Environmental Assessment Report
Summary Environmental Impact Assessment Project Number: 36052 May 2006
Pakistan: North-West Frontier Province Road Development Sector and Subregional Connectivity Project (Peshawar–Torkham Subproject)
Prepared by the National Highway Authority for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The summary 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.
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (As of 15 March 2006)
Currency Unit – Pakistan rupee/s (PRe/PRs) PRe1.00 = $0.0167 $1.00 = PRs59.95
ABBREVIATIONS
ADB – Asian Development Bank EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environmental management plan EPA – Environmental Protection Agency FATA – Federally Administered Tribal Area NEQS – National Environmental Quality Standards NHA – National Highway Authority NWFP – North-West Frontier Province ROW – right-of-way WHO – World Health Organization
NOTE
In this report, “$” refers to US dollars.
CONTENTS
Page
MAP
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBPROJECT 1
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 2 A. Physical Resources 2 B. Ecological and Biological Resources 3 C. Socioeconomic Environment 5
IV. ALTERNATIVES 7 A. No Action 7 B. Alternative Transport Mode 7 C. Alternative Alignment 7
V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 8 A. Physical Environment 8 B. Ecological Environment 12 C. Sociocultural Environment 14
VI. ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT 17 A. Benefits 17 B. Costs 17 C. Economic Analysis of Environmental Impacts 17
VII. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 17
VIII. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE 18
IX. CONCLUSION 19
APPENDIXES
1. Environmental Management Plan 21 2. Environmental Monitoring Plan for N5 Peshawar–Torkham Expressway 52 3. Public Consultation at Various Locations along the Project Corridor 55
o o 63 00'E 73 00'E 73 o 00’E PA K I S TA N
NORTH-WEST NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE ROAD FRONTIER PROVINCE DEVELOPMENT SECTOR AND REGIONAL o o 35 00'N PROJECT AREA 35 00'N CONNECTIVITY PROJECT ISLAMABAD AFGHANISTAN PESHAWAR-TORKHAM SUBPROJECT
P U N J A B PAKISTAN
B A L O C H I S T A N er iv R us IRAN nd I I N D I A
25 o 00'N 25 o 00'N S I N D H
Chitral A r a b i a n S e a
o 63 00'E 73 o 00'E Dasu o 70 00’E Dir
5 -3 N o 35 o 00’N 35 00’N Shangla Patan Timargarh Swat N -45 Munda 5 -1 N Malakand Batagram
A F G H A N I S T A N I
I Buner
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I Mansera
I I Mardan Charsadda Tarbela I Dam Torkham I Abbottabad
I Swabi
I 5 3 I Jehangira - Peshawar N Nowsehra N Parachinar Haripur Darra Adam Khel
r Hangu e v Kohat i 0 50 100 R
s u Kilometers d n Thal I
5 -5 N Karak P U N J A B Bannu Miran Shah
National Capital Sarai Gambila Lakki Provincial Capital City/Town
Tank Subproject Road National Road N -5 5 Provincial Road 32 o 00’N o Railway 32 00’N Dera Ismail Khan
N-50 r River e v i
R District Boundary
s u Provincial Boundary d
n I International Boundary
B A L O C H I S T A N Boundaries are not necessarily authoritative.
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. This updated summary environmental impact assessment (EIA) is based on the environmental assessment reports for the proposed new alignment of the Peshawar–Torkham subproject under Loan No. 2103-PAK: North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Road Development Sector and Subregional Connectivity Project. This subproject was appraised during preparation of this loan in 2003. The summary EIA based on the 2003 feasibility study was circulated to the Board on 15 June 2004 and the loan was approved on 18 November 2004. A need to change the road alignment arose during detailed design study, and therefore a new EIA report was prepared by Global Environmental Technologies. That firm was contracted by the National Highway Authority (NHA), which is the Project’s executing agency for the national highway component. The EIA report was prepared in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in particular the Environment Assessment Procedure (1997) and in accordance with the ADB’s Environmental Policy (2002) and the Environmental Assessment Guidelines (2003).
2. It was determined that the alignment needed to be changed from that originally planned for about 14 kilometers (km) from the starting point on the Peshawar side in order to avoid geometric conditions unsuitable for applying NHA’s current technical specifications regarding vertical and horizontal alignment and to reduce involuntary resettlement. The new alignment was proposed to run through a valley about 5 km south of the originally planned road alignment. The rest of the alignment (about 38 km) basically follows that originally planned.
3. This summary EIA has been prepared for ADB’s use. It contains a general overview of the Project, a description of environmental conditions in the affected area, a brief description of potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures, and an environmental management plan that includes a monitoring plan.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBPROJECT
4. The Government of Pakistan has proposed to construct a new four-lane expressway in NWFP connecting Peshawar and Torkham (hereinafter referred to as the “subproject”). The proposed subproject is part of a sample of subprojects prepared before loan approval.1
5. The objectives of the subproject are to (i) enhance efficiency of the road network and transport within the province and (ii) improve subregional cooperation and trade by facilitating road transport to Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics. The subproject’s detailed engineering design was recently completed, and work is expected to start soon.
6. This road is planned to be a four-lane dual carriageway for a total of 52 km, out of which 47 km will be constructed on a new alignment. On the remaining 5 km of existing alignment, the subproject activities will involve widening one side to meet the national highway standards of 7.3 meters (m) of pavement width, 3 m shoulders on both sides, and minimum embankment height of 1 m. The proposed right-of-way (ROW) to be acquired is about 60 m in plain areas and 40 m in hilly areas. The road is designed for standard speeds of 80 km/hour and 50 km/hour in plain and hilly areas, respectively. The subproject will also involve constructing 28 bridges and
1 ADB. 2004. Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors on a Proposed Loan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for North-West Province Road Development Sector and Subregional Connectivity Project. Manila (Loan No. 2103-PAK approved on 18 November 2004 with total amount of $301.2 million). 2
several culverts, one interchange, one toll plaza, and three underpasses, as well as to provide safety structures and proper road furniture.
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
7. The proposed subproject is located in the agencies of Jamrud and Landi Kotal of Khyber Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). Khyber Agency is situated at a latitude of 33° 33’ to 34° 27’ and longitude of 70° 28’ to 71° 51’. The proposed expressway passes through a dry mountainous track that initially traverses the Khwar bed for 15 km.
A. Physical Resources
8. Climate and Meteorology. No meteorological station exists in the subproject area. Temperatures in the area typically follow a weather pattern of being mildly hot in summer and mildly cold during the brief winters. As the region is extremely mountainous, there are considerable variations in local temperatures. Maximum temperatures range from 15–20o C in winter to 40o C in summer. The monsoon rains usually start in June, peak in August, and end by September. Occasional heavy showers can take place during other months. The bulk of the rainfall usually comes between July and September. October and November are the driest months. Average rainfall in the subproject area for the years 2001/2002, 2000/2001, and 1999/2000, respectively, were 6.92, 9.58, and 18.58 mm.
9. Topography and Soils. The Torkham basin is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The Peshawar–Torkham area has two major geographical divisions: (i) the rugged mountainous regions on the north and west, with one end touching the Afghan border, and (ii) the comparatively narrow strip of valleys along the Khwar bed. Descending from the hills and adjacent to the Khwar bed is a series of very productive agricultural areas. Most portions are surrounded by hills, which are steep on the northern and western sides. The main Torkham Khwar and its tributaries have steep slopes (and carry high sediment loads). These areas receive a fair amount of water through gravity channels, especially in rainy seasons, and are being used for patches of agriculture along the Khwar beds. The water catchment area of the rain-fed streams has been observed and classified as mountainous.
