rivers: Ghaghara, Gandak, Punpun and Sone. The proposed bridge alignment crosses the south channel of Ganga and passes over Rustampur, Himmatpur diara, Jamalpur, Jafrabad dih, Saifabad, Karampur villages on Raghopur diara and again crosses the north channel of river Ganga. Two small channels are spanned across the diara at ch. Km 2/740 & Km 5/725. The proposed approach road on the northern side connecting to NH103 will cross one stream. Water 74 from the Ganga river is used mainly for agricultural activities. The water level of the river varies between 45m and 50m (HFL) above msl between the dry winter season and monsoon season.
127. Ground Water Resources: The groundwater resources of the state is broadly divided into two hydrological units: i) fissured formations, and ii) porous formations. Ground water is widely used by the communities in the project area. It is the main source of water for household use including drinking and water is mainly drawn through hand pumps. Therefore, availability of ground water is very important for the local communities in the project area. The pre-monsoon water levels were found to be generally in the range of 3m – 9m bgl (below ground level) and post-monsoon water levels mostly in the range of 1m – 3m bgl in the project area of Patna and Vaishali districts. There are also few wells and small ponds in the project area.
128. Due to the presence of the Ganga river and abundant ground water resources overall there are no problems of water shortage for communities in the project area.
129. Water Quality: Based on the review of the historic data (2003-2004 to 2005-2006) obtained from the Pollution Control Board, it is found that parameters like pH, DO and BOD are within the acceptable limits whereas, coliform counts exceed prescribed limits even for bathing purposes. The Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Bihar has also reported that nine northeastern districts viz; Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Araria, Saharsa, Supaul, Khagaria& Begusarai are affected by excessive iron while some of the districts namely Gaya, Nawada, Jamui & Munger are affected by excessive fluoride. The eleven districts bordering Ganga (including Patna and Vaishali) are affected by excess arsenic content in drinking water sources. Excess nitrate in few habitations has also been noticed.
130. To establish the baseline water quality data, seasonal water quality data has been generated. Sampling of water quality was done at four locations (see Annex 20a), two for surface water and two for ground water. In total, eight samples (four at each source) have been collected for surface water and four samples (two from each source) were collected for ground water quality testing. Samples were collected in January and February 2015 (for dry/winter season) and in July and August 2015 (for wet season data). The results of the sample tests are presented in Table 47 to Table 52 for surface water and ground water quality, respectively. It can be seen from the results that both the surface and ground water quality meets the standards of IS:10500 standards for drinking water and CPCB standards for ground water, except for the presence of fecal coliform and total coliform in the surface water samples. The source of the coliform is open defecation by the local people along river edges. Updated sampling locations were indicated in Annex 20b.
75
Table 47: Surface Water Quality in the Project Area (dry/winter season) Sample No. 1 Sample No. 2 CPCB standard Ganga River Ganga River (Patna site near Sabalpur for drinking (Vaishali site near Madhurpur) Sl. Parameter Unit water 3/1/2015 25/1/2015 21/2/2015 29/1/2015 25/1/2015 21/2/2015 29/1/2015 22/2/2015 No. (desirable limit/ (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) Down permissible limit) Up Up Down Down Up Up Down stream stream stream stream stream stream stream stream 1 Temperature C 18.0 17.8 17.4 17.2 17.4 17.6 17.4 17.9 6.5 8.5/no 2 pH value - – 7.12 7.26 7.77 7.65 7.14 7.16 7.26 7.12 relaxation 3 Conductivity µS/cm 515.41 523.26 519.26 511.33 512.57 513.26 507.82 510.10 Total dissolve solid 500/2000 4 mg/l 335.02 340.12 337.52 332.37 333.17 333.62 330.09 331.57 (TDS) 5 Dissolve Oxygen mg/l 6.8 7.2 7.6 7.8 7.8 7.6 7.5 7.8 6 Turbidity NTU 5/10 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 Under Under Under Under Under Under Under Under 7 Salinity ppt Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale 8 Alkalinity mg/l 171 175 164 168 168 164 160 162 9 Calcium as (CaCO3) mg/l 75/200 140 138 147 138 140 142 139 140 Magnesium As 10 mg/l 70 65 74 65 63 66 62 59 (CaCO3) Total hardness as 600/600 11 mg/l 210 203 221 203 203 208 203 199 (CaCO3) 12 Chloride as (Cl) mg/l 250/1000 35 37 38 36 36 38 35 37 13 Iron (as Fe) mg/l 0.3/1.0 0.15 0.16 0.23 0.22 <0.52 <0.55 <0.54 <0.52 14 Manganese (as Mn) mg/l 0.1/0.3 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 15 Arsenic (as As) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 16 Fluoride (as F) mg/l 1.0/1.5 0.42 0.44 0.50 0.55 0.49 0.48 0.50 0.47 17 Total ammonia mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 18 Nitrite (as NO2) mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 19 Nitrate (as NO3) mg/l 45/100 2.81 2.82 2.92 2.86 2.86 2.90 3 3.01 20 Phosphate (as P) mg/l <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 21 Sulphate (as SO4) mg/l 200/400 29.64 30.16 33.04 32.42 31.48 32.42 38.10 37.0 22 Sulphide (As H2S) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 23 Mercury (as Hg) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 76
Sample No. 1 Sample No. 2 CPCB standard Ganga River Ganga River (Patna site near Sabalpur for drinking (Vaishali site near Madhurpur) Sl. Parameter Unit water 3/1/2015 25/1/2015 21/2/2015 29/1/2015 25/1/2015 21/2/2015 29/1/2015 22/2/2015 No. (desirable limit/ (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) Down permissible limit) Up Up Down Down Up Up Down stream stream stream stream stream stream stream stream 24 Lead (as Pb) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 25 Total Chromium mg/l 0.05/1.0 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 26 Cadmium (As Cd) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 27 Zinc mg/l 0.28 0.26 0.37 0.32 0.25 0.24 0.40 0.35 28 BOD mg/l 2.00 2.2 3.5 3.0 3.81 3.75 3.89 3.54 29 COD mg/l 14.0 13.8 16.0 14.8 16.0 15.8 15.4 16.0 Total Organic 30 mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL Carbon (TOC) Total Oxygen 31 mg/l 580.0 590 610 590 612 610 545 548 Demand(TOD) 32 Fecal Coliform MPN/100ml 5667 5658 5644 5655 4580 4565 4460 4466 33 Total Coliform MPN/100ml 10ml 18778 18764 18656 18654 16890 16858 16670 16623 34 Sodium mg/l 10.3 10.7 10 9.5 10.3 9.8 10.0 9.4 35 Potassium mg/l 2.7 3 2 2.3 3.0 3.3 2.4 2.8 Source: Samples collected and anaysed as part of EIA study.
Table 48: Surface Water Quality in the Project Area (wet season) Sample No. 1 Sample No. 2 Ganga River CPCB standard Ganga River (Patna site near Sabalpur) (Vaishali site near Madhurpur) for drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 (desirable limit/ No. (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) permissible limit) (SW) Down Up Up Down Down Up Up Down stream stream stream stream stream stream stream stream 1 Temperature C 24.5 25.1 24.8 25.6 24.4 25.1 24.8 24.4 6.5 8.5/no 2 pH value - – 7.10 7.24 7.23 7.28 7.10 7.05 7.12 7.06 relaxation 3 Conductivity µS/cm 556.40 525.28 552.10 524.30 480.45 488.76 484.21 490.20 4 Total dissolve solid(TDS) mg/l 500/2000 350.11 330.12 350.76 335.87 305.28 307.11 306.24 307.37 5 Dissolve Oxygen mg/l 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.8 7.9 7.8 7.6 7.9 77
Sample No. 1 Sample No. 2 Ganga River CPCB standard Ganga River (Patna site near Sabalpur) (Vaishali site near Madhurpur) for drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit (desirable limit/ 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 No. (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) permissible limit) (SW) Down Up Up Down Down Up Up Down stream stream stream stream stream stream stream stream 6 Turbidity NTU 5/10 20 18 15 14 12 14 10 12 Under Under Under Under Under Under Under Under 7 Salinity ppt Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale Scale 8 Alkalinity mg/l 170 182 168 180 160 168 164 171 9 Calcium as (CaCO3) mg/l 75/200 132 134 140 132 128 138 136 125 10 Magnesium As (CaCO3) mg/l 62 64 63 65 58 61 60 58 11 Total hardness as (CaCO3) mg/l 600/600 194 198 203 197 186 199 196 183 12 Chloride as (Cl) mg/l 250/1000 38 41 40 39 25.70 26.80 28.10 28.90 13 Iron (as Fe) mg/l 0.3/1.0 0.17 0.18 0.24 0.26 0.55 0.56 0.52 0.53 14 Manganese (as Mn) mg/l 0.1/0.3 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 15 Arsenic (as As) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 16 Fluoride (as F) mg/l 1.0/1.5 0.44 0.45 0.56 0.58 0.50 0.52 0.54 0.58 17 Total ammonia mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 18 Nitrite (as NO2) mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 19 Nitrate (as NO3) mg/l 45/100 2.50 2.62 2.72 2.81 2.88 3.10 3.15 3.19 20 Phosphate (as P) mg/l <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 21 Sulphate (as SO4) mg/l 200/400 34.50 36.7 38.04 35.54 32.76 34.10 39.20 38.30 22 Sulphide (As H2S) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 23 Mercury (as Hg) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 24 Lead (as Pb) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 25 Total Chromium mg/l 0.05/1.0 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 26 Cadmium (As Cd) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 27 Zinc mg/l 0.30 0.28 0.39 0.35 0.21 0.26 0.28 0.34 28 BOD mg/l 3.00 4.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 5.00 4.80 4.50 29 COD mg/l 12.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 18.0 16.0 15.0 14.0 Total Organic Carbon 30 mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL (TOC) Total Oxygen 31 mg/l 556 584 600 614 615.0 618.0 555.10 540.0 Demand(TOD) 78
Sample No. 1 Sample No. 2 Ganga River CPCB standard Ganga River (Patna site near Sabalpur) (Vaishali site near Madhurpur) for drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit (desirable limit/ 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 No. (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) (SW) permissible limit) (SW) Down Up Up Down Down Up Up Down stream stream stream stream stream stream stream stream 32 Fecal Coliform MPN/100ml 4250 3457 5421 4292 3210 2894 3570 3426 33 Total Coliform MPN/100ml 10ml 12224 15575 12788 15788 9850 8870 10250 11424 34 Sodium mg/l 10.5 10.8 11.20 9.8 12.8 10.7 12.8 10.6 35 Potassium mg/l 2.10 3.40 2.80 2.50 3.2 3.5 3.4 3.3 Source: Samples collected and analyzed as part of EIA study.
Table 49: Results of Surface Water Quality (between December 2016 to March 2017) S1 (Nearby S2 (Ganga Specification EP Rules, Sr N. Parameter Test Method Samsan Ghat River, 1986 upstream) Downstream) 1 Color IS 3025 (Pt-04) - <5.0 <5.0 2 Odour IS 3025 (Pt-05) - Agreeable Agreeable 3 pH IS 3025 (Pt-11) 5.5 to 9.0 8.15 8.15 4 Temperature IS 3025 (Pt-09) <5 21.8 21.6 5 Suspended Solids IS 3025 (Pt-17) 100 10 12 6 Particle Size of Suspended Solids ELPL/III/SOP/57 Shall Pass 850µ IS Sieve <1.0 <1.0 7 Oil & Greases IS 3025 (Pt-39) 10 <2.0 <2.0 8 Total Residual Chlorine IS 3025 (Pt-26) 1 <0.05 <0.05 9 Ammonical Nitrogen (as N) IS 3025 (Pt-34) 50 <1.0 <1.0 10 Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen ( as NO3) IS 3025 (Pt-34) 100 <0.2 <0.2 11 Free Ammonia (as NH3) IS 3025 (Pt-34) 5 <0.1 <0.1 12 Biochemical Oxygen Demand IS 3025 (Pt-44) 30 4 <1.0 13 Chemical Oxygen Demand IS 3025 (Pt-58) 250 20 8 14 Hexavalent Chromium (as Cr+6) IS 3025 (Pt-52) 0.1 <0.01 <0.01 15 Fluoride as F APHA 22ND Ed 4500F 2 0.39 0.4 16 Nitrate Nitrogen IS 3025 (Pt-34) 10 <1.0 1.2 17 Dissolve Phosphate (as P) IS 3025 (Pt-31) 5 <0.05 <0.05 18 Phenolic Compounds (as C6H5OH) IS 3025 (Pt-43) 1 <0.01 <0.01 19 Sulphide (as H2S) IS 3025 (Pt-29) 2 <0.02 <0.02 20 Cyanide (as CN) IS 3025 (Pt-27) 0.2 <0.02 <0.02 21 Copper (as Cu) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 3 <0.02 <0.02 79
S1 (Nearby S2 (Ganga Specification EP Rules, Sr N. Parameter Test Method Samsan Ghat River, 1986 upstream) Downstream) 22 Iron (as Fe) IS 3025 (Pt-53) 3 <0.05 0.2 23 Manganese (as Mn) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 2 <0.05 <0.05 24 Selenium (as Se) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 0.05 <0.01 <0.01 25 Zinc (as Zn) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 5 <0.05 <0.05 26 Cadmium (as Cd) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 2 <0.001 <0.001 27 Lead (as Pb) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 0.1 <0.005 <0.005 28 Mercury (as Hg) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 0.01 <0.001 <0.001 29 Nickel (as Ni) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 3 <0.01 <0.01 30 Total Arsenic (as As) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 0.2 <0.01 <0.01 31 Total Chromium (as Cr) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 2 <0.03 <0.03 32 Vanadium (as V) APHA 22ND Ed.3120B 0.2 <0.01 <0.01
Table 50: Ground Water Quality in the Project area (dry/winter season) Sample No. 3 Sample No. 4 CPCB standard for Majlispur Saifabad (Diara Area) drinking water Parameter Unit Sl. No. (desirable limit/ 12/1/2015 19/1/2015 19/1/2015 20/2/2015 permissible limit) (GW) (GW) (GW) (GW) Dug well Hand pump Hand pump Bore well 1 Temperature C 17.8 17.0 17.4 18.1 2 pH value - 6.5 – 8.5/no relaxation 7.80 8.04 7.97 7.85 3 Conductivity µS/cm 555.86 562.16 553.02 565.09 4 Total dissolve solid(TDS) mg/l 500/2000 361.31 365.40 359.46 367.31 5 Dissolve Oxygen mg/l 3.2 3.0 3.0 3.1 6 Turbidity NTU 5/10 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 Under Under 7 Salinity ppt Under Scale Under Scale Scale Scale 8 Alkalinity mg/l 190 196 191 198 9 Calcium as (CaCO3) mg/l 75/200 182 188 186 189 10 Magnesium As (CaCO3) mg/l 36 28 38 40 11 Total hardness as (CaCO3) mg/l 600/600 218 216 224 229 12 Chloride as (Cl) mg/l 250/1000 27.65 29 23.40 24 13 Iron (as Fe) mg/l 0.3/1.0 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 14 Manganese (as Mn) mg/l 0.1/0.3 BDL BDL BDL BDL 15 Arsenic (as As) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL 80
Sample No. 3 Sample No. 4 CPCB standard for Majlispur Saifabad (Diara Area) drinking water Parameter Unit 12/1/2015 19/1/2015 19/1/2015 20/2/2015 Sl. No. (desirable limit/ permissible limit) (GW) (GW) (GW) (GW) Dug well Hand pump Hand pump Bore well 16 Fluoride (as F) mg/l 1.0/1.5 0.36 0.32 0.37 0.34 17 Total ammonia mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 18 Nitrite (as NO2) mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <1.0 <1.0 19 Nitrate (as NO3) mg/l 45/100 3.05 2.74 3.08 2.97 20 Phosphate (as P) mg/l <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 21 Sulphate (as SO4) mg/l 200/400 31.84 29.42 31.48 29.41 22 Sulphide (As H2S) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 23 Mercury (as Hg) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 24 Lead (as Pb) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL 25 Total Chromium mg/l 0.05/1.0 BDL BDL BDL BDL 26 Cadmium (As Cd) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 27 Zinc mg/l 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.19 28 BOD mg/l <2.00 <2.00 <2.00 <2.00 29 COD mg/l 14 12.0 10.0 13 30 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 31 Total Oxygen Demand(TOD) mg/l 492.0 521.0 610.0 561.0 32 Fecal Coliform MPN/100ml Absent Absent Absent Absent 33 Total Coliform MPN/100ml 10ml Absent Absent Absent Absent 34 Sodium mg/l 14.6 14 13.8 14.2 35 Potassium mg/l 3 3.3 3.4 3.5 Source: Samples collected and anaysed as part of EIA study
Table 51: Ground Water Quality in the Project area (wet season) Sample No. 3 Sample No. 4 CPCB standard for Majlispur Saifabad (Diara Area) drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit (desirable limit/ 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 No. (GW) Hand permissible limit) (GW) Dug well (GW) Hand pump (GW) Bore well pump 1 Temperature C 20.8 22.10 22.5 22.8 2 pH value - 6.5 – 8.5/no relaxation 7.90 8.11 7.81 7.44 3 Conductivity µS/cm 655.31 662.10 664.12 670.24 81
Sample No. 3 Sample No. 4 CPCB standard for Majlispur Saifabad (Diara Area) drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 (desirable limit/ No. (GW) Hand permissible limit) (GW) Dug well (GW) Hand pump (GW) Bore well pump 4 Total dissolve solid(TDS) mg/l 500/2000 410.56 415.81 418.1 418.21 5 Dissolve Oxygen mg/l 3.4 3.5 3.2 3.5 6 Turbidity NTU 5/10 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 Under Under 7 Salinity ppt Under Scale Under Scale Scale Scale 8 Alkalinity mg/l 205 198 196 201 9 Calcium as (CaCO3) mg/l 75/200 175 178 180 176 10 Magnesium As (CaCO3) mg/l 38 41 34 36 11 Total hardness as (CaCO3) mg/l 600/600 213 219 214 212 12 Chloride as (Cl) mg/l 250/1000 44.10 42.60 35.40 38.10 13 Iron (as Fe) mg/l 0.3/1.0 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 14 Manganese (as Mn) mg/l 0.1/0.3 BDL BDL BDL BDL 15 Arsenic (as As) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL 16 Fluoride (as F) mg/l 1.0/1.5 0.38 0.34 0.35 0.32 17 Total ammonia mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 18 Nitrite (as NO2) mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 19 Nitrate (as NO3) mg/l 45/100 3.10 2.78 3.58 3.20 20 Phosphate (as P) mg/l <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 21 Sulphate (as SO4) mg/l 200/400 42.37 44.45 32.46 32.51 22 Sulphide (As H2S) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 23 Mercury (as Hg) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 24 Lead (as Pb) mg/l 0.05/no relaxation BDL BDL BDL BDL 25 Total Chromium mg/l 0.05/1.0 BDL BDL BDL BDL 26 Cadmium (As Cd) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 27 Zinc mg/l 0.20 0.16 0.16 0.20 28 BOD mg/l <2.00 <2.00 <2.00 <2.00 29 COD mg/l 12.0 12.0 6.0 8.0 30 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL 31 Total Oxygen Demand(TOD) mg/l 482.0 524.0 612.0 565.0 32 Fecal Coliform MPN/100ml Absent Absent Absent Absent 33 Total Coliform MPN/100ml 10ml Absent Absent Absent Absent 82
Sample No. 3 Sample No. 4 CPCB standard for Majlispur Saifabad (Diara Area) drinking water Sl. Parameter Unit 24/7/2015 16/8/2015 25/7/2015 17/8/2015 (desirable limit/ No. (GW) Hand permissible limit) (GW) Dug well (GW) Hand pump (GW) Bore well pump 34 Sodium mg/l 15.2 16.30 13.9 15.1 35 Potassium mg/l 3.10 3.40 3.6 3.8 Source: Samples collected and anaysed as part of EIA study
Table 52: Results of Ground Water Quality (between December 2016 to March 2017) Permissible Requirement Limit in the S. W1 (Zero point W3 W4 Parameter Test Method (Acceptable absence of W2 (Shabalpur) N. near Dildarganj) (Mathurapur) (Sharmastpur) Limit) Alternate Source 1 Color IS 3025 (Pt-04) 5 15 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 2 Odour IS 3025 (Pt-05) Unobjectionable Unobjectionable Unobjectionable Unobjectionable Unobjectionable Unobjectionable 3 pH IS 3025 (Pt-11) 6.5-8.5 No relaxation 7.31 7.72 7.08 7.27 4 Taste IS 3025 (Pt-08) Agreeable Agreeable Agreeable Agreeable Agreeable Agreeable 5 Turbidity IS 3025 (Pt-10) 1 5 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 Total Dissolved 6 IS 3025 (Pt-16) 500 2000 620 305 560 360 Solids Ammonia (as 7 total ammonia- IS 3025 (Pt-34) 0.5 No relaxation <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 N) Anionic Annex K of IS 8 Detergents (as 0.2 1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 13428 MBAS) 9 Calcium as Ca IS 3025 (Pt-40) 75 200 86 58 122 85 Chloramines 10 IS 3025 (Pt-26) 4 No relaxation <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 (as Cl2) 11 Chloride as Cl IS 3025 (Pt-32) 250 1000 28 8 40 8 APHA 22ND Ed 12 Fluoride as F 1 1.5 0.83 0.6 0.76 0.81 4500F 83
Permissible Requirement Limit in the S. W1 (Zero point W3 W4 Parameter Test Method (Acceptable absence of W2 (Shabalpur) N. near Dildarganj) (Mathurapur) (Sharmastpur) Limit) Alternate Source Free Residual 13 IS 3025 (Pt-26) 0.2* 1* <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Chlorine
14 Nitrate as NO3 IS 3025 (Pt-34) 45 No relaxation 12.6 <1.0 7.8 <1.0 Phenolic 15 Compounds IS 3025 (Pt-43) 0.001 0.002 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 (as C6H5OH) Sulphate as 16 IS 3025 (Pt-24) 200 400 98.5 6.3 77 4.1 SO4 Sulphide (as 17 IS 3025 (Pt-29) 0.05 No relaxation <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 H2S) Total Alkalinity 18 IS 3025 (Pt-23) 200 600 344 268 408 312 as CaCO3 Total Hardness 19 IS 3025 (Pt-21) 200 600 304 194 384 308 as CaCO3 Cyanide (as 20 IS 3025 (Pt-27) 0.05 No relaxation <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 CN) Aluminum (as APHA 22ND 21 0.03 0.2 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Al) Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 22 Barium (as Ba) 0.7 No relaxation <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 23 Boron (as B) 0.5 1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 24 Copper (as Cu) 0.05 1.5 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 Ed.3120B 25 Iron as Fe IS 3025 (Pt-53) 1 No relaxation <0.05 0.69 <0.05 0.26 Magnesium as APHA 22ND 26 30 100 21 11 19 23 Mg Ed.3500 mg B Manganese as APHA 22ND 27 0.1 0.3 <0.05 <0.05 0.146 0.155 Mn Ed.3120B 84
Permissible Requirement Limit in the S. W1 (Zero point W3 W4 Parameter Test Method (Acceptable absence of W2 (Shabalpur) N. near Dildarganj) (Mathurapur) (Sharmastpur) Limit) Alternate Source Selenium (as APHA 22ND 28 0.01 No relaxation <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Se) Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 29 Silver (as Ag) 0.1 No relaxation <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 30 Zinc (as Zn) 5 15 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Ed.3120B Cadmium (as APHA 22ND 31 0.003 No relaxation <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Cd) Ed.3120B APHA 22ND 32 Lead (as Pb) 0.01 No relaxation <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Ed.3120B Mercury (as APHA 22ND 33 0.001 No relaxation <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Hg) Ed.3120B Molybdenum APHA 22ND 34 0.07 No relaxation <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 (as MO) Ed.3120B
85
B. Ecological Environment
1. Scope and Methodology for Ecological Study
131. To assess the ecological and biological baseline of the project region as whole and within project’s corridor of influence, a detailed ecological assessment has been carried out as part of this EIA study. The assessment includes both flora and fauna for terrestrial as well as aquatic ecology. The details are presented in subsequent sections.
The coverage of the ecological study for the project included a core zone comprising the immediate project area covering the bridge location, approach road locations, Raghopur diara below the bridge location and a 10 km radius project influence area surrounding the immediate project area including 10 km upstream and 10 km downstream of the bridge location. Figure 45 shows the area covered for the ecological study with delineation of areas where primary and secondary data were collected. Field surveys were carried out by a team of experts from forestry, wildlife, and fisheries fields.
132. Primary data collection was carried out in the immediate project area from January to March 2015 representing the dry season from 4 to 7 February 2015 and wet season from late July to early September 201511. Data collection methods involved: i) geospatial survey through use of GPS; ii) 22 transect walks for vegetation and wildlife inventory was conducted over the dry season (4 – 7 February 2015) and wet season (August and September 2015); iii) household survey through use of structured questionnaire for the ethno botanical study; iv) focus group discussions (FGDs) with the local communities; and v) key person interviews with knowledgeable people from the local communities, community leaders, and PRI members. A total of 13 FGDs and over 24 one-on-one consultations with key person interviews were carried out for purposes of ecological data collection. Details of transect walks conducted and information collected is provided in Annex 14.
133. Secondary data was collected for information in both the immediate project area as well as the surrounding influence area of 10 km. This entailed review of literature and having discussions with key experts from local agencies such as the Forestry Department, Fishery Department, Patna University, Zoological Survey of India; NGO’s active in conservation of wildlife such as WWF, Dolphin Foundation, Center for Environment Education (CEE). There is a substantial amount of literature on the endangered Gangetic dolphin and the Ganga river and its watershed. There are also several agencies implementing various kinds of conservation projects for the Gangetic Dolphin and cleaning of the Ganga river. Some of the documents that were referred to for seeking ecological information for this study are: i. Floral and Faunal Diversity in the Lower Ganga published by the Indian Institute of Technology in 2012; ii. The Conservation Action Plan for The Gangatic dolphin (2010-2020) by National Ganga River Basin Authority, MoEFCC, Government of India (http://www.iucn- csg.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dolphincap_27092010_editss1.pdf); iii. The Gangetic Dolphin and Action Plan for its Conservation in Bihar (2013) prepared by Dr. R.K. Sinha for Department of Environment & Forest, Government of Bihar (http://forest.bih.nic.in/Magazines/DCAP-Bihar.pdf); iv. Protection of Endangered Ganges River Dolphin in Brahmaputra River, Assam, India (2009) prepared by Dr. Abdul Wakid, Programme Leader, Gangatic Dolphin Research and Conservation Programme for IUCN; and
11 29 July, 1 August, 4 August, 28 – 29 August, 6 – 7 September, 2015 86
v. Smith, B.D. & Braulik, G.T. 2012. Platanista gangetica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2.
Figure 45: Coverage of Ecological Study 88
2. Forests and Vegetation
134. Forest Cover: With a geographical area of 94,163 sq.km, Bihar is in eastern part of India bordering Nepal and it forms part of Gangetic plains drained by two major rivers, the Ganges and the Gandhak. The forest cover in the state is 7,291sq.km which is about 7.74 percent of the state’s geographical area. In terms of forest canopy density classes, the state has 231 sq.km of very dense forest, 3,280 sq.km of moderately dense forest, and 3,334 sq.km of open forest.
135. The forest cover distribution of state is shown in Figure 46 and forest cover map is shown in Figure 47. Forest cover in different canopy density classes in the project districts are given in Table 53. It can be seen from the table that Patna district has 3,202 sq.km. of geographical area comprising 21 sq.km of moderately dense forest, 4 sq.km open forest and absence of very dense forest. Thus, the forest cover of Patna district is 0.50% of total geographic area. In case of Vaihsali district, it comprises 79 sq. km of moderately dense forest, 13 sq.km open forest and it also does not have very dense forest.
Table 53: Forest Cover of Bihar and Project Districts Forest Category (Sq.km) Project Mod. District Geographic Very Dense Open Dense Total al Area Forest Forest Forest Patna 3202 0 21 4 25 Vaishali 2036 0 79 13 92 Bihar State 94163 247 3380 3666 7291 Source: India State of Forest Report 2013 by Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradoon.
Figure 46: Forest Cover Distribution of Bihar
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Figure 47: Forest Cover Map of Bihar and Project Area
136. Forest Classification: Of the total forest area in Bihar state, Reserved Forests constitute 10.70%, Protected Forests 89.28% and Unclassed Forests 0.02% of the total forest area. There are no Reserved, Protected or Unclassified forests in the project area. Table 54 show the recorded forests of the state.
Table 54: Forest Classification in Bihar Forest Category Area Reserved Forest 693 sq.km Protected Forest 5779 sq.km Unclassed Forest 1 sq.km Total 6473 sq.km Of State’s Geographical Area 6.87 % Of India’s Forest Area 0.84 %
137. Land use and habitat type. Majority of the land use in the project area of influence is water bodies and agricultural land. The project area of influence comprises riparian habitat (transition zone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem). The proposed project area of influence comprises riparian habitat and terrestrial habitat. Given that the project area on either side of the bridge along the approach roads and in the diara is dominated by agriculture and horticulture, the habitat type is mostly “modified habitat” in accordance with the ADB SPS. However, the Ganga river, its edges and the western floodplains of Raghopur diara form “natural habitat as it supports many native species of flora and fauna. Further discussions on habitat classification based on fauna is provided in para 128. 90
138. Shrubs and grasses. The main type of vegetation in the project area are aquatic species and shrubs and bushes growing at the edge of agricultural areas. Vegetation surveys conducted in the project influence area revealed the presence of scattered grasses (mainly weeds), rooted hydrophytes, emerging hydrophytes and shrubs. Weeds commonly found in the project area are Congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus), Lantana (Lantana camara), Eupatorium triplinerve, Solanum xanthocarpum and Datura (Dathura stramonium). Better survival of these species is attributed to higher seed production and faster growing rates in comparison to other weeds. Grass species common in the project influence area are Cynodon dactylon, Achyranthes aspera, Saccharum arundinaceum, Vetiveria zizanioides, Ludwigia parviflora, and Rungia repens. These species are mainly found growing above the water level in undisturbed areas. Rooted hydrophytes are found along the banks of the river where water level is less than a foot and the water recedes after the monsoon season. Commonly reported hydrophytes include Ipomoea carnea, Ageratum conyzoides, Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna perpusilla, Spirodela polyrhiza and Ipomoea aquatica.
139. Trees. Beyond the riparian habitat lies mainly manmade ecosystems. There are some trees near residential and agricultural areas. Most of them have been planted for purposes of landscaping with a few that are naturally occurring. They include fruit, flower and seed bearing species which attract avifauna, small mammals and reptiles. The list of tree species that were recorded in the project influence area during field surveys are provided in Table 55.
Table 55: List of Trees in the Project Influence Area and Its Status Sl. Common Local Scientific Name IUCN GOI CITES No. Name Availability 1 Peepal Ficus religiosa NA - - R 2 Bargad Ficus benghalensis NA - - R 3 Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo NA - - C 4 Jamun Syzygium cumini NA - - C 5 Neem Azadirachta indica NA - - C 6 Sal Shorea robusta LC - - C 7 Salai Boswellia serrate NA - - C 8 Bahera Terminalia arjuna NA - - C 9 Mango Mangifera indica Data Deficient - - A 10 Golden Crassia fistula NA - - C shower 11 Bakain Melia azadirachta NA - - C 12 Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus NA - - C 13 Kadamb Anthocephalus cadamba NA - - A 14 Bail Aegle marmelos NA - - C 15 Siris Albizia procera NA - - C 16 Devil Tree Alstonia scholaris LC - - R 17 Royal Palm Roystonea regia NA - - C 18 Amla Phyllanthus emblica NA - - C 19 Coconut Coco nucifera NA - - C 20 Umar Ficus racemosa NA - - R 21 Gular Ficus glomerata NA - - R 22 Palash Butea monosperma NA - - R 23 Gulmohar Delonix regia LC - - C 24 Kala siris Albizia lebbeck NA - - R 25 Semal Bombax ceiba NA - - R 26 Bair Zizyphus jujuba NA - - C 27 Palm Arecaceae NA - A I & II A 91
Sl. Common Local Scientific Name IUCN GOI CITES No. Name Availability 28 Khajoor Phoenix dactylifera NA - - C 29 Babul Acacia nilotica NA - - C 30 Jalebi Pithecellobium dulce NA - - C 31 Arjan Terminalia arjuna NA - - C • IUCN: T = Threatened, R = Rare, V = Vulnerable, LC = Least Concern, NA= Not Assessed • GoI: (Government of India, THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972): Schedule VI = specified plants: Willfully pick, uproot, damage destroy, acquire or collect any specified plant from any forest land and area specified • CITES: A I & II = Appendix I & II =species that are not threatened but may become so unless trade is closely controlled • Local Availability: (Observation by vegetation survey team): A = abundant, C = common, R = rare.
3. Wildlife and Protected Area
140. Protected Area Network: The protected area network of Bihar consists of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. There is one national park and twelve wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of 0.32 million hectares, which constitutes 3.38% of the total geographical area of the state. The lone tiger reserve of the state, i.e. Valmiki Tiger Reserve, covers an area of 84,000 hectares. Kabar, situated in Begusarai district with an area of 6,738 hectares, is a wetland of national importance. Details of these protected areas are given in Table 56 and Figure 48 show the protected area map of the Bihar.
141. As evident in Figure 48, none of the protected areas are located within 10 km of the project bridge location. The nearest protected area is Barela S.A.Z.W (Salim Ali Zubba Saheni) Wildlife Sanctuary in northern part of Vaishali districts which is more than 50 km away from the project site. Of the 13 protected areas, the Vikramashila, Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is the only dolphin sanctuary in India. The project influence area is located over 100km upstream from this dolphin sanctuary.
Table 56: Protected Area Network in the State of Bihar Sl. Protected Area Location (District) Area in sq.km A. National Parks (NP) 1 Valmiki National Park West Champaran 335.65 B. Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) 2 Barela S.A.Z.S. WLS Vaishali 1.96 3 Bhimbandh WLS Munger 681.99 4 Gautam Budh WLS Gaya 138.34 5 Kanwarjheel WLS Begusarai 63.11 6. Kaimur WLS Rohtas 1342.00 7. Kusheshwar Sthan WLS Darbhanga 29.17 8. Nagi Dam WLS Jamui 1.92 9. Nakti Dam WLS Jamui 3.33 10. Pant (Rajgir) WLS Nalada 35.84 11. Udaypur WLS West Champaran 8.87 12. Valmiki WLS West Champaran 454.15 13. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin WLS Bhagalpur 50.0 Total Area of Wildlife Sanctuaries xxx Source: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun 92
Figure 48: Protected Area Map of Bihar and Project Area (Source: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun) 93
142. Habitat types: The dominant type of habitat in the project area is “modified habitat” in the area of the approach roads. However, the area inside the Ganga river as shown in Figure 4.14 serves as natural habitat for the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) which is listed as “endangered” under the IUCN red list, under schedule I of the Wildlife Conservation Act of India and also listed under CITES Annex 1. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered species has also been reported to use the river in the project influence area as a migratory route. However, according to local wildlife experts, Professor R.K Sinha of Patna University and Dr. Gopal Sharma of Zoological Survey of India, Patna, it is mainly the confluence of the Gandak river located about 14km upstream of the project bridge site which is the main habitat for the gharial. The Raghopur diara serves as natural habitat for the Ganges soft shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica( which is listed as “vulnerable” under IUCN and is also listed schedule I of the Wildlife Conservation Act of India. In addition, the diara serves as habitat to a number of migratory bird species. However, none of the bird species are endangered. Further detailed discussions on the Gangetic dolphin, gharial and Ganges soft shell turtle is provided in para 138 to 179.
143. Mammals. Other than the Gangetic dolphin, smooth coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) have been reported to be seen occasionally in the project areas. The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is also reported to be seen on the river floodplain further downstream of the bridge location within the 10 km project influence area. Blue bulls (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and jackals (Canis aureus) are commonly found along the Ganga river near Patna. Local people also reported the presence of the Indian mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) and five-striped squirrel (F. p. chhattisgarhi). Other than these wild animals, domesticated mammals like goat, sheep, dog, cow, ox, donkey etc. are also present in the project influence area.
