ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Environmental Screening Report for Improvements to Puloly - Kodikamam road section of Puloly – Kodikamam,KachchaiRoad (AB31) March 2016 Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Page 1 ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna Table of Contents 1. Project Identification 03 2. Project Location 03 3. Project Justification 03 4. Project Description 05 5. Description of the Existing Environment 10 6. Public Consultation 10 7. Environmental Effects and Mitigation Measures 14 7a. Screening for Potential Environmental Impacts 14 7b. Environmental Management Plan 18 8. Cost of Mitigation 43 9. Conclusion and Screening Decision 43 10. EMP implementation responsibilities and costs 45 11. Screening Decision Recommendation 45 12. Details of Persons Responsible for the Environmental Screening 46 Annexes Annex 1: Project Location Map Annex 2: Physiographic Locations of Jaffna Peninsula Annex 3: Geology and Soil Map of the Project Area Annex 4: Map of wetlands in Jaffna Peninsula Annex 5: Geology and conditions of ground water in Jaffna Peninsula Annex 6: Design Layouts Annex 7: Summary of Procedures to obtain Mining License for Borrow Pit Operation Annex 8: Summary of Procedures to obtain Mining License for Quarry Operation Annex 9: Burrow Pit Management Guidelines Annex10: Chance Find Procedures Annex 11: Environmental Pollution Control Standards Annex 12: Factory Ordinance and ILO Guidelines Annex 13: Waste Disposal Guidelines Annex 14: Terms of Reference for Recruitment of Safeguard Officer Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Page 2 ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna Strategic Cities Development Project Environmental Screening Report 1. Project Identification Project title Improvements to Puloly - Kodikamam road section of Puloly – Kodikamam, Kachchai Road ( AB31), Strategic Cities Development Project Project Proponent Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development 2. Project Location Location AB 31 road is located in Jaffna District and it starts from Kodikamum (relative to the nearest town, Junction of the A9 road and travels through 3 Divisional Secretariat highway) Divisions namely Chavakachcheri, Karaveddy and Point Pedro providing services to 13 GramaNiladhari Divisions, up to the Manthikai Junction of Jaffna Point Pedro Road. Definition of Project Area Starting from Kodikamum Junction of the Kandy – Jaffna Road (A9 Road) (The geographical extent of the up to Manthaikai Junction along Jaffna Point Pedro Road (14.2 km) (Ch. project & areas affected 0+000 ~ 14+220 km) is proposed for rehabilitation under SCDP Jaffna city during construction) region interventions. The areas affected due to proposed road rehabilitation will be mainly confined to the existing road corridor including the carriageway, shoulders/ walkways/ embankments and the road reservation, thus some minor acquisitions beyond the existing road reservation may be needed.(Location Map is Annex as 1) Adjacent land and features Land use features of this road segment can be categorized into following four distinct characteristics; . Residential-type home gardens. Wetland and agricultural lands (Paddy, Onion, tobacco etc.) . Concentration of commercial establishments at major junctions and small townships (Kodikamum Junction, Manthai) 3. Project Justification Need for the project Kodikamum is one of the small townships located along theA9 road at (What problem is the project Chawakachcheri Divisional Secretariat and the AB 31 is the road going to solve) connecting Kodikamum and Point Pedro. The road identified for rehabilitation is a link road connecting the Manthaikai Junction where the wholesale market place is located. Since the predominant economic activity of this area is agriculture and the provision of infrastructure facilities for transportation of local agricultural products to the market place is important. Investment on the road Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Page 3 ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna rehabilitation has a direct impact to the local economic development. Point Pedro is the north most point and one of the tourists attractivearea of the island. Thisroad link is strategically important to reach Point Pedro without entering Jaffna city andavoid traffic during peak hours. The areas affected during construction phase due to proposed road improvements and other project activities will be confined to the improvements of existing road into two lane of 3.2 m wide and 0.6m hard shoulder and 0.6 m soft shoulder. (All together 4.4m from centre line).Additionally the physical development is limited to construction of walkways/ embankments, culverts and shifting of other utilities(electricity & Telecommunication poles and water supply lines etc.) as specified in the plan. Purpose of the project Even though the traffic congestionis relatively a lesser problem in Jaffna compared to the other cities in Sri Lanka and effective capacity of most of (what is going to be achieved the road links in Jaffna peninsula are significantly lower than ideal by carrying out the project) situationsto match with the future demands. Such poor conditions are due to the inadequate shoulder/walkway widths, narrow lane widths of most of these link roads. Thus it is observable that most of the roads in the Jaffna peninsula have to be re-visited to accommodate the requirement of different road users and with proper intersection control, channelization etc. to provide a catalyst for accelerating development currently constrained due to a long period of conflict. It also has potential for directing development to the most efficient locations and thus developing efficient linkages for both passenger and goods movement both within the region as well as outside to make it more sustainable. The Kodikamam to Point Pedro section of Puloly – Kodikamam – Kachchai (Point Pedro) road is AB class roadwhich is heavily used by traffic travelling to north most parts of the Jaffna peninsula. The surface of this road is relatively poor in condition at present. Structural and surface improvement of the AB31 road is having a remarkable potential would lead to improved speed and would reduce journey times by at least 10 minutes per journey, while also reducing vehicle wear-and-tear and making passenger journeys more comfortable. Additionally smooth flow of traffic, especially heavy vehicles and improve access from Point Pedro and surrounding areas to the A9, thereby improving accessibility and lowering costs for fishery and other products. It also improving access to the bus stand and railway station at Kodikamam. The road improvement would have little impact on dwellings or other activities, and is deemed to have high potential for quick development. The road passes through wetlands and paddy fields where embankment protection is needed to avoid damages due to embankment failure. Shoulders and walkways need to be constructed along almost the entire stretch. Roadside storm water drains are to be provided where necessary to facilitate fast drainage. Alternatives considered No other alternative is considered for this particular project since this road (different ways to meet the section is the only link road available for rehabilitation connecting the two project need and achieve the small townships. project purpose) Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Page 4 ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna 4. Project Description Proposed start date April 2017 Proposed completion date April2018 Estimated total cost 1250 Mn SLR Present land ownership Road Development Authority (RDA) Description of the project This road is proposed to be developed as the main access route to Point Pedro, and once developed the vehicles can move from Kodikamumum without passing through Jaffna. This road is owned by Road Development Authority (RDA). The total length of AB 31 from Puloli (Manthai) Kodikamum (Ch. 0+000 to 14+220) is 14.2 km. This road section is to be developed to a 2 traffic lane of 3.2 m wide and 0.6mhard shoulder and 0.6 m soft shoulder. The pavement structure will be strengthened to suit the loads and traffic forecasted.Horizontal alignment & vertical profile have been selected in such a way that they satisfy design criteria,hydraulic requirement and minimize land acquisition. Traffic Forecast History Traffic Data was obtained from Planning Division, Road Development Authority and the current traffic data was obtained through traffic counts. Pavement Design Asphalt Concrete surface with Dense Graded Aggregate Base will beused based on the subgrade CBR (California Bearing Ratio) value and Traffic class. The pavement thickness was designed to the traffic Strategic Cities Development Project (SCDP) Page 5 ESR-Rehabilitation of Kodikamumum - Point Pedro Road (AB31), Jaffna forecasted for 15 years. To make economical pavement design total pavement layers are applied in two stages. The first layer of 60mm asphalt concrete will be applied at the initial construction Materials and Method of Construction Material and method of construction has to be selected according to the references given as follows. 1.1.1 Reference for Materials and Method of Construction Materials Reference Vol-3- Cl:304 and Table 1708-1 of Technical Specification – Special Provisions Embankment Type I and Appendix to Special Provisions of (TS-SP) Vol-3-