10. The roads pass through dry mountains and along the Khwar channel with slate and muddy type rocks. The terrain is marked with mountains having limestone as their major component, while sandstone, siltstone, and slate are also present in small amounts. The slate, limestone, and gravel are suitable for construction material and are available in the area, although their extraction entails high risks of landslides. The various patches from Peshawar to Torkham contain soils that are medium to moderately fine in texture. The topsoil is generally very thin silt. The sporadic rain on the mountains carries down quite fertile soil that spreads in the Khwar/khwar beds and valleys. The soil is generally hard, brittle, and rocky (with slate). The predominant rock consists of slate and limestone.
11. Water Resources, Drainage, and Hydrology. There is no water storage facility in the Khyber Agency or its vicinity, so most of the water is received either from rainfall or melted snow through non-perennial Khwars, (khwars, streams, and seasonal outlets) that pass on to the downstream areas of the province and country. The melted snow and (at high altitude) rain are available only for a few months of the year, and therefore the water resource is very limited. Groundwater can be found at depths of 10–300 m below the surface, and deeper, depending upon a number of parameters, the most important being the lateral distance from any Khwar or water body. Extraction of groundwater requires heavy duty electrically or diesel powered pumps. 3
Agricultural cultivation and social forestry are found in isolated pockets where spring, surface, or groundwater is available. No detailed data is available on the quantity or quality of surface and/or groundwater along the project corridor.
12. Geology and Seismology. The area is characterized by seismic activity. Mild tremors from the northwest Hindu Kush range have been felt at various locations and times in the past. The main seismic feature is the Main Mantle Thrust, which separates the Kohistan Island area to the north from the Indian Plate in the south. Earthquake epicenters are concentrated along this fault line. Occasional minor tremors are common in NWFP. However, the seismic map of Pakistan suggests that the Torkham area is located in an area with minor seismic activity and its probability of experiencing a high intensity earthquake is low.
13. Ambient Air Quality. As there is no major population settlement or industrial activity in the area, air pollution is mainly due to vehicle emissions along the road corridor. Baseline data were collected in August 2005 from different locations: Jabba, Ali Masjid, Torkham bypass, Michini check post. The data were for oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, as well as carbon monoxide and suspended particulate matter. These were assessed over 8 hours. The baseline studies have shown that the main air quality issue is the high level of particulate matter (so-called 2 “PM10”) and noise levels, while levels for nitrogen and sulfur oxides and carbon monoxide were within the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) set by Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To a certain extent, the high level of particulate matter is a natural consequence of the dry atmosphere, lack of vegetation cover, and winds. Nevertheless, this condition is exacerbated by such human activities as vehicles driving on unpaved shoulders or poorly maintained roads. Moreover, many trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles are diesel fueled and poorly maintained. Some use a fuel that is a mixture of kerosene and diesel, which results in both a cheaper fuel mix and in exhaust smoke that is high in PM10.
14. Water Quality. Water quality was assessed from five different locations in the area as part of this EIA study. These included a natural spring at Jabba, surface waters at two locations, and, in two locations, water from a well or piped water supply scheme. The analysis shows that chlorides, coliforms, and total suspended solids values were high—indicating that the water is polluted by human excreta—and the water is slightly turbid due to high particulate load from soil erosion. Surface and other water samples were also polluted from bacterial contamination, making it unfit for drinking. Most surface streams in the country are polluted while groundwater is usually "sweet," with low dissolved solids, and fit for drinking. The quality of groundwater in the project corridor, however, is contaminated with untreated human waste. The sample collected shows E-coli and total suspended solids exceeding World Health Organization standards for drinking water quality.
B. Ecological and Biological Resources
15. Flora. In general, the areas traversed by the project corridor are poorly vegetated and/or forested with quite minimal biological species. The project road is mainly located in arid environment. The series of mountains along the corridor has very little vegetative cover, due to a shortage of water and limited rainfall. Scattered plantations can be seen in patches due to increased rains in 2005, and vast rangelands provide brushy growth for grazing.
16. Forests in NWFP and especially in Khyber Agency are meager and are being depleted due to limited water supply, population pressures, illicit cutting, and overgrazing. The area is
2 PM10 is particulate matter smaller than about 10 micrometers. 4
generally overgrazed and with a degraded vegetation of few trees and bushes, such as Acacia modesta and OIea cuspidate, and shrubs like Dodonea viscose and Monotheca buxifola. Degraded shrub vegetation is typically Reptonia buxiflia, Olea cuspidate, Pistacia integerrima, Nannorhops itchieananda, Bromus spp, Palosa (Acacia modesta), Sanatha (Dadonia viscosa) and Ber (Zazyphus jajuba). Eucalyptus species and Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) have also been found in Khwar valley beds. These are non-palatable for cattle but have become a good source of wood for fuel. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has listed 189 protected areas, including 10 national parks, 82 wildlife sanctuaries, 83 game reserves, and 14 unclassified areas that are privately owned and are proposed or recommended for protection. These protected areas represent only 9% of the total land area. There are nine wetlands designated under the international Ramsar Convention on wetlands, to which Pakistan is a signatory. The expressway alignment does not pass through any forest or game reserve, wildlife sanctuary, or any protected area. No endangered species have been reported.
17. The rangelands and forests play an important role in the economy, as they supply firewood, habitat for wildlife, animal grazing, aesthetic value, and timber. Traditionally, lands and forests have belonged to the respective tribes in FATA/Khyber Agency, and these people had unrestricted access. They have had rights to collect fruit and to remove dead dry wood for domestic use with the permission of the Forest Department. They are to have first rights for employment and contracting opportunities, including to guard the forests. The area is to be permanently closed for grazing, and a footpath passing through the state forests will remain open for residents. According to a divisional forest officer, an area of 800 acres was in forest reserve within Khyber Agency as of 1999–2000 (although not in the vicinity of the project route and alignment), having decreased from 900 acres in 1997–1998.
18. There is a very thin tree density in the route from 7–22 km due to limited availability of water in Khwar/khwar. Forest and tree cover is barely seen in the area, except along the Kwhar bed, while greenery and agricultural activity are noted only alongside the Khwar belt. A fairly thin vegetation cover has been noted on these farms and alongside the Khwar. Due to inadequate water supplies, avenue plantations are lacking even on the existing roadside.
19. A very small portion of the population is engaged in agriculture beside the khwar (7–22 km). On the whole, agricultural resources are scarce and agricultural productivity is low. People involved in this sector follow an integrated farming approach that includes growing grain, vegetables, and fruits, as well as planting trees on farmlands. Wheat, tomatoes, okra, and Zeera (cumin seed) are the main crops. Grapes, apples, walnuts, almonds, peaches, and apricots are major fruits and nuts grown in the vicinity. People are nevertheless unable to meet even their own food requirements from their farms, and so staple food production is insufficient even for local use.
20. Fauna. The following animals have been reported in the literature in the area of NWFP in different seasons and pockets and confirmed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and World Wildlife Fund: red monkeys (Macaca mulatto), wolves (Canis lupus pallipes), wild boars (Sus scrofa), markhor (sufaid, Kabul), leopards (Felis pardus), black bears (Ursus torquatus), ibex (Capra aegagrus), rabbits, foxes (Vulpes rulpes), jackals (Canus aureus), porcupines (Hystrix indica), snakes, lizards, gray goral (Naemorhedus goral goral), common leopards (Panthera entellus), leopard cats (Felis bengalensis), Himalayan lynx (Felic lynx isabellina) and Pallas’ cat (Felis manul). Two species that are on the list of endangered animals are Afghan urial (ibex) and straight horn Kabul markhore (Capra falconi megaceros). Birds of many sorts are reported in the area, include various species of partridges 5
(Franlinus sp), pheasants, chakur (Alectoris chukor chukor, Caccabis chucar), and sparrows. Some transitory birds, such as waterfowl, Sakar falcons (Falco cherrug), perigrene falcons, and Hobara bustards, (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenil), are also found in early winters and late spring. The last three species mentioned are highly endangered. Pleasure hunting for sport and meat is quite common. The region lies along a flight route for migrating waterfowl, cranes, and falcons from northern cold climates, but no protected wetland is found in the subproject area.