144. Reptiles. In addition to the Ganges soft shell turtle and gharial, Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) were commonly sighted along the vegetated portion of river bank. Hard- shell turtles or Indian roofed turtle (Kachuga tecta) were also reported in the upper Ganga and Gandhak river basins located about 14 km upstream from the project bridge location. Turtles inhabit deep rivers, streams, large canals, lakes and ponds, with a bed of mud or sand. It tends to prefer areas where water is turbid. Presence of these turtle species in the project influence area was confirmed by the state wildlife and zoological authorities as well as by Professor R.K. Sinha of Patna University. A number of water snakes such as Asiatic water snake (Xenochrophis piscator) were also sighted in the Ganga river. Rat snakes (Ptyas mucosus), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and Indian cobra (Naja naja) have also been reported to be seen in the project area. Many house geckos and garden lizards were also sighted during field surveys.
145. Avian Fauna: Avian fauna in and along the Ganga river are rich and highly diverse. Rare species recorded along the Ganga river in the project area are Caspian tern (Sterna caspia), Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga), Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Pied harrier (Circus melanoleucos), Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis), and Great White pelican (Pelicanus onecrotalus).Through field surveys, the following birds were sighted in the project influence area: common crow, myna, eagle, sparrow, babbler, pigeon, cattle egrets, Red vented bulbul, drongo, sparrow and Indian roller.
146. Table 57 lists the faunal species of the project influence area that are listed as endangered under IUCN and included in schedule I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act of India found in the project area.
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Table 57: Faunal Species in Project Influence Area Common name Scientific Name IUCN category Wildlife (CR, EN, VU) Conservation Act Schedule Mammals 1. Gangetic dolphin Platanista gangetica EN Schedule I 2. Smooth coated otters Lutrogale perspicillata VU Not listed 3. Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra NT Schedule I 4. Jackal Canis aureus LC Schedule II 5. Indian mongoose Herpestes edwardsii LC Not listed 6. Five-striped squirrel F. p. chhattisgarhi LC Not listed 7. Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus LC Schedule III Reptiles 8. Ganges softshell turtle Nilssonia gangetica VU Schedule I 9. Gharial Gavialis gangeticus CE Schedule I 10. Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis LC Schedule I 11. India roofed turtle Kachuga tecta LC Not listed 12. Asiatic water snake Xenochrophis piscator Not assessed Not listed 13. Oriental rat snake Ptyas mucosus Not assesed Not listed 14. Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus Not assesed Not listed 15. India cobra Naja naja Not assesed Schedule II Avian fauna 16. Caspian tern Sterna caspia LC Not listed 17. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT Not listed 18. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus LC Not listed 19. Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga VU Not listed 20. Brahminy kite Haliastur indus LC Not listed 21. Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna LC Not listed 22. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos LC Not listed 23. Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis LC Not listed 24. Great White Pelican Pelicanus onecrotalus LC Not listed Note: LC – Least Concern, NT – Near Threatened, EN – Endangered, VU – Vulnerable, CE – Critically Endangered
147. Fishes: The species of fishes found from study include, among others, rohu, catla, hilsa, Mystus sp, and Cirrhinus Sp. Species of fishes reported in the study area is given in Table 58.The species of fishes given in Table 58 are commonly reported in the fresh water bodies like river, streams, lakes, pond and estuaries. They are ubiquitous in distribution and are reported all over India and Indian Sub continents. These species of fishes are commonly used in aquaculture practice and had good commercial importance.
148. Ecologically, these species are primary and secondary consumer in the freshwater ecosystem mainly in rivers. They are primary food for secondary consumers like fresh water dolphins (Platanista gangetica), gharials, crocodiles, turtles, etc. They do not have fix breeding and nesting site and mainly spawn during monsoon season when the water is diluted, laden with silt and current of water is high to keep their spawn (egg) floating for hatching of eggs. Hence they breed all over river, streams and lakes during favorable conditions. Therefore, the species of fishes listed in Table 58 are not confined to the project site only and are found all along the Ganges river and its tributaries.
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Table 58: Fish Species in the River Section under Project Area S. Common Scientific Name Categories Category as per IUCN –Red No. Name List 1 Mrigal Cirrhinus mrigala Indian Not Included Majorcarp 2 Catla Catla catla Indian Major Not Included carp 3 Rohu Labeo rohita Indian Major Least Concern (as per Ver. 3.1) carp 4 Calbasu Labeo calbasu Indian Major Least Concern (as per Ver. 3.1) carp 5 Bata Labeo bata Indian Minor Least Concern (as per Ver. 3.1) Carp 6 Kalabans Labeo dero Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 7 Wallaga attu Not Included 8 Rita rita Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 9 Cyprinus carpio Other fishes Vulnerable A2ce (As per Ver 3.1) 10 Channa punctata Not included 11 Channa marulias Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 12 Tengara Mystus tengara Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 13 Ponthia Puntius sophore Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 14 Puntius ticto Not Included 15 Singhi Heyeropneustes fossilis Not Included 16 Palwa Mystus cavasius Least Concern ( as per Ver. 3.1) 17 Phasia Setipinna brevifilis Not Included (Source: Secondary Data)
149. Endangered/Vulnerable Species of Flora and Fauna: Data and anaylsis carried out in the paragraphs above show that there are mainly three important species in the project influence area. They are: i) the Gangetic dophin (Platanista gangetica), ii) Gharial (Gavialis gangetica) and iii) Ganges soft shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica). The first is listed as endangered under IUCN, the second as critically endangered and the third as vulnerable. All three species are listed under schedule I of the Wildlife Conservation Act of India. Further detailed discussions on these three species are presented in subsequent sections.
a. Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
150. Status and classification: The Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica)(Image 6 and 7), is one of the five freshwater dolphins of the world. Listed as endangered in IUCN red data list based on its diversity and scale of threats, this species is the sole living representative of its family (which represents an ancient lineage in the order Cetartio dactyla). This species is also listed under Schedule I12 of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, Appendix 113 under CITES and Appendix II under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). It was declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India by Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Man Mohan Singh, on 5 October, 2009.
12Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act of India are species with absolute protection with the highest level of penalties. 13Appendix I are species that are under threat of becoming extinct and therefore are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial. 96
Images 6 and 7: Gangatic Dolphin (Susu) - Platanista gangetica
Figure 49: Distribution Map of Gangatic Dolphin (Source: IUCN Red List)
151. Range and Discrete Management Unit: This species occurs in the Indus, Ganges- Brahmaputra-Megna, in India, Nepal and Bangladesh and also in Sangu-Karnaphuli river systems in Bangladesh (Figure 45).From the deltas upstream they are blocked by rocky barriers, shallow water, fast currents, dams, or barrages (low, gated diversion dams). The three river systems are disjunct and therefore so are their respective dolphin subpopulations, although there may be occasional demographic interaction between the latter two during the high-water season if the freshwater plumes of the two systems meet. There is further subpopulation separation within all three systems, some of it natural but much of it caused by physical barriers constructed within the last 100 years.
152. The three river systems can be considered as the larger discrete management units for the dolphin. The Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010 – β0β0 states that “…stretches in the rivers that contain healthy breeding dolphin populations with long term survivial potential designated as ‘critical stretches’ need to be identified. Such critical stretches could be considered as smaller discrete management units within the larger discrete management units. Field surveys conducted by Professor R.K Sinha and his team in Bihar in 2012 identified some 6 critical stretches: 1) Kosi confluence downstream to Kahalgaon; 2) Bariarpur upstream to Sultanganj;3) 30 km stretch from Munger to Mirzapur; 4) 24 km stretch from Sone confluence upstream to 97
Ghaghara confluence in and around Doriganj; and 5) 12km stretch from Buxar to Karmnasa confluence at Chausa. These critical stretches can be considered as smaller discrete management units inside the state of Bihar within the larger discrete management unit of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. The first three stretches are located on the far eastern side of the project bridge location beyond 100 km close to the Vikramsala Dolphin Sanctuary and the last two stretches are located also beyond 100 km on the far western side of the project bridge location. Therefore, it can be concluded that the project influence area does not fall inside any of the smaller discrete management units for the Gangetic dolphin.
153. General Habitat and Ecology: Ganges river dolphins are generally concentrated in counter-current pools below channel convergences and sharp meanders (Kasuya and Haque 1972, Smith 1993, Smith et al. 1998) and above and below mid-channel islands, bridge pilings, and other engineering structures that cause scouring (Smith, unpublished data). Their fidelity to counter-current pools is probably greatest in fast-flowing channels (Smith et al. 1998). Annual monsoon-driven floods cause great variability in the dolphins’’ access to large parts of their range. Isolation in seasonal lakes sometimes occurs (especially in the Brahmaputra basin), as does "escapement" from the river channels into artificial water bodies such as canals and reservoirs. Deltaic (brackish) waters are a major component of the total range, but Ganges River dolphins are not generally known to occur in salinities greater than 10 ppt, although they have been recorded in waters as saline as 23 ppt (Smith and Braulik, unpublished data). River dolphins are expected to be most vulnerable during the low-water season when habitat is limited and it is therefore important to determine which habitats are preferentially used at this time, so that conservation effort can be focused in these locations.
154. Habitat in the Project influence area. Within the project area, the dolphins are found near bathing ghats, cremation ghats and similar areas where they can feed on smaller fishes. Treveni Ghat in Fatuwa located on the south channel a few kilometers downstream and within the 10 km of the bridge location is the only ghat in the project influence area. The smaller fishes go to such areas to feed on food and other wastes and materials that are disposed by people coming to these areas. They are also seen at the confluence of Gandhak river located about 14 km upstream from the project area. Such confluences are preferred by the dolphins as they are able to get plenty of food from the fishes migrating upstream on one hand and save energy on the other as currents of the water carry them. Figure 46 shows the locations where dolphins were sighted during field surveys and indicated to be present by local Dolphin experts.
155. Population distribution. According to Dolphin experts Professor R.K Sinha of Patna University and Dr. Gopal Sharma of the Zoological Survey of India in Patna, there are approximately 3500 Gangetic dolphins distributed across Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Of this, almost half of the population is found in the rivers of Bihar state alone. They also stated the presence of approximately 25 to 40 dolphins in the project influence area. The Dolphin Conservation Action Plan (DCAP) prepared by Professor R.K Sinha which is based on field surveys carried out in 2012 recorded dolphin population densities in various sections of the river. The average of population density found along the river was 1.52 dolphins per linear km with the highest density of 2.22 dolphins/km in the Vikramasala Dolphin Sanctuary and the lowest density of 1.12 dolphins/km in the Mokama – Patna segment. The project influence area falls within the Patna end of the Mokama – Patna segment. Going by this estimate there are approximately 22.4 (1.12 x 20km) dolphins in the 20km project influence area considering 10km upstream and 10 km downstream of the bridge location. The physical dispersion and movement within the project area can be seen in Figure 47. 98
156. Based on the verbal feedback from the experts and this statistical estimate it is assumed that there are 22 to 40 dolphins in the project influence area. The higher estimate of 40 dolphins in the project influence area amounts to 1.14% of the total population of the Ganges dolphin.
157. Seasonal activities. Mating usually takes place during the first monsoon rains around May to July. Only a single baby is born after a gestation period of about 9 months. Accordingly, the birthing season is usually around January to March. At the time of birth, the neonate is about 70-90 cm and weighs about 4 kg – 7.5 kg. The mother and calf remain together for about one year. The male attains sexual maturity at an age of about 10 years when they reach a length of 1.7 meters while the females are known to attain sexual maturity at 10 or less years (Kasuya, 1972) when they are around 2m long (Harison, 1972). Various research on Dolphins indicated that the river habitat is conducive for dolphin breeding in spite of various biotic pressures.
158. While the exact distance of movement of the Dolphins is not known as no monitoring using radio collars have been conducted yet (due to technical difficulties), the DCAP prepared by Professor R.K Sinha, mentions dolphins to be seen travelling as far as 100 km into the Son river from the main Ganga river during the monsoon season. The marked seasonal changes in the dolphin distribution and density over much of its range are due, at least in large part, to fluctuations in water levels. During the dry season from October to April, many dolphins leave the tributaries of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems and congregate in the main channels, only to return to the tributaries the following monsoon. Dolphins were seen more than 100 kms upstream in the River Son in the flood season in the early 1990s, returning to the main stream of the Ganga after the floods abated in October. They may become isolated in pools and river branches during the dry season (Reeves and Brownell, 1989). Observations in Nepal show that they move in and out of tributaries of the Gandak, Kosi, and Karnali systems during high water seasons, probably spending low water seasons in deep pools of the tributaries. In the main rivers, a decrease in abundance during the summer would confirm a seasonal pattern of migration (Shreshtha, 1989). In the Indus, about 40%- 45% of the dolphin population is found at junctions of tributaries with the main river stream, at least during the dry season, presumably being attracted to these areas by concentrations of prey (Reeves and Brownell, 1989).
159. Importance of the species and key threats: The Ganges dolphin is at the apex of the food chain of the river ecosystems, and thus is an indicator of the health of the river ecosystems.
160. Key threats causing population reduction of the species are:
• Water pollution caused by effluents discharge from industries and wastewater and sewage discharged from major cities; • Mining and dredging of sand on the river bed causing increased sediment loads in the river, • Habitat fragmentation due to construction of dams and barrages; • Habitat degradation due to construction of irrigation channels, embankments along the river edges; • Excessive fishing by fishermen causing a decline in food species and also causing dolphins to be trapped in fish nets; • Poaching for use of the blubber oil as fish bait and for meat; • Noise pollution in river caused by mechanized boats and other vessels moving in the rivers as well as conduction of seismic tests and other development activities.
161. Ongoing conservation efforts for the Gangetic dophin: There is a “Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin, 2010 – β0β0” under the National Ganga River Basin 99
Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF). The action plan includes activities on baseline surveys; creation of protected areas and restoration of degraded habitats; and community involvement and resolution of human-dolphin conflicts. The Environment and Forest Department, Government of Bihar has set up Centre for Conservation and Development of Dolphin and a proposal to set up National Dolphin Research and Development Institute is also under consideration.
162. Based on the importance and endangered status of the Gangetic dophin, the Government of India has notified a 50 km section of river between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon near Bhagalpur in Bihar State as a dolphin sanctuary. It is called the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary and is located more than 130 km (aerial distance) downstream of project site of bridge development as shown in Figure 51. Designated in 1991, it is the only protected area for the endangered Gangetic dolphins in Asia.
163. Conclusions on presence of critical habitat according to ADB SPS. Guidance on critical habitat is provided in the ADB SPS as well as under the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard (PF) 6 on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources. The ADB SPS includes 614criteria and the IFC PF 6 includes 515 criteria for critical habitat. As the Gangetic dolphin is an IUCN endangered species and also a migratory species it could potentially trigger criteria i) and iii) of the ADB SPS and criteria i) and iii) of IFC PF 6 as well. For IFC PF 6 criteria i) further detailed guidance is provided into 2 tiers as elaborated below.
164. Under criteria i), tier 1 critical habitat are those areas that:
• sustain 10% or more of the global population of a CR or EN species; • the area could be a discrete management unit for that species; • the area could be one of 10 or fewer global discrete management units for the species.
165. Under criteria ii), tier 2 critical habitat are those areas that:
• supports regular occurrence of a single individual of a CR species; • area having regionally important concentrations of a EN species and the area could be a discrete management unit for that species; • habitat of significant importance to a CR or EN species whose population distribution is not well understood and where loss of the habitat could potentially risk the long term survivability of the species
146 criteria for critical habitat under ADB SPS: i) habitat required for the survival of critically endangered or endangered species; ii) areas having special significance for endemic or restricted-range species; iii) sites that are critical for the survival of migratory species; iv) areas supporting globally significant concentrations or numbers of individuals of congregatory species; v) areas with unique assemblages of species that are associated with key evolutionary processes or provide key ecosystem services; and vi) areas having biodiversity or significant social, economic or cultural importance to local communities. These may include areas that are either legally protected or officially proposed for protection, such as areas that meet the criteria of the World Conservation Union classification, the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, and the United Nationals Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s world natural heritage sites. 155 criteria for critical habitat under IFC PF6: i) habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered and/or Endangered species; ii) habitat of significant important to endemic and/or restricted range species; iii) habitat supporting globally significant concentrations of migratory species and/or congregatory species; iv) highly threatened and/or unique ecosystems; and/or v) areas associated with key evolutionary processes 100
• habitat containing nationally/regionally important concentrations of a CR or EN species or equivalent national/regional listing
166. Approximately only 1.14% (less than 10%) of the total population of the Ganges dolphin exist in the project area and the project influence area is not one of the smaller discrete management units for the species. None of the other subcriteria for tier 1 or tier 2 under critieria i) are triggered. Hence, the project influence area does not trigger criteria i) of critical habitat for both ADB SPS and IFC PF6. Accordingly, the ADB SPS criteria iii) is also not triggered as the project influence area is not critical for the survilval of the Ganges dolphin which is a migratory species. The project area clearly does not support a globally significant concentration of the Gangetic dolphin, a migratory species. Hence criteria iii) under IFC PF 6 is not triggered either. Therefore, it is concluded that the project area is not a critical habitat for the Gangetic dolphin. 101
Figure 50: Habitats and Movement Path of Dolphins, Turtles and Gharials in Ganga near Project Area
Boundary of Project Influence Area
Boundary of Project Influence Area 102
Figure 51: Location of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphins Sanctuary with Respect to Project Site
103
b. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
167. Status and classification. The gharial is listed as critically endangered under the IUCN red data list. It is listed under schedule I as a fully protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of India. It is also listed under Appendix I of both CITES and CMS.
168. Range and Population distribution. It was originally found in the four river systems: Indus (Pakistan), Ganges (Nepal, India, Bangladesh), Mahanadi (India) and Irrawaddy (Myanmar) rivers. Today it is found only in the Indus, Ganges and Mahanadi rivers as shown in Figure 49. Hence these river systems can be considered as larger discrete management units for the species. There are 7 wildlife sanctuaries (6 in India and 1 in Nepal)16 believed to hold the largest concentration of gharials in the wild. These sanctuaries can be considered as smaller discrete management units within the larger discrete management unit of the Ganges and Mahanadi river systems. None of these sanctuaries are located within the 10 km project influence area. The closest sanctuary is the Son River Sanctuary which is located a few hundred kilometers away from the Project bridge location.
169. IUCN records17 show that the gharial population was 5000 to 10,000 in 1946. This was reduced to 436 in the 1990s and further to 182 in 2006. Population reduction from the 1990s to 2006 was 58%. The overall reduction of population from 1946 to 2006 over three generations was over 80%, thus triggering its classification as critically endangered. These figures account only for the wild population. With various conservation activities, it is estimated that there are some 800 plus gharials under captive breeding or in zoos. These include 11 breeding centers or zoos in India, Nepal and Bhutan (8 in India, 2 in Nepal and 1 in Bhutan), 2 zoos in Europe and 8 zoos in the United States.
170. The National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary which exists along the Chambal river system in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is believed to hold the largest breeding subpopulation of about 48% of the total population.
171. General Habitat and Ecology. According to Dr. Gopal Sharma, gharials prefer silent areas that are not frequented by people or other animals. They spend most of their time in the calmer sections of deep and fast flowing rivers. Given that they are cold blooded they like to bask in the sun in quiet sand bars to warm their body and lie in the shade or go inside water to cool down. They have short legs and are clumsy walkers on land. Their streamlined body with a powerful tail and webbed back feet make them good swimmers. Hence they are the most aquatic of all crocodiles spending most of their time in water and coming on land only to lay eggs and bask in the sun.
172. Habitat and Ecology within the Project area. Consultations held with the local community and wildlife experts revealed that gharials are not commonly seen in the project influence area. However, there are a few reports of them migrating through the project influence area. According to both Professor R.K Sinha and Dr. Gopal Sharma, the prime habitat for this species is the confluence of Gandak river which is about 14 km upstream of the proposed bridge site.
16 Corbett Tiger Reserve, Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal River Sanctuary, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Chitwan National Park (Nepal), Son Gharial Sanctuary, Sathkosia Tiger Reserve. 17file:///C:/Users/ky1/Downloads/8966_Gavialis_gangeticus.pdf 104
173. Seasonal activities. Mating usually takes place during the dry season from December to January, and nesting occurs before the monsoons from around March to May when the water levels are still low. Eggs are laid into deep holes excavated by the reptile in sandy banks above the flood line. Gestation period of the eggs are 83 to 94 days or approximately 2.5 to 3 months allowing the new hatchlings to come out in time for the monsoon rains.
174. Threats: Key threats to gharial include:
• habitat degradation due to human activities along the rivers; • poaching for using the skin to make handbags and shoes; • hunting of the male for use of its snout believed to have aphrodisiac properties; • accidental snaring in fishing nets; • excessive fishing causing a decline in availability of smaller fish which further causes a decline in larger predator fish which serve as food for the gharial; • hunting of the gharial eggs by people believed to have medicinal properties
Figure 52:Gharial habitat range
175. Conservation activities: Given the rapid decline in its population, conservation activities targeted at this species was started as early as the late 70’s. A key conservation activity entailed captive breeding of the reptile. Though captive breeding programs were successful, the success rate for “head starting” or releasing the gharials into the wild were very low and unable to revive the wild population. Therefore, of late, conservationists are shifting their strategy to protect the gharial habitat in the wild.
176. Currently there are 7 legally protected areas in India and Nepal which have the largest concentrations of this species. In addition, there are 11 captive breeding centers and zoos in India, Nepal and Bhutan which will ensure that the species will not be extinct.
177. Conclusions on presence of critical habitat according to ADB SPS. Guidance on critical habitat is provided in the ADB SPS as well as under the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard (PF) 6 on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources. The ADB SPS includes 6 criteria (see footnote 13) and the IFC PF 6 includes 5 criteria (see footnote 14) for critical habitat. As the Gharial is an IUCN critically 105 endangered species and also a migratory species it could potentially trigger criteria i) and iii) of the ADB SPS and criteria i) and iii) of IFC PF 6 as well. For IFC PF 6 criteria i) further detailed guidance is provided into 2 tiers as elaborated below.
178. Under criteria i), tier 1 critical habitat are those areas that:
• sustain 10% or more of the global population of a CR or EN species; • the area could be a discrete management unit for that species; • the area could be one of 10 or fewer global discrete management units for the species.
179. Under criteria ii), tier 2 critical habitat are those areas that:
• supports regular occurrence of a single individual of a CR species; • area having regionally important concentrations of a EN species and the area could be a discrete management unit for that species; • habitat of significant importance to a CR or EN species whose population distribution is not well understood and where loss of the habitat could potentially risk the long term survivability of the species • habitat containing nationally/regionally important concentrations of a CR or EN species or equivalent national/regional listing
180. Presence of gharials in the project influence area is quite rare. No gharials were spotted or mentioned to be present in the project area during field surveys and consultations with the local community people. Local wildlife experts reconfirmed this and stated that it is the Gandhak confluence area 14 km upstream of the bridge location that is the main habitat for gharials. Moreover, gharials like quiet areas not frequented by people and boats. But the project area is a fairly busy area with regular movement of people and boats. Therefore, it is highly likely that the proportion of gharials frequenting the project influence area is less than 10% of the total population. In addition, the project influence area is not one of the smaller discrete management units for the species and is not critical for their survival. In addition, it is clear that there is no regular presence of the species in the project influence area. Therefore, none of the other subcriteria for tier 1 or tier 2 under critieria i) are triggered. Hence, the project influence area does not trigger criteria i) of critical habitat for both the ADB SPS and IFC PF6 definition. Due to similar reasons, criteria iii) of the ADB SPS and IFC PF 6 is not triggered either. Therefore, it is concluded that the project area is not a critical habitat for the Gharial.
c. Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica)
181. Status and classification. Listed as Vulnerable species in IUCN red data list based on its diversity and scale of threats – recent, ongoing, and projected. This species is also listed on Schedule I of India’s protected species list under the Wildlife Protection Act. It is listed in CITES Appendix 1 as well.
182. Physical features. With its prominent, tube-like snout and incredibly flattened shell, the Ganges soft-shelled turtle is a very peculiar-looking freshwater reptile. These odd features make this turtle so adapted to its riverine habitat, with its long neck and snorkel-like snout allowing it to extend its nose out of the water to breathe, and its compressed shell creating a streamlined silhouette that makes it a brilliant and fast swimmer. The Ganges soft-shelled turtle has a round to oval, smooth upper shell (carapace), which is olive or green in colour with a yellow border. The limbs are also green, while the shell on the underside of the turtle’s body is grey to cream. It has 106 a broad head, with several black stripes running from the centre towards the sides. Juvenile Ganges soft-shelled turtles can be identified by the dark eye-shaped markings and rows of round bumps that adorn the shell.
183. Despite its small size, this turtle is termed as voracious and skilled predator. They feed in groups. The omnivorous Ganges soft-shelled turtle spends more time eating aquatic plants and a large variety of smaller animals, such as fish, molluscs, insects, amphibians, and waterfowl. Animal carcasses, which are frequently dumped in the rivers it inhabits, are also fed upon, resulting in this turtle being called a ‘waterlogged vulture’.
184. Range. The Ganges soft-shelled turtle is found in the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi river systems of Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh and southern Nepal (Figure 49). It is considered Endangered in Bangladesh and Vulnerable in India which is its main range state.
185. General Habitat and Ecology. This turtle inhabits deep rivers, streams, large canals, lakes and ponds, with a bed of mud or sand. It tends to prefer areas where the water is turbid. They are also known to enjoy sun bathing in sand bars.
Figure 53:Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica)
186. Habitat and Ecology within the Project area. While the turtle is known to be found along the entire Ganga river, according to local experts from ZSI and Patna University, the flood plains of the Raghopur diara which get inundated every monsoon is prime habitat for the turtles as they enjoy basking in the sun in the sandy areas and also use it for breeding.
187. Population distribution. There is no data on population estimates of the turtle. According to local wildlife experts of ZSI and Patna University, large numbers of the turtle can be seen along the Ganga river including the project influence area. The turtle is considered a delicacy and extensively caught by fishermen for commercial purposes. Local wildlife experts state that the reason why it is listed under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India is mainly because of the high risk in rapid decline of its population due to excessive commercial catching. Currently, the turtle is still widely found in the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi river systems and according to IUCN (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39618/0), about 30 - 40 tons of the turtle meat is traded 107 in East Asian markets. Considering this, it is likely that the project influence area has far less than 10% of the total population of the turtle.
188. Seasonal activities. Mating usually takes place in shallow waters during the monsoon season. This is followed by nesting between January and May, although there is a peak in activity between December and January. The female burrows into a sandy river banks, digging a flask- shaped nest cavity into which is laid a clutch of between 8 and 47 eggs. Incubation lasts for between 251 and 310 days and the hatchlings emerge around July.
189. Threats: As stated above, the main threat to this turtle species is food trade. Turtles are being captured for their meat, and their shells are also sold in the market. Pollution is also a significant problem in the rivers inhabited by turtles.
Figure 54: Distribution Map of Nilssonia gangetica (Source: IUCN Red List)
190. Source of data above: Source of data above: 1). Asian Turtle Trade Working Group. 2000. Nilssonia gangetica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2000: e.T39618A10251627. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T39618A10251627.en. Downloaded on 28 October 2015.2). The Gangatic Dolphin and Action Plan for its Conservation in Bihar (2013) prepared by Dr. R.K. Sinha for Department of Environment & Forest, Government of Bihar.
191. Conclusions on presence of critical habitat according to ADB SPS. The turtle is classified as “vulnerable” under IUCN and hence does not trigger any criteria for critical habitat under the ADB SPS and IFC PF 6 guidance. None of the remaining 5 criteria for critical habitat under the ADB SPS and IFC PF 6 is triggered. Therefore, it can be concluded that the project area is not a critical habitat for the Ganges softshell turtle.
C. Socio-Economic Environment
1. Land Use 108
192. Major portion of the land use is under agriculture. The land use pattern of the study area along the proposed project, based on satellite imagery of 2013 is tabulated in Table 59. The land use in the study area is pre-dominantly Ganga river followed by agriculture land.
Table 59: Land Use Pattern based on Satellite Imagery (Year 2013) Sl. No. Class % of the Study Area 1. Agriculture 30.55 2. Settlements area 02.45 3. Horticulture & Plantation 05.10 4. Land not used for agriculture 01.14 5. Water bodies (river/drain/pond/tank/well) 60.76 Total 100
2. Demographic Features
193. Bihar is a land-locked state in the Eastern part of the country with a population of about 82.9 million with more than 90 percent of the population living in the rural areas. The human population density is 880 persons/km2 compared to 325 persons/km2 for the entire country. Sex ratio is 921 against 933 for the country. The demographic feature of Bihar is unique since there are many recognized tribes that inhabit mostly remote areas. Each tribe has its own distinct culture, ethos, and traditional knowledge systems. The minority groups in the state include the Bathudi, Binjhia, Binjhal, Birhor, Birjia, Chik Baraik, Paharia Korwa, and Santal. The majority of the people survive on subsistence economy based mainly on agriculture, supplemented with forest produce, animal husbandry, crafts/handloom, etc.
194. In 2011, Vaishali district had a population of 3,495,021 with a population density of 1,717 people per sq. km. Of the total 1,844,535 were male and 1,650,486 female. In 2011, Patna district had population of 5,838,465 with a population density of 1,823 people per sq. km. Of the total 3,078,512 were male and 2,759,953 were female. Further population details of the two districts, their sub districts and villages falling in the project area are provided in Table 58 and Table 59. The sex ratio in Vaishali was 895 females per1000 males in 2011. The average national sex ratio in India is 940 females per 1000 males as per the census 2011. For children, it was 904 girls per 1000 boys. The sex ratio in Patna was 897 females per 1000 male under the census of 2011. For children, it was 909 girls per 1000 boys in 2011. The average literacy rate of Vaishali was 66.60% in 2011 in comparison to only 50.49 in 2001. The male and female literacy rates were 75.41% and 56.73% respectively. The average literacy rate of Patna in 2011 was 70.68% compared to 62.92% of 2001. Male and female literacy was 78.48% and 61.96% respectively.
195. Agriculture and livestock rearing is the mainstay of the local people in the project area. It plays a significant role with respect to both generation of employment and share in the GDP. In addition, the local communities in the project area also rely on allied agriculture, small scale businesses and small scale industries for employment as labourers.
109
Table 60: Demography of Villages of Core Zone of Vaishali District
Sub District Bidupur Bidupur Bidupur Bidupur Bidupur Raghopur Raghopur Raghopur Raghopur Raghopur Jafrabad Himat pur Jamalpur Saifabad Rustampur Chak Khajauta Kazipatti Raghopur Madhurapur Dih Diara Chak Sikandar Chaturang Name of village Shanker Ganga Pra Number of household 422 167 55 36 2478 570 449 109 60 841 Total population 2407 940 281 237 14211 3243 2208 525 363 4721 Total male 1266 492 146 144 7650 1724 1162 253 188 2506 Total female 1141 448 135 93 6561 1519 1046 272 175 2215 Children 475 203 72 73 3186 572 413 90 79 789 Schedule caste 239 154 0 29 3127 714 490 301 170 1766 Schedule tribe 1 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 Literate 573 349 112 62 4636 2011 1281 319 148 2433 Illiterate 1834 591 169 175 9575 1232 927 206 215 2288 Total Worker 683 229 74 63 3904 857 637 146 95 1365 Cultivator 191 91 27 29 1331 51 184 32 1 303 Agriculture labor 225 81 28 27 1401 271 336 55 49 651 Household worker 12 4 1 0 85 21 0 0 0 16 Other workers 59 11 3 2 498 306 94 21 21 143 Non workers 1724 711 207 174 10307 2386 1571 379 268 3356 Source: Census of India, 2011 110
Table 61: The Demography of Villages in project area of Core Zone of Patna district Sub District Fatwah Fatwah Town/Village census code 246,135 246,138 Name of village Jethuli Daulatpur Number of household 2044 119 Total population 12769 728 Total male 6791 387 Total female 5978 341 Children 2702 141 Schedule caste 1924 0 Schedule tribe 19 0 Literate 6188 399 Illiterate 6581 329 Total Worker 3284 268 Cultivator 397 104 Agriculture labour 1183 70 Household worker 52 0 Other workers 1278 28 Non workers 9485 460 Source: Census of India, 2011
3. Agriculture and Forestry
196. Agriculture forms the backbone of the national economy and despite resolute industrialization in the last five decades, agriculture holds a place of pride in Bihar state. About half the area is under cultivation, but pressure of population has pushed cultivation to the furthest limits, and little remains to be developed. The transitional nature of the climatic zone is reflected in the cropping pattern, which shows a mixture of wet and dry crops. Rice is everywhere the dominant crop, but corn (maize), wheat, barley, gram, oilseeds, and pulses (legumes) are important supplementary crops. Sugarcane is grown in a fairly well-defined belt in the northwest. Jute, a crop of the hot, moist lowlands, is found only in the easternmost plain districts. There are three harvests in a year: bhadai, dominated by corn that is sown from May to June and gathered in Bhado (August to September).Second is aghani, consisting primarily of rice sown in mid-June and gathered in the month of Aghan (December).Third is rabi made up largely of wheat that ripens in the plains in spring. Figure 3.2b show the agricultural map of the Bihar State.
197. In 2005-06 the State is at present producing about 8.59 million tons of food grains (comprising cereals 1.41 million tones and 0.45 million tons of pulses) and about 0.14 million tons of total oilseed. In the production level the State was contributing (about 4.12% food grains in 2005-06, 4.14 % cereals and 3.36 % pulses) in National Kitty. The contribution in national oilseed production is about 0.5%. As far as jute & mesta is concerned Bihar stands second after West Bengal producing 1.39 million tonnes. Fruits and vegetables are extensively grown. Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga are particularly noted for mangoes, bananas, and litchi fruits. The potato-growing area near Bihar Sharif, in Patna district, produces the best variety of seed potato in India. The forest occupies 0.6 million hectares of the geographical area of the state whereas the cultivated area is about 6.2 million ha.
4. Fisheries 111
198. The state has potential for fisheries by enhancement of ponds, irrigation reservoirs, other water resources and rivers. The fish production for the year 2004-2005 was 267,510 tonnes. The important fishes commonly found in the region’s plain and river basins are Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Labeio calbase, Cirrihinus mirigale, L. bata, M.aor, W.attu, B. bagrius, Heteropneuptus fonilis, Notopterus nontopterus, C. gaehua, and C. striatus,etc.
199. Fishing in the project influence area takes place on an ad hoc basis with no specific regularfishing locations. Amongst the 20 communities that live 10 km upstream and downstream of the bridge location, it is estimated there are approximately 200 fishermen.
5. Transportation
200. Transportation system is a key factor in the socio-economic development of any state. In comparison with other Indian states, Bihar is poorly served with transport and communications facilities. State has about 21.77 km of roads per 100 sq. km, as against the national average of 38.33 km per 100 sq. km.The road network is seriously deficient both in the quantum network connectivity as well as in riding quality of the roads, mainly the state highways, district roads and village roads. Important railway junctions include Patna, Gaya, Mugalsarai, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, Katihar, and Barauni. Also connecting the state with other parts of India are airports at Patna, Gaya and Bhagalpur as well as several national highways.
6. Mineral Resources
201. The most of mineral belt i.e. about 90% of the important minerals was taken away by Jharkhand from Bihar after its separation. Still some more important minerals are located in the state which are not only useful for the state but also has become important source of revenue for the state. There are reserves of important deposits of limestone, purite, magnetite, mica, kaolin, soapstone, gold, slate, felspar, galena, sandstone, saltpetre, etc.
7. Industrial Situation
202. Bihar is not so enriched with the resources for the industries and few scanty industries is located in the state. Some of the industries of the state are of sponge iron, oil refinery, forging, fertilizers, jelly filled communication cables, watch factory, fruit processing, bulk drugs, etc. One factory to be mentioned which is old and renowned is rail wagon manufacturing plant, the Arthur Butler & Co, at Muzaffarpur. The major industrial units in the state are sugar mills which are scattered throughout Bihar. Other types of mills are of rice and edible oil.
8. Aesthetic and Tourism
203. The state having the vast historical background is one of the top tourist destinations of the country. Bodhgaya is one of the ancient places in Bihar with a status of World Heritage Site and considered an important place of pilgrimage. There are a number of monasteries, some of them established by Buddhists of Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka etc. Vaishali was one of the earliest republics in the world (6th century BC). It was here that Buddha preached his last sermon. Vaishali, birthplace of Lord Mahavira is also sacred to Jains. Rajgir, 19 kms from Nalanda, was the ancient capital of Magadha Empire and is one of the important tourist centres in India.
