BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

Title of the Project: Development of Stretch between Pankapal and Dhamra / Paradip of National Waterway No.5 in the State of by Inland Waterways Authority of (Total Length 212) Km.

Project Location: State of Odisha; District – Jajpur, , Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur

Project Proponent: Inland Waterways Authority of India (Ministry of Shipping, Govt of India)

The Inland Waterways Authority of India, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, has been bestowed with the responsibility of developing one hundred and eleven National Waterways (NW) declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016. The National Waterway No. 5, being one of them, comprises of rivers and canals namely Talcher-Dhamra Stretch of Brahmani- Kharsua-Tantighai-Pandua Nala-Dudhei Nala-Kani Dhamra-river system, Geonkhali-Charbatia Stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra Stretch of Matai River and Mahanadi Delta Rivers, has been proposed for development for the purpose of navigation. The development of the waterways would be carried out in two phases: Phase I – Pankapal to the ports at Dhamra and Paradip via Mangalgadi, and Phase II – Pankapal to Talcher. The current project focuses on the execution of Phase I development of the NW-5 which involves the development of the stretch between Pankapal and Dhamra / Paradip which is a total of 212 km. Of the 212 km stretch of the waterways 110 km falls within the CRZ Area, which originates from the ports at Dhamra & Paradip and extends up unto Padanipal via Mangalgadi. Figure 1 Proposed Stretch of Phase-I Development of NW-5

It involves the development of fairway as part of the Phase-I development of the National Waterways-5 from Pankapal to Dhamra and Paradip in the State of Odisha. The National Waterway-5 is to be developed for a fairway having channel width of minimum 50.0m and LAD (Least Available Depth) of 3.0m and bend radius of approximately 700m conforming to Class - III standard as per the classification of waterways of IWAI. The fairway development would involve the maintenance dredging in the aforesaid rivers in order to attain the natural depth of the watercourse, strengthening of the river banks, widening of river stretch at places where the desired width of 50.0m and also in places where the bend radius of 700m is not present. Further, in order to keep the water level to serve the movement of barges about eight interventions in the form of check dams, rubber dams and weirs & barrages with navigational locks have been proposed.

The proposed waterways development, stretches across the tidal influenced CRZ area as well as non-CRZ area. The NW-5 passes through the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmata Wildlife (Marine) Sanctuary. Besides the route passes through a dense mangrove forest in the Kharnasi River. However, IWAI, in order to limit any impact on the habitat and the ecological systems within those sanctuaries and national park, would not be undertaking any major development activity in the watercourse. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the said was obtained, vide F.No.10-27/2014-IA.III dated 12.01.2015. The issued ToR was given an extension of validity for one year which expired on 11.01.2019, vide F.No.10-27/2014-IA-III dated 21st June 2018. However, the proposed project would not mandate prior Environmental Clearance under the EIA Notification 2006 and its amendment. Besides, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in its Office Memorandum, vide F.No.14-9/2016-IA-III dated 21st December 2017, has stated that no prior environment clearance (EC) is required for maintenance dredging for navigational channel for Inland Waterways. Considering those conditions defined, IWAI is humbly submitting its request for exemption from EC for the proposed project.