21. Livestock constitute an important component of the farming and social systems in the area. Every household and traveling nomad keeps a few animals, including cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, mules, asses, horses, camels, dogs, and poultry. Livestock provide some 30– 40% of farm income for households. The livestock of farmers and of nomads (the latter of whom regularly travel to the higher altitudes in summer and to lower altitudes for the winter) all graze on unattended bushes and trees.
C. Socioeconomic Environment
22. The province is the western gateway of the subcontinent, a traditional route for merchants and travelers from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe to the Indian subcontinent. These have included Alexander the Great, Tamerlane, Babur, and Ahmad Shah Abdali. It is claimed that this area is the source of Buddhist and Ghandara civilizations in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. The Khyber Pass has rich historical traditions, particularly as a communication route between east and west.
23. Land Use. The total reported area of Khyber Agency is 257,654 hectares, out of which 14,954 is cultivated, 245,704 is uncultivated, 2,040 are forests and 182,325 is not available for cultivation. Agricultural use of land is limited in the region, due to the rocky mountains, steep slopes, lack of suitable plain land, and limited water supply except along the Khwar bed. Although the valleys could support more cultivated vegetation, such activity is not a prominent feature beyond a few kilometers out of Peshawar. This is due to a lack of interest in the community, limited water availability, and the nature of the employment structure (largely based on transport and commerce).
24. Housing and Drinking Water Sources. There are 54,416 housing units in Khyber Agency, according to the 1998 census. Of this total, 13,107 use public-source piped water for drinking purposes, 712 use hand pumps, 22,274 use wells, 4,467 use pond water, and 13,856 depend on other sources. Completion of 96 water supply schemes during 1999–2000 provided service to 370,015 people, which represents 76.9% coverage.
25. Energy and Telephone. Wood is used for cooking by 84.7% of urban housing units and 91.9% of rural units. Of the total, 39,310 households use electricity for lighting purposes, while 13,954 depend upon kerosene oil and 1,152 on other sources. As of 2000–2001, 15,310 connections were being provided by Peshawar Electric Supply Company for domestic, commercial, industrial (557), and irrigations purposes. This figure was 15,296 in 1999–2000. A total of 578 villages were provided electricity during 2000–2001. Access to electricity was 95% and 97% on sections 1 and 2, respectively. On average, one third of the sample population had access to a telephone facility along the project corridor.
26. Tourism Potential. FATA area has a high tourism potential that is untapped due to problems related to accessibility as well as the law and order situation. The valley can attract such activities as trekking, mountaineering, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, cultural tourism, historical tourism, and pursuit of special interests in the cultures of indigenous people. The 6
impressive mountain peaks could be important sightseeing destinations. Springs in various places could also be tourist attractions. The dominant ethnic group in the area is the Afridi and Shinwari tribes.
27. Archaeological Sites. There are many artifacts, buildings, and historical sites in the province representing the Buddhist, Muslim, and British eras. These include such things as check posts and forts. There are only a few sites in the vicinity, including the Buddhist remains in the Khyber Pass, a castle close to the border at Torkham, a historical underground hospital built by British authorities, and the archaeological site at Rehman Dheri. A partially collapsed Buddhist stupa is located in the Rehmat Killi area adjacent to the existing road and separated by the railroad track. This important archeological site is representative of the significance of this ancient trade route. Art pirates dig illegally in this vicinity for archeological artifacts. There are no protected historically proven sites within 500 m of the Project corridor.
28. Infrastructure. The roads in the area were mostly gravel surfaced (in some mountain areas, only narrow jeepable tracks). Except for the main Peshawar–Torkham highway, these require regular repair because of land, stone, and mud slides, as well as erosion of base materials. Torkham can be accessed by the N5 and N55 from Peshawar. Upon completion of this project, it is expected that traffic will increase several fold. There will be savings in vehicle operating costs and reduced accidents. Opening this road will bring about development and associated infrastructure. The country’s airline, Pakistan International Airlines, runs a few flights to Peshawar subject to weather conditions and deploys small aircraft. The proportion of the local population taking advantage of these flights is minimal since air travel cannot generally replace road traffic. The Torkham telephone department has a limited capacity for just a few telephone lines in the cities of Torkham, Landi Kotal, and Ali Masjid. Water is available in a few villages from surface and/or ground sources, and there is no information available as to its quality. There are piped water and sewerage facilities in Torkham, Landi Kotal, Michini check post, and Ali Masjid. However, the water has been tested and found unfit for human consumption according to World Health Organization standards. The rest have no access to appropriate drinking water and lack adequate sanitary facilities. Although some houses might have some forms of sanitation facilities, men and children generally relieve themselves in the open fields during the day while women must wait until after dark. Most urban wastewater and sewage is discharged untreated and directly into open drains that lead to khwars. These drains also act as rainwater channels, and their frequent overflow creates health hazards for residents—in particular for children who play nearby. Use of open drains for washing clothes and dishes is common. There are few wells and hot springs in the area.
29. Education. The literacy rate in Khyber Agency is 39.9% and 2.6% for males and females, respectively, with an average for both sexes at 22.96. There are 171 government primary schools for boys and 144 for girls. Of a total 33 government middle schools, 22 are for boys and 11 for girls. There are also 21 government high schools for boys and just 2 for girls. The student:teacher ratios in the agency’s primary, middle, and high schools, respectively, are 57, 27, and 6. There exists only one government higher secondary school and two degree colleges for boys. The agency has 5 mohallah schools and 37 mosque schools. Both of FATA’s elementary colleges are situated at Jamrud in Khyber Agency, one each for males and females. There is one vocational institute for males in Khyber Agency and no female vocational institute in the whole of FATA. The Khyber Agency also has one business college for boys.
30. Health. There are 4 hospitals in the Agency with combined capacity of 260 beds, as well as 12 dispensaries with six-bed facilities. As of 2002–2003, Khyber Agency had one tuberculosis clinic with 10 beds, 12 basic health units, two maternal and child health facilities, 7 and one leprosy clinic. The average population per bed is about 2,475 in the agency, with 266 hospital and dispensary beds. There were 36 male and 4 female private medical practitioners in the agency in 2001. During 2001–2002, a total of 4,545 patients were served on in-patient bases and 25,0870 on out–patient bases in Khyber Agency, and 1,050 operations were performed. More than 19,300 children were covered by an expanded immunization program in Khyber Agency during 2002.
31. Land Tenure. No recent land settlement has been observed or occurred in the area along the new proposed alignment (with the exception of a 4 km overlapping segment). lt has been found that cultivated and other lands belong to the tribes, elders, or chief. Land holdings are becoming smaller with the passage of time due to traditional division among the family heirs. A segment of the land along the Khwar bed is used for agriculture and social forestry, while a large proportion of the land is unused, barren, and un-vegetated due to very limited water availability.
IV. ALTERNATIVES
A. No Action
32. Without the subproject, the existing road will continue to be the main transportation corridor in the subproject area. The condition of the road will continue to deteriorate due to outdated bridges and culverts, as well as the high costs of maintenance. Therefore, it is likely that traffic congestion will increase and the people living in the area will suffer from degraded transportation access.