9. Cultural Resources 112
204. Bihar was a center of power, learning and culture. It has been a cradle of Indian civilization and the birth place of two major religions that have emanated from India: Buddhism and Jainism. Festivals and cultural activities are being celebrated throughout the year in the state. There is one Hindu festival that is uniquely Bihari, and that is the festival of Chhath. This is observed mostly by the people of North Bihar. It is devoted to the worship of the Sun God. Specific events are being organised by different communities in different places in Bihar throughout the year such as Madhushravani (Social festival giving a message how to weave together religion and tradition in day-to-day life) in Mithilanchal, Bihula festival (family welfare) in Bhagalpur district, Sama- Chakeva (brother-sister relationships) in Mithila, etc. A huge fair is held at Sonepur which is a confluence point of the River Ganga &River Gandak in Kartik Poornima which is the largest fair of its kind in the world, for it is a fair especially for the trade of animals. Cattle, horses, camels and elephants can be seen in large numbers. It attracts a huge number of people, not only from all over Bihar, but also from other parts of India and foreign countries.
205. Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the Enlightened One and a temple was erected there known as Mahabodhi Temple, a World Heritage Site. There are also other ancient sites in Vaishali like Ashoka Pillar during Emperor Ashoka, Bawan Pokhar Temple of Pala Period, and Bhudha Stupas containing ashes of Gautama Bhudha. Rajgir is also one of the most important historical places housing a large number of ancient monuments like Jarasandh ka Akhada believed to be at the time of Mahabharata, Jivakameavan Gardens, Ajatshatru Fort, Cyclopean Wall, Shanti Stupa, Sonbhandar Caves, Bimbisar Jail, Jain Temples, etc. Most of the monuments were built during the period of Gautama Bhudha. Another important historical center is Nalanda, where the ruins of the world's most ancient university lies and came to light during 5th-12th centuries. Nalanda was one of the world's first residential universities and was considered an architectural masterpiece. Another marvel is the Kesariya Stupa being the highest Stupa found in the country with a height of about 104” (feet) from the base and believed to be the world’s largest stupa.
206. There are some historical places along the project road but beyond the project influence area. However, there are few religious structures i.e. temples, shrines located within corridor of project. Dargah at km 0.050, Mazaar at km 0.275 and km 13.150, Temples at km 0.425,Km 12.900, km 13.250, km 36.925, km 37.400 and km 113.125 which all have religious significance and are likely to be affected. However, these will not be disturbed due to improvement work.
10. Energy and Electric Power Potential
207. The state is well endowed with potential hydroelectric power. Main hydroelectric projects are Kosi Hydel Power Station, Eastern Gandak Canal, Sone Eastern Link Canal and Sone Western Link Canal. The other small hydel projects in the state are Agnoor and Delabagh and Nasirganj.
208. Installed power capacity of Bihar is 540 MW, of which 320 MW is produced from Barauni Thermal Power Station and 220 MW from Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station. As on today, the installed generating capacity of Bihar State Electricity Board in terms of its Thermal and Hydro- Electrical plants exceeds 559.2 MW. Per capita electricity consumption in the state is 141 Kwh.
11. Presence of sensitive receptors such as schools/colleges/health centres/ hospitals 113
209. There are no sensitive receptors falling in the project alignment, however, project alignment is passing nearby following sensitive receptors:
Table 62: List of Sensitive Receptors along the Project alignment S. No Name of Village Properties Offset in (m) Latitiude & Longitude 1 Himmatpur School 120m 250γ4’41.76”N, 85017’16.89” E 2 Karmopur School 55 m 250 γ6’17.59”N, 850 19’1β.1β” E 3 Sahdullapur Chak School 25 m 250 γ0’1γ.65”N, 850 β0’β9.64” E Farid 4 Sabalpur Temple -- 250 γγ’56.β4”N, 85016’4.8γ” E
D. Socio-Economic Profile of Project Affected Person
1. Social Categories of the DPs (Displaced Persons)
210. The social stratification of the project area shows that the dominance of other backward caste (OBC) population with 1335 (83.75%) households followed by higher caste with 186 (11.67%), scheduled caste (SC) population with 72 (4.52%) households. There is only one household belong to scheduled tribe community is being affected by the project. The detail of social grouping in the project area is presented in Table 63.
Table 63: Social Categories of the DPs Sl. No. Description of the Caste No. of Households % 1 Scheduled Caste 72 4.52 2 Scheduled Tribe 1 0.06 3 Other Backward Caste 1335 83.75 4 Higher Caste 186 11.67 Total 1594 100.00
2. Number of DPs
211. There are 18171 DPs in total being affected by the project which includes 10549 (58.05%) males and 7622 (41.95%) females. The average household size is 11.4 and the sex ratio among the DPs is 723. The average household size is quite large because of many joint families and joint ownership. The details of DPs being affected in the project are presented in the Table 64.
Table 64: Number of DPs Sl. No. Categories of DPs No. of DPs % age 1 Male 10549 58.05 2 Female 7622 41.95 Total 18171 100.00
3. Vulnerable Households being Affected in the Project
212. According to project census survey there are 1007 households enumerated as vulnerable households as per the definition provided in the RF. In this project, vulnerable group includes 72 SC households, 1 ST households, 56 women headed households, 41 households headed by physically handicapped persons and 770 Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. As per the latest Planning Commission, Government of India estimate, any person having monthly per capita 114 consumption and expenditure (MPCE) of Rs. 77818in rural area and Rs. 923 in urban area of Bihar is considered to be living below poverty line. Based on this calculation of poverty line figure, average annual household MPCE in rural Bihar is Rs. 46680. There are 77 households not falling under any other category but earning less than the average MPCE are also considered as vulnerable households in the project. The vulnerable household details are presented in the Table 65.
Table 65: Vulnerable Households Affected Sl. No. Vulnerable Categories No. of Households % age 1 Scheduled Caste Households 72 7.08 2 Scheduled Tribe Households 1 0.10 3 Women Headed Households 56 5.51 4 PH Headed Households 41 4.03 5 Below Poverty Line Households 770 75.71 6 Households below Minimum Income 77 7.57 Total 1017 100.00
4. Annual Income Level of the Affected Households
213. There are only 77 (4.20%) households earning less than the official poverty level i.e. Rs. 46,680/- per year. There are 32 households (2.01%) having an average monthly income of above Rs. 46680 and Rs. 50000. The survey reveals that 515 (32.31%) households are earning above 50,000 and below 75,000, 347 households are earning above 75,000 and below 100,000 and another 620 (38.90%) households are annually earning more than Rs. 1,000,00 which is a good economic indicator of their standard of living. The average income level of households in the project area is summarized in the Table 66.
Table 66: Annual Income Level of the Affected Households Sl. No. Annual Income Categories in (Rs) No. of Households % age 1 Above 10000 and Below 20000 4 0.25 2 Above 20000 and Below 30000 5 0.31 3 Above 30000 and Below 46680 58 3.64 4 Above 46680 and Below 50000 32 2.01 5 Above 50000 and up to 75000 515 32.31 6 Above 75000 and up to 100000 347 21.77 7 Above 100000 620 38.90 8 No Response 13 0.82 Total 1594 100.00
5. Number of DPs considered as Separate family as per LA Act
214. There are various categories of DPs as summarized in the Table 67 are treated as separate family under Right to Fair Compensation in Land Acquisition and Resettlement Act- 2013.
Table 67: Number of DPs considered as Separate family as per LA Act Sl. No. Categories of APs No. of APs % age 1 Unmarried Son > 30 years 659 56.71 2 Unmarried Daughter/Sister > 30 years 146 12.56
18Source: Press Note on Poverty Estimates, 2011-12, Government of India, Planning Commission, July 2013 115
Sl. No. Categories of APs No. of APs % age 3 Physically/Mentally Challenged Person 296 25.47 4 Divorcee/Widow 61 5.25 Total 1162 100.00
6. Educational Status of DPs
215. The educational status of DPs reveals that there are still 31.62% DPs are illiterate. Among the DPs, 20.42% are above matric 10.07% are graduate and 1.41 % are above graduate. This data excludes the children below 0 to 6 years. The gender segregated details of educational status of DPs are presented in the Table 68.
Table 68: Educational Status of DPs S. N. Educational status Male %age Female %age Total %age 1 Illiterate 2117 22.32 3066 44.40 5183 31.62 2 Literate 1248 13.16 899 13.02 2147 13.10 3 Up to middle 1557 16.41 931 13.48 2488 15.18 4 Below metric 857 9.03 487 7.05 1344 8.20 5 Metric 2317 24.43 1030 14.92 3347 20.42 6 Graduate 1205 12.70 446 6.46 1651 10.07 7 Above graduate 185 1.95 46 0.67 231 1.41 Total 9486 100.00 6905 100.00 16391 100.00
7. Occupational Status of DPs
216. The occupational pattern of DPs excluding children below 6 years, reveals that 26.17% DPs are engaged in agriculture. Among other categories, 6.71% DPs are laborers, 4.67% engaged in service and 2.13% doing various business. The details of occupational status of DPs are summarized in the Table 67.
Table 69: Occupational Status of DPs S. N. Occupational status Male %age Female %age Total %age 1 Service 641 7.26 74 1.14 715 4.67 2 Business 322 3.65 5 0.08 327 2.13 3 Agriculture 3921 44.43 88 1.36 4009 26.17 4 Study 2817 31.92 1375 21.17 4192 27.36 5 Housewife 0 0.00 4918 75.73 4918 32.10 6 Labour 1006 11.40 22 0.34 1028 6.71 7 Unemployed 33 0.37 5 0.08 38 0.25 8 Professional 85 0.96 7 0.11 92 0.60 9 Old/Inactive 893 10.12 589 9.07 1482 9.67 Total 8825 100.00 6494 100.00 15319 100.00
8. Project Impact on Indigenous People
217. As per the 2011 census of India survey, total ST population of Bihar is about 1.28% of total State population. Since the project road is close to the State Capital and falling mostly semi- urban area, the presence of ST population is less as only 1 household is getting affected. The ST people affected under the project is considered vulnerable and special provision made in the entitlement matrix of RP.
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9. Project impact on Women
218. There are 56 women headed households affected in the project. The negative impacts of the sub-project on female-headed households will be taken up on a case-to-case basis and assistance to these households will be treated on a priority basis. During disbursement of compensation and provision of assistance, priority will be given to female-headed households. Additionally, women headed households are considered as vulnerable and provision for additional assistance has been made in the entitlement of the RP. Provision for equal wage and health safety facilities during the construction will be ensured by the EA.
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V. IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES
A. Construction Activities and Rating of Impacts
219. This chapter presents the environmental assessment process and planning undertaken by BSRDC in addressing the environmental impacts and risks associated with the construction of the Bihar New Ganga Bridge. The relationship between the three project phases (pre- construction, construction and post-construction/operation) and components and the environment established to identify anticipated environmental impacts are given in Table 70. Although very limited information on the construction methodologies and components are available under the EPC procurement modality, general construction activities typical of a major bridge construction have been considered. Each anticipated environmental impact was assessed for significance based in intensity, duration, and scope. Mitigation measures were identified to reduce the significant adverse impacts including residual effects.
Table 70: Stage wise Construction Activities No. Activities I. Pre-construction Stage PC1 Site mobilization and construction of temporary facilities - land clearing, installation of construction trailers, construction camp sites19, electricity and other utility connections, perimeter fencing, establishment of storage areas, waste disposal, pre-fabricated components, installation of production equipment (hot mix, concrete batching, rock crusher, casting), launch and assembly areas, temporary access roads, parking areas PC2 Establishment of management system for traffic, fishing and river navigation PC3 Relocation and protection of public utility infrastructure II. Construction Stage C1 Land clearing which includes surface stripping, topsoil storage, excavation, earthwork and other land preparation activities for the approach roads on the northern and southern side and the diara area C2 Construction of infrastructure on land: 1) main bridge approach embankments and viaducts with 6-lane divided carriageway, 2) connecting road to diara portion is a 4-lane divided carriageway, 3) bridge connecting approach roads (about 1.5km at Kachhi Dargah – southside and 9km at Bidupur – northside) and associated structures, 4) 2 ROB, 5) 8 underpasses and bridges, 6) 5 junctions, and, 7) 2 toll plazas. C3 Construction of works in aquatic environment: Bridge piers and installation of bridge substructure and superstructure C4 Management of construction wastes, excavated material and hazardous materials C5 Transportation of construction materials from quarries and borrow areas C6 Operation of construction camp sites having: worker camps, batching plants, hot mix plants, service yards, stockpiles C7 Management of traffic, fishing and river navigation III. Post-construction and Operation Stage O1 Deconstruction of structures: dismantling of steel and concrete structures, offices, and crushing of debris O2 Demobilization of work site like dismantling of all temporary facilities, restoration of storage and all other areas O3 Maintenance works including works in the river
19 As per the current project plans, 2 construction camps are planned to be established. One in Raghopur diara and one on the Vaishali side in the north. 118
220. As the project will be implemented based on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) modality, a number of wide range on construction alternatives like the bridge design remains to be decided and from which a host of construction activities and materials permutations will be assessed. Although this limits the scale and scope of impact assessment, it also allows a unique opportunity to integrate mitigation and enhancement principles in the design phase of the project to avoid and reduce adverse environmental impacts. Additional studies are also required from the EPC contractor to refine the analysis of certain impacts. Nonetheless, the principal environmental impacts from the construction of the new bridge across the Ganga are as follow:
a) Physical Environment: Soil, ground and surface water, and ambient air quality. Soil and ground contamination from oil and lubricant spillage and measures must be implemented to immediately avoid the dispersion in the environment. Most of the construction activities will occur near or in the Ganga river and measures and the control of suspended solid and other contaminants must be implemented. Movement of large volume of equipment; emissions from production equipment like hot mix, cement batching, welding yard, casting yard, and rock crusher. Unpaved road travel will cause deterioration of the air quality, however the intensity, duration, and scope will be further defined once the supply and transport of materials are defined by the contractor. Measures must also be implemented to control greenhouse gas emissions from the construction activities in addition to national ambient air quality parameters. An emergency response plan will be prepared and implemented by the EPC contractor to contain the harmful effects of accidents and malfunctions of construction equipment and machineries.
b) Biological Environment: The project site is known to serve as habitat for the endangered and nationally protected Gangetic dolphin, several turtle species, common birds, including migratory birds and also be the migration route for the critically endangered gharial. Fishing activities take place on an ad hoc basis along the river in the project influence area. Measures must be undertaken to ensure unimpeded migration of the Gangetic dolphin and gharial and construction activities and infrastructure do not lead to the reduction in their population. During construction and decommissioning phases, temporary and permanent structures along the river banks, river, and diara could affect fish habitat, migratory birds, turtles, and other animals through disruption of normal activities, deterioration and loss of habitat.
c) Human Environment: The main impacts are noise and traffic particularly near the approaches in Patna-Bakhtiyarpur, Rail-over-Bridge in Patna-Mokama main line, Mehnar junction, and the Hajipur-Samastipur main line. The surrounding noise environment will deteriorate from the bridge construction and later during operation. A noise management program will be implemented by the EPC contractor and BSRDC to comply with the GoI and Word Bank EHS guidelines. Withstanding all these anticipated impacts, the effects to the human environment are considered as not significant if the mitigation measures are implemented.
221. To ensure the EPC meets the GoI and ADB environment safeguard requirements, BSRDCL will put in place a management system where: i) the contractor will be required to conduct additional detailed assessments such as on hydrology and others as enumerated in the EMP attached to the bidding documents, ii) the contractor will be required to update the EMP and EMoP in coordination with BSRDCL and Safeguards officers in the PIU and the environmental management team of the Project Management and Authority Engineer (PMAE) (Construction 119
Supervision Consultant), and iii) third party review of the updated EMP and EMoP will be conducted by the External Monitor for Environment Safeguards. The environmental management system will ensure that the mitigation measures and performance objectives set in the assessments are strictly observed, with clear accountabilities where necessary.
222. During pre-construction, construction, post-construction& operation including demobilization, similar types of environmental impacts are expected to occur, however, the corresponding intensity, location, and scale will vary. To determine the significance of the environmental impact, the level of disruption to a particular environmental component was assessed on 3 aspects accounting for changes in the nature and characteristics of the environment, temporal scale and physical area of impact. This is further elaborated in Table 71 below: Table 71:: Rating of Impacts Low Medium High Characteristic Impact causes no Average impacts that Severe impact causes a (Quality change in cause change in certain complete change in the dimension) characteristics of characterisistics of the local environment local environment local environment Temporal Impact is short lived Impacts are temporary Permanent impacts that scale and effects and experienced only are irreversible and (Time disappear during construction changes are permanent dimension) immediately stage Area of Impact is limited and Impact is localized when Impact is regional and impact affects only a part of affects are felt in the effects are felt beyond the (Spatial the Project influence entire project influence project influence area dimension) area area
B. Anticipated Environmental Impacts
223. In the construction of the Ganga Bridge, the following environmental impacts are anticipated:
a) Encroachment on private lands and demolition of structures b) Disruption of recreational and transport related activities across the Ganga river including its immediate banks c) Loss of vegetation d) Loss of seasonal floodplain e) Alteration of topography f) Disturbance of faunal habitat in Raghopur diara g) Disturbance of Ichthyofauna and habitats h) Impacts on endangered and protected faunal species i) Loss of biodiversity j) Deterioration of air quality k) Increase in noise and disturbance l) Deterioration of surface water quality m) Deterioration of groundwater quality n) Deterioration of soil and sediment quality o) Disruption of road and rail traffic p) Disruption of water traffic on the Ganga river q) Hydrological, sedimentation and erosion risks r) Health, safety and hygiene of construction workers 120
s) Landuse and social Impacts t) Impacts related to road safety
224. Encroachment on private lands, buildings, and Community Property Resources (CPRs). Establishment of construction camp sites with storage yards, worker camps, batching plants, casting yards, service area etc. along with access roads may require temporary encroachment of private properties during pre-construction activities PC1 and PC3. Construction activities C1 and C2 will require acquisition of private land for the access roads on the northern and southern end of the bridge as well as in the diara. Six CPRs will also be impacted under activity C1 and C2. Activities C2, C4, C5, O1 and O2 may cause damage to neighboring lands near excavation sites, soil compaction and vibration from movement of heavy equipment and machineries and overall dirtying of the immediate environment surrounding all construction activities. Associated environmental impacts from these activities are expected to be low, temporary, and localized impacts. However land acquisition and impacts on structures and CPRs will be permanent. Compensation and relocation will be carried out in accordance with provisions given in the resettlement plan (RP). The EPC Contactor will minimize the encroachment of detours on private lands and any temporary use or encroachment will be supported by a written agreement and with the land/structure owner consistent with the provisions in the resettlement plan. BSRDC will facilitate the availability of all relevant maps showing all underground utilities. Vibration monitoring shall be implemented by the EPC Contractor to ensure that no damage to nearby structures (within 100m of construction zones). A baseline condition survey shall be performed by the EPC contractor. The following limits will be observed: i) <25mm/s for residential, commercial, and other buildings; ii) 50 mm/s for water wells; iii) 5 mm/s near fresh concrete < 24 hours curing; iv) 25 mm/s for concrete >24 hrs but < 72 hours; and v) 50 mm/s >72 hours. The EPC Contractor shall remove all loose materials and other debris from all streets used by its vehicles on a daily basis. Upon completion of works the EPC contractor will remove all equipment, materials, scrap, waste, gravel, stones, wood, clear obstructed water courses, repair or rebuild damage structures such as fences and ensure all disposal sites are not disfigured and they are in proper shape.
225. Disturbance of tourist, transport, and other commercial activities along the affected banks of the Ganga River. Preconstruction activities PC1 and PC2 and post-construction activities O1 and O2 will have low, temporary, and localized impacts on the limited recreational, local tourist and transport activities along the affected river banks. The Contractor, unless exceptional cases, will ensure that travel is unimpeded along the Ganga river. During construction activity C1 is the same, however, during C3 when installation of decks and construction of bridge abutments, partial or total closures of some transport and commercial activities may occur which translates to high, temporary, and localized impacts. The BSRDCL and EPC contractor will inform the affected tourists and transport operators on the extent of impact, detours, channel markings, and notices through the concerned government authorities.
226. Loss of vegetation. Possible temporary loss of vegetation may occur to accommodate storage areas, access roads, production facilities, and Raghopur diara during PC1. An estimate of about 709 trees (Annex 4) will need to be removed for the approach roads mainly on the northern side under activity C1. These trees are mainly fruit and timber species. All trees will be compensated at 1:10, where 1:2 will be achieved through payment of NPV to the Forestry Department and the remaining 1:8 will be planted by the contractor beside the access roads and other suitable plantation areas such as the junctions with the national highways on the two ends of the bridge. Hence the impacts on this will be average, temporary and limited. All trees to be cut shall be properly marked by the forest authorities and permission shall be secured prior to cutting. 121
For trees to be retained by ensuring land and root zones are not damaged and leaf are not mutilated.
227. Loss of seasonal floodplain. Construction of roads will require land which are in the low- lying Gangetic floodplain agricultural lands that are seasonally flooded and behave like wetlands during monsoon. Thus the wetlands will be affected. In addition, there are some permanent seasonal floodplains in the region with diversified biological functions, particularly in the central Gangatic plains. Construction of roads on these wetlands will have potential significant high negative impact.
228. Alteration of topography. The land is slightly undulating with level difference of elevation varying from 36.05 to 52.29 m. During piling the muck of 3 lakhs m3 (approx.) will be generated which is to be disposed of after proper testing and selection of designated land. During pilling bentonite is to be used as plasticity property material. Bentonite has a low impact on environment. Bentonite is persistent and non-biodegradable but it is unlikely to have any long-term adverse effect on the environment (As per MSDS). Used bentonite shall be reconditioned onsite and reused as far as practical to minimize wastage. If this is deemed not viable, the used bentonite shall be delivered offsite for reconditioning. The bentonite shall be dewatered before disposal at public fill. For disposal at public drainage system, the bentonite shall be treated up to effluent standards for sewers, storm drains or the receiving waters as set in CPCB standard.
229. Disturbance of faunal and avifaunal habitat in Raghopur diara. Several species of migratory birds, turtles, and resident Nilgai are found in the diara including only one species of concern, the Gangetic softshell turtle which is listed as vulnerable under IUCN, included in schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, and Annex I of CITES. The migratory birds and turtles are found mostly along the western end of the Raghopur diara which gets inundated annually. This portion of the diara is an important area used for nesting by the turtles. Impacts attributed preconstruction activity PC1 are severe, temporary, and localized, as one of the two proposed construction camps are planned to be established in Raghopur diara. During construction activities C1, C2 and C6 the anticipated impacts will be severe, temporary, and localized. During C3, the EPC Contractor will install temporary structures like cofferdams, jetties, and piers which can potentially affect fish and bird habitats, feeding grounds, and shelters.
230. To avoid severe and permanent impacts on the turtles and migratory birds the western floodplains of the diara will be declared a no-go zone for any construction works. Upon advise from the Ecological Experts under the PMAE and the External Monitor the EPC contractor will ensure that no activities will disrupt the avifaunal, faunal, and reptilian habitats particularly during sensitive breeding and migrating periods. The breeding season for turtles is known to be before the summer season between January and May. Migratory birds generally visit the diara during the winter months between November and March. Hunting of any kind will be prohibited amongst the contractors as per relevant contractual clauses. The EPC contractor will implement all measures to minimize the disturbance on other mammals and birds in the diara.
231. Noise from different equipment, vehicles, and human traffic has the potential to disturb migratory birds, which may cause them to leave or change their flight route until the activities are over. Staging grounds of birds will be further identified by the External Monitor with advise from relevant wildlife experts during the detailed engineering design and before the start of construction activities. 122
232. Disturbance of Ichthyofauna and their habitat. There can be severe, temporary and localized impacts on fishes, mollusks, arthropods amphibians, reptiles and downstream habitats along the bridge alignment over the Ganga river during construction activities C1, C2, C3, C6 and C7. Due to increase in runoff from the soil stripping and clearing along the river bank and diara, excavation of contaminated backfill can leach to the aquatic environment and harm fish health, and sediment resuspension. During post-construction activities O3 anticipated impacts are low, temporary, and limited as works in the waters may disturb spawning fishes.
233. To minimize impacts on fishes due to sedimentation, no dredging works will be carried out. The piers will be constructed using a caisson that will not require any hammering or piling. Hence suspended sediments will be minimal. Siltation and erosion from earthworks near the river will be controlled through the use of silt traps. All excavated material as well as material stock piles will be maintained at least 100m from the edge of the river. No waste water outlets from construction camps and construction sites will lead directly into the river.
234. Impacts on endangered and protected faunal species. As identified in chapter IV there are three species of concern in the project influence area: Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Ganges softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Of these three species the dolphin is commonly seen in the river section in the project influence area and many softshell turtles are known to exist within the project influence area. The Gharial is not a resident species of the project influence area but use the river section in the project influence area as a migratory route. As discussed in chapter IV (para 134, 148 and 162) the project influence area is not “critical habitat” for all three species mainly because the project influence area is not a discrete management unit for any of the species and the population of each species in the project influence area is estimated to be less than 10% of the total global population. Exposure to low levels of sound for a relatively long period of time, or exposure to higher levels of sound for shorter periods of time, may result in auditory tissue damage in fish, though recovery is generally possible within 24 hrs (Popper et al. 2005). Oscillations induced by high sound pressure levels from piling activity can cause swim bladders in fishes to tear or rupture (Hastings and Popper 2005). Whereas it is possible that some (although not all) species of fish would swim away from a sound source, thereby decreasing exposure to sound, larvae and eggs of fish are often at the mercy of currents or move very slowly. Movement of the fishes and dolphins away from these places makes the place unused for foraging, spawning and local movement. This would cause crowding of organisms at other places and enhanced struggle for space and other requirements, till the disturbance has not ceased/completed.
235. Activities PC1,C1 and C4 will have average, temporary and localized impacts on the three species. Activities PC2, C7 and O3 can have average, temporary and localized impact. If no avoidance and mitigation measures are implement activities C3 and C6 can have severe, permanent and regional impacts.
236. Declaration of the western floodplain of Raghopur diara and river banks as no-go zones will avoid severe impacts on the turtle. All boats or ferries transporting construction material and workers will have propeller guards installed to prevent injury and death of dolphins, fishes and other aquatic fauna. The species at highest risk of being hunted is the Ganges softshell turtle as it is known to be a delicacy. In addition, their eggs which are laid in the sand bars and flood plains are known to be hunted by people. No hunting of any kind will be permitted and vigilant monitoring will be carried out amongst construction workers.
237. A clause disallowing piling works for construction of the bridge piers has been included in the EPC contract. This removes the risk of disturbance and injury to dolphins from piling which is 123 known to be the main significant impact on dolphins, fishes and other aquatic fauna during bridge construction. Construction activites in the water will be avoided or minimized during the breeding season of dolphins known (April to July) to minimize average, temporary and localized impacts. Construction activities in water will also be avoided the migration season of the dolphin and gharial.
238. Sound is very important for daily survival of the dolphins due to the following reasons: (i) it provides information about their environment, (ii) it is used for communication and (iii) it enables the remote detection of prey. The sounds generated by these animals often extend beyond the range audible to the human ear. Vocalizations of dolphins are in the range of 125 to 173 (dB at 1m) for whistles and 218 to 228 (dB at 1m) for clicks. According to studies carried out on impacts of piling on dolphins20the threshold peak impulse source pressure for direct physical trauma in marine mammals is generally considered to be >200 dB. A study on noise levels generated by different methods of piling show that noise level can range from 152 to 257 db at a distance of 5m to 1000m from the source. Therefore under the project it can be safely assumed that the noise levels that will be generated by the construction of piers using a caisson21 inside the water will be far below the threshold peak of >200 db which can cause trauma to dolphins.
239. An exclusion zone of 500m within construction site maybe established wherein all construction works will be required to be stopped if any dolphin or gharial is seen within the zone. Construction works will resume only after the animal has left the exclusion zone. Turtles if seen inside or near the construction area maybe physically moved to safer habitat areas under the guidance of the External Monitor and/or local wildlife experts22.
240. High noise levels may influence the behavior of these species and they are therefore likely to avoid the construction areas during the construction period. In order to avoid impacts on these species, the construction works will be limited within the designated sites allocated to the contractors. Regular monitoring of the worksite for animals trapped in or in danger will be done and contractor will take measures to relocate the animal under the supervision and guidance of the Ecological Experts under the PMAE and External Monitor as well as local wildlife experts.
241. All avoidance, mitigation and enhancement measures proposed to address impacts on flora, fauna and the three protected species will be further reviewed by the External Monitor during the detailed design stage. Necessary updates and detailed guidance such as identifying the exact route and time of migration of the dolphin and gharial; studying the water depth at which they migrate etc.
242. Deterioration of air quality. During pre-construction stage activities PC1 and PC2, construction activities C1, C5 and C6, and post-construction O1 and O2 it is anticipated that there will be average to severe, temporary, and localized impacts on the air quality. Increase in dust is expected mostly from surface stripping, earthworks and transport of materials. Excavation, clearing, demolition, exposed soil storage piles and other granular materials are prone to low, temporary and localized erosion and can lead to airborne dust particularly during the dry season. The EPC Contractor will stabilize all work areas, particularly side slopes, immediately after work
20JA David Mciwem (2006), Likely sensitivity of bottlenose dolphins to pile-driving noise, Water and Environmental Journal 20, pp48-54 (http://www.marineconnection.org/docs/Dolphins at Risk- piledriving.pdf) 21 A structure used in under water work with an airtight chamber open at the bottom containing air with enough pressure to withstand water. 22 There are many wildlife experts in Patna that are knowledgeable about the behaviour and handling of wildlife species. Experts met during preparation of the EIA report were Professor R.K Sinha of Patna University and Dr. Gopal Sharma of the Zoological Survey of India in Patna. 124 is completed. All demolished materials will be re-used for backfilling or recycled (steel and wood) and if residuals are disposed in approved sites. While vegetation has not fully established on exposed soils, the EPC Contractor will implement temporary erosion and sedimentation measures to include scarification or harrowing before seeding. Sediment barriers may also be used. The EPC Contractor will ensure that National Ambient Air Quality Standards and WB-EHS guidelines for PM10 and PM2.5 are complied with by implementing suitable measures as per EHS guidelines for air quality. In case of exceedance, the EPC Contactor will implement measures to include: installation of tarpaulins around the work area emitting dust, covering piles with geotextile, covering all haul trucks and avoid transporting of materials across residential areas. All construction vehicles will be required to secure Pollution Under Control Certificates. Regular sprinkling of water, and temporary paving of haul roads maybe necessary to minimize dust issues along haul routes. Fires and burning of wastes shall be strictly prohibited at all times.
243. Fugitive Emissions Modeling During Construction Period involving Unpaved Road Travel. When a vehicle travels on an unpaved road, the force of the wheels on the road surface causes pulverization of surface material. Particles are lifted and dropped from the rolling wheels, and the road surface is exposed to strong air currents in turbulent shear with the surface. The turbulent wake behind the vehicle continues to act on the road surface after the vehicle has passed (USEPA AP-42).
244. PM-10 emissions from unpaved road travel was estimated using USEPA equation below for industrial sites as this closely mimics the condition in a road section under construction.
245. Where k, a, and b are empirical constants, and
E = size-specific emission factor (lb/VMT) s = surface material silt content (%) W = mean vehicle weight (tons) S = mean vehicle speed (mph)
246. k,a, and b for PM10 are given as 1.5, 0.9, and 0.45. Surface silt was assumed at 21.15% as provided by R.S. Murthy et. al, (1961)23 while mean vehicle weight was estimated at 20 tons. The PM10emissions during construction was computed as follow:
E = 1.5(21.15/12)0.9 x (20/3)0.45 = 2.53 kg/VKT
247. Assuming an average speed of construction vehicles at 30 km/hr and 20 construction vehicle travelling a 1-kilometer active construction front, the emission rate was computed at 0.0004216 g/s-m2. Using the USEPA SCREEN 3 air dispersion model, under worst-case scenario the maximum dust concentration from unpaved road travel is estimated at 16.8 mg/s at a distance of 70 meters from the road boundary which in a flat terrain will reach 100 ug/m3 at a distance of 3 kilometres.
23 R.S. Murthy et. al. (1961(. “Genesis and Classification of Some Alluvial Soils in the Ganga River Plain of Central Uttar Pradesh”, soil samples from the upper soil portions contains β1.15-39.75% silt 125
248. The SCREEN 3 model output is provided below.
GANGA BRIDGE UNPAVED ROAD TRAVEL APPROACH ROADS
SIMPLE TERRAIN INPUTS: SOURCE TYPE = AREA EMISSION RATE (G/(S-M**2)) = 0.421600E-03 SOURCE HEIGHT (M) = 1.0000 LENGTH OF LARGER SIDE (M) = 100.0000 LENGTH OF SMALLER SIDE (M) = 30.0000 RECEPTOR HEIGHT (M) = 0.0000 URBAN/RURAL OPTION = RURAL THE REGULATORY (DEFAULT) MIXING HEIGHT OPTION WAS SELECTED. THE REGULATORY (DEFAULT) ANEMOMETER HEIGHT OF 10.0 METERS WAS ENTERED.
MODEL ESTIMATES DIRECTION TO MAX CONCENTRATION
BUOY. FLUX = 0.000 M**4/S**3; MOM. FLUX = 0.000 M**4/S**2.
*** FULL METEOROLOGY ***
********************************** *** SCREEN AUTOMATED DISTANCES *** **********************************
*** TERRAIN HEIGHT OF 0. M ABOVE STACK BASE USED FOR FOLLOWING DISTANCES ***
DIST CONC U10M USTK MIX HT PLUME MAX DIR (M) (UG/M**3) STAB (M/S) (M/S) (M) HT (M) (DEG) ------10. 8801. 5 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 9. 100. 0.1366E+05 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 8. 200. 7671. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 300. 4864. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 400. 3305. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 500. 2384. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 600. 1803. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 700. 1417. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 800. 1157. 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 900. 967.9 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1000. 823.6 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1100. 714.6 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1200. 626.9 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1300. 555.6 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1400. 496.9 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1500. 447.9 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1600. 406.1 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1700. 370.3 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1800. 339.4 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 1900. 312.6 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2000. 289.4 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2100. 269.7 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2200. 252.3 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 126
2300. 236.8 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2400. 222.8 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2500. 210.1 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2600. 198.5 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2700. 188.0 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2800. 178.3 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 2900. 169.5 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 3000. 161.5 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 3500. 130.8 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 4000. 109.1 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 4500. 92.94 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0. 5000. 80.56 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 0.
MAXIMUM 1-HR CONCENTRATION AT OR BEYOND 10. M: 70. 0.1628E+05 6 1.0 1.0 10000.0 1.00 14.
*************************************** *** SUMMARY OF SCREEN MODEL RESULTS *** ***************************************
CALCULATION MAX CONC DIST TO TERRAIN PROCEDURE (UG/M**3) MAX (M) HT (M) ------SIMPLE TERRAIN 0.1628E+05 70. 0.
*************************************************** ** REMEMBER TO INCLUDE BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS ** ***************************************************
249. Wind erosion from construction materials pile: Dust emissions due to wind erosion will take place on exposed sand and soil piles in the construction site. This section estimates the PM10 emissions from sand storages piles that will be established throughout the road alignment. The general predictive equation below was utilized for this purpose:
Emission factor = k Where: � k = particle size multiplier∑�=1 Pi = 0.5 for particle size <10 µm N=number of disturbances per year Pi=erosion potential corresponding to the observed (or probable) fastest mile of wind for the ith period between disturbances, g/m2
250. The erosion potential of an erodible surface that is frequently disturbed is given as:
2 P = 58 (u*-ut)) + 25 (u*-ut*)
Where u* = friction velocity (m/s) + = 0.053 u10 + Where: u10 is the fastest mile of reference anemometer for period between Disturbances (m/s) where: u10+ = u+ {ln(10/0.05)/ln(z/0.005)} = 9.9 m/s 127
Where: z = anemometer height, India = 10m ut = threshold friction velocity (m/s) = 0.48 and 0.56 m/s for dry and wet sand24 = 0.21-0.35 (0.28) for dry soil25, for wet soil assumed at 1.5x dry soil or 1.67 m/s
251. Computed friction velocity is 1.33 m/s and the fastest mile based on climatological extremes during construction period is 8 m/s or 17.88 miles per hour.
