PFR for Under Construction Bridge across , Nr. Golden bridge on old NH-8, Dist.: , State:

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) – Bharuch has started development of a new bridge adjacent to the Golden Bridge across Narmada River in Bharuch district of Gujarat, . The site is located approximately 0.5 km from densely populated Bharuch city. The proposed bridge would serve as an important public infrastructure facility on the existing busy NH-8 and SH-76. NH-8 is an important component of the Golden Quadrilateral and is one of the busiest highways of the country.

The proponent R&B Department – Bharuch has already started bridge construction across Narmada River. Due to tidal influence of sea, it attracts violation of CRZ Notification, 2011 under Environmental Protection Act – 1986. The proposed bridge is under construction parallel to the Golden Bridge. The Golden Bridge traces its history back in 1881 when the British constructed it. During those days, the British needed a bridge across the Narmada River to create better access to trade and administration officials in Mumbai (then called Bombay). The Bridge is also called Narmada Bridge. It has a length of 1462 m and is considered an important architecture which connects Ankleshwar to Bharuch in the Gujarat state of western India. The Golden Bridge has seen many natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, but it has stood for 132 years, providing daily transportation to the people of Ankleshwar and Bharuch. In recent times too, the Golden Bridge is considered as an important route for PCUs, since heavy transportation vehicles are not allowed on this bridge considering its design parameters and loading capacity. Golden Bridge adjoining Ankleshwar to Bharuch city is heavily loaded with PCUs and other small vehicles. In view of increase in traffic intensity in multiples, heavy load vehicle and fast industrial growth, the need of new bridge has arisen. Hence, the R&B Department -Government of Gujarat (GoG) took up the task of constructing another bridge across Narmada River.

The proposed project requires setting up foundations and piers within the Narmada River which is considered as a permissible activity under the CRZ Notification, 2011. Proposed construction falls under CRZ III and IVB. But the proponent did not obtain prior CRZ Clearance before starting the construction of the same. Hence, it is mandatory to get the clearance under the provision of the CRZ Notification, 2011 and file the application to violation committee of MoEF&CC, New Delhi for the proposed project.

The pre-feasibility report includes a brief introduction of the proponent, need and justification of the project, required and available resources, proposed Environment Management Systems, existing land-use and proposed infrastructure, project schedule and cost estimate, and proposed Terms of reference for conducting the EIA studies. The department has engaged Eco Chem Sales & Service (ECSS) as their Environment Consultant to conduct the EIA studies for obtaining CRZ clearance for the proposed project. ECSS is a NABET accredited Environmental Consultant.