B. Alternative Transport Mode
33. Pakistan Railway has not constructed any new routes since 1982. Conversely, although the track still exists, many railway routes have been discontinued for being unprofitable. The main railway line connecting Karachi and Peshawar has lost its importance and competitiveness due to its inefficiency. Public demand for and confidence in railway services are low.
34. There is a railway line from Peshawar to Landi Kotal that is still in functional condition and there exist remains of track even as far as the border at Torkham. The line was built for moving troops. Regular train services have never been operated, but there was a weekly train on recreational basis only until 1980s due to Afghan war. The line would require substantial investment before any commercial Afghanistan-bound freight transportation could be realized. Having been closed for some 70 years, the track beyond Landi Kotal is in a highly dilapidated condition and would require major rehabilitation. The ROW beyond Landi Kotal has been taken over for stalls and other activities. Therefore, it is not seen as a viable option in the near future.
C. Alternative Alignment
35. The existing Peshawar–Torkham road has insufficient capacity even for the current traffic volume. An additional lane is highly desirable, and particularly in the steeper sections. Two other options that were considered included (i) widening of the existing road alignment, and (ii) using the originally planned alignment in accordance with the project document. The first option was dropped because of the large number of affected people along the road that would need to be resettled and the prospect of traffic congestion during construction work. The second option was carefully examined during the detailed engineering design stage after loan approval. It was found that some public buildings had been constructed within the ROW of the originally 8
planned alignment and that those buildings could not be relocated. It is also become clear that the originally planned road alignment contains some geometric conditions making it difficult to apply NHA’s current technical specifications at reasonable construction costs.
V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
A. Physical Environment
1. Topography, Geology and Soils
a. Construction Phase
36. Most of the expressway alignment is new road construction that requires designing the route and landscape along the ROW to make it more suitable for heavy, motorized, and trade-related travel and so that it will have proper drainage. The route of the Project traverses countryside, so the design of the road (including the borrow pit areas) needs to avoid degrading the current aesthetic values. Most of the mountains en route and within the ROW require bench and/or step controlled cutting of hills and high embankments, as well as filling of gaps plus some retaining system for controlling continuous stone and land sliding. The embankment height of the expressway will also be raised for proper drainage in plain areas. The fill material will come from borrow pits or quarries. The minimum construction period is in excess of three years. The various activities are described below.
37. Clearing of Right-of-Way. For constructing roads on new alignments and/or for new borrow pits or queries, it is a normal practice to strip off the fertile surface layers of soil, if present, and to store this material until construction is complete. This "top fertile layer" is then used to help restore borrow pit areas. This practice of stripping and storing this fertile material will be done in areas where the highway is built and/or expanded on fertile lands. However, the requirement to store this material for reuse can result in agricultural land being used unnecessarily. If the material dries up, it will be blown away as dust and thereby damage crops. Therefore, the storage areas will be carefully selected to minimize crop damage and precautions (i.e., constant watering of this layer) will be taken to avoid the material’s drying out and being blown away. This top fertile layer will not be removed where the new expressway is built on elevated ground and along the dry mountains after cutting and/or blasting the rocks.
38. Cutting of trees and clearing of grass, bushes, and other vegetation from within the ROW area is one of the prerequisites for initiating construction processes. The removal of any vegetative and/or tree cover that has taken so long to develop requires special care. Therefore, special attention shall be given in the section of road (7–22 km) where there exists some tree and/or vegetative cover.
39. Care will also be used in resettling and/or relocating social infrastructure, including houses, shops, schools, mosques, dispensaries, and graves along the ROW after settling all the issues with the inhabitants or users of this infrastructure.
40. Cutting, Filling, and General Construction. Major impacts of the road construction are associated with tree cutting; excavation and/or digging; blasting; cutting; crushing stones; movement and storage of large quantities of rock, earth, asphalt plant, and transport fleet; concreting; campsite issues; and associated water, air, and noise pollution. These processes reshape the natural environment and create noise, dust, and fumes that contribute to air pollution problems that are critical in many sensitive areas and cause water pollution. 9
41. These environmental problems can be minimized if proper measures are adopted (see Appendix 1, Environmental Management Plan). Working on hilly tracts, however, and especially in 7–22 km plus a few pockets beyond Landi Kotal, poses major safety and environmental issues and requires special attention in designing and cutting methods. Certain areas will have high impacts while plain areas will have moderate impacts.
42. During the construction phase, it will be necessary to transport and store large volumes of such materials as steel for the bridges as well as asphalt and aggregates for the pavement. These activities will have negative impacts on the appearance of the countryside in the vicinity of the expressway. The construction process will also generate considerable noise and dust. Choosing transport routes and locations for asphalt plants away from the populated areas will reduce the impact on the social environment. The plains portions of the current section will be more modest in its material requirements, and thus its impact will only be moderate.
43. Rock and mountain cutting and/or blasting will be required for expressway lanes, shoulders, drainage, curve easement, and profiling in the section for which borrow material will be required. The expected impact will be moderate to high.
44. Blasting. The use of high-impact and high-yield explosives for blasting rock and mountains shall be avoided, as this could create more fissures and/or cracks that will become environmental hazards and affect slope stability. Instead, low-impact and low-yield explosives will be used for stepwise, controlled blasting or cutting. Controlled blasting techniques with low-impact, low-yield explosives shall be employed to minimize intrusion from noise and vibration. Controlled blasting may also be used to obtain quarry material for road construction.
45. Blasting and use of explosives should be conducted in accordance with international practices (good practices) and be based on local ground realities. The explosive charge per hole should be limited to ensure that the peak particle velocity at the nearest sensitive dwelling, or the limit of the site, does not exceed 1 mm/sec. The total charge per blast should be limited to ensure that the noise will not cause any disturbance, levels are within the NEQS limits, and the blasts will not cause cracks in the nearby mountains. The parameters can be quantified by initial trial blasts using minimum charges. The blasting of several holes should be carried out using pattern-blasting techniques based on the use of initiation delays. The delays should be typically 20 milliseconds but no less than 12 milliseconds. This will ensure that the vibration from the total charge is the same as the vibration from an individual hole. Stemming should be used to minimize blast effectiveness and to reduce noise and surface rock fly. lnitiation should be selected to minimize noise. Electrical or Nonel detonation is preferable to Cortex.
46. Blasting should take place at predetermined times, and residents shall be notified in advance so that they will not be alarmed and can take appropriate precautionary measures. Visual and audible warnings will be given before each event, typically 10 minutes in advance. Safe distance shall be maintained by staff and local residents to avoid any mishap.
47. Borrow Areas. The road designs shall be managed to ensure net balance in the cut and fill. Borrow pit areas must be identified by NHA’s Environment Section, marked on engineering drawings, and specified in tender and/or contract documents to be provided to the contractors. Care must be exercised not to disrupt activities of residents and to minimize air pollution. Contractors should be allowed to use only approved borrow pits. Borrow areas and access roads must be restored upon completion of the contract. Quarrying for fill should be allowed from designated sites only and selected to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Where possible, existing quarries shall be used. A detailed materials plan shall be prepared as part of 10
the initial design review by the supervising consultant and be approved by NHA. Detailed mitigation measures for dealing with noise and dust are considered separately in later sections.
b. Operation Phase
48. During normal operation, maintenance activities may cause more limited impacts on the physical environment as compared to the construction period. The most pertinent environmental issue is clearing of stone and landslides, particularly between Jabba and Ali Masjid and in a few other pockets. Steep, non-stabilized slopes will have high risks of slips and/or landslides. Uncontrolled dumping of spoil from slip clearance (e.g., bulldozing spoil over the side of the road) can reduce Khwar-bed and drainage and can exacerbate slope stability problems. Suitable locations for dumping spoil shall be designated just after completion of the road.