252. Discussions with the engineering design consultants indicated a typical conical sand storage pile height of 22m and base diameter of 60m that is fully disturbed every week. Surface area was computed as:
S = πr(rβ+hβ(1/β = 1,255 m2
253. The contours of normalized surface wind, us/ur based on wind tunnel studies is provided 26 in Figure 55. The estimated PM10 emissions based on worst case scenario from pile storage are as follow:
• from dry sand pile, the maximum PM10 ambient concentration will occur 131 meters away from the pile reaching 121.8 ug/m3 and will continue to disperse and achieved standard limit of 100 ug/m3 at a distance of 400-500 meters • if water suppression is provided in the pile, the maximum ground concentration will decrease to 26.40 ug/m3 at the same distance of 131 m 3 • from dry soil, maximum PM10 ground concentration will reach 152 ug/m at a distance of 131 m and will disperse to 100 ug/m3 at a distance of 700-800 m • water the soil pile to suppress dust is effective as the predicted maximum ground concentration is reduced to 30.28 ug/m3 which is already lower that the national ambient standard
254. 2,719g and 1,418g per week for dry and wet conditions, indicating that water sprinkling on the wind- and lee-ward bottom sections of the sand pile can reduce fugitive emissions by 50%. The impact of the fugitive emission to ambient PM10 concentration was estimated using USEPA SCREEN3. Detailed SCREEN 3 Modelling is shown in Annex 9.
255. Model and the predicted maximum ground concentrations of 0.50 ug/NCM and 0.25 ug/NCM for dry and wet conditions will occur 130m downwind of the storage pile. Both ambient concentrations are well below the standards and no mitigation measures are required.
24Masahide, Ishizuka, Masao Mikami, Yutakal Yamada, and Fan Jiang Zeng. (2009(. “Threshold Friction Velocity of Saltation Sand Particle for Different Soil Moisture Condition in the Taklimahan Desert. Meteorological Society of Japan. 25N.D. Souza et.al (β01γ(. “Dust emission from different soil types in the northwest and the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.” 26 The highest sustained wind speed was 44 m/s, occurring on April 23; the highest daily mean wind speed was 7 m/s (April 23); and the highest wind gust speed was 15 m/s (July 22).The windiest month was May, with an average wind speed of 5 m/s. The least windy month was November, with an average wind speed of 0 m/s. (https://weatherspark.com/history/33924/2014/Patna-Bihar-India)w and coupled with a stability classification 4.
128
Figure 55: Contours of normalized surface wind speeds, us/ur (source: USEPA AP-42)
Table 72: Calculation of PM-10 Emissions from Sand Piles % Pile Surface ID of Pile Us/Ur Surface area (m2) Us+ U* U*-Ut (DRY) U*-Ut(WET) Pdry Pwet KPA dry KPA wet g/s dry g/s wet A 0.9 12 151 39.6 3.564 3.084 3.004 474.5412 448.2929 71,655.73 67,692.23 0.829349 0.783475 B 0.6 48 602 26.4 1.584 1.104 1.024 43.09133 35.21741 25,940.98 21,200.88 0.300243 0.245381
C1+C2 0.2 40 502 8.8 0.176 -0.304 -0.384 Total 1.129592 1.028855
Table 73: Calculation of PM-10 Emissions from Sand Piles % Pile Surface ID of Pile Us/Ur Surface area (m2) Us+ U* U*-Ut (DRY) U*-Ut(WET) Pdry Pwet KPA dry KPA wet g/s dry g/s wet A 0.9 12 151 39.6 3.564 3.284 1.894 543.41 160.7097 82,054.92 24,267.16 0.94971 0.28087 B 0.6 48 602 26.4 1.584 1.304 -0.086 66.02413 39,746.53 - 0.460029 0
C1+C2 0.2 40 502 8.8 0.176 -0.104 -1.494 Total 1.409739 0.28087
256. Increase in noise and disturbance. During preconstruction activity PC1 anticipated impacts will have medium, temporary and localized impacts. The movement of equipment and machinery will have temporary high impact on the sound environment as noise will increase in the detour roads particularly near community areas of Kacchi Dargah.
257. Table 72 lists the typical construction equipment and average noise level and noise level range. The deterioration in noise quality at a particular time depends on a number and type of equipment/machineries, vehicles in operation and the location of receptors. Therefore, the noise level during construction will vary throughout the day and night. The best and easy approach is to reduce the effect of noise at recipients’ level. Hence persons working in the construction places 129 will be required to use ear-plugs. The noise impact on the surroundings from construction works for bridge end facilities is expected to be within the acceptable level because of natural noise barriers (trees and plantations) in rural settings of the project area. Noise barriers will be provided at sensitive locations.
258. Noise quality during the main bridge construction (activity C2 and C6) will deteriorate due to the mobilization of equipment, construction materials/ vehicles, batch mixing, erection and casting, and welding. The overall impact of noise to the receptors will depend on the position of equipment and their cumulative actions. Table 74 presents typical construction equipment and their generated noise level at 50ft away from source and table 52 presents the vibration level at 30m away from source. These noise levels are above the GOI permissible limits however with suitable measures such as vegetative coverage in communities, the noise impacts from construction equipment is thus expected within the applicable standards. However, construction workers and others will directly be exposed to these noise levels.
Table 74: Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels Equipment Typical Noise Level Equipment Typical Noise Level dB(A) at 50 ft from dB(A) at 50 ft from Source * Source Air Compressor 81 Generator 81 Backhoe 80 Pneumatic Tool 85 Ballast Equalizer 82 Pump 76 Ballast Tamper 83 Rail Saw 90 Compactor 82 Rock Drill 98 Concrete Mixer 85 Roller 74 Concrete Pump 82 Saw 76 Concrete Vibrator 76 Scarifier 83 Crane Derrick 88 Scraper 89 Crane Mobile 83 Shovel 82 Dozer 85 Spike Driver 77 * Table based on EPA Report, measured data from railroad construction equipment taken during Northeast Corridor Improvement Project and other measured data
Table 75: Vibration Levels due to Construction Equipment and Traffic at 30 m (99 ft) Source Peak Particle Velocity (mm/sec) Vibratory Compactor 0.75 Pavement Breaker 1.25 Large Bulldozer 0.275 Heavy Trucks 0.25 Jack Hammers 0.075 Vibration Criteria (Old House, Poor Condition) • After CHAE 9ASCE 48, pp77-79, 1978) 12.5 • Swiss Standard, Blasting 7.5 • Swiss Standard for Machines and Traffic 3.0-5.0 Source: Report on the Pre-design Studies of Noise and Ground Vibration for NWLRS City of Calgary (Oct. 1986)
259. Modelling of Noise Emissions during Construction. The anticipated noise impact of the proposed project at nearby residents / receptors during construction period is assessed using the Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The RCNM was developed as a screening tool to check compliance with applicable 130 noise limits or standards during operations of heavy equipment during construction period, thus providing measures on areas likely affected by noise.
260. As provided in the User's Guide of RCNM (FDA Final Report, 2006), RCNM calculates equivalent noise level (Leq), the "Spec" or "Actual" maximum A-weighted sound level at 50 feet (LmaxCalc), and L10 as provided below. These calculated values are then compared with applicable limits.
LmaxCalc:
LmaxCalc=selected_Lmax-20log(D/50)–shielding where,
Lmax="Spec"or"Actual"maximum A-weighted sound level at 50 ft., listed in Table 1 for all pieces of equipment, in dBA
D=distance between the equipment and the receptor, in feet, shielding is the insertion loss of any barriers or mitigation, in dBA
Leq and L10:
Leq = LmaxCalc + 10log (U.F%/100)
where,
U.F% = time-averaging equipment usage factor, in percent
L10 = Leq + 3 dBA adjustment factor
The exceedances with limits or applicable standards as specified by the user are determined as follows:
Daytime Lmax Exceedance = LmaxCalc – Daytime Lmax Limit Daytime Leq or L10 Exceedance = Leq or L10 – Daytime Leq or L10 Limit Evening Lmax Exceedance = LmaxCalc – Evening Lmax Limit Evening Leq or L10 Exceedance = Leq or L10 – Evening Leq or L10 Limit Nightime Lmax Exceedance = LmaxCalc – Nightime Lmax Limit Nightime Leq or L10 Exceedance = Leq or L10 – Nightime Leq or L10 Limit
261. During construction stage, ambient noise will increase temporarily and intermittently in the close vicinity of active construction fronts and camps. These activities are expected to produce noise levels in the range of 97 - 105 dB (A) at a distance of about 5 m from the source.
262. Based on the construction of the similar toll roads the types and number of equipment needed to operate at the same location at the same time and their corresponding noise levels are provided in Table 76.
131
Table 76: Noise Level Prediction during Construction Distance Concrete Batch Plant + Auger Drill Rig +Dump Dump Truck + Excavator (m) Concrete Mixer Truck Truck + Generator + Slurry + Pneumatic Tools Plant Lmax Leq Lmax Leq Lmax Leq 5 103.0 97.8 104.4 102.9 105.2 103.6 10 97.0 91.8 98.3 96.8 99.2 97.6 15 93.5 88.3 94.8 93.3 95.6 94.1 20 91.0 85.8 92.3 90.8 93.1 91.6 25 89.0 83.8 90.4 88.9 91.2 89.6 30 87.4 82.2 88.8 87.3 89.6 88.0 35 86.1 80.9 87.5 86.0 88.3 86.7 40 84.9 79.7 86.3 84.8 87.1 85.5 45 83.9 78.7 85.3 83.8 86.1 84.5 50 83.0 77.8 84.4 82.9 85.2 83.6 55 82.2 77.0 83.5 82.0 84.4 82.8 60 81.4 76.2 82.8 81.3 83.6 82.0 65 80.7 75.5 82.1 80.6 82.9 81.3 70 80.1 74.9 81.4 79.9 82.3 80.7 75 79.5 74.3 80.8 79.3 81.7 80.1 80 78.9 73.7 80.3 78.8 81.1 79.5 85 78.4 73.2 79.8 78.2 80.6 79.0 90 77.9 72.7 79.3 77.8 80.1 78.5 95 77.4 72.2 78.8 77.3 79.6 78.0 100 77.0 71.8 78.3 76.8 79.2 77.6
263. Apart from the operation of construction equipment, piling and dredging activities will be implemented in river for construction of berths. These activities will also generate significant level of noise ranging from 85-90 dB (A). However, this will also be confined to the piling period. Noise level assessed at varying distance due to piling operations are given in Table 75.
Table 77: Noise Level Assessed at Varying Distance Due to Piling Operations Distance from noise source location (m) Predicted Noise Level from Piling operations 10 85.00 30 75.46 50 71.02 100 65.00 200 59.00 500 51.00
264. Noise during construction phase will be mitigated through the following: i) siting noise sources away from the communities and sensitive ecosystems, the construction camp including all plants will be located at least 1 kilometer away from the communities; ii) timing of construction activities only between 7 am to 6 pm to avoid disturbance to nearby communities at night; iii) installation of acoustic barriers27 to confine equipment near sensitive sites like schools, hospitals, and government offices.
265. All construction workers exposed to elevated noise will be provided ear plugs and muffs exposure limited to no more than 8 hours at greater than 85 dB. And no unprotected ear should be exposed to a peak sound pressure level of more than 140 dB(C) or average maximum sound level of 110 dB(A). Hearing protective devices provided should be capable of reducing sound
27Without gap of material having surface density of at least 10 kg/m2 (World Bank, 2007) 132 levels at the ear to at least 85dB(A). Noise monitoring will be carried out by the Contractor and PMAE to ensure compliance to noise standards. Monitoring will be carried out within the construction camps and active road construction fronts, while the PMAE will conduct monitoring in settlement areas, as provided in the Monitoring Plan.
266. The EPC contractor will respect applicable noise day and night time standards and will implement appropriate measures when exceeded including but not limited to: i) prohibiting work at night, ii) plan the noisiest work in daytime, iii) prohibit certain types of equipment near noise- sensitive area, iv) promote quieter working methods like sound proofing and use of electric equipment, v) use good quality mufflers, vi) ensure equipment in good working order, vii) limit the power output of equipment to what is required, viii) limit amount of equipment to minimum required, ix) install noise alarms. The EPC Contractor may use temporary stationary or mobile noise barriers around site and equipment, install acoustic sheets/curtains, increase distance between noisy equipment and sensitive noise receptor.
267. Increase in turbidity and pollution of the Ganga river. Construction activities PC1 and C1, C3, C7 and O3 in the bridge approaches and diara can pose low, temporary, and regional increase in turbidity which will have effect extending several kilometers downstream that may degrade habitats of fish and migratory birds. To minimize the risk of erosion, the EPC Contractor will: i) minimize cleared land exposed to the elements in terms of area and duration; ii) before an area is exposed, inform the BSRDCL on the location, area, duration, and route to be cleared/stripped; iii) intercept all surface runoff originating from outside the work area and direct to stabilized vegetated area or sedimentation structures (e.g. geotextile), or provision of garland drain to prevent run-off to excavated areas; iv) solidly stabilize all slopes in compliance to specifications; v) prior to work suspension during high flood/monsoon, preventive soil stabilization must be completed in accordance with specifications. The EPC Contractor will not carryout earthwork or excavation along the banks of the Ganga River during high flood and monsoon season. The EPC Contractor will demonstrate that there will be no further increase in the sediment load to the Ganga by installing turbidity curtain, adjusting working methods, disposing all excavated materials at designated sites, prohibit earthworks or excavation during high flood and monsoon periods, divert all drainage ditches towards vegetated area or structures to control sediment, and identifying all sources of suspended solids. The EPC Contractor will take all necessary precautions to prevent fine particulate matter from entering the Ganga River. Precautionary measures may include but not be limited to: i) install turbidity curtains, ii) adjust working methods, iii) identify sources of suspended solids, iv) install geo-textile, v) avoid damaging to local drainage system, vi) install berm filters and sediment traps, and vii) settling basins.
268. The risk of leaks from machineries operating (activity C6) near the Ganga river and the change in water quality may degrade fish habitat, migratory birds, and Gangetic dolphin will have average, temporary, and localized. To extent possible, heavy equipment may not operate within 20 meters from the high water mark. All pumped water must meet all applicable GoI water quality standards as defined in IS 10500 (Annex 3a) prior to use. Further, the EPC Contactor will: i) maintain all equipment in good working order to avoid leaks, ii) keep vehicle maintenance log and made available during inspection and monitoring, iii) implement emergency response to control spill, iv) in case of spills, immediately inform downstream users that may be affected, and v) immediately stop the source of spill. The release of untreated wastes, oil, chemicals, and other similar chemicals is strictly prohibited. Parking, refueling, mechanical inspection and repairs, and storage areas must be located at least 100 meters away from any water body. Dewatering of 133 excavations and cofferdams must be discharged into a sedimentation basin28 or natural vegetated area for filtering. The EPC during the entire period of construction work will monitor the contamination of the receiving water.
269. All post-construction activities will pose low, temporary, and localized impacts due to: i) site remediation may re-suspend sediment and deteriorate water quality, ii) cuttings and debris from dismantling of decks may fall on the river, and iii) use of barges and other equipment. The release of any debris, concrete residues, and damp mortar is prohibited and any accidental release shall be immediately recovered. The EPC Contractor where possible, will restore demobilized areas into its natural state using native species and natural slopes equivalent to its natural state before work began.
270. Deterioration in groundwater quality. Potential environmental impacts during construction activities PC1, C1, C2, C6, and O2 is low to average, temporary, and localized. Leachate from excavated contaminated soils, accidental oil and fuel spills, and temporary storage and disposal at unauthorized sites could affect the groundwater quality. During this activities, the EPC Contractor will ensure all vehicles and construction equipment are leak free of oil and fuel. All haul trucks will have basic spill containment equipment and all operators understand containment procedures. When dewatering excavations, pump out water should comply with applicable GoI standards prior to final disposal. No disposal of construction waste will be allowed within 100 meters from any water body. Groundwater will be monitored for possible contamination from the construction activities.
271. Deterioration of soil and sediment quality. Oil spills during pre-construction activity PC1 could affect the soil and sediment quality particularly on agricultural land on the Bidupur side including the diara. However the expected level of impact is low, temporary, and limited. During construction activity C1, excavation and earthworks will result in soils being exposed causing average, temporary, and localized environmental impacts. When works shift to the aquatic environment when the piers for the main bridge are constructed (activity C3) there maybe remobilization of contaminated sediments causing high, temporary, but localized environmental impacts and finally the management of wastes and hazardous materials C4 will have average, permanent, and limited environmental impacts from the temporary storage and disposal at unauthorized sites will have adverse impacts on the soil quality. Post construction activities will pose low, permanent to temporary, limited environmental impacts if contaminants are left on the site during O1. Accidental spills from the transport of materials and equipment. will be avoided by proper maintenance of all construction vehicles to prevent oil leaks and other pollutants. No vehicle found to be with leaking oil will be allowed inside the project site and all vehicle shall maintain a maintenance log. All toxic chemicals and hazardous substances such as oil, lubricants, paint, bitumen, gasoline, and paints including their containers and contaminated soil from excavation shall be managed in compliance with the Hazardous Waste Rule, 1989 and the respective material safety data sheet. The operations area must be free from all wastes at any time, including empty containers unless they are properly stored in a designated area.
272. All exposed soil from the site mobilization and increased erosion will require the EPC Contractor to: i) dispose excavated material at approved landfill sites. Only inert construction rubble may be disposed of in the authorized pits or recycled for road construction, ii) divert drainage ditches towards stable vegetated areas or control structures to control sediment like geotextile, straw bale filters, sediment traps and berms from reaching natural water bodies until
28Must be designed based on entry and exit flows, cleaned when 50% full, and in case of natural filters must have graminaceous field, obtain prior approval from land owner, 134 such time the exposed soil is stabilized, iii) other simple engineering measures depending on the soil type like construction of small channels in the traverse slopes, at the base of the slopes to collect and control run-off; interceptor ditch at the top of the slope; notching the slope by the use of tractors following the slope contour and perpendicular to the incline. All organic topsoil stripped shall be stored for re-use. If contaminated soils were discovered in the work area, the EPC Contractor will temporarily store on impermeable membrane like geotextile membrane to prevent leaching and its transport and disposal shall be under the strict supervision of the SPCB. All pump out water from excavations will be treated to comply with applicable standards prior final disposal.
273. Disruption of road/rail traffic. During this stage of pre-construction PC2 and construction activity C5 will cause temporary traffic changes to include lane changes in the affected national, state, and municipal roads which may experience partial closures as equipment, materials, and temporary structures are transported or built. Areas to be affected includes the Patna- Bakhtiyarpur diverted NH-30 lane, Patna-Mokama Main Line Rail-over-Bridge, Old NH30/Loknayak Path, Mehnar Junction and Chak Sikander, Hajipur-Samastipur Main Line RoB, and NH-103 to Paswan Chowk (on NH-19(. Depending on the EPC Contractor’s work schedule, mobilization on this area may not occur at the same time. A traffic management plan will be prepared by the contractor and submitted for approval to the PMAE and BSRDCL. The management plan will identify alternate traffic routes and temporary parking areas near the worksite.
274. Temporary structures particularly the materials processing plants will require connection and maybe relocation of existing lines which will cause temporary closure or diversion of traffic. This may result to low, temporary, and localized impacts during PC3. The EPC Contractor will, during and after the work, will take necessary measures to facilitate traffic along the affected roads including detours through: i) work signage as provided in IRC 055-β014 “Guidelines on Traffic Management in Work Zones”, ii( always ensure safe passage of road users, and iii( maintain access to properties along the active construction front, iv) use mobile message signs when necessary. The EPC Contractor will inform the public of the works and detours that will take place including alternate routes.
275. Disruption of water traffic on the Ganga river. Although the river section is an Inland Waterway No. 1, the vessel movement and cargo traffic immediately along the project is very low. Recent cargo movement data for the month of September 2015 (obtained from Inland Waterway Authority of India, Patna Centre) shows that average monthly vessel traffic in the river is about 12-15 vessels. In September 2015 vessels traffic consists of 4 tourist vessels, 4 cargos carrying material and chips, 3 empty cargoes, and 3 department (IWAI) vessels. There is no definite timing or season for the cargo movement in the river. During PC1, Expected impact will be low, temporary, but regional. However, during the piers, footings, and foundations construction of the main bridge C3, the anticipated impacts will be high, temporary, and regional and there may be temporary closure of the water way. The EPC Contractor will secure a memorandum of agreement or permission from the Inland Waterway Authority of India detailing partial/full closure requirements, advance notification on affected transport activities, and coordinate enforcement with concerned authorities.
276. Hydrological, sedimentation and erosion risks. Works on the Ganga River C3, like construction of piers can change the hydraulic regime and if not planned carefully can have severe, permanent, and localized impacts. The EPC Contractor before the start of construction will conduct flow regime modeling and additional detailed hydrological studies to predict the potential impacts and implement additional mitigation measures to ensure that flow and velocity 135 conditions will not change significantly to cause adverse impacts on Gangetic dolphin and gharial migration and stream bank erosion.
277. The Ganga River and its northern tributaries traces their headwaters in the Himalayan ranges which is relatively young and friable geologic feature, under extreme temperature, tectonic earthquake prone, exposed to heavy rainfall as its high elevation obstructs the moisture-rich monsoon winds causing massive and regular landslides and soil erosion. These factors lead to the high silt content of the Ganga compared to non-Himalayan rivers29which is estimated to carry from 485 – 1,600 million tons annually. Any river that carry this volume of sediment has problem of sediment erosion and deposition attached to it.
278. The Ganges River meanders from the Himalayan ranges and bifurcates into the Hooghly River, which flows south through Calcutta into the Bay of Bengal, and the Ganga River which flows east into Bangladesh. From source to sea, the Ganges flows approximately 2500 km and has a drainage basin of 980,000 km2.
279. Grain-size analyses on the river sediments indicate that the sediment is relatively coarse based on the sediment that reaches the Bay of Bengal is dominated by silt and clay, with only 15- 20% of the total being fine to very fine sand. These fine grained sediments are suspended load but larger particles are carried during flood stages. The suspended load of a river carries the majority of the sediment, while bedload transport accounts for approximately 10% of the suspended load30.
280. The Ganga floods extensively during the monsoon season, increasing from 5,000 m3/s, measured at Hardinge Bridge, to 400,000 m3/s annually in August.
281. The Ganga River Patna City reach where the proposed bridge is to be constructed including the alternatives analysis is provided the in succeeding Figure 51. The site chosen for the proposed 6-lane facility, lies between NH-30 (near Kacchi Dargah) and NH-103 (near Bidupur in Vaishali district). This corridor crosses Raghopur diara which is a river khadir. North side of the river bank along this corridor is cultivated with pockets of intense habitation near the Hazipur district industrial belt. The Southern river bank of River Ganges is occupied with operative brick kilns. Immediately upstream is the confluence of a contributary Gandak River coming from the left bank that traced its headwaters from the Himalayan mountains which conveyed the maximum discharge 25,000 cumecs corresponding to Gauge 51.429 m RL in year 1984 (Central Water Commission). The annual flow across the proposed bride axis is estimated at 106,839 m3/sec.
282. An assessment of bankline changes along the project area in 2010 (see succeeding Figure 56) 31 based on satellite maps from 1975 - 1988, 1988–1999 and 1999–2010 characterized the area around the proposed bridge axis had “only erosion on both banks during 1975-1988, depositional character increased from 1988 -1999 and the total depositional area on the left and right banks was found to be 5.4 km2 and 6.5 km2 respectively, this trend continue from 1999-2010 and the total depositional area on the left and right banks was found to be 3.0 km2 and 8.7 km2
29 Parua, P.K. (β009(. “The Ganga Morphology. “Volume 64 of the series Water Science and Technology Library pp 35-59. 30 S.K. Rice (β007(. “Suspended Sediment Transport In The Ganges-Brahmaputra River System, Bangladesh. (Thesis(” Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University. 31 S. Dayal and D.S. Pattanaik (2012). Assessment of Bankline Changes of River Ganga around Patna City, India, using Multi Temporal Satellite Data.” Department of Geology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering. ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 05, No. 03. June 2012, P.P. 442-450. 136 respectively.” This dynamic changes in the river morphology is attributed to several factors including non-homogenous composition of bank material particularly clayey and silty clay causing uneven bank caving and slumping and eventually river meandering. This is particularly evident when the clayey soil is saturated which liquefy and flow towards the channel causing the overburden and less saturated soil to collapse forming the deep shear planes and recedes the bank line. This phenomenon becomes more intense after flood stage when the bank-supporting flood waters recede abruptly. Extreme temperature changes also affects fluvial erosion of high silt-clay soils. During extreme winters, soil moisture tends to increase in volume and as the soil expansion causing a decrease in inter-particle forces and less resistant to erosion by hydraulic forces. Extreme high temperatures also weakens silt-clay soils by leaching minerals.
283. Assessment of Impacts. Figure 57 presents the bridge alignment alternatives that were evaluated to identify the best based on, among others, the configuration and erosion and sedimentation characteristic of the river.
284. The confluence of the Ganga and Gandak near the Mahatma Gandhi Setu has shown significant changes mainly from the changing contribution of the flood flows which are dependent on the hydrology of the respective catchment areas and secondly, from the angle of approach of the rivers at the confluence areas. Changes in the direction of a meandering river like the Ganga are dictated by the travel and reflection of meanders. The channel changes of the Ganga river is shown in Figures 58 and 59. The braided nature of the river also represents a high energy fluvial environment often characterized by non-cohesive banks lacking vegetation and consequently high rate of bank erosion and bed load transport.
137
Figure 56.Erosion and Deposition Along the Proposed Bridge Axis, 2010 (S. Dayal and D. S. Pattanik).
138
Figure 57.Bridge alignment alternatives (BSRDC, 2013).
139
Figure 58. Superimposed courses of river Ganga from the year 1922 to 2013 (BSRDC, 2013).
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Figure 59. Channel reflection observed in river Ganga at Patna (BRSDC, 2013) 141
285. The point of Ganga river bifurcation into two channels is located in the close vicinity of the two rivers confluence point which will also show frequent changes and shifting.
286. The proposed site is separated by a 5-6 km width diara with an average ground elevation of RL 45.0m which is 5.0m below the HFL of RL 50.0m. The diara is not stable. The diara has a history of being entirely submerged and the smaller dry channels becomes active. Historical evidence shows that the diara has been in existence for the past 140 years. There are 2 channels, the south or Fatwa and the north or the Mehnar approximately 100m and 300 meters flowing around the diara. The channels have also existed at the same time, however, the share of flow have changed. The North channel carries most of the flow, estimated at 80% of the total Ganga discharge.
287. The Ganga river meandering records starting in 1828 shows that the diara has been breached at least twice in 1966 and 1973. The diara is vulnerable to breaches, erosion, and formation of deep channels to form part of the main river. The alignment of the two channels are very near the banks. After the bifurcation, the angle of flow of the North Mehnar Channel shows high obliquity to the Bank and the point where the flow of the direction changes is near the bridge axis. A study32of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu indicates how crucial the angle of attack in relation to the foundation scour which increase by 10% for every 5 degree change.
288. There are two smaller channels that crosses the diara and joins the Mehna river. The alignment of these channels could change depending on the morphological and hydrological changes immediately upstream. It is possible in the future, given the instability of the diara, that one of the channels may become extinct and the remaining channel will carry the entire Ganga discharge33. This is further supported by BSRDC34(2013) hydraulic study on the proposed Ganga Path where “there is a tendency of evolution of the spills (offshoots( from the river Ganga being in the braided stage and it also has the tendency of lateral shifting of the deep channel of the river. It is therefore important to have adequate protection against action of flow of the spills from the river and also against the lateral shifting of the deep channel.
289. Proposed mitigation measures and study considerations by the EPC Contactor. The bridge is sited 12 kilometres downstream of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge with a minimum width of flow due to the formation of the diara, within stable reach, and banks are erosion resistant. The National Highway at the south bank and the state highway in the north bank ensures high floodwater will be contained. This makes the site suitable.
290. Structural options considered for the 6-lane facility (main bridge) were: i. A bridge of 9,500 m length extending from km 1/530 on South bank (near Kacchi Dargah) to km11/030 on North bank (Gopalpur ghat near Bidupur) with the entire reach being treated as scourable and navigable. ii. Two independent main bridges (with navigational clearance) over South bank (A-
32Tiwari, H., Sharma, N., and Simegn, A. (β01β(. “The Bridge Court by HEC-RAS Model: A Case Study over Ganga Bridge.” Recent Trends in Civil Engineering and Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 2, August 2012. STM Journals. Pp1-8 33 This phenomenon has happened near Gumi 80-90 kms downstream of Guwahati in the Brahmaputra river. The island has existed over 100 years and 2 channels flows around carrying 40%:60% of the flow. Morphological changes in the last 6-7 years has rendered the north channel extinct. 34BSRDC (β01γ(.“Construction of Ganga Path from Digha to Didarganj (21.5 km)at Patna in the State of Bihar on EPC mode. Hydraulic and Hydrologic Report (Preliminary(.”Prepared by IL&FS and RITES.
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1 to P-14) and North Bank (P-65 to A-2) with high embankment in the diara with openings for cross-drainage, vehicular, pedestrian, cattle crossings and minor streams. iii. Two independent main bridges (with navigational clearance) over South bank (A- 1 to P-14) and North Bank (P-65 to A-2) connected with viaduct spans (non- navigational span and low height) in diara portion.
291. Of the three technical options considered, option i. of having a bank to bank bridge with a waterway of 9.5km is being recommended under the project. This was mainly due to the second and third options having many risks due to the instability of the diara and substantial costly additional protection works being needed. Other risks with the second option was the possibility of one channel carrying the entire Ganga discharge, then both waterway designs may be required to carry the entire flow individually. During high flood flows, the embankment over the diara for the diara access road can force overland flows to divert to the channels resulting to increase in flowrate and may cause river bank erosion which will require anti-erosion measures.
292. Considering the instability of the diara, the embankment for the access road from the diara to the main bridge will require adequate protection. In general the diara will require heavy protection of upstream side and individual sets of guide bunds for structures across the channels in the diara. The embankment will remain vulnerable to river attack during floods and regular maintenance will be needed throughout the bridge life.
293. Due to the unstable nature of the diara, the first option of a bridge with a single waterway spanning the entire 9.76 kms is being recommended. However, the disadvantage of constructing a single bridge is the very high looseness factor which will result to hydraulic and sedimentation problem due to high obliquity of flow at the guide bunds requiring more expensive protection and maintenance works. A highly non-uniform flow increases the depth of scours at the foundations requiring deeper foundation level.
294. Preliminary design for the bridge will be reviewed by the EPC Contractor to include: i) scour depth of ββ.5 m was estimated using the Lacey’s Method as provided in the Indian Railway Standard Bridge Substructure Code, ii) design flow of 106,839 m3/s, ii) silt factor of 1.0, iii) deep foundation design depth was set at 19.80 m based on Gale’s principle, IRC Practice, and Spring Curve, iv) and founding level was estimated at 14.8m based on HFL 50.0m-45.0 scour depth- 19.80m Grip length. Detailed soil investigation on each of the pier location will made to provide more applicable information.
295. With respect to the proposed bridge alignment and the flow of the North and South channels, the flow on the North has shown very high obliquity of flow as compared to the smoother flow across the bridge alignment in the South Channel. The bridge should be oriented to maintain perpendicular to the direction of flow. As designed during the feasibility study, this is not optimal and based on hydraulic modeling to be conducted by the EPC Contractor the orientation of the bridge on across the north and south channels should corrected or provide deeper founding depth and frequent maintenance works to take into account higher scouring.
296. Health, safety and hygiene for construction workers: Construction of the bridge and approach roads will result in the generation of waste. In isolated places, the amount of waste generated may be greater than normal because of substandard subsoil materials, which will need to the replaced.
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297. The EPC Contractor will be required to control the construction site, keep it clean and provide facilities such as dust bins and collectors for the temporary storage of all waste. This waste should be adequately stored to avoid pollution of water supplies and water sources and to avoid dust formation. The Contractor will be responsible for the safe removal and/or storage of all waste in order to prevent environmental pollution of any type that may be harmful to people or animals.
298. All necessary safeguards should be taken to ensure the safety, welfare and good health of all persons entitled to be on the sites and to ensure that works are carried out in a safe and efficient manner. All personnel working at vulnerable site locations will wear safety helmets and strong footwear. It should be ensured that all workmen and staff employed on site use proper safety equipment – for example, eye protectors, ear plugs, safety helmets, the designated safety equipment when working over water - and that proper rescue equipment is available. Fire extinguishers and first-aid equipment will be kept at all sites.
299. The construction camps are anticipated to house up to 200 people for about four years. With this concentration of people, the potential for the transmission of diseases and illnesses will increase. The main health and safety risks during construction will arise from: • inadequate sanitation facilities in worker camps; • introduction of sexually transmitted, and other diseases, by immigrant workers; and • outbreaks of malaria, typhoid, cholera etc. amongst the labour force.
300. The following actions will be undertaken at construction camps and stipulated in construction contracts: • submit and obtain approval for a health and safety plan prior to the commencement of work; • provision of adequate health care facilities; and • workers will be required to undergo pre-employment medical screening and treatment (if required) and periodic health checks thereafter.
301. The project will support a public health education programme for workers and villagers covering road safety, malaria, hygiene, and sexually transmitted diseases. The district health departments will also be invited to participate in monitoring and educating communities and workers affected by the project.
302. Road safety issues. The recent industrial and agricultural developments being experienced in Bihar have led to higher transport demand. However, the vehicular infrastructure has not kept pace with the resulting business development and resulting increase in vehicular population and in turn led to traffic congestions, deteriorated level of traffic efficiency and road safety in existing bridges such as Mahatma Gandhi Setu. The construction of the new Ganga Bridge directly address the increasing road crashes that has taken place in and around the Gandhi Setu. The dilapidated state of the Gandhi Set where at some point has been reduced to a single lane requires “γ00 policemen equipped with wireless sets, a separate police station, one crane and scores of CCTV cameras to clear the perennial traffic jams on it.”
303. During the past 10 years, major accidents has happened in the Gandhi Setu. In addition to avoiding the hazards brought by the dilapidated condition of the Gandhi Setu, the proposed bridge will comply, among others, with the following national design standards: • IRC SP:44-1996: Highways Safety Code • IRC SP: 88-2010: Manual on Road Safety Audit
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• IRC SP: 30-1968: Standard Letters and Numerals of Different Heights for Use on Highways • IRC SP: 35-1997: Road Markings • IRC SP: 103-1988: Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities • IRC SP: 67-2001: Code of Practice for Road Signs
304. Due to the greenfield nature of the project, road safety issues are limited to the approach and haul/access roads to the work and camp sites. The following traffic management measures will be implemented to avoid road crashes and minimize the inconvenience to other road users, in addition to the occupational health and safety measures discussed in relevant sections:
• The contractor will implement necessary measures to facilitate the movement of vehicles affected by the construction work, including detours through the following: o Maintain work signages where there is risk of accident or damage to structures; o Install route signages compliant to relevant Code of Practice for Road Signs; o Maintain location and guidance signage at all times; o Ensure safe passage for all road users; o Maintain access to adjacent properties; o Deploy variable message signs to inform road users of real-time traffic conditions and obstructions; o Deploy flagmen on hazardous locations; o Avoid dangerous routes and times of day to minimize risk of accident; and o Ensure drivers maintain proper speed • The public will be informed of the works and detours provides through the use of media, public announcements, and signages; • Regularly maintain vehicles to avoid malfunction and failures that may lead to crashes; • Collaborate with local communities including enforcement agencies on the proper location and adequacy of signages particularly near schools, place of workshop, and public markets; • Partner with emergency responders to coordinate first aid provision to road crashes; • Provide transport services to labourers to minimize the impact on traffic and demand for public transport; and • Transport of hazardous materials like fuel, lubricants, and paints should be done by accredited transporter with capacity to manage accidental spills.
