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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT for Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT for Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development (MMWD) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 Submitted to; Submitted By; Central Environmental Authority Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Prepared By: Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd, Japan Consulting Engineers and Architects Associated (Pvt.) Ltd., Sri Lanka EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 Table of Contents Executive Summary i CHAPTER 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background of the Project .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Background of the Project ................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.2 Current Status .................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.1.3 Implementing Agency ........................................................................................................ 1-2 1.2 Objectives of the LRT Project (Project Justification) ................................................................. 1-4 1.2.1 Project Justification ............................................................................................................ 1-4 1.2.2 Objectives of the proposed Project .................................................................................... 1-5 1.3 Project Scope .............................................................................................................................. 1-6 1.4 Objectives of the EIA Report ...................................................................................................... 1-6 1.5 Methodologies and Technologies Employed for the EIA Study ................................................. 1-7 1.5.1 Literature Survey, Data Collection ..................................................................................... 1-7 1.5.2 Impact Assessment ............................................................................................................. 1-7 1.6 Conformity with Government policies and plans ....................................................................... 1-8 1.6.1 National Environmental Act (NEA) No 47 of 1980, and its’ amendment Acts No. 56 of 1988 and Act No. 53 of 2000 ............................................................................................................. 1-8 1.6.2 Colombo District (Low Lying Areas) Reclamation and Development Board Act No. 15 of 1968 ………………………………………………………………………………………...1-10 1.6.3 Crown lands Ordinance (Chapter 454) ............................................................................ 1-10 1.6.4 Fauna and Flora Protection (Amend) Act (No. 49 of 1993) ............................................ 1-10 1.6.5 Urban Development Authority Law No 41 of 1978 ........................................................ 1-10 1.6.6 Flood Protection Ordinance (Chapter 449) ...................................................................... 1-10 1.6.7 Colombo District (Low Lying Areas) Reclamation and Development Board Act No. 15 of 1968 1-10 1.6.8 Thalangama Environmental Protection Area: Government Notification under the National Environmental Act, No.47 of 1980, Order under Section 24C and Section D. ............................... 1-11 1.6.9 Declaration of Sri Jayawardenepura Bird Sanctuary ....................................................... 1-11 1.6.10 Municipal Council Ordinance No 29 of 1947 .................................................................. 1-11 1.6.11 Agrarian Development Act (No. 46 of 2000) .................................................................. 1-11 1.6.12 Road Development Authority Act (No. 73 of 1981) ........................................................ 1-11 1.6.13 National Thoroughfares Act No. 40 of 2008 .................................................................... 1-11 1.6.14 Sri Lanka Railways Authority Act (No. 60 of 1993) ....................................................... 1-11 1.6.15 Antiquities Ordinance, No. 9 of 1940 .............................................................................. 1-11 1.7 Required Preliminary Approvals and Conditions Laid Down by State Agencies .................... 1-12 i EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 1.7.1 Required Approvals ......................................................................................................... 1-12 1.7.2 Conditions Laid Down by State Agencies ....................................................................... 1-12 CHAPTER 2 Project Description .......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Description of the proposed project ............................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.1 Location of the Project ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.2 Ownership of the Project Site ............................................................................................. 2-5 2.1.3 Project Components ............................................................................................................ 2-5 2.1.4 Layout plans ...................................................................................................................... 2-19 2.1.5 Future Expansion .............................................................................................................. 2-19 2.1.6 Pre-Construction and Construction Activities ................................................................... 2-20 2.1.7 Construction Methods ....................................................................................................... 2-21 2.1.8 Resources for Construction ............................................................................................... 2-26 2.1.9 Operation and Maintenance .............................................................................................. 2-26 2.1.10 Energy Requirement ......................................................................................................... 2-31 2.1.11 Wastewater Sources .......................................................................................................... 2-31 2.1.12 Other Wastes ..................................................................................................................... 2-32 2.1.13 Other Infrastructure Facilities ........................................................................................... 2-33 2.1.14 Project Investment and Funding Sources .......................................................................... 2-35 2.2 Alternatives Analysis ................................................................................................................ 2-35 2.2.1 No Project Option ............................................................................................................. 2-35 2.2.2 Alternatives of Structural Options .................................................................................... 2-35 2.2.3 LRT Alternative Routes .................................................................................................... 2-37 CHAPTER 3 Description of the Existing Environment ........................................................................ 3-1 3.1 Description of the Study Area..................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Physical Environment ................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.2.1 Existing Land Use ............................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.2 Topography ......................................................................................................................... 3-3 3.2.3 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.2.4 Ambient Air Quality ........................................................................................................... 3-4 3.2.5 Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................................ 3-5 3.2.6 Surface and Groundwater Quality ....................................................................................... 3-8 3.2.7 Geology ............................................................................................................................. 3-14 3.3 Socio-cultural Environment ...................................................................................................... 3-16 3.3.1 Socio-Economic Profile of the Project Area ..................................................................... 3-16 3.3.2 Existing Social Infrastructure ............................................................................................ 3-18 3.3.3 Noise Sensitive Receptors ................................................................................................. 3-20 ii EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 3.3.4 Cultural Heritage ..............................................................................................................
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