49. lf proper drainage structures are not provided in the design, the road might need more frequent repair than normal due to early unexpected damages from water effects.
50. Control over such things as accidents, speeding, collisions with animals, and others can be important environmental and social hazards, but these should be examined by other organizations. Warning signage and speed-control measures are suggested.
2. Air Quality
a. Construction Phase
51. In addition to natural processes of wind resuspension and/or blowing of aerosol and particulate matter in the air, construction activity includes breaking up, excavating, rock cutting, blasting, stone crushers and asphalt plants, sizing of stones, joint sealing, welding, piling and concreting for bridges, as well as transporting and dumping large quantities of dry materials. These activities directly and indirectly increase levels of particulate matter in the air in and around construction zones. Spraying with water and covering the stockpiles are efficient means of controlling dust. Water is eventually to be added to fill material during construction of the road base. Watering of road surface under construction and compaction of other soil surfaces, and particularly in the vicinity of villages and haul roads, shall be undertaken regularly.
52. Other precautions to reduce impacts on air quality include to (i) properly cover trucks carrying spoil or construction materials to prevent spills and materials being blown away; (ii) fit stone crushers, asphalt mix plants, and diesel generators with dust suppression equipment or emission control devices; (iii) locate stone crushers, asphalt mix plants, and diesel generators away from residential areas; and (iv) limit construction works that create noise only to daytimes.
b. Operation Phase
53. In addition to natural wind blown processes, particulates may become resuspended if passing vehicles will travel on untreated shoulders, and this may become a permanent air quality problem during the operation phase. The levels of particulate matter in the air can be reduced by (i) treating the road shoulders to avoid use of the katcha path for vehicle travel; (ii) sealing turnouts in rural areas; and (iii) by sealing the full width of the ROW as reasonably possible with grass, trees, and greenery.
54. Other air emissions during the operation phase can arise from individual vehicle sources. Although the road has been designed to facilitate effective movement of vehicles, the 11 use of high sulfur diesel fuel, adulterated fuels, and low standard fuels is a complex problem, because regulating fuels is beyond the purview of NHA. However, avoiding steep gradients in the design and control on overloading, which have been done by NHA effectively in the last few years, are some measures that will limit this impact.
55. Upon its completion, the newly aligned Peshawar–Torkham expressway will allow fast and freely flowing traffic. Therefore, vehicles can move at speeds that lead to more efficient fuel combustion, provides greater dispersion effects, and therefore generate lower ambient levels of noxious gasses and reduced emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
3. Water Resources
a. Construction Phase
56. Water Supply. Construction activities require water as an important ingredient in the road base formation. Approximately 20% by volume of water is required in the process, which must be supplied through tankers and obtained from four or five deep tube wells dug by the contractors at various locations identified by NHA. These tube wells will be handed over to the local people upon completion of the Project. Construction camps also require water as a basic item for human consumption. The Project is expected to provide employment for several hundred people over a three to four year construction period, and they will require large amounts of water in a water-scarce area. This will place a strain on local water availability and resources, even as it adds pollution by discharging water into natural streams. Care must be exercised that this requirement and supply should not unduly affect existing limited resources for the local people.
57. There is evidence that high levels of bacterial contamination (coliform) and total suspended solids occur in the locally available surface and groundwater, and this water therefore requires treatment prior to human consumption. Water used in bathrooms and kitchens will be disposed of as sewage, which requires constructing septic tanks and oil separator systems at campsites. All sewage wastes should be managed according to controlled discharge standards applicable to such conditions. Where possible, any new water supply and sewage systems should be designed for continued use by local residents upon completion of the Project. Final payment to the contractor should be released subject to decommissioning and clean up of temporary campsites, handing over of deep wells and sewage treatment facilities to the local people in working conditions (including to train them how to continue those usages).
58. Water Courses. The proposed road alignment runs along the Khwar/khwar from 7.3 km to 22 km and requires 28 bridges of varying lengths to be constructed in a 15 km section crossing over the Khwar/khwar. This makes it an expensive route selection. These locations have already been identified in the detailed design of the highway sections. This Khwar is not perennial and was dry for a few years but is running due to some rains this year. Where natural drainage flows are to be impeded, construction of the road without proper drainage and cross drainage structures may cause localized damage to the road embankment itself, localized flooding problems, damage to croplands, and formation of breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Construction wastes, rock cuttings, and residues must be removed from watercourses and disposed of in a controlled, environment friendly manner that is benign to the area.
59. Since water is a scarce and basic commodity, watercourses are of special significance within the local tribal structure. Blocking, diverting, or storing watercourses, even when appropriate from an engineering viewpoint, may upset traditional rights of the tribes. Both 12
hydrological and social impacts must be taken into account in determining appropriate cross drainage structures and rainfall catchment areas. The design of the cross drainage structures on this expressway shall ensure sufficient drainage flow. Surface water sources are going to be polluted by construction and operation of the Project, no matter how stringent measures will be taken. Therefore, it is suggested that four to five deep wells be bored at various locations and the piped water be supplied to the local villages.
b. Operation Phase
60. In principal, vehicles using road transport can contribute to deteriorating water quality in a variety of ways. Vehicle emissions contribute to acid rain. Leakage of radiator and air-conditioning water, washing of vehicles, leakage of fuel and oil, and tire and combustion residues all can cause surface water pollution. During rainfall, these can be carried as surface runoff to watercourses running parallel or close by, or they can infiltrate through the soil and enter underground aquifers and water sources. This typically results in an increased content of heavy metals, including lead, in surface and groundwater resources. Surface streams are used for irrigating crops and to provide drinking water for animals, and aquifers represent the most common source of potable water for humans. The extent of the water contamination by these sources is easily ignored, except for placing restrictions on vehicle washing. The provision of water traps with sand filters at important and sensitive locations (where car washing is carried out) shall be considered to further reduce the risk of contamination.
61. Providing proper drainage and cross drainage is an important part of road maintenance and of new design parameters for rehabilitation. Unless the road drainage is maintained properly, drains and culverts may become blocked, causing localized flooding and damage to the road itself. This needs to be checked regularly, properly, and effectively.
B. Ecological Environment
1. Construction Phase
62. Although the direct threat to natural tree species from construction activities is considered minimal, a few precautionary measures should be employed for better control and management. These include a ban on tree cutting for fuel by staff and camp workers. Therefore, for a distance of 10 km north and south (or east and west) of the expressway alignment, all contractors' facilities (such as camps, borrow pits, spoil tips, dumping of overburden, haul roads or lay down areas) shall be restricted.
63. During construction, vegetation and tree covers are normally removed, exposing the soil to rain, wind, and other natural disturbances. Excavation and grading further exacerbate this situation. Runoff increases, resulting in erosion and siltation downstream. The cutting of trees and removal of vegetative cover cause loss of the soil’s structural integrity. The impact from clearing will not be significant, however, because the subproject areas are mostly barren land.
64. If it is not possible to impose a ban, the cutting of trees shall be avoided at all costs. Trees will be cut only if there is no other option and these exist within the construction sphere. Under these conditions, a record should be maintained as to the number and types of tree being cut and submitted by the contractor to the client (i.e., NHA) on a quarterly basis.
65. A mix of indigenous local species shall be selected after discussions with the local forest department and be planted by the contractors on the tops of embankments and rows. This 13 responsibility shall be included in the contract document. Upon completing work, the contractors will be bound to ensure site clearance and its rehabilitation. In this regard, insurance bonds can be obtained from contractors to guarantee completion of environmental rehabilitation work.