305. Land use and social impacts. The proposed bridge and road construction will alter the land use in the project area. Development of bridge and approach roads require 312 acres of land. As of July 2017, approximately 186 acres, consisting of 57 acres of government land and 129 acres of private lands, have been acquired. About 126 acres of land still need to be acquired. In addition, 12.22 acres is needed for setting up camp area at chainage 0+000, 43.36 acres for camp area in chainage 4+500, and Bidurpur camp which is still under approval. Adequate compensation has been paid for the land to be used for these activities. Land will be rehabilitated
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in its original condition before handing back to the owner. Any utility or CPR like community temple, school, hospital, hand pump, and well must be shifted immediately after dismantling to minimize disturbance to people.
306. Improved access will also lead to increased migration, but this will occur gradually and over a prolonged period. There will be time for new residential areas to be established. There will be a need to control ribbon development.
307. Specific benefits to local people will include: • easier communication; • easier access to markets (both internally and regionally) with savings in travel times and costs; • enhanced market efficiency through better distribution and accelerated deliveries etc.; • improved access to health, education and other social services; • employment generation; • improved technical skills; and • enhanced economic activity.
308. Likely adverse social impacts will include: • increased chances of exposure to communicable diseases, particularly during construction; • influxes of new settlers leading to increased pressure on natural resources causing hardship to local communities relying on local/forest resources; and • rural-to-urban migration causing labour shortages in the depleted rural areas and other negative impacts in the urban areas.
309. Assessment of social impacts and mitigation measures is also presented in the PSA report.
C. Key operational stage impacts
310. Construction of new bridge and approach roads will result in introduction of fast moving traffic in the project area. Fast movement of vehicles including cars, buses, trucks, lorries and similar other heavy transports will result in both potential significant negative and positive impacts as discussed below.
1. Air Quality and Emissions
311. The major impact on the air quality during the operation stage will be due to movement of vehicles on the proposed bridge over Ganga River. The impact on air quality depends upon traffic volume, traffic fleet including fuel type and prevailing atmospheric conditions. An unstable atmospheric condition disperses pollutants more and results into low pollutant concentrations while stable atmospheric conditions build-up the pollution level. To assess the likely impacts on the ambient air quality due to the proposed highway project, the prediction of the carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) concentrations have been carried out using line source dispersion modelling approach, based on Gaussian equation. CO is an indicator pollutant for vehicular pollution. So, prediction of CO concentration is representative of the impacts of air pollution due to traffic movement. The modeling for this project has been carried out using CALINE-4, line source model developed by the California Transport Department. It has been setup and run by using emission factors prevalent for Indian vehicles (ARAI, 2007) and hourly
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traffic volumes as predicted for the project. The study is conducted to predict 1-houly increment st th in CO, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations for the 1 year (base year) and future traffic, i.e. 5 Year, 10th Year, 15th Year and 20th Year. Improvement in fuel quality i.e., sulphur free fuel, is used in vehicles now a days which reduce the SO2 emission from vehicles. The impacts of other pollutant concentrations is also insignificant. Therefore, this study only focus on the CO, PM2.5 and PM10 dispersion, generated from the traffic on the proposed highway.
312. CALINE-4 is the fourth generation simple line source Gaussian plume dispersion model (Benson, 1984). It employs a mixing zone concept to characterize pollutant dispersion over the roadway. The main purpose of the model is to assess air quality impacts near transportation facilities. The input parameters are emission source strength, meteorology and road geometry. It can predict the pollutant concentrations at selected receptors locations for 1 hour and 8-hour average up to 500 meters of the roadway. For most applications, optional inputs can be bypassed and many other inputs can be assigned assuming worst-case values. More complex approaches to dispersion modeling are unnecessary for most of the applications because of the uncertainties in the estimation of emission factors and traffic volumes for the future years. CALINE- 4’s accuracy is well balanced with the accuracy of state-of-art predictive models for vehicular pollution.
313. Various input parameters for the prediction of pollutant concentrations are discussed below:
• Traffic Data:The fleet wise traffic volumes for the present study have been taken from the detailed feasibility report of the project. The annual average daily traffic (AADT) data is available for the proposed bridge through traffic survey. CALINE 4 model needs hour average traffic volume. However, model has been setup for peak traffic hours assuming 25% of average daily traffic volume. The total traffic hour volume is further categorized in to two wheeler, four wheeler, Light commercial vehicles (LCVs), Bus and high commercial vehicles (HCVs), based on the traffic survey at existing bridge (Figure 60).
Buses 6% 2w HCV 23% 27% 3w 12% LCV 9% 4w 23%
Figure 60: Traffic Fleet on the Bridge
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314. The annual average daily motorized traffic data are given in Table 78 of existing bridge along with future traffic growth.
Table 78: Annual Average Daily Motorized Traffic Data Year 2 wheeler 3 wheeler 4 wheeler LCV HCV Buses 1st Year 7652 4169 7860 3030 9549 1976 5th Year 12100 6592 12428 4735 15801 3185 10th Year 17779 9686 18260 7057 24312 4592 15th Year 23792 12962 24437 9727 34098 6145 20th Year 31839 17346 32702 13471 47825 8223 • Road Geometry: In the CALINE-4 model the entire length of the selected road section is divided into various road links. The division of sections into links has been done in such way, so that the link can be fairly considered as straight stretch of road having homogenous geometry with uniform road width, height and alignment. The coordinates of end points of links specify the location of the links in the model. The maximum numbers of link in each road section can be 20. The mixing zone width calculated for selected highway corridor is 12m (3 m + 3 m + 6 m) as per guideline provided in CALINE4 model.
• Emission Factors: Emission factor is one of the important input parameters in CALINE-4 model. In the present study, the emission factors specified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI, 2007) have been used for calculation of weighted emission factors. These emission factors have been expressed in terms of type of vehicles and type of fuel used (for petrol and diesel driven passenger cars). Since, there is only one input requirement for total no. of vehicles in the CALINE-4 model, whereas, there are different categories of vehicles (viz., two wheelers, cars, buses and trucks) with different year of manufacture and fuel used, it is essential that a single value representing the equivalent or weighted emission factors for all the vehicles is input into the model. The emission factor used to estimate WEF are given below in Table 76. The traffic data are not available for fuel types, therefore average emission factor are used in this study. Thus, WEF expressed in g/mile (converted from gm/km) has been calculated for the present study using methodology given by Sharma et al., 2013. For PM10, emission from resuspension of road dust of paved road have been estimated using following empirical equation (USEPA 2011).
E = k (sL) 0.91 × (W)1.02
Where: E= particulate emission factor (g/VKT) K =particle size multiplier (g/VKT), default value of “k” for PM2.5 is 0.15 g/VKT sL = road surface silt loading (g/m2) = 0.531 g/m2 (Sahu et al., 2011) W = Average weight of vehicles (in tons) on road = 1.41 ton (Sahu et al., 2011)
315. The emission factor for CO, and PM2.5 used in the present study for different vehicles type are given in table 79. The calculated WEF for CO, PM2.5 and PM10 for peak traffic hours is given in Table 80.
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Table 79: Emission Factors for Different Types of Vehicles (ARAI, 2007) Vehicle type CO Emission factor (gm/km) PM2.5 Emission factor (gm/km) Two wheeler 3.08 0.20 Three wheeler 2.50 0.24 Cars/Jeep 1.53 0.06 LCV 2.02 0.49 BUS 8.40 1.08 HCV 12.65 1.60
Table 80: Weighted Emission Factor for Proposed Traffic Year Weighted Emission Weighted Emission factor for Weighted Emission factor factor for CO (g/mile) PM2.5 (g/mile) for PM10 (g/mile) 1st Year 8.93 1.03 2.12 5th Year 9.09 1.05 2.14 10th Year 9.23 1.07 2.16 15th Year 9.37 1.09 2.18 20th Year 9.51 1.11 2.20
• Meteorological data: The study was conducted to predict pollutant concentration for worst meteorological conditions. The meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction standard deviation, temperature, mixing height and stability condition are used in model. The wind direction standard deviation was calculated to know the flexibility of wind direction and used as input parameters in worst case run condition. The model has been run with worst case, in which models predicted maximum pollutant concentration.
• Receptors: A set of link receptors were taken at various receptor locations within each section at a distance of 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 40 m, 70m, 100 m and 200 m both sides from edge of the carriageway to know the dispersion of pollutant from the road. The monitoring station are marked as receptor points to compare the monitoring and predicted pollutant concentrations.
2. Results
316. The model has been setup and run to predict hourly average CO, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations for year 1st year, 5th year, 10th year, 15th year and 20th year using forecasted traffic data on proposed highway. The predicted hourly average concentration of CO, PM2.5 and PM10 during peak traffic are shown in tables 81,82 and 83 for proposed highway project, respectively at four selected receptor locations. The graphical representation of hourly average pollutant concentrations on both side of the road sections shown in figures 61, 62 and 63 at different locations.
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Table 81: CO Predicted Concentrations (ppm) for peak traffic hour CO Concentrations (ppm) GOI limit: 1.5 (ppm), WB-EHS: 1.5 ppm Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Left side) Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Right side) Year -200 -100 -70 -40 -20 -10 -5 5 10 20 40 70 100 200 1st Year 0 0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0 0 5th Year 0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0 0 10th Year 0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0 15th Year 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 20th Year 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2
3 Table 82: PM2.5 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) for peak traffic hour 3 3, 3 PM2.5 Concentrations (µg/m ) GOI limit: 60 µg/m WB-EHS: 25 µg/m Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Left side) Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Right side) Year -200 -100 -70 -40 -20 -10 -5 5 10 20 40 70 100 200 1st Year 1.23 1.34 2.68 5.36 9.38 12.33 13.40 13.20 12.54 9.90 8.98 3.96 1.32 1.25 5th Year 1.95 2.12 4.24 8.48 14.84 19.50 21.20 20.60 19.57 15.45 14.01 6.18 2.06 1.96 10th Year 2.80 3.04 6.08 12.16 21.28 27.97 30.40 25.20 23.94 18.90 17.14 7.56 2.52 2.39 15th Year 3.85 4.18 8.36 16.72 29.26 38.46 41.80 39.40 37.43 29.55 26.79 11.82 3.94 3.74 20th Year 4.79 5.21 10.42 20.84 36.47 47.93 52.10 49.20 46.74 36.90 33.46 14.76 4.92 4.67
3 Table 83: PM10 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) for peak traffic hour 3 3, 3 PM10 Concentrations (µg/m ) GOI limit: 100 µg/m WB-EHS: 50 µg/m Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Left side) Distance from the edge of the road, m. (Right side) Year -200 -100 -70 -40 -20 -10 -5 5 10 20 40 70 100 200 1st Year 2.60 2.83 5.65 11.31 19.79 26.01 28.27 27.32 25.96 20.49 18.58 8.20 2.73 2.60 5th Year 4.12 4.47 8.95 17.89 31.31 41.15 44.73 42.64 40.51 31.98 29.00 12.79 4.26 4.05 10th Year 5.90 6.41 12.83 25.66 44.90 59.01 64.14 52.16 49.56 39.12 35.47 15.65 5.22 4.96 15th Year 8.11 8.82 17.64 35.28 61.74 81.14 88.20 81.56 77.48 61.17 55.46 24.47 8.16 7.75 20th Year 9.03 9.81 19.62 39.24 68.67 90.25 98.10 95.40 90.63 71.55 64.87 28.62 9.54 9.06 Note: Brown colour indicates exceedance of WB-EHS standards.
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1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2
CO Concentration CO (ppm) 0.1 0 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 Distantance from edge of the road
1st Year 5th Year 10th Year 15th Year 20th Year
Figure 61: CO predicted concentrations (ppm) along the proposed Bridge
60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00
-250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 PM2.5 PM2.5 Concentration(µg/m3) Distantance from edge of the road
1st Year 5th Year 10th Year 15th Year 20th Year
3 Figure 62: PM2.5 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) along the proposed Bridge
120.00 100.00 80.00 60.00 40.00 20.00 0.00 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250
PM10 PM10 Concentration(µg/m3) Distantance from edge of the road
1st Year 5th Year 10th Year 15th Year 20th Year
3 Figure 63: PM10 predicted concentrations (µg/m ) along the proposed Bridge
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317. Table 84 describes the average baseline concentration (24 hour average) PM2.5, PM10 and CO monitored during winter and summer period at different locations around the proposed bridge.
Table 84: Baseline Pollutant Concentration at Different Locations Location Name Approx. distance from PM2.5 PM10 CO proposed bridge (m) Kalyanpur Village 50 43.685 74.81 1038.685 Jafarabadih Village 40 39.75 66.375 781.75 Majlishpur (School) 60 38.25 57.875 702.875 Didarganj 100 48.185 81.56 1058.81 Standard (NAAQS) 60 100 2000
318. In addition, the spatial distribution of hourly average predicted CO, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations have been plotted in figures 64, 65 and 66, respectively for peak traffic hour which shows that pollutant concentrations are decreasing when goes away from the bridge. From the CALINE4 modelling results, it is observed that maximum dispersion of pollutants concentration emitted from traffic volume at proposed bridge is up to 200 m. Therefore, the impacts of traffic movement at proposed bridge over Ganga River will not impact the surrounding atmosphere. Also there are very few sensitive receptors within 200 m of proposed corridor, therefore impacts on air quality will be very limited.
Figure 64: Spatial distribution of CO concentrations
1st Year
152
5th Year
10th Year
15th Year
153
20th Year
Figure 65: Spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentrations
1st Year
5th Year
154
10th Year
15th Year
20th Year
155
Figure 66: Spatial distribution of PM10 concentrations
1st Year
5th Year
10th Year
156
15th Year
20th Year
319. Conclusions. It has been observed from the model output that when the traffic volume increases, the concentration of air pollutants also increases correspondingly. CO levels are expected to be within GOI and WB-EHS standards till year 20. Levels of PM2.5 and PM10 is expected to be within the GOI standards throughout the project life. However, PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceed the WB-EHS standards at year 15 within 40 m from the centerline (10 m on left and right side from the edge of the road). There are only 4 sensitive receptors located within 10m from the road edge as shown below in Table 84. Hence, overall the long term air pollution impacts on people are expected to be minimal due to presence of very few villages in the project influence area.
3. Noise Quality Prediction
320. Noise quality along the Project road will be increased due to the introduction of traffic volumes on new bridge. The predication of future noise levels due to increase in traffic has been carried out using FWHA noise model. Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM) helps for highway traffic noise prediction and analysis. TNM computes incremental
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highway traffic noise at nearby receivers. As sources of noise, it includes noise emission levels for the following vehicle types:
• Automobiles: all vehicles with two axles and four tires -- primarily designed to carry nine or fewer people (passenger cars, vans) or cargo (vans, light trucks) -- generally with gross vehicle weight less than 4,500 kg (9,900 lb); • Medium trucks: all cargo vehicles with two axles and six tires -- generally with gross vehicle weight between 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) and 12,000 kg (26,400 lb); • Heavy trucks: all cargo vehicles with three or more axles -- generally with gross vehicle weight more than 12,000 kg (26,400 lb); • Buses: all vehicles designed to carry more than nine passengers; and • Motorcycles: all vehicles with two or three tires and an open-air driver / passenger compartment.
321. The procedure for prediction of noise levels involves the following steps:
(i) Identification of various receivers, (ii) Determination of land uses and activities which may be affected by the noise generated, (iii) Assemble input parameters, and (iv) Application of the model.
322. The description of the components to predict noise level are as follows:
• Receivers: TNM calculates the sound levels at the input receivers. • Land Uses: Land use along the road is obtained from the topographic drawings. This information provides the range of shielding and absorption factors to be applied at the various receivers. • Input Parameters: Traffic volume for the projected period is obtained from the traffic projections. The total number of vehicles passing per hour by type - light, medium and heavy along with their average speed is used for predictions. • Average Noise Level: All vehicles produce noise, which is taken as the base, and the cumulative noise at the receiver distance due to the whole traffic is estimated. The average noise level varies depending on the type of vehicle. • Application of Model: Equivalent noise levels due to traffic at the receivers are estimated using Federal Highway Noise model. Equivalent Sound Level (TEQ, denoted by the symbol, LAeqT): Ten times the base-10 logarithm of the square of the ratio of time-average, mean-square, instantaneous A-weighted sound pressure, during a stated time interval, T (where T=t2-t1), and the reference mean- square sound pressure of 20: Pa, the threshold of human hearing, e.g., 1HEQ, denoted by the symbol, LAeq1H, represents the hourly equivalent sound level. LAeqT is related to LAE by the following equation:
LAeqT = LAE - 10*log10(t2-t1) where LAE = Sound exposure level in dB
323. Sound Exposure Level (SEL, denoted by the symbol, LAE): Over a stated time interval, T (where T=t2-t1), ten times the base-10 logarithm of the ratio of a given time integral of squared instantaneous A-weighted sound pressure, and the product of the reference sound pressure of 20:Pa, the threshold of human hearing, and the reference duration of 1 sec. The time interval, T, must be long enough to include a majority of the sound source’s acoustic energy. As
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a minimum, this interval should encompass the 10 dB down points. Traffic data used in noise modelling are given below in Table 85.
Table 85: Annual Average Daily Motorized Traffic Data Year 2 Wheeler 3 Wheeler 4 Wheeler LCV HCV Bus 1st Year 7652 4169 7860 3030 9549 1976 5st Year 12100 6592 12428 4735 15801 3185 10st Year 17779 9686 18260 7057 24312 4592 15th Year 23792 12962 24437 9727 34098 6145 20th Year 31839 17346 32702 13471 47825 8223
Table 86: Noise Prediction in dB (A) Along the Road Corridor
Note: GOI NAAQS and WB EHS Guidelines Standards for Day time noise level limit is 55 dB(A) and Night Time Noise Level limit is 45 dB(A) for residential areas. For silent zones GOI NAAQS are 50 dB(A) for day time and 40 dB(A) for night time. Red colored figures show that noise levels are higher than NAAQS as well as WB EHS Guidelines limits.
Table 87: List of Sensitive Receptors along the Project Alignment S. No Name of Village Properties Offset in (m) Latitiude & Longitude 1 Himmatpur School 120m 250γ4’41.76”N, 85017’16.89” E 2 Karmopur School 55 m 250 γ6’17.59”N, 850 19’1β.1β” E 3 Sahdullapur Chak Farid School 25 m 250 γ0’1γ.65”N, 850 β0’β9.64” E 4 Sabalpur Temple -- 250 γγ’56.β4”N, 85016’4.8γ” E
324. Table 85 shows that noise levels increase over time due to the increase in traffic volume. However, it is the impacts on sensitive receptors and residential areas that is of most concern and needs mitigation. Table 86 shows that there are only 4 sensitive receptors and they are located from 00 m to 120m from the road edge or within 40m from the road centreline (ROW width is 60m). Hence, to analyse the impacts on the sensitive structures it is the noise levels within 40m from the centerline of the road that needs to be considered. Noise barriers have been proposed to be constructed in front of the identified sensitive structures to reduce noise impacts in consultation with the local community. Trees will also planted as noise barriers where width is
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available. Literature35 shows that noise barriers can reduce noise by 5 to 10 dB. Hence with construction of a noise barrier it has been assumed that there will be a reduction in noise by approximately 7 dB (assuming an average reduction in noise of 7dB). In addition, noise reduction can be expected due to difference in height of traffic and sensitive receptors. The road is mostly elevated in the section with the sensitive receptors nearby. There will also be further reduction in noise by the barrier created by the wall of the school or temple. Hence a total reduction of approximately 10 dB can be expected. The “with mitigation” column in Table 87 shows the noise levels with mitigation measures of constructing noise barrier, reduced speed of vehicles from the use of speed breaker and barrier effect from the wall of the school/temple/house. The figures in Table 87 show that these measures and factors will be very effective in lowering the noise levels.
325. Conclusion. The noise level at the location of the 4 sensitive receptors will remain within the GOI and WB-EHS standards with the installation of noise barriers, height difference between noise source and receptor and barrier effect of the wall of the school or temple.
35http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/noise_barriers/design_construction/keepdown.cfm
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Table 88: Predicted Noise Levels Along the Project Road With and Without Mitigation Measures, dB Distance from 1st Year 1st Year 5th Year 5th Year 10th Year 10th Year 15th Year 15th Year 20th Year 20th Year Baseline Road without with without with without with with with with with level centre mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation line (m) 1 73 76.00 66 79 69 86 76 92 82 96 86 10 53 56.00 46 59 49 66 56 72 62 76 66 20 46.98 49.98 40.98 52.98 42.98 59.98 49.98 65.98 55.98 69.98 59.98 40 40.96 43.96 33.96 46.96 36.96 53.96 43.96 59.96 49.96 63.96 53.96 100 33 36.00 26 39 29 46 36 52 42 56 46
Notes: Red colour shows exceedance in GOI and WB-EHS standard requirement for day time noise level. It is the noise levels at 40m from centerline or 10m from the road edge which matter.
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326. Noise dispersion: A small corridor of bridge has been selected to develop noise contour for base year as well as future years. The contour lines are generated by plotting a contour zone within 40 m distance from centerline of the road on both sides of the road. Due to model limitation, it is not possible to select the whole road corridor in the modelling domain. Therefore, spatial dispersion of noise has been show with a small stretch of bridge. Figures 67 to 71 shows noise level contour around a small road corridor for 1st Year, 5th Year, 10th Year, 15th Year and 20th respectively. These predicted results are for peak traffic hours which is only for 1 hour. During non-peak traffic hours, the noise level is less compared to noise level for peak traffic hours.
Figure 67: Noise contour for 1st Year
Figure 68: Noise contour for 5th year
Figure 69: Noise contour for 10th year
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Figure 70: Noise contour for 15th year
Figure 71: Noise contour for 20th year
327. Noise barriers. The noise barriers can be constructed from earth, concrete, masonry, wood, metal, and other materials. To effectively reduce sound transmission through the barrier, the material chosen must be rigid and sufficiently dense (at least 20 kilograms/square meter). All noise barrier material types are equally effective, acoustically, if they have this density. To effectively reduce the noise coming around its ends, a barrier should be at least eight times as long as the distance from the home or receiver to the barrier. A provision of five noise barrier locations in each corridor is made which should be provided based on the willingness of the school/temple or religious structures authorities and technical feasibility. Conceptual drawing of the noise barrier is provided in Figure 72 below. Environment Specialist of Supervision Consultant will prepare site specific design of the noise barriers and will provide it to the Contractor.
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Figure 72: Conceptual Drawing of the Noise Barrier
328. Although estimated noise over the project duration shows higher noise levels at various receptor locations; implementation of suitable mitigation measures will reduce the construction noise to acceptable limits. Mitigation measures should include: • Installations of noise barriers; • construction machinery should be located away from settlements; • careful planning of machinery operation and the scheduling of such operations; • controlled blasting should only be carried out with prior approval from the Engineer in charge; • contractors should be required to fit noise shields on construction machinery and to provide earplugs to the operators of heavy machines; • blasting should be conducted only during day-light hours; and • only controlled blasting should be conducted.
329. Trees will be planted along the road to act as natural barrier to noise. Further, physical noise barriers have been provided in the subproject design. These physical noise barriers can be constructed from earth, concrete, masonry, wood, metal, and other materials. To effectively reduce sound transmission through the barrier, the material chosen must be rigid and sufficiently dense (at least 20 kilograms/square meter). To effectively reduce the noise coming around its ends, a barrier should be at least eight times as long as the distance from the home or receiver to the barrier.
D. Cumulative and Induced Environmental Impacts
330. According to the ADB Environment Safeguards Sourcebook 36 Cumulative Impacts is described as: “The combination of multiple impacts from existing projects, the proposed project, and anticipated future projects that may result in significant adverse and/or beneficial impacts that cannot be expected in the case of a stand-alone project.” The sourcebook also describes Induced Impacts as: “Adverse and/or beneficial impacts on areas and communities from unintended but
36 Environment Safeguards, A Good Practice Sourcebook, Draft Working Document, December 2012
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predictable developments caused by a project, which may occur at later time or at a different location.
1. Cumulative Impacts
331. Along with the proposed six lane bridge the BSRDCL is developing a wide road network for improved connectivity as presented in Google earth picture shown below (Figure 73). In addition, there are 4 bridges currently under construction in Bihar. These are:
• Ara – Chhapra bridge located 50 km upstream planned to complete construction in late 2016, • Digha – Sonpur bridge located 22 km upstream planned to be completed in February 2016, • Bakhtiyarpur – Tajpur bridge located 50 km downstream planned to be completed in late 2016, and • Munger – Khagaria bridge located 163 km downstream and planned to be completed by, late 2016
Figure 73: Indicative Locations of Proposed Six-Lane Bridge and Future Road Network
332. Construction of 4 bridges are all planned to be completed within 2016. Construction of the Project bridge is expected to start by mid 2017 at the earliest. By then the effects of construction of the bridges in the water upstream and downstream of the project location will no longer be there. And given the large volume of water in the river, all effects of increased sediment load and pollution due to chemicals, waste etc. is expected to already be washed out.
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333. Owing to the lack of exact information on improvement proposals, location, extent and timeframe of development of this regional road network and bridges, it is not currently possible to assess cumulative impacts that may occur. Should these development projects take place in proximity of and concurrent to works on the proposed 6-lane Ganga bridge project, possible adverse cumulative impacts may include:
• Land Acquisition: Construction and upgradation of roads will require land acquisition which may trigger out involuntary resettlement for affected people. • Construction materials: Road development projects are likely to require large amounts of aggregates during construction. There may be significant cumulative impacts from transportation of aggregates from the borrow pits and quarries to the construction sites, and from the operation of concrete batching plants. Sources of construction materials for road and bridges construction are indicated in Table 89.
Table 89: Source of Construction Material for Planned Civil Interventions S. Construction Estimated Source Quarry/Sand mines No. Materials Quantity Approval Status 1. Aggregate (20 mm) 513,909 ton Jagarnathpur, Block 1, Block- Approved mines from Chandauti, District-Gaya SEIAA, Bihar 2. Aggregate (10 mm) 523,005 ton Jagarnathpur, Block 1, Block- Approved mines from Chandauti, District-Gaya SEIAA, Bihar 3. River sand 709,468 ton Balu Ghat, District Nawada, Approved riverbed from Bihar MoEF&CC, New Delhi 4. Cement 200,000 ton Ultratech, Ambuja & ACC -- (grade 43) 5. Ad mixture 3,820 ton -- -- 6. Borrow Area -- The site is under and Required statuary consideration & finalization. clearance will be taken once the site is finalized.
• Water resources: There is the potential for pollution of sensitive water resources during construction in the same way as for the proposed 6-lane Ganga bridge Project. The cumulative impact is considered to be potentially negative. However, large volumes of fuel, oil or chemicals are unlikely to be used during construction. • Ecology: Cumulative impacts from the road extension project may include permanent removal of habitat. This is considered of lower significance, as these projects are mostly upgrades and will be in general an extension to the existing footprints rather than completely new ones in areas of undisturbed habitat. • Air quality: At locations where construction of the proposed extension road passes in close proximity to dwellings, construction dust may cause a temporary nuisance to local residents. There could be some additional dust in the atmosphere or the duration of increased dust concentrations could be longer. • Noise and vibration: At locations where construction of the proposed road extension work is carried out, noise may cause a temporary disturbance to local residents as well as vibration may cause damage to the most vulnerable properties. • Community health and safety: during road construction impacts in community health and safety due to exposed to noise, dust and vibration disturbance and the risk of road traffic accidents. • Traffic: The proposed Project will involve a large number of vehicle movements on public roads that are also used by other developments and construction
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projects, as well as the public. This could have a cumulative impact in terms of temporary congestion or an increased risk of accidents, and is considered to be a potentially negative. There may be significant cumulative impacts from general construction traffic movements, including transportation of aggregates from the borrow pits and quarries to concrete batch plants and construction sites. • Unplanned events: New developments will not be permitted within a defined distance from the proposed project facilities in accordance with Indian law, and any development planned within 500m will be subject to risk assessment. Keeping third-party developments at safe distance from the project facilities means that third-party incidents are extremely unlikely to escalate to include the project or vice versa.
334. Since the topography, terrain, land use and improvement proposals of the new roads and bridges is expected to be similar to those of new 6-lane Ganga bridge project, the mitigation measures proposed in the EMP for this is 6-lane project road would minimize above impacts associated with development of road network in the project area. Therefore it is recommended to follow the proposed EMP for extension road section as well.
335. The project contractor will coordinate with the respective contractor responsible for constructing the roads connecting with the project approach roads and where possible work together to minimize negative impacts. Areas where two contractors may work together are: traffic management of existing local traffic, coordinating movement of haulage trucks to reduce movement of haulage trucks from both projects at the same time to minimize impacts of dust, noise and safety; coordinating the route of the haulage trucks to minimize area of impact and others. Further details on the road network project will be collected by the contractor during the detailed design stage and identification of cumulative impacts and need for coordination further refined.
336. Major positive cumulative impacts from the road network project and the 6-lane bridge project will include employment generation and increased economic activities during project construction. During project operation there will be an overall increase in access and connectivity in within the larger Patna area and Bihar state. 2. Induced Impacts
337. With the development of a regional road network, it is expected that the connectivity of the northern part of the region with the rest of country will provide increased accessibility to markets, ports and growth centers. This will lead to development of business (including agriculture and fisheries), industry, communication, tourism, urbanization, etc. The induced development has both negative and positive impacts. The positive impacts are increase in the socio-economic conditions of the region through employment generation and poverty reduction. The negative impacts are (i) air and noise pollution due to construction activities, increase in traffic levels and industrial development, (ii) generation of wastes due to increased living standards, (iii) consequent health impacts due to pollution and waste generation, (iv) loss of biodiversity and critical habitats, and (v) land acquisition and resettlement. An assessment of these positive and negative impacts in terms of degree, duration and mitigability of impacts is shown in Table 90.
Table 90: Assessment of Induced Impacts from Proposed 6-lane Bridge Construction Impact Degree of Impact Duration Mitigability Loss of biodiversity Medium, negative Long term Partly Land acquisition and resettlement High, negative Long term Partly Air and noise pollution Medium, negative Long term Partly
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Impact Degree of Impact Duration Mitigability Waste generation High, negative Long term Fully Health impacts High, negative Long term Fully Business development High, positive Long term Enhancement Industrialization High, positive Long term Enhancement Tourism High, positive Long term Enhancement Employment opportunities High, positive Long term Enhancement
338. After the construction of the project, at regional scale a lot of developments are expected to take place due to the faster road communication, particularly in the northern and eastern part of the country. Types of induced impacts are discussed in the following paragraphs.
a. Roadside Development
339. Because of commercial importance of the roads and easy access to National Highway network via NH-30, NH-103 and NH-02, roadside developments are expected to grow at a faster pace with the construction of the project. The expected roadside developments are industries, markets/growth centers/shops, housing areas, etc.
340. The potential significant negative from roadside development are i) loss of seasonal floodplain, ii) deterioration in surface water quality, iii) deterioration in groundwater quality, iv) waste generation, v) land acquisition and resettlement, vii) loss of agricultural lands, and viii) change in land use.
341. Loss of seasonal floodplain: Loss of seasonal floodplain will result primarily from earth filling of roadside low-lying lands. These lands are seasonally flooded, habitats for fishes/aquatic life, birds during monsoon/wet season and used as agricultural lands during dry period.
342. Deterioration in surface water quality: Roadside developments will generate several types of wastes during their construction and operation and maintenance stages. Typical wastes are likely of solid and liquid which may further be classified as hazardous/toxic and non- hazardous/non-toxic. Disposal of these wastes without treatment will contaminate surface water surrounding the dumping sites. Contamination of surface water quality will have potential significant negative impact on biological functions of surface water as well as fish/aquatic life resources therein.
343. Water Supply and Sanitation: Roadside development will require safe drinking water supply and sanitation facilities in selected locations. Unplanned development will pose great risk of waterborne diseases to infants and young children and people who are debilitated or living in unsanitary conditions and elderly. BSRDCL needs to coordinate with other departments and regions especially Local Government and Engineering Department for identifying locations for water supply and sanitation facilities along the corridor. And expedite the development of these infrastructures along the corridor to cash in the full advantage of the national highway network.
344. Deterioration in groundwater quality: Deterioration in groundwater quality is likely to occur due to the dumping of untreated wastes. Leachate of wastes that contains hazardous elements will percolate soils reaching groundwater contaminating the natural resources.
345. Waste: Wastes will be generated during construction and maintenance of roadside development, and unless they are properly managed they will cause severe impact on
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environment. Particularly industrial hazardous wastes would affect the health quality of the workers as well as will contaminate soil and water at their dumping locations.
346. Land acquisition and resettlement: Widening of the road and construction of other commercial establishments along road side with the private/public initiative will trigger out land acquisition and resettlement issues and their associated impacts which needs to be properly handled before the start of such activity.
347. Loss of agricultural lands: Roadside areas are mostly agricultural lands and development along the corridor will have impact on the agricultural lands. The impact is cumulative and will be seen as key issue for all infrastructure development in Bihar.
348. Change in land use: Change in land use is from conversion of existing lands, mostly agricultural lands, into residential and commercial lands. Moreover, development works would induce further developments which also have the impact on land use again. For example, construction of commercial establishments will result in change in land use, i.e., agricultural lands into industrial purpose; and again there will be further change in land use from associated developments (say housing facilities for the workers) due to commercial establishments.
349. Major positive impacts will be from employment. Roadside developments including industries, commercial shops, fuel stations and similar others will generate a lot of employment for different professional categories of people. Employment will also be generated from other sectors, directly or indirectly linked with roadside developments.
b. Industrialization
350. Hajipur is an important industrial belt in the project area. There are several industrial areas in and around Patna. There is good potential of import/export trade through National Waterways No. 1. Patna as a terminal of Inland Waterways Authority of India. Development of road network will boost international trade through National Waterways No. 1 which runs from Haldia (Sagar) to Allahabad across Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly river system. Haldia has an important sea port serving as the gateway for regional imports and exports as well as to South Asian countries.
351. In addition, private industries are expected to grow along the major roads having good access to the proposed bridge.
352. Lying on the alluvial plains of the Gangetic plains, Patna has long been a major agricultural center of trade, its most active exports being grain, sugarcane, sesame, and medium-grained Patna rice. There are multiple sugar mills still in existence in and around Patna. It is an important business and luxury brand center of eastern India. In 2009, the World Bank stated Patna as the second best city in India to start up a business. Patna is the 21st fastest growing city in the world, and the fifth fastest growing city in India, and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.72%.
353. The proposed project corridor crosses Raghopur diara, which has a very high potential for development as a future satellite town of Patna city. The north side of river bank along this corridor is mainly banana plantation, with pockets of intense habitation. This belt is not far from industrial belt of Hazipur district.
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354. Major adverse impacts from industrialization are i) loss of seasonal floodplain, ii) deterioration in water quality, iii) soil quality, iv) waste generation, v) land acquisition and resettlement, vi) loss of agricultural lands, and change in land use.
355. Loss of seasonal floodplain: Loss of seasonal floodplain will result from construction of industries on roadside floodplain/wetlands, adjacent to major roads and in other areas in the regions.
356. Deterioration in water quality: Industries are likely to produce hazardous and non- hazardous wastes which they may not handle/manage properly and dump elsewhere without treatment. This will deteriorate surface water quality. Surface water contamination during monsoon may spread over large area due to flooding. Unplanned disposal of hazardous/toxic waste may lead to the deterioration of groundwater quality, which may lead to several public health implications related to drinking groundwater.
357. Deterioration in soil quality/soil contamination: Improper waste dumping will contaminate soil. Liquid wastes generated from industries may be accumulated contaminating surface water, groundwater and soil there. The effect may be widespread due to flooding effect.
358. Waste: Wastes will be generated at various stages of industrial development, both during construction and operation. Various types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes will be generated depending on the type of industries and their extent of operation.
359. Land acquisition and resettlement: Land acquisition and resettlement issues will arise due to the establishment of various industries and export zones.
360. Loss of agricultural lands: Loss of agricultural lands is associated with land-acquisition for industrial development.
361. Change in land use: Change in land use is primarily due to the transformation of agricultural and other lands to industrial development.
362. Major positive impacts from industrialization are employment and gender related benefits: Industrial sector is a potential source of employments in Bihar. Industries will provide employments to many people directly and indirectly. Several types of industries are expected to be established in the regions such as food processing, bricks, pharmaceuticals, sea fish/food processing industries, etc. These industries require professionals and technicians of various skills and levels. Employment will also come from associated business and commercial activities linked with industries. Thus people who are associated with the transportation and export/import business will also benefit from employment.