66. Revegetation of roadsides and center medians must take into account which species of trees, grasses, and shrubs are suitable for a given locality. Preference must be given to indigenous varieties because of their better adaptability to natural ecosystems. Eucalyptus trees make heavy water demands on aquifers and should be avoided in all conditions, and especially in water-starved areas. In addition, they have little commercial value, discourage birds from nesting, and inhibit other species from growing in their vicinity. For safety reasons, including to prevent accidents, planting shall be structured to provide low bushy plants for areas close to the road.
67. Tree planting needs to be planned and managed properly. A managed plantation will also contribute to revenue generation and will help meet the fuel needs of local communities in the future. Some suggestions include to (i) plant 330 trees of local species along the roadside, (ii) maintain a safe distance from the edge of the road for the tree plantation, (iii) provide grass and/or vegetative cover on steep slopes to stabilize the slopes and retain the soil, (iv) include contract clauses for contractors in the tender document requiring that they look after tree planting, and (v) use local expertise and local species as much as possible.
68. Faunal diversity along the subproject corridor is low due to limited water availability and an absence of dense forest cover. The forest reserves are quite distant from the road. Most of the subproject areas are also barren or inaccessible to humans. Other fauna include livestock kept in households or by traveling nomads. Therefore, the impact on fauna during the construction phase is found to be insignificant.
2. Operation Phase
69. Tree planting is generally done to enhance the aesthetic appearance of roads, provide a cool look in summer weather, improve soil retention and minimize soil erosion along the embankment, reduce flood impacts, and provide a natural buffer between the road and adjoining land uses. It also will provide screens against sound, dust, wind, emissions, night glare, and pollution of waterways. Grass and tree plantation is considered to be the best and cheapest soil erosion control measure. lf the species are selected without due consideration to the special needs of roads and the given area, however, they can create safety and sustainability problems while impacting the ecosystem. Inappropriate species can cause environmental damages, for example, by utilizing a lot of water in a water-scarce area, shifting birds and animal species away from that area, or discouraging other species from growing near the tree planting area. Therefore, careful selection of local species is important.
70. With the expressway in operation, the traffic speed will increase due to better road conditions. The main concerns of the Wildlife Department are poaching of rare animals and accidental killing of animals by vehicles, and especially at night. Although the forest reserves are quite distant from the road, some additional measures are recommended. For example, “No stopping” signs should be posted along this distance and casual stopping of vehicles prohibited. Although this will not prevent poaching, it will make it easier to spot and apprehend people engaged in suspicious activities. As a supplementary measure, training of local people as volunteer wardens along with some capacity building of the wildlife service could be considered. In addition, signage on roads is suggested warning Khwars about the presence of wildlife. There should be recordkeeping and monitoring of automobile collisions with crossing animals. 14
C. Sociocultural Environment
1. Pre-Construction Phase
71. Land Acquisition and Resettlement. One overall objective of the social assessment and resettlement action plan is to ensure that the population displaced by a project is correspondingly benefited. Displaced persons should be (i) compensated for their losses at full replacement cost prior to relocation; (ii) assisted with relocation and supported during the transition period; and (iii) assisted in improving or at least restoring their former living standards, income earning capacity, and production levels. NHA policy for vendors and shopkeepers is to offer the alternative of leasing permanent space in specially constructed bazaar areas ("bus bays") alongside the roads and away from the ROW. These concerns are addressed in the resettlement policy framework. Furthermore, this requires community participation in planning and implementing resettlement.
2. Construction Phase
72. Construction Camps. Construction activities (and especially in hilly areas) along with ancillary bridges and structures will be major undertakings requiring quite a number of non-local workers for a period of 3–4 years and housed at various long-term construction camps. The workers and their associated impacts and changes can have significant impacts on the local communities and social infrastructure.
73. Water supply and discharges, solid waste generated, and storage of plant and materials for the construction camps may interfere with local residents and their ecosystems. The contract documentation must include provisions for the safe provision of construction camps, restoration of natural conditions upon completion of the Project, secondary water treatment facilities, proper disposal of solid waste, minimum interactions with local communities, deep well boring to provide water for their own use and at the end handing those wells over to the local residents, and other matters. Wherever possible, local communities must be involved and/or hired by the contractors for identifying camp locations and sharing resources with construction workers. In addition, it is suggested to have meetings with local elders for smooth working throughout the construction activities. In this way, a sense of ownership will be developed in local residents to encourage their protecting the expressway assets and looking after their interests and related resources.
74. Nonlocal workers may not be aware of local customs, traditions, and history. Awareness about the local culture and observances (particularly with regard to women, religious concepts and sectoral background, political affiliations, and the cultural system) is required to avoid incidents. Sites of social, religious, or historical significance should be marked and information disseminated to the staff to avoid damage or desecration. Graveyards in the area must be identified to ensure due care and diligence to ensure they are given consideration and respect.
75. Storage of Construction Materials. All dangerous materials (fuel, chemicals, and welding materials) used and stored on site should be placed in secured and safe premises. Loading and transferring of fuels, solvents, and lubricants should be carried out in a way to control all possible potential spills. Storage areas shall be equipped with warning signs displaying potential impacts, such as fire and other hazards.
76. Noise. Generation of noise is an inevitable and necessary component of any construction activity, with varying levels for different activities. All vehicles and equipment should 15 be well maintained and fitted with silencers as provided by the manufacturers. Human activities producing high noise levels, such as rock cutting, blasting, and piling—and especially when conducted near noise sensitive receptors—should be restricted to daytime hours only. Normally, it is suggested that no work be carried out between dusk and dawn in residential areas. Similarly, the use of vehicle pressure horns should be discouraged and avoided.
77. Personal protective equipment, like earplugs and earmuffs, should be used where appropriate. So long as noise levels are maintained within prescribed limits during construction by using properly maintained or new machines and personal protective equipment is provided, no additional mitigation measures to reduce noise pollution during construction are proposed.
78. Controlled blasting and explosions will use explosive that can produce high noise levels. An audible warning in addition to visible signals, such as a siren, should be sounded 10 minutes before each blasting event. If blasting near the road, a dwelling, or people's residences, it is suggested that a thick rubber mat be placed over the charged holes to reduce the noise generated and stop small pieces of rock flying through the air and causing damage.
79. Archeological Sites. Construction activity has the potential irreparably to damage archeological sites if these are present in the immediate vicinity. The results of the engineering, environmental, social baseline survey indicate no established historical sites along the corridor of the existing route, although there are a few historical checkpoints or surveillance posts in the nearby mountaintops that are not recorded as being of historical significance by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. An old historical underground hospital built about a century ago by the British authorities was observed in the overlapping of the new and old routes. Efforts should be made to preserve and protect these from the construction dust and air pollution transported via wind. There are no other known sites close enough to the Project corridor to be of direct concern. The expressway route does pass through areas rich in history, however, and it is possible that the construction work will come upon a site of historical significance. The contractor will be responsible for reporting any such findings to the responsible authorities, if any, and this will be included in the contract documents.
80. Road Safety. During the construction phase, the contractor is responsible for ensuring that all construction vehicles observe speed limits on the construction sites and on public roads. All vehicles should be fitted with audible warning devices when reversing. Tires must be in good condition. Brakes, lights, and other such equipment must be working at all times.
81. Traffic Management. Where road users are diverted or there are unexpected conditions (e.g., opposing flow on a divided highway), adequate warning must be provided and visual reminders (e.g., cones) shall be used to guide the traffic. Warning signs shall be placed at the approach from both directions. Barriers, cones, and signs shall be used to clearly designate which road lane is to be used and the potential presence of oncoming traffic. The center of the road must be marked with cones (if the diversion is less than one week in duration) or painted yellow lines. "No overtaking" signs should be placed at regular intervals. Temporary paint markings must be removed after a diversion is ended.
(i) Camp sites, and storage sites be fenced and out of bound to general public. (ii) For bridge construction sites, declaring the area as hard hat area for the staff and out of bound for general area marked and properly signed. (iii) Standard good construction procedures be followed to avoid any accidents.
16
3. Operational Phase
82. Noise. During the operational phase, certain protective measures like provision of sound barriers; raising wall heights of schools, mosques, and any other sensitive receptor; and use of double glazed windows are suggested at critical locations. Similarly, a ban on horns in urban and residential areas is suggested. Although noise levels from traffic are disturbing or intrusive, public complaints about noise levels seem to be mainly directed to the indiscriminate use of horns and engine noise from overloaded trucks.
83. Such noise sensitive dwellings, as hospitals and schools with anticipated noise levels in excess of 65 decibels (measured in the audible human range) during nighttime should be considered for noise abatement measures. Increasing the height of outer walls can create an effective noise barrier. Reductions of 10 dB should be achievable if the barrier is constructed to intersect the line of sight (i.e., if one looks from within the structure, one cannot see the road). The typical local rural house, with a boundary wall of clay or mud bricks and rooms arranged around an interior courtyard, minimizes the impact of high noise levels from outside.
84. Access. The Peshawar–Torkham expressway involves constructing a new alignment that may block existing pathways, separate communities, restrict traditional access to grazing areas, and have other similar effects. Access can be retained by providing underpasses at frequent intervals, and preferably in the line of natural pathways. In rural areas, underpasses can simply be large culverts that allow access by people and animals.
85. Amenities. Provision of such civic amenities as marked crosswalks, footbridges, underpasses, bus stands, shopping areas, and turnouts is to be decided after local consultation. NHA experience in Pakistan has shown that underpasses are preferable to footbridges to both local residents and others. If these are adopted, the space in the underpass should be utilized for shops and vendors. They will provide a degree of security, lighting, cleanliness, and housekeeping that otherwise is typically lacking. Ramps should be used instead of stairs and the slopes made sufficiently gentle to be appropriate for elderly persons, handcarts, and animals. Speed limit signage should be provided as appropriate and be readily visible.
86. Road Safety and Traffic Management. An improved high-speed expressway can raise serious issues and problems for local residents, including the possibility of accidents. Residents must be able to cross the road safely at designated points. Locations and particular attention must be provided for such vulnerable groups as children, elderly persons, and animals. In addition, where accidents involving animals can be expected with higher probability, this needs to be addressed by providing warning signage that is effective also at night. Following are other issues linked with the safety of the general public while using this expressway: (i) Complete road furniture, including appropriate signage, should be placed properly and use standard light-reflective paints. (ii) All vehicles should observe strictly allowable speed limits and load requirements. Road discipline should be enforced and extra resources devoted to the traffic police. (iii) Vehicles must be roadworthy and properly maintained. (iv) All entry and exit points must be well designed and properly lighted at night. (v) Any movement of hazardous materials on the roads should be carried out under permit and in coordination with the traffic police, EPAs, and civil defense authorities.
87. Gender and Cultural Issues. The section of the expressway from 22–27 km (following the existing highway) will pass above several villages. The local people in this area are 17 concerned about the privacy of their women and family. Road users will be able to see down into the houses and this may be interpreted as an invasion of privacy. Planting or roadside barriers should be constructed to shield the view of the villages from passing vehicles. These also can serve as sound barriers.
88. Improved traffic facilities might increase tourism and developmental activity in previously isolated areas, and that may conflict with strict local tribal customs and traditions. Foreign influences, culture, and such social problems as drugs, prostitution, and HIV/AIDS may also become problems in the area. Social integration and mixing of men and women among tourists will be evident. Resistance against such influences might become an important issue and will need to be addressed properly.
VI. ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
A. Benefits
89. The economic analysis carried out for the Project shows that the quantifiable benefits from the Project are savings on vehicle operating costs and time savings for existing traffic and generated traffic. Vehicle operating costs are made up of fuel savings, plus reduced repairs and maintenance for vehicles.
B. Costs
90. The environmental cost for improving, rehabilitating, and constructing the national highway, including monitoring costs during construction and tree planting, is estimated to be the same as in the originally planned alignment. The total environmental mitigation cost is around Rs464 million, out of which Rs451 million is included as part of the construction costs and Rs13 million is for items required for mitigation.
C. Economic Analysis of Environmental Impacts
91. The only tangible environmental benefits from the Project will be a marginal net reduction in total emissions into the air shed because of improved travel conditions for vehicles between Peshawar and Torkham. Emissions will drop along the existing alignment but increase along the new alignment. Nevertheless, the net result is a decrease. Noise will also decrease along the old alignment whereas on the project road the noise level will increase. In this case, because noise response is logarithmic, the net effect is an increase in the perceived noise area.
92. The benefits gained from the recommended construction- and operation-related environmental expenditure is not significantly large compared to the Project’s overall cost. Without such expenditures, however, the Project would generate significant environmental impacts, permit the biophysical environment in the area to deteriorate, and indirectly depress the economies of the local communities.
VII. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
A. Environmental Management Plan and Responsible Authorities
93. The environmental management plan (EMP) is in Appendix 1. It will serve as a guideline for incorporating environmental measures to be carried out by NHA and contractors, as well as 18
for other parties concerned for mitigating possible impacts associated with the national highway component of the Project. 94. NHA will ensure that (i) all required mitigation measures that need to be incorporated into the project design are passed on to the engineering consultant, (ii) the bidding document for contractors contains all required mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction period and the obligation for contractors to implement the EMP during construction, (iii) the No Objection Certificate is obtained prior to granting any civil work contract, (iv) monitoring of the EMP implementation is undertaken on a regular basis, as required, and the annual report on EMP implementation is well documented, (v) coordination occurs with other parties and government agencies to effectively implement the EMP at all stages of the Project, (v) remedial actions will be undertaken for handling unpredicted environmental impacts, and (vi) additional environmental assessment will be undertaken if any change in the alignment or project design occurs.
95. To ensure that contractors will comply with the provisions of the EMP, the following specifications should be incorporated into all construction bidding procedures: (i) a set of environmental prequalification conditions for potential bidders, (ii) a list of environmental items to be budgeted by the bidders in their proposal, (iii) environmental evaluation factors for bid reviewers, and (iv) environmental clauses for contract conditions and specifications. Furthermore, the full EIA report should be made available for potential bidders.
B. Institutional Capacity to Address Environmental Concerns
96. The general manager of environment/social/lands of NHA, and in particular the director and staff of environment and afforestation, will be responsible to implement the EMP. The regional deputy director of environment and afforestation at the Peshawar Regional Office will be responsible for directly supervising the contractor and consultant in implementing the EMP. To strengthen the institutional capacity for environmental management, the subproject will hire a supervision consultant (environment). That consultant will assist the regional deputy director and project director who will be responsible for handling NHA’s obligations with respect to contract documentation, including the EMP. The supervision consultant shall (i) ensure that all contractual obligations related to design and construction are met, as well as those for environmental and social compliance; (ii) update the subproject’s initial environmental examination and the EMP; (iii) monitor implementation of the mitigating measures; and (iv) organize environmental training for the NHA staff and contractors’ consultant.
97. The environmental monitoring plan (Appendix 2) has been prepared to guide staff and other parties in monitoring (i) the environmental impacts on the project corridor (physical, biological, and socioeconomic); (ii) unexpected environmental impacts; (iii) compliance with legal and tribal community obligations; (iv) rehabilitation of borrow areas, tree planting, and restoration of camp sites; (v) implementation of mitigation measures, effectiveness of the mitigation measures (and to recommend improvements in mitigation measures, if necessary); and (vi) post-construction (environmental audit). NHA may outsource implementation of the environmental monitoring plan, especially to monitor noise, air, and water quality.