363. Gender: With industrialization, ample job opportunities will be generated for the local people, including women. In the food and agriculture sector, large part of industrial jobs is offered to women because of their skills and efficiency in performing their jobs.
c. Construction of Public Utilities Network
364. There are no specific details available but project bridge may support utilities such as gas/oil pipeline, power transmission lines, telecommunication cables, water pipeline in future. Construction of these associated lines connecting the existing network is beyond the scope of this project. Concerned department dealing with the corresponding facilities also do not have any
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plan of their alignment at this stage. Therefore specific identification of environmental issues out of their construction is difficult. However, typical assessment is made which show construction of these networks will require land acquisition. It is expected that the alignment will be through open land which is primarily used for agriculture purpose. As such, agriculture production will be potentially affected as well.
d. Development of Raghopur diara
365. The new 6-lane bridge is planned to have access roads to Raghopur diara. This will bring year round smooth and easy access to the diara which is currently accessible only by a seasonal pontoon bridge or by boat. The improved accessibility is expected to significantly improve the quality of life of people living in the diara as development of other facilities will be made much easier. However this may also bring many negative impacts. Few of the probable positive and negative induced impact are indicated below:
a. Positive Induced Impact
• Development of basic facilities for improving quality of life such as better electricity, supply of drinking water, local roads etc.; • Easier commute for the local people to take up employment across the river on the northern and southern side of the diara; • Improvement in local business and availability of consumer goods required for day to day living; • Overall improvement in income level of the local people due to easier access to economic opportunities.
b. Negative Induced Impacts
• Development activities within the diara that may result in loss or change in critical habitats particularly the western flood plains; • Rapid development may stress the available limited resources; • Agricultural areas may get converted to non-agricultural uses; • The local population may start growing at a faster rate due to more people migrating to the diara hence putting more pressure on local infrastructure; and • There may be increased environmental problems such as deterioration of air, water and soil quality and noise levels due to inappropriate disposal of waste and increase of vehicle population.
366. To minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts it is recommended that the diara should have a systematic local area plan. The plan should include proper land use plan with clear delineation of wildlife habitat areas, agricultural areas and commercial and residential areas. The local road network connecting to the 6-lane bridge must include adequate safety features. Waste management facilities such as individual septic tanks or a common sewerage treatment plant, solid waste management facilities will also need to be included in the local area plan.
E. Environmental Enhancement Measures
367. Biodiversity Conservation Plan. In order to ensure “no net loss” of biodiversity as a result of the project and to achieve a “net gain” of biodiversity, a Biodiversity Conservation Plan (BCP) will be implemented under the project. The objective of the BCP will be to enhance the status of the local biodiversity and focus on conservation of the endangered species in the project
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influence area which are Gangetic dolphins, Ganges softshell turtles and Gharial. An External Monitor for Environment Safeguards will be recruited to implement the BCP.
368. Activities under the BCP will include baseline data collection, monitoring and implementation of specific conservation activities. The following are the activities that will be implemented under the BCP:
a) Establishment of baseline biodiversity: Collection of baseline data on flora and fauna within the 10km project influence area to set the pre-project baseline.
b) Monitoring during project construction and operation: Monitor flora and fauna during project construction stage (4 years) and 3 years during project operation stage to observe changes in comparison to baseline conditions. The purpose of this exercise will be to ensure that biodiversity levels are maintained at baseline conditions/levels (no-net loss of biodiversity) or improved (net-gain of biodiversity).
c) Implement biodiversity conservation activities: In consultation with local experts from relevant agencies such as the Forestry Department, Zoological Survey of India, Patna University, Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary and others and in reference to the Dolphin Conservation Action Plan (DCAP) the External Monitor will propose appropriate biodiversity conservation activities that can be implemented within the project timeline and budget plan of $500,000. These activities may include habitat enhancement activities, support activities under the DCAP, implement activities under Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary, awareness raising amongst local communities and in particular the fishermen on the importance of the local biodiversity, training on fishing methods that do not impact dolphins, eco-tourism and others. The details of such activities will be finalized by the External Monitor. Identified activities may be implemented in partnership with ongoing programs on Dolphin conservation with respective implementing agencies or institutes.
369. Third Party External Monitoring. In addition to implementing the BCP the External Monitor will conduct third party monitoring on implementation of the EMP by the contractor and supervision by the PMAE (Project Management and Authority Engineer). The objective of the third party monitoring will be to ensure that project activities are being implemented in a manner that avoids, minimizes or mitigates impacts on the local biodiversity. Appropriate technical advise and guidance will be provided by the External Monitor if any unforeseen or new impacts arise during project implementation.
370. Designation of “no-go” zones. Detailed design of the bridge will be prepared after award of contract to the contractor and details of the exact location of campsites, quarries, borrow areas, waste disposal sites, access roads etc. will be finalized during preparation of the detailed design. The following areas will be designated as “no-go” zones:
371. Floodplains at the western end of Raghopur diara. This serves as habitat for migratory birds, turtles and other reptiles. No construction camp, borrow areas or disposal sites will be established in this area. No construction activities will take place in this area. And access will be restricted to construction workers as they maybe encouraged to hunt for wildlife such as turtles and their eggs. The exact boundaries of this western end will be determined by the External Monitor after conduction of their baseline studies.
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372. River banks or river edges along the two channels on the southern and northern end of the bridge. One of the key threats to dolphin and turtle habitat is conversion of the river edges from natural soft embankments into hard concrete embankments. Hence location of the bridge piers will avoid such areas. The exact distance to be maintained between the pier location and the river edge will be determined by the External Monitor during finalization of the detailed design. A minimum distance of 100m should be maintained from the river edge for location of camp sites including storage yards, labor camps, casting yards, batching plants. This criteria will be further reviewed and other technical guidance provided by the External Monitor in consultation with the PMAE and contractor.
373. The above “no-go” zones will be reviewed and further details identified by the External Monitor. If necessary, more areas as “no-go” zones will be identified and added by the External Monitor.
374. Quarries without an environmental clearance and other legal permits. The contractor will ensure that they will source rocks and boulders only from licensed quarries that have secured an environmental clearance and other legal permits.
375. Borrow areas without legal permits and/or agreement with land owner. The contractor will ensure that they will source borrow material only from borrow areas that have secured an environmental clearance and other legal permits. If the borrow area is on private land, the contractor should also make proper legal agreements with the land owner.
376. Guidelines and good environmental practices. Annex 8 to Annex 13 of this EIA Report presents good environmental management practices and guide documents in the following aspects of road construction: • Tree plantation and management guidelines (Annex 8) • Borrow area management plan (Annex 9) • Guidelines for emergency management system (Annex 10) • Guidelines for waste disposal and management (Annex 11) • Selection and management of construction campsite (Annex 12) • Muck disposal (Annex 13)
377. Further management plans will be developed for: health and safety; traffic management plan for both road and water traffic. Other plans will be identified and prepared during the detailed design stage.
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VI. CLIMATE CHANGE RISK AND ADAPTATION FOR GANGA BRIDGE
378. The proposed Ganga Bridge, like other bridge projects are directly exposed during events of high water levels where accessibility could be affected from frequent storms37. The immediate project area is prone to riverine flooding, the most recent event of which occurred in 2003 when the HFL surpassed the 1994 record of 50.27m. The project area is classified as having extreme mortality risk from flooding with flood frequency of more than50 events/100 years.
A. Review of Related Literature
379. Simulated Projections for Summer Monsoon Climate over India by a high-resolution Regional Climate Model (PRECIS), (K. Krishna Kumar, et al, August, 2011). Impact of global warming on the Indian monsoon climate was examined using Hadley Centre’s high resolution regional climate model, PRECIS (Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies). Three simulations from a 17-member Perturbed Physics Ensemble generated using Hadley Center Coupled Model (HadCM3) for the Quantifying Uncertainty in Model Predictions (QUMP) project, were used to drive PRECIS. The PRECIS simulations corresponding to the IPCCSRES A1B emission scenario were carried out for a continuous period of 1961–2098. The model showed reasonable precision in simulating the monsoon climate over India. The climate projections were examined over three time slices, viz. short (2020s, i.e. 2011–2040), medium (2050s, i.e. 2041– 2070) and long (2080s, i.e. 2071–2098). The model projections indicated significant warming over India towards the end of the 21st century as follow:
• Towards the end of the 21st century (2071–2098), all three simulations indicate a significant rise in the mean annual surface air temperature (~ 4°C) over India. The analysis of temperature extremes indicates that both the daily maximum and minimum temperatures may be intense in the future under global warming conditions.
• The summer monsoon precipitation over India is expected to be 9–16% more in 2080s compared to the baseline (1970s, i.e. 1961–1990) under global warming conditions. However on a smaller regional scale, some regions may experience slightly lower rainfall compared to the baseline period.
380. Sub-Basin Scale Characterizations of the Changes of the Future Rainfall over the Ganges River Basin using High Resolution Regional Climate Model, (Md. Raqubul Hasib, et al, September, 2014). An attempt has been made in this study to define the rainfall features of Ganges basin under moderate climate change scenario. The river basin has diversified climatic patterns. The Ganges river basin was divided into 14 major sub basins. The impact of climate change over Ganges was observed using Hadley Center’s regional Climate model, PRECIS (Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies). PRECIS simulation was carried out corresponding to SRES A1B scenario for a time period of 1971-2099. PRECIS generated rainfall showed deviation from observed rainfall therefore simulated rainfall were corrected with respect to observed rainfall for impact studies. In this particular study PRECIS generated rainfall time series was bias corrected with respect to rainfall data of Indian Meteorological Department. The climate projections were examined over three time slices, viz. near (2020s, i.e. 2011–2040), farther (2050s, i.e. 2041–2070) and transient (2080s, i.e. 2071–2099). The Analysis indicated that monsoon rainfall increases 0.01% at β0β0’s, 5.5% at β050’s and 7.γ% at β080’s. Probability of rainfall extreme over Ganges basin such as maximum 1-day rainfall, count of consecutive
37 http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/sectors/buildings/climate-change-impact-on-buildings.aspx
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rainfall days shows increasing trend, on the other hand, number of rainfall event (>20 mm) on monsoon season shows decreasing trend.
381. Impacts of Water Infrastructure and Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Ganges River Basin (IWMI Research Report 142, 2011). This study assessed the variability of flows under present and ‘naturalized’ basin conditions in the Upper Ganges Basin (UGB( (area of over 87,000 square kilometers (km2)). The naturalized basin conditions are those that existed prior to the development of multiple water regulation structures, and hence may be seen as a reference condition, a starting point, against which to evaluate the impacts of planned basin development, as well as the impacts of future climate change (CC) on basin water resources. The later impacts are also part of the study: the PRECIS regional climate model (RCM) was used to generate climate projections for the UGB, with subsequent simulations of future river flows.
382. Results showed that the annual average precipitation, actual evapotranspiration (ET) and net water yields of the whole basin were 1,192 millimeters (mm), 416 mm and 615 mm, respectively. However, there were large variations in both temporal and spatial distribution of these components. Precipitation, ET and water yields were found to be higher in the forested and mountainous upper areas of the UGB. On an annual average, present-day flows throughout the UGB were about 2-8% lower than in naturalized conditions. The percentage of flow reduction was the highest during the dry months as water was withdrawn for irrigation.
383. Dry and wet season flows under CC scenario A2 (scenario corresponding to high population growth with slower per capita economic growth and technological change) are lower than those in present climate conditions at upstream locations, but higher at downstream locations of the UGB. Flows under CC scenario B2 (corresponding to moderate population growth and economic development with less rapid and more diverse technological change) are systematically higher and lower than those under CC scenario A2 during dry and wet seasons, respectively. The dates of minimum daily discharges are highly variable among stations and between different CC scenarios, while the dates of maximum flow are delayed downstream as a result of the delay in the onset of the monsoon in the lower parts of the basin. The report also provides actual simulated discharge time series data for all simulated scenarios, in the overall attempt to augment the river flow data for this important river basin and to facilitate the use of these data by any interested party.
384. Climate Change in India, A 4x4 Assessment – A Sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030s; Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment, INCCA Report #2, November 2010. INCCA is a network-based programme that brings together over 120 institutions and over 220 scientists from across India to undertake scientific assessments of different aspects of climate change assessment. Covering agriculture, forest, health and water sectors the assessment focuses on 4 eco-sensitive regions of the country, namely, the Himalayan region, the North-Eastern region, the Western Ghats and the Coastal regions, each having a very distinctive bio-diversity. The climate change scenarios are based on A1B socio-economic scenarios of the IPCC that assumes significant innovations in energy technologies, which improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of energy supply.
385. Indian annual mean temperature showed significant warming trend of 0.51oC per 100 year, during the period 1901–2007. Accelerated warming was observed in the recent period 1971– 2007, mainly due to intense warming in the recent decade 1998–2007. This warming was mainly contributed by the winter and post-monsoon seasons, which had increased by 0.80°C and 0.82°C in the last hundred years, respectively. The pre-monsoon and monsoon temperatures also indicate a warming trend. For India as a whole, frequency of hot days showed a gradual increasing
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trend and frequency of cold days shows a significant decreasing trend during the pre-monsoon season over the period 1970–2005.
386. Trend analysis of 1-day extreme rainfall series based on the period 1951-200, indicated that these extreme rainfall amounts are increasing at many places in India. This observation is based on analysis of highest rainfall recorded from 1000 stations across India for the period 1951- 2007 at a resolution of 1ox1o. These results were in good agreement to that of Roy and Balling (2004), who reported overall increase in extreme rainfall events and their intensities during the period 1901-2000.
387. The vulnerability assessment with respect to the possible future floods was carried out using the daily outflow discharge taken for each sub-basin. These discharges were analyzed with respect to the maximum annual peaks. It was observed that all the regions in India show an increase in the flooding varying between 10 to over 30% of the existing magnitudes. This poses very severe implication for the infrastructure such as dams, bridges, roads, etc., and shall require appropriate adaptation measures to be taken up.
B. Predicted High Flood Level
Table 91: Modeling Annual Maximum Flood at Gandhighat Station, Patna
Source: CWC, Patna
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388. The annual maximum (AM) flood discharges recorded through 48 years (1965-2012) of the River Ganga at Gandhighat station in Patna is presented in Table 91. The highest measured flood flow of 83,000m3/s was recorded in 1994, while the lowest of 15,000 m3/s was recorded in 2010. The 48-year mean instantaneous flood flow is 44,485m3/s with a standard deviation of 16,716 m3/s. Figure 74 shows the annual maximum floods with a 5-year moving average trend smoothed to highlight significant changes in the trend.
Figure 74: Annual Maximum Discharge Series of River Ganga (1965-2012) at Gandhighat Station, Patna
Source: CWC, Patna
389. A group of statistical functions used in Indian rivers (Table 70 include the: Log Pearson Type III, Gumbel, Log-Normal, and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV)) is fitted to the annual maximum (AM) series, and the resulting curve is used to estimate the magnitude of flows of a given return period. Using EasyFit software Ver. 5.6 Professional (2014) the GEV seems to be the best-fit as per the statistics summary below.
Figure 75: Probability Density Function
Figure 6.2 Probability Density Function 0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0 16000 24000 32000 40000 48000 56000 64000 72000 80000 AM Flood
Histogram Gumbel Max Lognormal Gen. Extreme Value Log-Pearson 3
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Fitting Results Goodness of Fit # Distribution Parameters Kolmogorov Anderson Chi-Squared
Smirnov Darling
k=- # Distribution Gen. Ex reme Val Statisti Ran Statisti Ran Statisti Ran 1 0.19841 σ=16195.0 μ=γ784 ue c k c k c k 0.0 Gen. Extreme Val 0.0850 0.2700 0.5820 1 1 1 1
2 Gumbe Max σ=1γ0γ4.0 μ=γ696β.0 ue 3 5 7
α=15.86β =- 0.1344 0.9129 3 Log-Pearson 3 2 Gumbel Max 3 4 3.3157 4 0.10324 =1β. 64 3 2 0.1060 0.3208
4 L gnormal 5 3 Log-Pearson 3 2 2 2.3193 3 σ=0.406 μ=10.6β6 8 8
0.1388
4 Lognormal 4 0.6096 3 1.1144 2 2
C. Testing for Non-Stationarity
390. The change in a variable over a given period of time is often described with the slope of a linear trend. Trends are the simplest component of climate change and provide information on the first-order changes over the time domain considered. This implies that the physical mechanisms behind the detected trends remain unknown. The calculated trends represent changes that can be due to natural internal processes within the climate system and/or external forcing, which can either be natural, such as solar irradiance and volcanic aerosols, or anthropogenic, such as greenhouse gases.
391. Statistical methods are used to estimate the trend, together with some measure of uncertainty. Amongst others, Smith (2008) provides more information on the basic statistical model for a linear trend and the complications that arise from climate data being auto-correlated (not independent). Here, by change-point analysis, two distinct trends; a positive trend from 1964- 2003, and a downward trend after are discernible. The trend is charted in Figure 75, and a change-point after year 2003, may suggest varying hydrological phenomenon responsible for generating flood events, or regulation of water at upstream Ganga River.
Figure 76: Observed Trends in Ganga River Annual Maximum Discharge
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392. The most common nonparametric tests for working with time series trends are the Mann- Kendall and Spearman’s rho tests. The Mann-Kendall test is the most common one used by researchers in studying hydrologic time series trends. The software XLStat (2015) has been employed here to detect trends if any in the AM series given in Table 89, and the results are as follow:
393. This indicates existence of non-stationarity in the annual maximum flood series of the Ganga River at Patna and that traditional presumed methods cannot be applied with reasonable confidence.
6.3 GEV Fit (under Stationarity) for observed Annual Max Discharges of the Ganga River
The GEV Distribution (cdf) is:
1} �−� −� ��� �, �, �, � = exp{−[1 + � � ] Where, > 0; and, μ = location parameter, σ = scale parameter and ξ = shape parameter �−� 394. Using1 + � the� extRemes toolkit (Ver.2.9.2), a GEV distribution has been fitted to annual maximum discharge series of the Ganga River at Patna. The parameters of the simulated data from GEV Distribution without trend is given below
GEV fit L-moments (stationary case) estimates Location (μ(: 0.005511165 Scale (σ(: 1.065316 Shape (ξ(: -0.000101106
Likelihood ratio test (5% level( for ξ=0 does not reject Gumbel hypothesis. Likelihood ratio statistic is 0.002057116< 3.841459 1 df chi-square critical value. p-value for likelihood-ratio test is 0.963824
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395. Simulated Data from GEV Distribution with Trend in Location Parameter
396. To simulate a GEV distribution with a non-constant location parameter of the form μ(t( = μ0 + μ1t, where μ0 = 0 and is based on a discernible trend from 1965-β00γ with μ1 = 0.0γ. The following probability and return level plots are shown in the succeeding Table.
GEV Fit Non-Stationarity (Linear Trend in Location) L-moments (Non-stationary case) estimates Location (μ(: 0.1698266 Scale (σ(: 1.031883 Shape (ξ(: 0.09348973
Likelihood ratio test (5% level( for ξ=0 does not reject Gumbel hypothesis. Likelihood ratio statistic is 0.5138502< 3.841459 1 df chi-square critical value. p-value for likelihood-ratio test is 0.4734769
Figure 77: GEV Fit, Non-Stationary, Ganga River at Patna
D. Return Periods vs. Return Levels
397. With the L-moments estimated parameters simulated from GEV shown in boxes 6.2 & 6.3 above, the T-year return periods by GEV can be estimated using the following equation (6.1). The results are given in Table 92 and Figure 77.
(6.1) � �−1 � � � � � = � + {1 − −log }
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Table 92: % Change for Estimated Maximum Discharge Return Period, Estimated Max Discharge, m3/s % Change years T Stationary Non-Stationary (linear change in location Stationary parameter) Non-Stationary 10 58,562 64,049 9.37% 20 68,100 73,262 7.58% 50 77,250 82,093 6.27% 100 89,093 94,127 5.65% 200 97,968 103,062 5.20% 500 106,811 111,905 4.77%
Figure 78: Return Level versus Return Period 130
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Non-Stationarity (Linear Trend in Location Parameter) Thousands y = 12507ln(x) + 35286 110 R² = 0.9941
100
90
80
Stationarity (No Trend) 70 y = 12581ln(x) + 29855
Estimated Max. Flood (cms) Flood Discharge Max. Estimated R² = 0.9946 60
50 10 100 1000 Return Period, Years
E. Design Flood for River Ganga at Patna
398. Considering that the Ganga River system is very complex with many regulation systems upstream and that critical floods are generated by monsoon onslaughts, the question as to how to incorporate the effect of climate change in the variables and assumptions will remain a contentious matter. In the light of uncertainties created by climate change, among other things, much literature advice that the calculation assumptions and procedures be revised regularly and comparisons made continuously between actual flood occurrences and calculated design floods. However this is an ongoing process amongst researchers.
399. The WMO’s WCDMP-No.72, 2009 (Guidelines on Analysis of Extremes in a Changing Climate in Support of Informed Decisions for Adaptation), mentions that changes in extremes can be assessed by using extreme value theory and calculating extreme quantities for different periods of time (both in the past and future) or by using more advanced methods in which the parameters of the statistical models vary over time to describe the temporal evolution of the
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extremes. Thus, using the extRemes toolkit, and with a linear trend in location parameter, Figure 73depicts the shift in return levels. The 100-year flood turns out to be near 150-year flood by this method considering non-stationarity of the annual maximum flood data series. Conversely, if stationarity was to be taken for granted, the 100-year flood translates to a 65-year flood under non-stationarity.
F. Adaptation Measure
1. Design discharge
400. Various methods are followed in practice for determination of design discharge. The feasibility study report indicate two methods were chosen for the detailed analysis. There are three bridges constructed in the vicinity of the proposed bridge and all have shown satisfactory performance till now. Further, there are two bridges under construction, and one gauge discharge site wherein long records of discharges are available.
401. Therefore, it is reasonable to take a cognizance of all the design discharge values selected for these Bridges and the maximum discharge values observed at the gauge discharge site. It is indicated that while deciding the design discharge of the proposed Bridge, statistical processes for extrapolation of maximum discharges were used and the discharges observed in rivers Ganga and Gandak were considered while arriving at the design discharge for the proposed Bridge.
402. The design discharge for the proposed Bridge is finalised as 106,839 cum/ s. When compared to the design discharge of Mahatma Gandhi Setu of 96,277 cum/s, and the design discharge of rail cum road bridge at Patna, of 97,000 cum/s. the proposed design discharge appears within reasonable limits. However, further analysis is made to look into the dependency on the computed design discharge. The observed highest discharges of rivers Ganga and Gandak are added and the design discharge of (81,839+25,000=) 1,06,839 cum/s is arrived at. Using the peak flood data, RITES worked out the 100-year flood frequency for the two rivers. Addition of the estimated discharges of the two rivers works out to (96,919+20,620=) 1,17,539 cum/s. If the flood peaks would coincide, then the above two values may have to be chosen for deciding the design discharge. However, the floods of rivers Ganga and Gandak do not coincide. As the catchments of the two rivers are far apart, and the time of travel of floods would also be different, the coincidence of the floods at the Bridge is normally not possible. Mahatma Gandhi Setu was designed for a discharge of 96,277 cum/s. There is no major contribution of discharge from any river between Mahatma Gandhi Setu and the proposed bridge. The hydraulic performance of Mahatma Gandhi Setu is quite satisfactory. Therefore, the design discharge of the proposed bridge could also be the same. However, with the projected increase in flood flows due to climate change, which was estimated at 94,127 m3/s, the 106,839 m3/s is acceptable. However, these calculations will be reviewed and upated after further hydrological studies are conducted by the contractor during detailed design. The most conservative estimate will be considered for the bridge design.
403. Such increase in the design discharge in the downstream direction, two design discharges, are found on other places. On river Yamuna at Delhi, the Wazirabad Barrage was constructed in the year 1958-60 has a design discharge of 7,080 cum/s. Structures constructed later like the road Bridge at Humayun tomb has a design discharge of 8,495 cum/s. Various methods are followed in practice for determination of design discharge. The reports indicate that two methods were chosen for the detailed analysis. There are three bridges constructed in the vicinity of the proposed bridge and all have shown satisfactory performance till now. Further, there
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are two bridges under construction, and one gauge discharge site wherein long records of discharges are available.
404. Therefore, it is reasonable to take a cognizance of all the design discharge values selected for these Bridges, the maximum discharge values observed at the gauge discharge site, and the projected impact of climate change on Ganga River flood flow. It is indicated that while deciding the design discharge of the proposed Bridge, statistical processes for extrapolation of maximum discharges were used and the discharges observed in rivers Ganga and Gandak were considered while arriving at the design discharge for the proposed Bridge.
G. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
405. The Transport Emissions Evaluation Model for Projects (TEEMP)38developed by Clean 39 Air Asia was utilized to estimate the CO2 emissions from the project traffic prepared during the feasibility study. Unlike the original application of TEEMP where emissions reductions attributable improvements in the road capacity and surface roughness are estimated, this exercise estimate the gross carbon emissions from expected vehicles crossing the bridge from 2020 to 2037. Traffic projections made as part of volume II: Feasibility Study Report (Traffic Report)40is provided in Tables 93 and 94.
Table 93: Projected Traffic for the New Patna Bridge Car/ Bus Year 2W 3W Taxi/ LCV Truck Tractor Min Full Jeep 2022 12100 6592 12428 117 3008 4310 15801 425 2027 17779 9686 18260 172 4420 6632 24312 425 2032 23792 12962 24437 230 5915 9302 34098 425 2037 31839 17346 32702 308 7915 13046 47825 425
Table 94: Projected growth rates % Year 2/3 Wheeler Car Bus Truck 2020-21 10 10 10 11 2022-2027 8 8 8 9 Beyond 2027 6 6 6 7
406. The default road maximum capacity for a 6-lane expressway 36,000 PCU/day was used and saturation capacity was set at 1.5 time this capacity. Consistent with the traffic study, vehicular increase is attributed to the growth of the population and economy of Bihar and no induced traffic was considered. The construction method will be determined by the EPC Contractor and therefore the related carbon emissions were not considered.
407. Emission factors were mostly taken from the CBCP/MOEF (2007) Draft Report on Emission Factor Development for Indian Vehicles, the Automotive Research Association of India,
38TEEMP is an excel-based, free-of-charge spreadsheet models to evaluate emissions impacts of transport projects. 39A network of 250 organizations in 31 countries established by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and USAID to promote better air quality and livable cities by translating knowledge to policies and actions that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transport, energy and other sectors. 40M/s. Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, M/s Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka(, Limited and M/s RITES Limited (β01γ(. “Development of Six Lane Suspension Cable Green Field Bridge Over Ganga from Kacchi Darga on NH-30 to Bibupur in Dist. Vaishali on NH-10γ.” Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited
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and C. Reynolds et.al (2011) Climate and Health Relevant Emissions from in-Use Indian for three- wheelers rickshaw as given in Table 95.
Table 95: CO2 Emission Factors Vehicle Type Gas Diesel LPG/CNG 2-Wheel 1.37 kg/l 3-Wheel 2.12 kg/l 3 kg/l Cars/bus/bus 2.24 kg/l 2.58 g/l
408. The bridge use related carbon emission was estimated at a total of 220,237 tons in year 25 which translates to 4,450 tons/km, 8,809 tons/yr, and 178 tons/km/yr.
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VII. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
A. Introduction
409. This chapter presents the symmetrically compared feasible alternatives to the proposed project with respect to location, site, design and technology. Various alternatives considered for the proposed Ganga Bridge Project are: • ‘With’ and ‘Without’ Project Alternative • Alternative for Bridge Alignment/Location • Alternatives for Landing/Approach Roads and Connecting Roads • Alternatives for Bridge Design i.e. type of bridge, superstructure, piers and type of foundation etc. • Alternatives for Construction Methods/Technologies including structure options
410. This chapter discusses how environmental parameters were assigned due importance and were carefully considered in the analysis of alternatives.
B. ‘→ith Project’ and ‘→ithout Project’ Scenario
1. ‘→ith Project’ Scenario
411. The ‘with Project’ scenario includes construction of a green field 6-lane bridge between Kacchi Dargah (NH-30) to Bidupur (NH-10γ ( in District Vaishali in the state of Bihar. The ‘with project’ scenario has been assessed to be economically viable and will alleviate the existing conditions. It would thereby, contribute to the development goals envisaged by the Government of Bihar as well as Government of India, and enhance the growth potential of the state and the country as a whole. There will be reduction in travel time as well as better connectivity to Vaishali District with construction of the new bridge. Traffic movement will improve and congestion will be reduced at existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu which is 15 km upstream to the proposed bridge. The project will further provide direct connectivity in between NH-30 and NH-103. Also there will be saving in fuel for vehicles travelling from Kachhi Darga to Bidurpur and subsequent reduction in CO2 emissions.
2. ‘→ithout Project’ Scenario
412. In the case of ‘without project’ scenario the traffic will continue to use existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge. Considering the present traffic volume and potential for growth in near future, the capacity of the present bridge is insufficient for handling expected traffic volume and calls in for immediate improvements. Traffic congestion occurs frequently due to heavy traffic load at the existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge which causes frequent traffic jams on the existing road.
413. Economic activities will remain static and accordingly local economy will improve at a very slow pace. Development activities will be greatly hampered due to inadequate connectivity. Environmental quality will further deteriorate due to pollution and high emission from slow traffic movement and congestion.
414. Therefore, the no-action alternative is neither a reasonable nor a prudent course of action for the proposed project, as it would amount to failure to initiate any further improvements and impede economic development. Keeping in view the site conditions and the scope of development of the area, the ‘With’ and ‘Without’ project scenarios have been compared as shown in Table 96.
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By looking at the table it can be concluded that “With” project scenario with positive/beneficial impacts will vastly improve the environment and enhance social and economic development of the region compared to the “Without” project scenario, which will further deteriorate the present environmental setup and quality of life. Hence the “With” project scenario with minor reversible impacts is an acceptable option than the “Without” project scenario. The implementation of the project therefore will be definitely advantageous to achieve the all-round development of the economy and progress of the State.
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Table 96: Comparison of ‘→ith’ and ‘→ithout’ Project Scenario Sl. No. Component ‘→ith’ Project Scenario ‘→ithout’ Project Scenario 1. Traffic Traffic movement will improve and congestion will be reduced at Traffic congestion occurs due to heavy traffic load at Congestion existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge which is 10 km upstream the existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge which cause to the proposed bridge. The project will further provide direct frequent traffic jams on the existing road. connectivity in between NH-30 and NH-103. 2. Road Safety There will be a decrease in the number of road accidents after The existing bridge is having heavy traffic load and this new bridge, as there will be adequate space for plying of due to inadequate space for plying the vehicles, and vehicles to cross over and overtake each other. Also, proper road poor safety arrangements, accidents are more signage and safety features will be provided for safety and frequent. convenience of people. 3. Environmental The free flow of traffic on the improved highway will improve the Environmental quality will further deteriorate due to Quality environmental quality as the emissions from the plying vehicles pollution and high emission from slow traffic will reduce. There will be temporary increase in dust and movement and congestions with increase in traffic. emissions during the construction phase only and is reversible. 4. River Ecosystem Temporary impacts on river flora and fauna mainly during Frequent traffic jams and idling of vehicles will cause construction phase are expected. leakage of oil which will ultimately reach to river through runoff causing river quality degradation. The proposed project area has several species of flora and fauna. This includes IUCN endangered Gangetic Dolphin, critically endangered gharial and vulnerable Indian Soft Shell turtle. All 3 species are also listed under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. Raghopur Diara with its sandy flood plain are the staging grounds for some migratory birds and nesting areas for the turtles. Construction activities and human traffic in the diara have the potential to negatively affect dwelling animals, including migratory birds.
Other than Ganges river dolphin, turtles (Ganges soft-shell Turtle, Hard-shell Turtle etc.), terrestrial birds (fish owl, river lapwing, etc.) are the important / vulnerable species found in project area, which might have potential major impacts. High noise level may influence their behavior, and they are therefore likely to avoid the construction areas during the construction period.
Temporary impacts on river water quality are expected.
During operation period smooth traffic flow will reduce river water quality degradation.
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Sl. No. Component ‘→ith’ Project Scenario ‘→ithout’ Project Scenario 5. Transportation The proposed bridge will provide better transportation Continued inadequate and unsafe connectivity. Facilities infrastructure to local communities. Quality, time and People will still need to travel longer distances to convenience of travelling from Kachhi Dargah to Bidurpur and reach from Kacchi Dargah to Bidurpur and vice versa vice versa will be much better. Also the travel quality will and spend more time traffic jams. People from the drastically improve for the people living in the diara because of diara will need to continue using the pontoon bridge the proposed road connecting to the bridge. which is inundated during the monsoon months to travel in and out of the diara. 6. Economic The economy of Bihar state is mainly based on agricultural and The economic activity will remain static and local and Development trading activities. The industrial and agricultural developments will improve only at a slow pace. have led to higher transport demand. With the higher transport demand and the expansion of the existing business, there is a growing mismatch between the vehicular population and availability of road infrastructure and connectivity across Ganga, which has resulted in traffic congestions, deteriorated level of traffic efficiency and road safety in existing bridges. The proposed bridge will bring safe and efficient connectivity across the Ganga and particularly to Patna, the capital city of Bihar. This will further help to enhance trade and other infrastructure development projects. 7. Development There will be higher potential for development in this area due to Development activity will be greatly hampered due to Potential improvement in access and consequent increase in economic inadequate connectivity. activity. Essential community infrastructures like drainage system, water supply, electricity, transportation etc. will come as consequence of current development.
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C. Alternative Alignments/Locations
415. As part of the feasibility study extensive field reconnaissance was conducted around Kacchi Dargah, Raghopur and Bidupur, and its approaches by the engineering and safeguards team. The team reviewed the maps (topographic, hydrological, watershed, land use) and conducted site visits and consultations with the local people to select the best site for integrating the proposed bridge with approach roads on both ends. Accordingly, the approach roads have been planned to cater to city traffic in a manner to avoid further congestion by avoiding the existing narrow road networks in the heart of the Patna city and adjoining areas.
416. During site visits, the technical team studied all existing road networks and junction locations for overall improvement of the approach road connectivity and traffic circulation for overall traffic. NH-30 lies on the southern end of the proposed bridge alignment. On the northern side lies Mehnar road (SH-93) and NH-103, while there is a PMGSY network within the Raghopur Island. There’s a temporary pontoon bridge connecting Raghopur island with Patna city in lean season. In other seasons boats are the only means of transport.
417. After studying the course of river Ganga, by maps and field reconnaissance, prima facie, three locations were identified as alternatives for bridge locations. These three alternative alignments have been termed as Alternative–I, Alternative-II and Alternative–III (Shown in Figure 79).
Figure 79: Project Alignment Options
418. The analysis has been carried out based on the approach connectivity, requirement of land acquisition, environmental and socio-economic aspects. After careful consideration, the Alternative IIIB option has been approved for by BSRDCL for improvement. The comparative analysis was carried out based on various technical and socio-environmental factors as shown in Table 97.
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Table 97: Comparison of Alternative Alignments for Proposed 6-lane Ganga Bridge SN Description Based on Bureau Study Alignment–I Alignment–II Alignment-III (A/B) 1. Distance from Existing Pontoon 2500 M on U/S (upstream) 450 M on U/S (upstream) 1900 M D/S (downstream) Bridge 2. Bridging length South 1600 M 1100 M 800 M (Approximately) North 3000 M 1550 M 1100 M Total 4600 M 2650 M 1900 M Viaduct/Embankment on island 5000 M 7500 M 9000 M 3. Feasible Connections on Kachhi 1100 M 2000 M 1800 M Dargah (Approach length) 4. Feasible Connections on Bidupur 5500 M 6000 M 8000 M/7300 M (Approach length) 5. Type of land through which Through open / Built up / Through open / Built up / Through open / Built up / cultivated approaches to pass. cultivated land cultivated land land 6. Ecological issues Adverse impacts as it runs Less adverse than option I Least adverse impacts as it is right over the western flood as it is a bit further away located furthest away from the plain which serves as breeding from the western flood plains western floodplain area which and feeding grounds for turtles, which serves as wildlife serves as wildlife habitat migratory birds and other habitat reptile and bird species 7. Strength • Least length on Island • Shorter Bridge length • Shorter Bridge length • Less built-up area on Patna • Least built-up area on • Least built-up area on Patna end end and on Raghopur island island • South and north channel stable • Closest to Ganga path • South channel stable • Less encroachment to river • Least approach length ecology • South channel stable 8. Weakness • Longer bridge length • Longer viaduct on island • Very heavily built-up area on • North channel erosion prone • More built-up area on North end and on island • Heavily built-up area on Patna end • Longest approaches North end • Further from Ganga path • Furthest from Ganga path • Longer approaches • Inadequate water-way • Heavily built-up area on north end • North channel less erosion prone • Inadequate waterway
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SN Description Based on Bureau Study Alignment–I Alignment–II Alignment-III (A/B) 9. Encroachment in precious river Yes, higher encroachment. Yes, medium encroachment Yes, lesser encroachment ecology 10. Flora and fauna likely to be Yes (low impacts on flora, high Yes (medium impacts on Yes (medium impacts on flora, less impacted impacts on fauna) flora and fauna) impacts on fauna) 11. Productive agricultural land likely Yes, lesser amount Yes, medium amount Yes, higher amount to be impacted 12. Impact on Ganges river and other High impacts Medium impacts Low impacts surface water bodies 13. Environmental quality impacts • Air – Low impacts • Air – Low impacts • Air – Low impacts • Water- High impacts • Water- Medium impacts • Water- Low impacts • Noise – Medium impacts • Noise – Medium impacts • Noise – Medium impacts 14. Land availability Less requirements Less requirements High requirements 15. Land uses along the alignments 1. River / water body - High 1. River / water body - lower 1. River / water body - lowest 2. Diara/Island - Less 2. Diara/Island - higher 2. Diara/Island - highest 3. Residential - Less 3. Residential - highest 3. Residential - more 4. Commercial - Less 4. Commercial - Less 4. Commercial - more 5. Agriculture - Less 5. Agriculture - higher 5. Agriculture - highest 16. Residential / Commercial Highest Lesser Lowest structures Impacted 17. Utilities likely to be impacted Less Higher Higher 18. Common property resources likely Less Higher Less to be impacted 19. Religious structures affected Less Less Higher (only 3)
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D. Engineering / Technological Alternatives
419. The formulation and analysis of engineering alternatives have been undertaken in terms of alternative type of bridges, superstructure of bridges, type of piers, foundations, cross-sections of approach road, highway-design principles (such as embankments for soil erosion and slope protections, minimum width of road ride drainage, adequacy of roadway width at cross drainage structures, minimum gradient, etc.), comparison between type of bridges i.e. balanced cantilever, steel girder, extra dosed; flexible and rigid pavements (cement-concrete built rigid pavement as being environmentally superior then traditional flexible pavement), and selection of environmental friendly road/bridge/foundation construction methods.
420. Structure Options: The following structural options have been considered for the 6-lane facility (main bridge) in this reach: i. A bridge of 9.76 km length extending from km 1+270 on South bank (near Kacchi Dargah) to km 11+029 on North bank (Gopalpur ghat near Bidupur) with the entire reach being treated as scourable and navigable. In this structural option the following three types of structural configurations are feasible: a. Steel truss super structure of 2 nos. 3-lane divided carriageway over RCC pier and deep foundations. b. PSC super structure (balanced cantilever type) 2 nos. 3-lane divided carriageways over the RCC pier and deep foundations. c. An Extra-dosed type (PSC super structure) of six lane carriageway over the RCC pier and deep foundations. ii. Main 6-Lane Bridge (9.76km long) over river Ganga and transition structures (Bridge End Viaducts) traverses between Kachhi Dargah (NH-30) chainage 0+000 to Bidupur (NH-103) chainage 19+680 in Vaishali district of Bihar. The project length will be about 22.76 km; iii. Roadways- a) Main Bridge Approach Embankments and Viaducts with 6 lane divided carriageway, configuration as per IRC Standard. b) Connecting road to Diara portion is a 4-lane divided carriageway configuration as per IRC standard. iv. Approach Roads including viaducts (about 1.5km at Kachhi Dargah – South Side and 8.5 km at Bidupur – North Side) and associated structures; v. Widening of 3km of existing road NH103 on the southern side; vi. Two ROB; vii. Eight underpasses and bridges; viii. Five junctions; ix. Two Toll Plazas; x. Associated service facilities
421. On the structural options, from the stability point of view against erosion and sedimentation, the construction of an embankment over the diara will require continuous protection as the island is very unstable. The diara has a history of being submerged, with its average elevation 5 meters below the high flood level. The two bridges under option ii and iii would require two guide bunds for each bridge. The guide bunds located on the island would require longer length and heavier protection works, mainly due to likely instability of the island. The abutments of the bridge on the diara will cause serious erosion downstream and will increase the river flux during high flood flow due to flow constriction and may result to serious changes in the river morphology. Therefore, the banks will require anti-erosion measures.
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422. Constructing a single south bank to north bank bridge across the Ganga avoids the risk from building an embankment over the unstable diara. However due to the high obliquity of the bridge axis against the flow the Ganga particularly on the northern channel, the foundations must be installed deeper to account for increase in scour. This single bridge maybe navigable across the entire reach or a viaduct over the diara. This option has comparatively fewer structural risks of erosion and scouring due to hydrological changes. Furthermore there will be lesser ecological disturbance in the river and diara. Therefore, the first structural option of a continuous bank to bank bridge is recommended for the project.
423. Bridge Options: Within the first structural option the following three options have been considered for the main bridge portion. i. Balanced Cantilever Bridge, ii. Steel Girder Bridge, and iii. Extra-dosed Bridge.
424. Table 98 present the comparison of item wise cost of three superstructures for these three bridge options.
425. Out of the three the most economical options are the Balanced Cantilever Bridge and Extra-dosed Bridge. Keeping in view the possibility of further economization based on detailed design and planning, the cost options offered by the Extra-dosed bridge option is considered most feasible and hence recommended for the project.
426. The general arrangement drawing (GAD) and cross section for preferred option is shown in Figure 80 and 81.
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Table 98: Cost Comparison of 6-lane Bridge with Three Superstructure Options
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Figure 80: General Arrangement Drawing of Preferred Option
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Figure 81: Cross Section Detail of Preferred Option
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VIII. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM
A. Public Consultations
427. In accordance with ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS( β009 and Environment Impact Assessment Notification of GoI (2006), extensive consultations and public participations are continuously being made by the BSRDC until the time of report writing. Consultations have been undertaken with project beneficiaries, local/ government officials, community leaders, non- government organizations (NGO’s(, stakeholders in the corridor of impact and people likely to be effected due to the project on various issues affecting them. Various measures have been incorporated pertaining to environmental issues based on the responses from the people has been incorporated in the project design.
1. Objectives of Consultations
428. The process of public participation/ consultations was taken up as an integral part of the project in accordance with environmental assessment requirements. The objectives of these consultations are: • To inform and educate the common public, specially potentially impacted communities/ individuals and stakeholders about the proposed project activities; • To familiarize the people with technical, environmental, social and economic issues of the project for better understanding; • To solicit the opinion of the affected communities/ individuals on environmental issues and assess the significance of impacts due to the proposed development; • To foster cooperation among officers of BSRDCL, the communities and the stakeholders to achieve a cordial working relationship for smooth implementation of the project; • To identify the environmental issues relating to the bridge and approach roads construction work; • Assess the views of the beneficiary communities and their willingness to participate in the project in a bottom up planning and decision making process; • To secure people’s inputs in respect of project planning, selection of mitigation measures and monitoring strategies; • To ensure lessening of public resistance to change by providing them a platform in the decision making process; • To inculcate the sense of belongingness among the public about the project.
2. Methodology used for Consultations
429. Both formal and informal modes of consultations were used in the public consultation process for the project. Consultation with the stakeholders, beneficiaries, and community leaders were carried out using standard structured questionnaires as well as unstructured questionnaires. In addition, focused ground discussions (FGDs) and personal discussions with officials, on-site discussion with project affected stakeholders, and reconnaissance visits have also been made to the project area. Attempts were made to encourage participation in the consultation process of the government officials from different departments that have relevance to the project. Same way, local people from different socio economic backgrounds in the villages as well as urban areas along the proposed approach road alignment, women, residents near the proposed alignment, local commuters, and other concerned were also consulted.
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3. Identification of Stakeholders
430. Stakeholders were identified to ensure as wide coverage as possible of the project area as follows: • Households in the project area including potential Project Affected Persons, • Women groups, • Local, regional and international voluntary organizations / non-government organizations (NGOs), • Government agencies, and • Community leaders.
431. Questionnaire survey/ discussions were designed to obtain background information and details of general environmental issues that concern people in the project area. Figure 82 shows typical roadside interview survey in the project area. In addition, environmental and ecological issues were discussed with relevant organizations, government officials, beneficiaries, community leaders, women groups and subject specific experts.
Figure 82: Photographs of Road Side Interviews with Affected People
432. In compliance with ADB’s SPS requirements, consultations will continue throughout the detailed engineering design and implementation phases. The consultation process initiated during preparation by initial environmental screening at feasibility study stage and followed by consultations at preparation of detailed EIA study. The official consultation with the key stakeholders started in the month of June 2013 during feasibility study as part of initial environmental screening and continued till October 2015 as part of this detailed EIA study. Consultations were undertaken at respective district offices and headquarter in Patna. Various agencies consulted include Environment and Forest Department of Bihar, Zoology Department of the University of Patna, SEIAA of Bihar, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Zoological Survey of India Regional Office in Patna, Inland Waterway Authority of India (Patna office), Statistical and Revenue Departments; local, regional and international NGOs active in the project areas, village Panchayats etc. Various issues discussed are: • Applicability of various laws and regulations to the present bridge development project; • Applicability of EIA notification to the proposed project; • Statistics of forests cover in the State and its legal status i.e. Reserved, Protected, Unclassed; • Protected area network of Bihar,
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• Requirements of Forest and Wildlife Department to carryout project activities across Ganga River; • Benthic flora and fauna of the Ganges River; • Flora and fauna and endangered species in the State and project area in particular; • Threats and conservation activities for River dolphins, turtles, gharials etc. • Scope of the proposed road development, EIA and likely impacts on flora & fauna; • Major threats to flora & fauna in the state; • Procedure to get clearance from forest department and NOC from pollution control board; • Environmental quality parameters i.e. air, water, noise quality in the State and major sources of pollution; • Institutional capacity of state authorities in pollution control and environmental management; • Socio-economic conditions and likely impacts on due to proposed bridge development;
433. The experts emphasized the need to formulate appropriate action plan for conservation of the Gangetic Dolphins, turtles and local / migratory birds in Diara Area. The list of officials/ people contacted along with the venue, issues raised, date of consultation is presented on Table 99.
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Table 99: Details of Stakeholder Consultations & Issues Discussed S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute Government Agencies 1. 23 Oct 2015 / Dr. Gopal Gangetic Plains Key points discussed are: Zoological Survey Sharma, Scientist Regional Centre, • Site specific data of flora and fauna in project area. No studies specific to of India Gangetic and In-charge Zoological Survey of project area. Plains Regional India, MOEFCC, • Presence of Dolphin and turtles in the project area, Centre, Patna India • Gangetic dolphins do not migrate. Only disperse for 1-2 kms • Project will affect aquatic system and it will also affect its habitat permanently • Dolphins creates its habitat near bridge piers • Seasonal data on dolphins and other biota required at project site (5 km corridor upstream and downstream each) • Major vertebrates (cats, frogs, fishes, turtles, reptiles, insects diversity etc.), benthic vertebrates • Several local residents and migratory birds visit project area, • ZSI has not done at work in the project area till now. It has expertise that can be used to undertake ecological studies as part of the project. • There are plan to declare Bhagalpur – Patna as protected area and also to create community reserves • Inland waterway 1 activities and dredging activities causing impacts. Dredge material should be disposed off outside riverbed. Currently it is being disposed on river bed itself which due to flood again coming back to riverbed. • Measures should include development of a permanent Research Centre/Institute to monitor ongoing and planned activities for river ecosystem in 10 km radius. • All relevant stakeholders should be a part of this Research Centre with forest department may take lead as nodal agency and other departments as members. • Project impacts on flora and fauna (including Gangetic dolphins) should be monitored seasonally • Awareness campaigns should be an integral part of the project • There are about 825 dolphins reported in main stream of Ganga and about 1214 in all streams (2012)
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute • Dolphin breed most of the time of year except monsoon. • National Dolphin Survey is being planned. Project monitoring can be linked to national survey if time coincides. • A stakeholder meeting should be convened before taking decision on measures / conservation plan for the project.
2. 24 Oct 2015 / Prof. R.K. Sinha Zoology Various issues such as presence and status of rare and endangered species Dolphin (Dr.), HOD Department, Patna of flora and fauna in the project area, key habitats, ongoing conservation Laboratory, University, Patna activities and programs, likely project impacts and threats to Gangetic Dolphins Zoology Dept. and its habitat, possible measures and collaboration by project for the Patna University, conservation of flora and fauna in the project areas. Key points discussed are: Patna • River ecosystem is being monitored for last three decades. • Monthly monitoring of the water quality in Ganges river is being carried out by the department and reports are being submitted to the government. Disposal of untreated urban waste is one the key factors responsible for poor water quality of the river. • Decreasing flow in the river is also causing impacts on river ecosystem. • Considering the time series data from last 3 decades there is positive changes in the river water quality. • Implementation of Ganga Action Plan is partly successful. It could have been better. • Conservation plan for Gangetic Dolphin is in place for entire Bihar State. • Key species like Gangetic Dolphins, Hard and Soft Shell Turtles, Otters, Gharials are present throughout the river. Specific data for project site is not available. • Habitats for these species keep changing with changing course and flow of the river. • Dolphins, Turtles, Otters are present in the project areas (also reported by local fishermen) whereas Gharials are mainly present in the confluence of Gandhak (which is also close to project area) and occasionally reported in the project areas. • Soft shell turtles are more common • Birds are also common in project areas. Some of them are migratory birds. • There is no Cargo/ship/vessel movement at present but maybe possible in the future.
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute • Motorized boats are being used for local ferry services, transport of materials, vegetables and laborers from Diara . • Dolphins do not migrate but they disperse and come back • Breeding throughout year except monsoon season • Bridge piers provide habitat for dolphins but sometimes, it has adverse impacts as well because it divided flow of river. • Dolphins are sensitive to noise. Noise from construction activities may affect Dolphins. • Baseline data of biota system (including water quality, sediment, flora, fauna) in the project area is required in order to understand existing river ecosystem and to recommend measures to protect flora and fauna • Seasonal data (about 3-month interval) will be required. • A study areas should cover 5 km upstream and 5 km downstream of proposed bridge location. • Sampling should be done on flood plains also as they are key part of the river ecosystem. • Follow-up monitoring during project implementation in order to record changes in the ecosystem due to project • Prof. R.K. Sinha advised Ganga River Front Development Project on river ecosystem in Patna under World Bank financing. • Prof. R.K. Sinha and his department are ready to assist project on developing and implementation of conservation plans for flora and fauna including Gangetic dolphins as part of the project. • As part of project, project EA (BSRDCL) should request Prof. R.K. Sinha for their assistance in developing and implementation of conservation plan for flora and fauna. • Prof. R.K. Sinha and his department can help BSRDCL PMU in day-to- day monitoring of ecological aspects during project implementation • Dolphins, Gharial, Turtle are schedule 1 endangered animals • The project should demonstrate that it is taking all possible measures to protect these endangered species • Working with locals is best conservation strategy (aware, train, teach and educate them) • Awareness about turtles, dolphins and gharials • Alternate livelihood earning programs for locals
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute • Ecotourism has good potential and government has shown interest in river based ecotourism, particularly fresh water dolphin. • Based on project DPR, strategy needs to be developed. Engineering and ecological aspects should be considered together. 3. 26 Oct 2015 / Mr. Bharat Jyoti, Environment and Key points discussed are: Aaranya Bhawan, Director (Ecology Forest Department, • Ecological concerns on both river flanks should be addressed Patna and Environment) Government of • Dolphins and turtles are present in the river and their conservation aspects Bihar, Patna should be addressed as part of the project. Prof. R.K. Sinha can be contacted for conservation activities • Mitigation measures should include both project specific as well as long term conservation of ecosystem • Small observation centres (may be on both banks of the river) shall be established to research and monitor project related impacts during construction stage and afterwards these observation centres can be handed over to forest department. This will be an added measure to the project towards conservation of ecological aspects • A committee to monitor ecological conservation aspects may include Zoology Department of Patna University, Zoological Survey of India, Patna Office and Environment and Forest Department of Bihar. • Wetlands in the project influence areas should be identified and if there are any they can be conserved and or enhanced as part of the project. State Wetland Authority may propose workable measures. • Alternate livelihood activities for fisherman (on culture and capture fisheries) • The department is in the process of discussion to implement proposed National Dolphin Research Centre in Patna. If project can help in this project that would be a welcome step for the department. This need coordination with government department level.
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute 4. 26 Oct 2015 / Mr. L.P Singh, Environment and Key points discussed are: Aaranya Bhawan, Conservator of Forest Department, • No notified forests in and around the proposed project site Patna Forests (Wildlife) Government of • Nearest Protected area is Baraila Bird Sanctuary in Vaishali district which Bihar, Patna is about 20 km away from the end point of the project bridge site. • Local and migratory birds are present in the project area • In the project area, three parties are active over land issues i.e. farmers, fishermen and wildlife department • In the Ganges flood plain, only 700 ha has been notified as sanctuary • Forest department carries inventory of flora and fauna only in notified forests. There are no details available for project areas • Prof. R.K. Sinha (Zoology Department of Patna University) can be contacted for project impacts on river ecology • Cantonment area where migratory birds are nesting is about 26 km away from the proposed project bridge. • Trees on private land can be cut by project proponent after paying compensation to landowners. Forest department will undertake evaluation of compensation towards trees to be cut. Cut trees shall be transported to forest depot and forest department will auction the trees. Revenue from auction will go to state government. • As per state rule, compensatory rate for non-forest trees is 1:2 • Forest department is not associated with dredging, piling and bridge activities in river • If forest land involved, clearance shall be given by state forest department for <5 ha forest land and by central government for >5 ha forest land. • State government has several schemes to promote forestation and tree plantation. Increase in forest cover in the state has been observed in last 5 years. 5. 26 Oct 2015 / Mr. A.K. Singh, Inland Waterway Key points discussed are: Inland Waterway Assistant Director Authority of India, • Movement of vessels and cargo ships in National Waterway No. 1 i.e. Authority of India Office cum Terminal Allahabad-Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hoogli river Office, Patna Complex, Gaighat, • Frequency of vessels and cargo is very less. Patna • Departmental vessels undertake routine inspection on waterways to guide cargo movement • In Patna section movement of tourism vessels, cargo vessels and over dimensional cargo is observed.
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute • These are used for ferrying tourists, transport of material and chips, transport of laborers from one back to other etc. • In the month of September movement of only 4 tourist vessels, 4 cargos carrying material and chips, 3 empty cargoes, and 3 department (IWAI) vessels were recorded. • Vessels are moving from both the channels in project site i.e. north bank and south bank of river Ganges. It depends on availability of clear water depth in the channels since depth keep changing. • Impact of cargo/vessels movement on fishes and aquatic life is very limited due to less movement. • Small boats are operating near project site (about 5 km downstream) for crossing river by local people. • Dolphins and turtles are present in the river • Zoological department can provide more details on flora and fauna of the project area. • Clearance will be required by BSRCDL from IWAI to construct bridge. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) 6. 26 July and 23 Dr. Preeti R. Centre for Key points discussed are: Oct 2015 / By Kanuajia, Environment • Project background & possible impacts on Dolphin and other aquatic life Phone and e-mail Regional Education • Ongoing work by CEE for dolphin conservation Coordinator Northern Regional • Working areas and strategies for Dolphin protection Cell (CEE North), • Implementation plans for community communication by the NGO and Lucknow, India concerned individual for regional coordinator • Working plan and profile of the NGO & work done in the project vicinity • Issues and suggestions on measures for impact mitigation due to development projects • Possibilities to collaborate with project; if required as part of EMP during different phases 7. 29 July 2015 / By Dr. Sujit P Bairagi, Dolphin Foundation, Key points discussed are: Phone and e-mail PhD Guwahati, India • Project background & possible impacts on Dolphin and other aquatic life Founder & • Working areas and strategies for Dolphin protection Chairman • Limitation of NGO to work in Gangetic plains • Action plans being taken to study Dolphin and other aquatic life • Association with National level program on Dolphin conservation • Working plan and profile of the NGO & work done in the project vicinity
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S.N. Date / Venue Name of Officer Organization / Key Points Discussed and Designation Institute • Issues and suggestions on measures for impact mitigation due to development projects • Possibilities to collaborate with project; if required as part of EMP during different phases 8. 30 July 2015 / By Abdul Wakid, Aaranyak, Key points discussed are: Phone and e-mail Programme Head, Guwahati, India • Project background & possible impacts on Dolphin and other aquatic life Gangetic Dolphin • Working areas and strategies for Dolphin protection of the NGO Research and • Ongoing work in Bihar/Patna for Dolphin Conservation Conservation • Limitation of NGO to work in Gangetic plains Programme • Action plans being taken to study Dolphin and other aquatic life • Association with National level program on Dolphin conservation • Working plan and profile of the NGO & work done in the project vicinity • Issues and suggestions on measures for impact mitigation due to development projects • Possibilities to collaborate with project; if required as part of EMP during different phases 9. 29 July and 23 Dr. Asghar WWF-India, Delhi Key points discussed are: Oct 2015 / By Nawab, • Project background & possible impacts on Dolphin and other aquatic life Phone and e-mail Senior Project • Various development projects and Dolphin conservation program by WWF Officer- in India and Bihar Freshwater & • Type of technologies being implemented for survey and action plans being Wetlands taken to study Dolphin and other aquatic life Programme, • National level program on Dolphin conservation • Issues and suggestions on measures for impact mitigation due to development projects • Possibilities to collaborate with project; if required as part of EMP during different phases
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434. In order to document likely impacts on affected persons, an interview survey has been carried out. A sample of affected persons were selected and interviewed through a designed questionnaire. Precautions have been exercised during the survey to ensure that the sample interviewed is truly representative of the affected groups and the questions are worded so as not to generate a bias response. Image 8below shows one such interview survey. The consultation is focused on:
• General awareness in local
communities about environmental Image 8: View of Community Consultation quality in terms of quality of water in rivers, ground water, ambient air and noise quality and its sources. • Presence of archaeological / historical sites, monuments in the project region and likely impacts. • Presence of endangered /rare species of flora and fauna and its locations in the project region and in River Ganges at proposed alignment, • Frequency of natural calamities / disasters in the region. • Cultural places along the project alignment and likely impacts of proposed bridge and approach road development, etc.
435. Besides interview surveys, focused group discussions (FGDs) were organized at key locations along the project roads. In total, thirteen (13) FGD meetings involving 362 participants (54 participants were from women’s groups( from affected people, landowners, and village authorities, were organized in 2013 and 2014, while 165 people were consulted from June 2016 until April 2017. For the 2013 to 2014 consultation, specific emphasis was given to the participants from vulnerable groups and women groups to ensure that gender concerns are addressed in the project.
436. Summary of public consultations through focused ground discussions (FGDs) meeting organized is presented in Tables 100 and 101. Pictures and attendance sheets of the consultations are presented in Annex 5.
Table 100: Summary of Public Consultations Date Venue / Place Participants Remarks 19 May 2013 Village: Baans Tal 23 Participants (19 men and 04 women) from All participants District: Patna village community including village heads, are aware about teachers, housewife, business owners, project and all labours, farmers and students supported the project. 20 May 2013 Village: Fatehpur 20 Participants (19 men and 01 woman) from - do - District: Patna village community including village housewife, business owners, labours, and farmers. 29 May 2013 Village: Dilavarpur 16 Participants (14 men and 2 women) from - do - District: Patna village community including villages heads, councilors, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students
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Date Venue / Place Participants Remarks 29 May 2013 Village: Mohanpur 26 Participants (24 men and 02 women) from - do - District: Vaishali village community including villages heads, ward members, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 29 May 2013 Village: Shyamur 24 Participants (21 men and 03 women) from - do - District: Vaishali village community including villages heads, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 27 November Village: Bishnupur 24 Participants (21 men and 03 women) from All participants 2014 Telia village community including village heads, supported the District: Vaishali housewife, business owners, labours, farmers project. and students 09 December Village: Jamalpur 34 Participants (22 men and 12 women) from - do - 2014 Chakshankar village community including government District: Vaishali servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 29 November Village: Kalyanpur 29 Participants (20 men and 09 women) from - do - 2014 District: Vaishali village community including government servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 04 December Village: Karampur 28 Participants (24 men and 04 women) from - do - 2014 District: Vaishali village community including government servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 30 November Village: Khanpur 49 Participants (46 men and 03 women) from - do - 2014 Pakri village community including government District: Vaishali servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 23 December Village: Nizampur- 23 Participants (21 men and 02 women) from - do - 2014 Sabalpur village community including government District: Patna servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 15 December Village: Rustampur 41 Participants (36 men and 05 women) from - do - 2014 District: Vaishali village community including government servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students 05 December Village: Saifabad 25 Participants (21 men and 04 women) from - do - 2014 District: Vaishali village community including government servants, housewife, business owners, labours, farmers and students
Table 101: Summary of Public Consultations held during June 2016 to April 2017 Date Venue / Place Participants Remarks June 2016 Himmatpur village, 86 people To understand view of the people affected with District- Vaishali respect to the impacts of the bridge and create awareness about the social and environmental issues. January 2017 At PIU office, 22 people To identify and access all major environmental BSRDCL HQ, and social characteristics of the village and to Patna know about the status of project progress. March 2017 Rustampur village, 24-women, To resolve the issue related to impact on District- Vaishali 17 men community property and create awareness about the social and environmental issues.
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Date Venue / Place Participants Remarks April 2017 Jamalpur School , 16 people To identify the environmental impacts for the District- Vaishali local residents and create awareness about the social and environmental issues. Total 165 people
4. Results of Consultations
437. Overall, the participants support the projects as it promises better accessibility across the Ganga than the existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu which is plagued with traffic jam and deteriorating structural condition. The following findings were drawn from these consultations: • High travel cost across the Ganga, as people resort to informal services for their local travel need. • High awareness of the proposed project from local leaders and mass media. • People think that the selection of alignment is quite satisfactory. • People in general expressed their willingness to pay toll in return for a good quality bridge in their locality. • Due to land acquisition requirement for the project, people perceive that some good quality agricultural land will be lost to the project and affect livelihoods of some farmers. However, people are ready to sacrifice their land or house for this project which will bring development to their locality. • The major concerns of the people in terms of land acquisition are proper compensation amount and timely payment of the compensation. • No foreseen loss of major historical monuments or archeological sites due to the project. • A major concern is the assurance of government to build good quality road bridge, safe road and transparency in payment of compensation
438. Key discussion points of the consultations carried out in 2014 which mainly focused on the engineering design and environmental management plan is summarized in Table 102.
Figure 83: Photographs of Consultations with Stakeholders
Box 1: Discussion with villagers about the benefit of proposed bridge and the presence of man-animal conflict in village. The villagers informed that their crops of maize, potato, wheat etc. are being destroyed by the Neelgai and Wild Boar. One of the villagers narrated the story of how his 2-3 year old daughter was lifted by Striped Hyaena and thereafter killed. The existence of man-animal conflict causing fears around the villages of Diara area. The villagers were happy about the construction of bridge because that will give them proper connectivity with Patna and Vaishali for day-to-day work.
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Table 102: Summary of Findings of Public Consultation and Actions Taken Issues Participants’ Opinion, Response to Questions Action Taken in Project comments and Suggestions and Concerns Any impact of the During construction and the operational Sufficient number of trees in several rows will be Alignment is kept away from project on the stage of the project, noise and vibration planted and noise barriers will be provided to all sensitive receptors to the extent sensitive sites will be experienced due to the locations exceeding noise standards. EMP will possible. Suitable measures (mosque, movement of high volume of traffic; as a specifically cover the sanctities of sensitive including noise barriers are graveyard, result devotees will be facing locations and training will be provided to proposed in the EMP. school, etc.)? disturbances in offering their prayers in preserve them. Contractors will be instructed to religious places. coordinate with community leaders before scheduling any construction in those locations. Impact due to loss Affected people should be reassured of Compensation will be paid as per government Possible livelihood restoration of agricultural land? help from the government by way of policies and rules. Possibilities for alternate measures are discussed in the generating alternative sources of livelihood restoration schemes will be worked project RAP. livelihood and employment. out. Social initiative for maintenance of planted trees will generate alternative employment. Borrow-pits could be potential sites of aquaculture. Impact of the By constructing the approach road, local Necessary hydrological analysis has been done Adequate cross-drainage project on water flood flows will be blocked. Proper to design the drainage structures. Sufficient structures designed. bodies, streams, design will be required to avoid any number of cross-drainage measures i.e. bridges, wetlands, drainage localized flood. culverts, and underpasses are proposed in the system, etc. approach roads. Construction of Provide adequate measures and A greenbelt development plan has been EMP has provisions for green approach roads and minimize land take for approach roads. proposed. belt development. other access roads Provide adequate green belt along the approach roads. Compensation for A number of trees to be felled should be Census of trees shall be undertaken and should Provision for compensation and trees to be felled correctly counted and compensated be evaluated by forest department for compensatory afforestation by during construction accordingly. compensation. Trees will also be remunerated planting additional trees @ 1:2 of the bridge. by a NGO retained by BSRDC Ltd. as per state rule are made. Compensation will be provided as per forest department evaluation. Does the proposed Noise, vibration and dust will be major Impact of the project upon ambient air, noise EMP includes provisions for Project create any issues during construction. quality, soil quality, and water quality has been monitoring of environmental problem with assessed through collection of primary baseline parameters. ambient air, noise data. EMP will provide instructions limiting quality, soil quality, environmental qualities to comply with the or water quality? standards and penalties for violations.
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Issues Participants’ Opinion, Response to Questions Action Taken in Project comments and Suggestions and Concerns Impact of the Mostly affected will be the aquatic flora Survey of the ecosystem of the River Ganges Impact on aquatic environment project on the and fauna. Migration and spawning of and surrounding areas has been carried out to assessed and planned to be, aquatic Hilsa, ayer, ritha, and variety of other have key information on mitigating potential minimized or mitigated in the environment fishes. The livelihood of the fishermen impacts. Key experts advise has been taken and EMP. Project will continue taking community should be taken into appropriate conservation measures are experts advise on conservation consideration while designing the bridge incorporated in the project. measures. over the River Ganges. Do you have any Soil erosion and geo-hazards should be Slope protection by designing retaining APs to be compensated for lost critical issue or considered while designing the roads in structures, and vegetation in unstable batters land as per project RAP. Proper concern regarding the project areas. Land acquisition are considered in the engineering design. A design of cross-drainage system. the proposed should be minimized and proper Resettlement Plan has been prepared in project (e.g., compensation should be considered. compliance with harmonized safeguard flooding, Char land, requirements. Proper compensation plan is split of community, Floods of highest level so far should be designed in the resettlement plan. sedimentation, considered. The project needs to Quite a significant number of small bridges and siltation, erosion, consider passage of water through culverts have been proposed in the approach drainage, access roads and embankments. road design. Information has been obtained on road, damaged specific locations with localized drainage culvert etc.)? congestion known to the community. Effect of Vegetation destruction will adversely An inventory of area specific vegetation and rare Detailed Inventorization of construction on affect the habitats of rare species and species has been prepared. EMP will provide for endangered and rare species in watercourses, fish nesting grounds. Impact on fish regeneration of the vegetation prone to project area should be carried migration, plants, migration and spawning. Impact on destruction due to the project activities and out as part of detailed health and safety, workers’ health and safety, and on conservation of the rare species. EMP has engineering design. wildlife habitats. wildlife habitats. Provision of footpaths requisite provision toward protecting workers’ along the bridge/ road. health and ensuring safety measures and for protection of wildlife habitats in the project area. Occupational health safety A total of 3.5m shoulder in each side is provided measures are incorporated in the in the approach road. EMP. Is this consultation Everybody was of the opinion that such Consultation will be continued throughout the Regular consultations are being useful? consultations are first of its kind and project detailed design, construction and organized. very useful as these are good channels operation phases. for the affected community to express their concern to BSRDC Ltd., local administration and the project team. General perception Good support for the project. The engineering design team in the design and EMP included construction about the project Precautions to avoid adverse impact layout of the main bridge and the other project phase impacts comprehensively. and the awareness during pre-construction, construction components, e.g., the approach roads, service
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Issues Participants’ Opinion, Response to Questions Action Taken in Project comments and Suggestions and Concerns about the proposed and operation stages of the project and areas, service roads, etc., considered the project. to ensure protection of the sensitive anticipated adverse impacts. It will be further habitats. updated at detailed design stage. EMP covered specific measures to follow during the construction process in protecting religious and other sensitive locations. Would you like to People would like to involve in tree- EMP has recommended possibility to employ Preference to local people in be involved in the plantation program and also as local local people (especially PAPs as non-skilled) employment and supplier during implementation of contractors’ labourer. and businesses during construction and construction. the project (e.g., operation phases of the project. construction worker, local contractor, maintenance, plantation etc.)?
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439. In addition to discussions captured in Table 102, an interview survey has been carried out between 22-28 October 2015. It is envisaged from the interview survey that there is increased environmental awareness among the people. It can also be seen from the table that more than 85% of the persons believes the existing environmental conditions of the area is good. Over 85% of the people agreed that the quality of air, water and noise in the area is good; whereas, about 5% respondent feel that the environmental quality is being deteriorated. In case of presence of archaeological / historical the responses are very few. In case of cultural and historical sites, the response of the people is mixed. The area experiences natural disasters i.e. floods, etc. as it also envisaged that 90% of respondent reported history of natural disaster mostly floods. Over 86% people indicated that there are rare and endangered species of fauna in the Ganges and its watershed (Gangatic dolphin is one of them) in project area. Overall, the general environmental conditions in the region are good and people have increased environmental awareness. Table 103 shows the result of public opinion survey carried out in the region.
Table 103: Peoples’ Perception about Environment Parameter in the Project Area Sl. No. of people Positive Negative No response Question asked about No. interviewed response (%) response (%) (%) 1. Water quality of rivers, 24 72 24 04 ponds, wells, and canals 2. Noise quality of the area 24 86 04 10 3. Air quality of the area 24 92 03 5 4. Archaeological sites 24 21 72 07 5. Natural disaster 24 90 04 06 6. Rare species of animals 24 86 02 12 and birds 7. Cultural sites i.e. market, 24 42 50 02 melas Note: Positive response shows that the overall environmental scenario in the area is good and wise versa.
5. Interaction with Local/National and International NGOs
440. In order to get independent views on the likely impacts of the project, non-government organizations at local, regional as well as international levels were consulted during the EIA process. This includes World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), India; Dolphin Foundation, Guwahati, Assam; Aaranyak, Guwahati; Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Delhi; Mandar Nature Club of Bhagalpur (Bihar), and local self-help groups. Table 76show details of consultations with these NGOs.
441. The WWF-India is active in Bihar and it has ongoing Dolphin Conservation Programme (established in year 2000) to the conservation of the Ganga river dolphin through scientific research, community led field conservation projects, policy advocacy and communications & outreach.
442. Aaranyak is based on North East India and is active in the field of Biodiversity Conservation. It is implemented Gangatic Dolphin Research and Conservation Initiative, an conservation program aimed at Conservation of Gangetic dolphin through research based investigation and active participation of all concerned stakeholders.
443. Aspects such as conservation activities for Dolphins, presence of Dolphins in and around project area, migratory routes, likely project impacts and possible mitigation measures for Dolphin
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conservation were discussed and views and suggestions from these NGOs were incorporated in the EMP. Consultation will continue with these NGO’s during detailed engineering design, and project implementation and operation.
B. Public Disclosure
444. The BSRDCL (as project EA) will be responsible for the disclosure of this EIA in compliance to ADB’s Public Communications Policy 2011 and ADB SPS 2009. The draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be disclosed in the English language in the office of BSRDC. The report will also be made available to interested parties upon request from the office of the BSRDCL. Since this is a Category A project, the draft EIA report will be disclosed to the public through the ADB website, 120 days before the approval of the project by ADB Board. The draft EIA report will also be made available to all stakeholders as part of the consultation process required under the SPS 2009. The final report will also be disclosed on ADB website.
C. Grievance Redress Mechanism
445. An integrated grievance and redress mechanism (GRM) for environmental and social action plans is established for the project. The GRM provides a system for receiving, evaluating and facilitating the resolution of affected people’s concerns, complaints, and grievances about the project’s social and environmental performance. Due to the scale of the project with one end of the bridge located in highly urbanized section of Patna City and adverse impacts are anticipated, issues like poor legal records, voluminous titles and sometime conflicting holdings, intensive construction activities located near communities, traffic from construction vehicles, and conflict between migrant and host communities are expected.
446. Grievances related to the implementation of the project, will be acknowledged41, evaluated, and responded to the complainant with corrective action proposed using understandable and transparent processes that are gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to all segments of the affected people. Records of grievances received, corrective actions taken and their outcomes will be properly maintained and form part of the semi-annual environmental monitoring report to ADB.
447. The nature and significance will be evaluated by the receiving party. Any complaint which concerns project construction activity poses imminent serious risk to life and property or will result to irreversible damage to wildlife (dolphin, migratory birds) will be immediately forwarded to the PIU-Digha for action within 24-hour from receipt of complaint.
448. All other complaints will adhere to the following steps: i) If the receiving party is not the PIU, then forward the filled-up intake form within 3- days from receipt of grievance. ii) Grievances received at the PIU level will be discussed during the weekly meeting with the Contractor, Project Management and Authority Engineer (PMAE) , and BSRDCL-ESC. Actions that will be taken includes agreed mitigation measure to be taken by the Contactor, monitoring schedule of the PMAE to confirm the effectiveness, and issuance of letter to complainant describing the actions and timelines. iii) For grievances that were not resolved at the PIU level within 30 days of receipt, the PIU will elevate the case to the BSRDCL- General Manager. At this level, the
41Using the BSRDC’s Grievance Intake Form.
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General Manager will decide if: a) all feasible mitigation measures have been implemented by the contractor, b) there is a need to compensate residual impacts, or c) the grievance is frivolous or whimsical and no further action is necessary. In case further mitigation measures can be implemented, the BSRDCL-General Manager will return the complaint to the PIU with the corresponding recommended measures to be implemented and feed- back within 15 calendar days. iv) For grievances that needs compensation due to unmitigated residual measures, the BSRDCL-General Manager will elevate the case to the Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) for resolution during its monthly regular meetings. Complaints that were deemed frivolous or whimsical will be presented subject to concurrence or appeal.
449. The GRC will chaired by the BSRDCL-Chief General Manager with members from the PMAE, contractor, local community, and local wildlife authority. The time for addressing grievances received at the EA and GRC level will be dependent on the nature of complaint received. However, all efforts will be made to respond to the grievances efficiently with a corrective action plan and not take longer than 30 days from the receipt of grievance at the respective level. Hence, to the extent possible corrective action plans along with clear timeline will be communicated to the complainant within 30 days of the receipt of a complaint within the respective level. Figure 84 present the GRM structure and process for Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project.
YES NO
NO
NO YES
Figure 84: Grievance Redress Mechanism
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IX. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
A. Introduction
450. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is the synthesis of all proposed mitigation and monitoring actions, set to a time-frame with specific responsibility and budgetary needs and sources assigned and follow-up actions defined. It contains all the information for the proponent, the contractor and the regulatory agencies to implement environment safeguard measures under the project within a specified time-frame.
451. The EMP consists of a set of mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures to be taken for the project to avoid, minimize and mitigate adverse environmental impacts and enhance positive impacts. The main objectives of the EMP are: • To ensure the Project’s compliance with Asian Development Bank’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) and environment safeguards related regulatory requirements of the Government of India and State of Bihar; • To serve as practical guide for avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures for anticipated adverse environmental impacts during pre-construction, construction and operation, and ensure that environmentally sound and sustainable practices are adopted; and • To stipulate monitoring and institutional requirements for ensuring safeguard compliance.
B. Scope of Environmental Management Plan
452. The scope has been developed so that the Contractor’s commitments are met and the construction activities are carried out in a way that minimizes potential impacts to the environment. The plan provides guidelines to every workers involved at site including Site Engineer, EHS Team, Section in-charges, sub-contractor and their workers by a number of specific individual plans to manage the environmental aspects at their site. The scope includes:
453. Preparation of Environmental management plan, as a part of EHS plan Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) along with following supplementary plan:
• Stockpile area management plan • Site drainage and flood prevention plan • Accommodation camp management plan • Borrow pits & quarry site management plan • Construction water & rain water harvesting plan • Pollution prevention and control plan • Noise monitoring & control plan • Solid waste management plan • Physical cultural resource management plan • Site rehabilitation plan
C. Impacts and Mitigation Measures
454. The identified environmental issues and suggested mitigation measures with institutional arrangements for implementation, supervision and monitoring have been provided in a matrix format in Annex 6. The key environment issues and mitigation measures included in the EMP
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matrix include two broad categories of impacts: impacts that are low to severe, but temporary and localized; and impacts that are low, regional and permanent
455. Impacts that are low to severe but temporary and localized fall under the following categories:
a) Encroachment on private lands and demolition of structures b) Disruption of recreational and transport related activities across the Ganga River including its immediate banks c) Loss of vegetation d) Loss of seasonal floodplain e) Alteration of topography f) Disturbance of faunal habitat in Raghopur diara g) Disturbance of Ichthyofauna and habitats h) Impacts on endangered and protected faunal species i) Loss of biodiversity j) Deterioration of air quality k) Increase in noise and disturbance l) Deterioration of surface water quality m) Deterioration of groundwater quality n) Deterioration of soil and sediment quality o) Disruption of road and rail traffic p) Disruption of water traffic on the Ganga river q) Hydrological, sedimentation and erosion risks r) Health, safety and hygiene of construction workers s) Landuse and social Impacts t) Impacts related to road safety
456. Impacts that are low, regional and permanent. These are the long term impacts of air pollution, GHG emissions and noise that will remain during project operation.
D. Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Program
457. Environmental monitoring is an essential tool for environmental management as it provides the basic information for rational management decisions. To ensure the effective implementation of mitigation measures and environmental management plan during construction and operation phase of the bridge construction work, it is essential that an effective Environmental Monitoring Plan be designed and followed.
458. Environmental monitoring program has the underlying objective to ensure that the intended environmental mitigations are realized and these results in desired benefits to the target population causing minimal deterioration to the environmental parameters. Such program targets proper implementation of the EMP. The broad objectives are: • To evaluate the performance of mitigation measures proposed in the EMP. • To evaluate the adequacy of environmental assessment. • To suggest ongoing improvements in management plan based on the monitoring and to devise fresh monitoring on the basis of the improved EMP. • To enhance environmental quality through proper implementation of suggested mitigation measures. • To meet the requirements of the existing environmental regulatory framework and community obligations.
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459. A detailed Environmental Monitoring Plan showing the frequency, location of monitoring various environmental parameters including delineation of responsible parties is provided in Annex 7.
1. Performance Indicators
460. The significant physical, biological and social components affecting the environment at critical locations serve as wider/overall Performance Indicators. However, the following specific environmental parameters can be quantitatively measured and compared over a period of time and are, therefore, selected as specific Performance Indicators (PIs) for monitoring because of their regulatory importance and the availability of standardized procedures and relevant expertise. • Air Quality with respect to PM2.5, PM10, CO, NOx and SO2 at selected location. • Ground and Surface Water Quality with reference to DO, BOD, Oil and grease, COD, Suspended Solids and Turbidity, Alkalinity at crossing points on rivers/streams at selected points and also ground water samples. • Noise levels at sensitive receptors (schools, hospitals, community/religious places). Underwater Noise levels (Peak, SEL, and RMS) • Vibration • Monitoring of ecological aspects in Ganges river at project site. It will include terrestrial fauna, aquatic flora and fauna, and avifauna. It will include number of identified critical wildlife species (dolphins, turtles, and gharial). Dolphin movement in the project location will also be monitored. • Survival rates of trees planted as compensatory plantation to compensate for lost forest lands and compensatory plantation raised for removal of roadside trees. • Accidents during construction and operation.
2. Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) Monitoring
461. Ambient air quality parameters recommended for monitoring road development projects are PM2.5, PM10, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). These are to be monitored, monthly during construction and seasonal during operation at selected locations of plants and machinery, crushers on sites, excavation works etc. Data should be generated once in a season excluding monsoon at the monitoring locations in accordance with the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards formulated by MoEF in 2009 (Annex 2).
3. Water Quality Monitoring
462. The physical and chemical parameters recommended for analysis of water quality relevant to road development projects are pH, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, oil and grease, COD, chloride, lead, zinc and cadmium. The location, duration and the pollution parameters to be monitored and the responsible institutional arrangements are given in the Environmental Monitoring Plan. The monitoring of the water quality is to be carried out monthly during construction and seasonal during operation at locations identified along the project road during construction and operation phase. Weekly monitoring shall be performed during work in channels. The Indian Standard Specifications – IS10500: 1991 is given in Annex 3a.
4. Noise Level Monitoring
463. The measurements for monitoring noise levels would be carried out at sensitive receptors and construction sites along the project road. The Ambient Noise Standards formulated by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1989 or the standards by State Pollution Control Board of
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Manipur if such standards are stringent than those of the CPCB are to be complied. The CPCB standards are given in Annex 3. Sound pressure levels would be monitored on twenty-four hour basis. Noise should be recorded at “A” weighted frequency using a “slow time response mode” of the measuring instrument.
5. Monitoring of Ecological Aspects
464. This will include monitoring the contractor’s implementation of measures to avoid, mitigate and minimize impacts on the local biodiversity including the three protected species in the project area: Gangetic dolphin, Ganges softshell turtle and the gharial.
465. It will also cover implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Plan (BCP) which includes conduction of baseline biodiversity surveys; monitoring of biodiversity levels in comparison to baseline and implementation of biodiversity conservation activities.
6. Success of Revegetation
466. The project involves construction of bridge and approach roads, hence these will require felling of trees. Such lost vegetation will be required to be replaced by compensatory plantation. As per policy of the Bihar Government rules two trees have to be planted for each tree removed. These compensatory plantations will have to be monitored by the implementing agency with the help of the Forest Department. Such monitoring will be conducted through random samples. Such sampling should cover at least 5% of the area planted up.
E. Environmental Reporting System
467. The monitoring plan covering various performance indicators, frequency and institutional arrangements of the project in the construction and operation stages, along with the estimated cost, is summarized in Table 78.
468. The reporting system will operate linearly with the contractor who is at the lowest rank of the implementation system reporting to the PMAE, who in turn shall report to the PIU. All reporting by the contractor and PMAE shall be on a quarterly basis. The PIU shall be responsible for preparing targets for each of the identified EMP activities.
469. The compliance monitoring and the progress reports on environmental components may be consolidated and submitted to the PIU quarterly during the implementation period. The operation stage monitoring reports will be annual provided the Project Environmental Completion Report shows that the implementation was satisfactory. Otherwise, the operation stage monitoring reports will have to be prepared as specified in the said Project Environmental Completion Report.
470. Responsibilities for overseeing will rest with the PMAE’s staff reporting to the PIU. Capacity to quantitatively monitor relevant ecological parameters would be an advantage but monitoring will primarily involve ensuring that actions taken are in accordance with contract and specification clauses, and specified mitigation measures as per the EMP.
471. During the implementation period, a compliance report may include description of the items of EMP, which were not complied with by any of the responsible agencies. It would also report to the management about actions taken to enforce compliance. It may however, be noted that certain items of the EMP might not be possibly complied with for a variety of reasons. The
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intention of the compliance report is not to suppress these issues but to bring out the circumstances and reasons for which compliance was not possible (such as jurisdictional issues). This would help in reinforcing the implementation of the EMP.
472. Photographic records will also be established to provide useful environmental monitoring tools. A full record will be kept as part of normal contract monitoring. Reporting and Monitoring Systems for various stages of construction and related activities have been proposed to ensure timely and effective implementation of the EMP.
473. The reporting system has been prepared for each of the stage of bridge and road construction namely: • Pre-construction stage • Construction Stage • Post-construction and Operation Stage
474. This reporting shall be done through: • Reporting by the Contractor to the PMAE • Reporting by PMAE to PIU.
475. The stage-wise reporting system is detailed out in the following Table 104.
Table 104: Stage-wise Reporting System of PIU Project Management and Project Implementation Unit Contractor Authority Engineer (PMAE) (PIU) Format* Oversee / Item Implementation Reporting to No. Reporting Field and Reporting Supervision Environment to PIU Compliance to PMAE Officer of PIU Monitoring C1 Monitoring of Before start - Quarterly - Quarterly construction of work site and construction camp C2 Target sheet - As required After - After Monitoring for Pollution Monitoring Monitoring C3 Target sheet - Monthly Quarterly Quarterly Bi-annual for roadside plantation C4 Target sheet - Monthly Quarterly Quarterly Bi-annual for monitoring of cleaning water bodies C5 Target sheet - Monthly Quarterly Monthly Quarterly for monitoring of critical wildlife species O1 Target sheet - - - As per After Monitoring for Pollution monitoring Monitoring plan O2 Target sheet - - - Quarterly After Monitoring for survival reporting of
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Project Management and Project Implementation Unit Contractor Authority Engineer (PMAE) (PIU) Format* Oversee / Item Implementation Reporting to No. Reporting Field and Reporting Supervision Environment to PIU Compliance to PMAE Officer of PIU Monitoring roadside plantation O3 Target sheet - - - Quarterly After Monitoring for monitoring of cleaning water bodies O4 Target sheet - - - Quarterly After Monitoring for monitoring of critical wildlife species Note: Formats will be developed and provided by supervision consultant to the contractor.
F. Institutional Arrangement
476. BSRDCL is the Executing Agency (EA) for the project and will be responsible for ensuring that all components of this EIA are complied with. BSRDC is headed by the Chief General Manager (CGM). While BSRDCL implements a number of road and bridge projects, there will be one ProjectImplementation Unit (PIU( specifically for the “Bihar New Ganga Bridge Project”. The PIU will be headed by a Deputy General Manager (DGM) who will also be the Project Director (PD) and will report to the CGM. Under the PIU, there will be two Environmental and Resettlement Officers for the northern and southern side of the bridge respectively who will be responsible for project implementation on site and handling environment and resettlement issues.
477. The Contractor which will be procured under the EPC modality will update, revise and implement the EIA, EMP and EMOPas part of the civil works contract. The Project Monitoring and Authority Engineer (PMAE) with the required environmental team (Environmental Specialist and Biodiversity Expert( will be mobilized to monitor and supervise the contractor’s implementation of these measures. An external monitor for environment safeguards or local Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) will be recruited separately to: i) implement biodiversity conservation activities targeted at conserving the Gangetic dolphin, turtles and other floral and faunal species; and ii) provide impartial monitoring of implementation and supervision of the EMP and EMOP by the contractor and PMAE respectively.
478. The organization structure of the proposed institutional arrangement for the implementation of environment safeguards under the project is given in Figure 80. Responsibilities of various agencies involved in the project implementation are described in subsequent paragraphs.
G. Roles and Responsibilities
1. BSRDCL as Executing Agency (EA)
479. As a Government of Bihar entity the BSRDC is authorized to “construct, execute, carryout, improve, work, develop, administer, manage, control or maintain in Bihar and elsewhere all types of roads, highways, bridges, works and conveniences, approach road, to all departments of Government of Bihar or any other department, agency, organization or body through Road
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Construction Department (RCD) or directly.42” The Chief General Manager handles the overall operation and supported by three General Managers: i) planning, procurement and contract management (PPCM); ii) project management, and iii) headquarters.
480. The EA’s responsibilities will mainly be focused on addressing environment safeguard issues that cannot be addressed at the PIU level. Specific responsible are the following: • Ensuring that all environment safeguard requirements as given in ADB SPS 2009, and applicable laws and rules under MOEF are being complied with during all stages of the project. • Timely endorsement and signing of key documents and forwarding to the respective agency such as those required for processing of environmental clearance, forestry clearance etc. and disclosure of reports on ADB website. • Taking proactive and timely measures to address any environment safeguards related challenges such as delays in processing of clearances (during pre- construction stage), significant grievances (during construction stage) • Endorse environmental assessment and/or environmental monitoring reports submitted by the PIU or PMAE and forward to ADB for disclosure on the ADB website • Coordinate and seek technical guidance and support from relevant government agencies, institutions and NGOs to address environmental challenges within the project when necessary • Information dissemination, consultation, and public disclosure of Project related information through the BSRDC website or local media or by convening public meetings. • Overall management of the grievance and redress mechanism
42http://bsrdcl.bih.nic.in/
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Project Implementation Unit
Authority Engineer
Contractor
Figure 85: Institutional Arrangements for Environment Safeguards
2. Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
481. The PIU will be responsible for overseeing day to day management of physical construction works on site and implementation of social and environmental safeguards. Specific responsibilities of the PIU on environment safeguards are: • Review and approve any environment safeguard documents prepared by the contractor, PMAE or EMA and forward them to the CGM or Authorized officer at BSRDC for endorsement • Review and approve all sub-plans submitted by the contractor such as camp site layout plan, compliance to regulatory requirement action plan, borrow area
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management plan, traffic re-routing management plan, disposal management plan, spill management plan, tree plantation management plan and others. • Monitoring, inspection and evaluation of EMP implementation by the contractor • Require the contractor to modify the EMP when necessary, • Prepare forms, reports and all documents etc. for processing of environmental, forestry clearances, tree cutting permits and other relevant clearance and permits in a timely manner and submit for further review and signing to the CGMor Authorized Officer at BSRDC • If any problems or long delays are encountered when processing the clearance documents, immediately alert the CGM or authorized officer at BSRDC and seek ways resolve the problem at the soonest. • Ensure that all necessary regulatory clearances are obtained prior to commencing any civil work. • Ensure that for Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) based contracts updating of the EMP and EMOP based on detailed design and implementation of the EMP is included under the contractor’s responsibilities. • Ensure that the EMP which includes required mitigation measures and monitoring requirements with defined Bill of Quantity (BOQ), forms part of bidding document for the case of item rate based contracts. • Ensure that contractors have access to the EIA report including EMP and EMOP of the project. • Ensure that contractor understand their responsibilities to mitigate environmental problems associated with their construction activities. • Ensure and monitor that all required permits, no objection certificates etc. are obtained by the contractor for establishment and operation of equipment and facilities as detailed in the EIA. • With the support of the PMAE ensure that the contractor implements the EMP including EMOP as given in the EIA report. • In case of unanticipated environmental impacts during project implementation stage immediately inform ADB to make a decision on whether additional studies need to be carried out or updates need to be made to the EIA report or EMP • In case of unanticipated impacts, depending on the decision made above, instruct the PMAE or EMA to conduct additional studies or update the EIA and EMP. • Where necessary seek technical guidance from relevant government agencies and institutions (such as Forestry Department, Patna University, Zoological Survey of India) • In case during project implementation project needs to be realigned, review the environmental classification and revise accordingly, and identify whether supplementary environmental studies are required. If required, prepare the TOR for undertaking the studies and instruct the PMAE or EMA or hire another environment consultant to carry out the study. • Ensure that construction workers work under safe and healthy working environment in accordance with the occupation health and safety requirements in the EMP. • Ensure effective implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism to address affected people’s concerns and complaints. • Review the quarterly environmental monitoring reports on implementation of environment safeguard requirements including the EMP and EMOP prepared by the PMAE and forward it for endorsement to the CGM or Authorized officer in BSRDC for further forwarding to ADB for disclosure on the ADB website
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• Review reports prepared by the EMA and forward it for endorsement to the CGM or Authorized officer in BSRDC for further forwarding to ADB for disclosure on the ADB website • Provide necessary support to ensure successful implementation of specific programs concerning environment safeguards such as tree plantation and biodiversity conservation that will be implemented by the external monitoring agency in coordination with relevant government agencies and institutions • Ensure proper disclosure of project related information to concerned parties through the BSRDC website, public meetings, press conferences or other means
3. Project Management and Authority Engineer (PMAE)
482. BSRDCL will mobilize a Project Management and Authority Engineer (PMAE) for supervision of implementation of civil works, including the EMP and EMOP. The PMAE’s environment team will consist of an Environmental Specialist and a Biodiversity Specialist. The PMAE Environment team will ensure strict and effective implementation of the EMP by the Contractors. Specific responsibilities of the PMAE environmental team are the following: • Support BSRDCL and the PIU on preparing documents and reports required for securing clearances, permits related to project implementation • Support BSRDCL and the PIU with all other measures to ensure relevant statutory clearances are secured on time; • Review the proposed final design and construction activities of the EPC contractors to ensure that they avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts on the local biodiversity and specifically on the Gangetic Dolphin, Gharial and Ganges Turtle • Review the updated EIA report, EMP and any other supplementary environmental assessments that will be conducted by the EPC contractor • Review and approve all sub-plans submitted by the contractor such as camp site layout plan, compliance to regulatory requirement action plan, borrow area management plan, traffic re-routing management plan, disposal management plan, spill management plan, tree plantation management plan and others and recommend for their approval or improvements, to the Team Leader; • Provide training to PIU, PMAE and Contractors’ staff on implementing environmental safeguard measures; • Conduct regular site inspections to examine environmental compliances and suggest corrective actions; • Conduct day-to-day supervision of implementation of stipulated safeguard measures by the contractor to ensure accountability; • In case of unanticipated environmental impacts during project implementation stage immediately alert the PIU and provide recommendations on whether additional studies need to be carried out or updates need to be made to the EIA report or EMP • In case of unanticipated impacts, depending on the decision made by the PIU conduct additional studies or update the EIA and EMP. • In case the project needs to be realigned during project implementation, advise the PIU if there is a need to conduct supplementary environmental studies. Depending on instructions of the PIU conduct the supplementary environmental studies. • Provide on-site technical guidance, advise or on the job training to contractors on specific environment safeguard issues when necessary
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• Ensure that the contractor follows requirements on location, timing and method of construction activities to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the local biodiversity with special attention on critical and natural habitat and endangered floral and faunal species such as the Gangetic Dolphin and Ganges turtle • At times of emergencies concerning environment safeguards (example: having a dolphin stranded on the project construction site; spillage of large quantities of fuels in the Ganga river) immediately take necessary actions to resolve the issue • In times of emergencies as stated above, where necessary coordinate with the relevant government agencies or institutes for resolving the issue (example: seek technical help from the local Forestry Department for freeing the stranded dolphin; seek guidance from the State Pollution Control Board to resolve the spillage issue) • Ensure the smooth functioning of the Grievance Redress Mechanism and facilitate the addressing of grievances from affected parties • Maintain proper records of all grievances received and addressed under the project • Prepare quarterly Environmental Monitoring Reports on implementation of environment safeguards and submit it for review and approval to the PIU • Provide necessary support to the PIU to ensure proper disclosure of project related information to concerned parties through the BSRDC website, public meetings, press conferences or other means
4. External Monitoring Agency
483. The BSRDCL will employ an external monitoring agency (EMA) or a local Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) to conduct third party monitoring of environment safeguards implementation under the project and implement biodiversity conservation activities targeted at conserving the local biodiversity in and around the project area. The EMA will comprise of an environmental and ecological expert. Specific responsibilities of the EMA are: • Review the proposed final design and construction activities of the EPC contractors to ensure that they avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the local biodiversity and specifically on the Gangetic Dolphin, Gharials and Ganges Turtle • Review the updated EIA report, EMP and any other supplementary environmental assessments that will be conducted by the EPC contractor • Review the EMOP and ensure that the location and timing of checking/testing all environmental parameters are in accordance with the site conditions. Assess the results of ambient and emission/effluent monitoring and advice BSRDC on adequacy of mitigation measures to ensure compliance to relevant standards. • Review all sub-plans submitted by the contractor related to waste management, construction camp site location and layout, occupational health and safety, traffic management, tree plantation, borrow area management, spill management and others to ensure that they avoid adverse environmental impacts such as destruction of critical or natural habitat, contamination of water etc. • Review specific measures proposed for mitigating and minimizing impacts on the local biodiversity and targeted at specific species such as the Gangetic Dolphin, Ganges Turtle and others. Provide feedback to ensure that the proposed measures are adequate and effective • Review the Biodiversity Conservation Program (BCP) proposed in the EIA report and update it to include more site specific details, make the plan more effective and account for any design updates within the project • Implement the activities proposed under the BCP
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• Coordinate and work closely with the other relevant agencies and institutions (such as Patna University, Zoological Survey of India, Forestry Department) as necessary for successful implementation of the BCP • To facilitate easier monitoring and implementation of the biodiversity conservation activities, identify and procure necessary equipment such as camera traps, GPS tracking devices etc. and use them for monitoring during project operations. • Prepare semi-annual monitoring reports on implementation of the BCP and findings of third party monitoring conducted on activities implemented by the contractor and PMAE for submission to the PIU. These semi-annual reports will be disclosed on the ADB website. • After completion of the construction works continue monitoring the effectiveness of the activities implemented under the BCP for 3 years during project implementation. • Based on the traffic data collected under the project, monitor the GHG emissions generated from the traffic for a minimum of three years during project operation following the approach used in the EIA report. • After completion of the construction works, continue monitoring activities on an annual basis for at least 3 months (one month per year) during project implementation to confirm no residual adverse impacts occur and ensure stability of mitigation measures on slope stabilization, erosion control, effective borrow area and waste disposal sites closure, survival of plantation, cleaning up of camps and temporary storage, and restoration of affected utilities and community properties that may have been affected during decommissioning. • During project operation prepare annual monitoring reports on monitoring conducted on the effectiveness of the BCP, GHG emissions, effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented for submission to BSRDC and ADB.
5. Contractor
484. The contractor will be procured through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) modality. The BSRDCL will impose that the Contractor will be compliant to ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, OHSAH 18000 (2007) related Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and SA 8000 (Social Accountability). The Contractor will provide a team of ecologist and environmental and occupational health and safety specialist that will have presence in all construction and camp sites and active construction fronts. The key responsibilities of Environment and EHS Specialists of Contractor will include the following: • Update the EIA report if necessary based on the final design of the project facilities; • Update EMP and EMOP based on the final design of the project facilities; • Conduct additional environmental studies if necessary to ensure the final design will have no adverse environmental impacts; • Prepare all sub-plans required for environment safeguards such as the traffic management plan, construction material and storage handling plan, waste management plan, borrow area management plan, occupational health and safety plan, tree plantation plan, camp layout plan, haul route management plan and others; • Implement the EMP and ensure the construction works comply with the EMP and conditions of all environmental clearances and permits issued by respective statutory bodies; • Conduct monitoring of environmental quality parameters in accordance with EMOP
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• Conducting periodic environmental and safety training for contractor’s engineers, supervisors and workers; • Ensure that construction activities are carried out in a manner that avoids, mitigates and minimizes adverse impacts on the local biodiversity as given in the EIA report and EMP • Preparing a registers for material sources, labour, pollution monitoring results, public complaint and as may be directed by the PMAE; • Preparing and submitting monthly reports to PMAE on status of implementation environment safeguard measures.
6. ADB’s Responsibilities
485. As a funding agency ADB is responsible for the following: • Review the EIA report including EMP and other supplementary environmental assessment reports, provide feedback and disclose the reports on the ADB website as required by the ADB SPS; • Issue approval of projects and project components based on the approval of the respective EIA or other environmental assessment reports; • Provide assistance to BSRDCL, if required, in carrying out its responsibilities and for building capacity for safeguard compliance; • Monitor overall compliance of the project to EIA and EMP through review missions; • Review all environmental monitoring reports submitted by BSRDC, provide feedback and disclose the reports on the ADB website as required by the ADB SPS • Provide guidance to the BSRDCL and PIU on issues related to inclusion of new project components, changes in project design, occurrence of unanticipated environmental impacts during project implementation, emergency situations and others as necessary. • Organize coordination and capacity building activities on environment safeguards for BSRDC the PIU, PMAE and EMA as and when necessary
7. Other Partner Organizations
486. BSRDCL will partner and seek technical advice from relevant experts in the following organizations (Table 105) to enhance the effectively of EMP implementation.
Table 105: List of Partner Organizations in Implementing the EMP Name of Organization Role in EMP Implementation Department of Ecology Gangetic Dolphin conservation and awareness Zoological Survey of India Rescue of wildlife. Implementation of the BCP. General technical guidance on biodiversity related issues under the project. Patna University Technical guidance in addressing biodiversity related grievances and issues. District Magistrate and Revenue law and order and resolving the social disputes that may arise Departments during construction activities State Police Department Traffic management Public Heath Engineering Disposal of domestic, sewage, and solid wastes Department/ Municipal Corporation SPCB Monitoring of emissions and discharges from hot mix, crushing, and cement batching plants
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Name of Organization Role in EMP Implementation District Forest Department Cutting of trees and compensatory afforestation’s NGOs Implementation of community awareness programs
2. Capacity Building
487. The following capacity building program will be implemented as part of the PMAE’s scope of work for the PIU: • Training Module 1: i) Environment Baseline of Ganga Bridge (1 dayx20pax), ii) Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans for Ganga Bridge (1 dayx20pax); • Training Module 2: Environmental inspection, monitoring and reporting (2daysx20pax); and • Training Module 3: Organizational arrangement, roles and responsibilities, Organizing the grievance and redress mechanism (5days x 20 pax).
488. Also, part of the PMAE TOR is to ensure all contractors environment and health and safety team undergo training on the following subjects: • Orientation program on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases; • Orientation on best practices to control dust, noise, community health and safety, camp hygiene, occupational health and safety; • Orientation on the conservation of Gangetic dolphin and migratory birds; • Orientation on self-monitoring and self-reporting requirements; and • On the job training on EMP implementation.
H. Environmental Safeguards Budget
489. An environmental management budget of US$ 1, 324, 413 or INR 83,438,000 has been estimated for implementation of the environmental safeguards under the project. This budget also includes cost of implementing the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMOP), and Biodiversity Conservation Plan. The summary budget table is provided in Table 106 and the details of environmental management and monitoring budget is given in Table 107.
Table 106: Summary of Environment Safeguards Budget No. Environment Component Amount (US$) Remarks 1 Implementation of EMP and EMOP 53,484.63 Most avoidance and mitigation measures either do not incur costs or are embedded in the civil works costs 2 Budget for environment safeguards 334,000.00 personnel under the PMAE 3 External Monitoring Activities including 944,000.00 implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Plan GRAND TOTAL 1,331,484.63 US$ 85,215,016.32 INR
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Table 107: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan Cost Estimates SL. No. ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT RATE AMOUNT RESPONSIBILITY (Rs.) (Rs.) A. Compensatory Afforestation A.1 Compensatory afforestation and avenue plantation 900 No. 1,000 900,000 PIU through forest @ 1:2 trees department B Environmental Monitoring B.1 Ambient air quality monitoring during construction 90 No. 8,000 720,000 PIU through Approved and operations phases (During construction: 3 Monitoring Agency seasons x 4 years x 5 locations. During operation: 2 seasons x 3 years x 5 locations) B.2 Ambient noise level monitoring during construction 126 No. 3000 378,000 and operations phases (During construction: 3 seasons x 4 years x 7 locations. During operation: 2 seasons x 3 years x 7 locations) B.3 Water quality monitoring of surface water during 24 No. 6000 144,000 construction (During construction: 3 seasons x 4 years x 2 locations) B.4 Water quality monitoring of drinking water during 60 No. 6000 360,000 construction (During construction: 3 seasons x 4 years x 5 locations) B.5 Soil quality monitoring during construction (3 60 No. 5,000 300,000 seasons x 4 years x 5 locations) B.6 Monitoring survival rate of plantation (1/year x 3 3 No. 20,000 60,000 years) C Noise Barriers C.1 Provide the Noise barrier at sensitive areas like 80 Rm 7,000 560,000 Contractor through BOQ schools and hospitals. The noise barriers of hollow brick wall/reinforced concrete panels with height of 3.5m. The design of the noise barrier shall be approved by the engineer in charge. Grand Total (INR) 3,422,000 Grand Total (US$) (as of 53,484.63 September 12, 2017)
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X. VIII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
490. The proposed construction of a six-lane bridge over river Ganges at Patna city of Bihar is classified as environment Category A as per ADB SPS requirements, due to risks concerning the large scale civil works of the project; presence of the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the Ganges softshell turtle (Nilsoonia gangetica). Three species are all listed under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India. Under IUCN, Ganges river dolphin is classified as endangered, gharial as critically endangered and Ganges softshell turtle as vulnerable.
491. The Bihar State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has issued a letter stating that the project requires an environmental clearance (EC). Accordingly, the BSRDCL has applied for EC to SEIAA, Bihar and SEIAA has granted EC on January 29, 2016 (Annex 16).
492. The proposed bridge is a green-field project that will involve the construction of total 22.76 km: a 9.760 km main bridge structure across river Ganges, 3.0 km of widening of NH-103 and 10 km of access roads on either side of the bridge. Land use in the project influence area of 10 km radius is mainly agricultural fields and grasslands with some trees forming mostly modified and natural habitat. There are no forests or protected areas in the project influence area. Detailed analysis on the habitat range of the three protected species has shown that the project influence area is not critical habitat for any of these three species.
493. Construction activities for pre-construction, construction and post-construction and operation stages were identified. An analysis of interactions of the construction activities with the environment identified two broad types of impacts. First: impacts that are low – severe, temporary and localized and second: impacts that are low, permanent and regional.
494. Amongst the first type severe impacts are expected on the local biodiversity and the three protected species; air quality through generation of dust and fugitive emissions and the local hydrological regime. To address impacts on biodiversity and the protected species several measures have been recommended for avoidance; mitigation, minimization and enhancement. It includes implementation of a Biodiversity Conservation Plan (BCP( to ensure no “net loss” of biodiversity. For mitigating and minimizing impacts of dust and fugitive emissions mitigation measures such as water sprinkling, maintenance of minimum distances from existing communities, proper maintenance of construction equipment and vehicles are proposed. Additional hydrological studies have been recommended and further design of erosion protection measures particularly in Raghopur diara will need to be carried out. Implementation of recommended measures are expected to maintain the level of impacts to average – low, temporary and localized.
495. Amongst the second type key impacts are air pollution, increase in GHG emissions and noise levels due to generation of new traffic over the bridge. The bridge runs mainly over the river and there are only 3 settlements along the approach roads and only 4 sensitive receptors within 10m of the road edge. Projections made show that PM2.5 and PM10 exceeds WB-EHS standards only in year 15 at 10m from the road edge. There will be no exceedances of GOI and WB-EHS standards for noise levels due to construction of noise barrier, difference in height of the elevated road and location of the sensitive receptors. Given these factors, the impacts are expected to be low and minimal.
496. To ensure proper implementation of avoidance, mitigation, minimization and environmental enhancement measures a strong institutional system will be established with
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safeguards officers in the PIU and ecological experts under teams of the PMAE, contractor and external monitor. The external monitor will conduct third party monitoring and implement the BCP. Together with the strong institutional system, adequate budget has been allocated to ensure recruitment of required personnel and implementation of necessary monitoring and conservation activities.
497. Further, the following measures will be taken to ensure that the project will remain compliant to the ADB SPS: declaration of key biodiversity areas as no-go zones; prohibition of piling for construction of piers; prohibition of major dredging; implementation of good practice guidelines; sourcing of construction material only from existing licensed quarries.
498. Recommendations. The EPC modality will be followed under the project. Therefore, the detailed design of the bridge and approach roads will be prepared by the contractor. Project components that will be identified during the detailed design stage are: location of camp sites; quarries; haul routes; all season access routes to the diara; borrow areas; disposal sites and others. Considering these factors, this EIA report and EMP will be a living document and updated as needed. The next update will be carried out to include baseline biodiversity study has been conducted. It will also be updated if there are major changes in project scope or if there are anticipated environmental impacts not previously considered and assessed in the present EIA and EMP. No construction will be initiated inside the Ganga river and ecologically sensitive areas until the biodiversity data has been updated in the EIA report. Construction works of the main bridge and access roads will be allowed on site upon approval of the revised EIA report and EMP. The contractor will be required to allocate enough budget to implement all items under the EMP.
499. Conclusions. Considering the technical, institutional and budgetary measures recommended, it is expected that the project will avoid severe, permanent and regional impacts. There will be no net loss in biodiversity. Tremendous social and economic benefits will be generated in Bihar by the bridge creating a reliable, sustainable and safe access to Patna city and connection between south and the lesser developed north Bihar.