VIII. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE
98. A community consultation exercise was carried out during early August 2005 as part of project preparation. The process included both semi-structured interviews with small groups and more formal consultation meetings. A total of 11 public consultations were held at various locations along the road alignment and a total of 192 affected people participated. Details of the 19 public consultations are shown in Appendix 3. The EIA report was submitted to EPA of NWFP for seeking its approval, to meet the mandatory requirements under Section 12 of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2001. Newspaper advertisement was launched in three newspapers on 4 and 5 April 2006, and EPA of NWFP convened a public hearing on 3 May 2006.
99. The key concerns expressed during semi-structured interviews and small meetings were the stress on local resources and infrastructure in nearby communities, and especially that arising from construction camps, as well as issues relating to affected people’s livelihoods and compensation. The formal consultation meetings raised the following environmental concerns: (i) extensive strip-plantations of native species of bushes and/or trees along the roads; (ii) controlled excavation and blasting activities, especially near populated areas; (iii) the contractor must repair and/or reconstruct the structures damaged by the road construction works and activities; (iv) rehabilitation and/or leveling of the sites used for labor camps and quarrying of construction materials; (v) spoil dumps should be leveled so that adjacent communities and farmers may use the same for agroforestry purposes (crops and/or tree planting); (vi) minimize dust and noise pollution during construction works; (vii) labor camps should not be established too close to local villages and towns; (viii) leftover construction material must be disposed of before leaving (not left lying as such on site); and (ix) construct underpasses or high-clearance culverts by the villages and towns so that the people can move around conveniently to other villages, their grazing areas, and their water, fodder, and firewood collection points.
IX. CONCLUSION
100. The subproject will result in economic and social benefits to the region. It will help reduce poverty, bring about social uplifting of the area, and will improve transport links within Pakistan and with Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics. The benefits from the subproject are primarily due to reduced transport costs and travel times. The subproject will result in positive environmental impacts that include a reduction in dust levels through paving of the road shoulders and increased tree plantation, as well as provision of deep well groundwater to the local inhabitants. Implementing the EMP and monitoring plan will minimize potential negative environmental impacts. This project is the only option that fulfills political, security, financing, and environment requirements of the area’s inhabitants. In the long term, the provision of an all year access facility could offer enormous development potential for the people and area.
101. Environmental, social, and biological issues were investigated using the data collected, and various statistical techniques were used to calculate the magnitude of impacts during the construction and operational phases. Most of the issues encountered were evaluated and found to be below the established NEQS. The few impacts, such as shortage of water, cutting of trees, noise, rock blasting, soil erosion, drainage, and those related to safety, were rated as moderate to high. Proper mitigation measures are proposed in the EMP, which will keep the severity level within permissible limits. Social issues and concerns were raised during the public consultation process that included relocation of graves, shops, dispensaries and first aid treatment centers, houses, and schools; noise control measures; and provisions of bus stops, safety features, and bus bays. With regard to these, appropriate measures were proposed to the satisfaction of the local community.
102. Land acquisition issues are not very complex. The tribal land usually belongs to the tribe, and each tribesman has a share in that piece of land. Proper land marking and division will make land assessment easy, and the acquisition process will go smoothly. NHA will facilitate constituting a committee including the political agent, district coordination officer and FATA 20
revenue and other line departments, such as the FATA Building Department, which will facilitate the land acquisition process and appraise structures’ values. The land acquisition process requires diligent care to avoid unnecessary delay and prompt payment for land and assets in order to ensure harmony with the local communities and the Project’s smooth progress.
103. Blasting may become a very serious safety and environmental concern. Therefore, only low-impact, low-yield explosives will be used. To address other safety and environmental issues, bench and/or step cutting will be undertaken using mechanized options to make the slopes stable, measures to clear the water passage in the nearby Khwar beds will be employed, and, if possible, retaining walls or cantilever bridges will be installed on turnings.
104. Improper drainage is the most common cause for roads to fail. Therefore, the EMP will ensure that proper and effective components are incorporated into the new designs. Erosion from the embankments can cause damage to road infrastructure, and it needs to be addressed and minimized either by planting shrub or trees or by other means provided for in the EMP.
105. Traffic safety is NHA’s utmost priority during the construction and operational phases. Therefore, extra care will be taken in providing safety measures in the operational phase. This is discussed in detail in chapters V and VII, above.
106. Internal and external monitoring with an appropriate organization was suggested. Appropriate training was proposed to enhance the capacity of NHA, the contractor, and consultant staff. The links between the key players have been established and a reporting mechanism was also proposed. In case of any EMP noncompliance or violation, a grievance redress system will be activated to resolve the dispute. This information and data will be used during and at the end of Project to evaluate the EIA, EMP, and Resettlement Action Plan designs, the progress of the subproject, and its rating in the light of social and environmental parameters set before the project implementation.
107. The graveyards and relocation of graves are sensitive issues. During the implementation phase, the Project Director, consultant, and contractor’s representative must coordinate with the community. The graves shall be relocated with the involvement of community notables and religious scholars and with the highest level of honor and dignity.
108. Environmental and social training will be important for successful project implementation. Adverse impacts can be minimized and/or kept within acceptable limits using the EMP. The EMP will develop work plans related to mitigation and monitoring during the planning and design stage and during construction and operation. The EMP will be made part of all contract documents, ensuring that NHA and all contractors will implement these mitigation measures.
109. The contractors will be responsible for a large number of the EMP actions. To strengthen environmental skills or the experience of contractors’ staffs and of project implementing agencies, a series of training programs will be undertaken by NHA.
110. To compensate disturbance to human living conditions, NHA will provide four to five deep well water bores and complete piped water supply to the inhabitants of all the areas adjoining the Khwar bed. The subproject will improve drainage features, avoid blasting that uses high intensity explosives, provide better design and alignment for culverts and bridges, construct new bridges with better alignments, provide drainage with space for shoulders on both sides, and restore borrow pits and quarries. Finally, the subproject will improve grades, horizontal and vertical curves, and sight distances to avoid torque problems faced by overloaded trucks. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Preconstruction/Design Stage Formation Hindrance, Congestion, Few congested, Rush hours Can be • In built-up areas, apply Technical National width in built- public bad air quality built-up areas, throughout serious. as feasible some Design Highway up areas nuisance locally, high towns project lifetime flexibility in widening on Engineer Authority emissions, one side only. (NHA), high noise • Incorporate technical Environmental design features that Consultant allow flexible shoulder width in towns. • Explore incorporation of additional parking lots and bus bays.
Land Sociocultural Losses of Ganj Garh, Prior to contract Intermediate • Relocation Resettlement NHA acquisition homes, assets Jabba, Lala letting and start but can • Minimize land expert local and and lands, China, Maskat, of construction become a acquisition wherever government resettlement livelihoods, Ali Masjid, Kata problem if not possible by rerouting. (e.g. political religious Kosha, existing handled • Realign road to reduce agent) structures track, Gurgura, properly. impact of dwellings. Changi Khel, • Provide adequate Neki Khel, Ayub compensation based Afridi, Shaik wal, on resettlement plan to Sadu wal project affected bypassing Landi persons (PAPs). kotal,Shanwari Khunga Khel, and Torkman
1 Appendix
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Design Uneasy traffic Congestions Applies for all Rush hours, Intermediate • Improve road Design Engineer NHA, expressway flow, and undesired built-up areas on night time geometry. Environmental to standards hazardous encounters entire alignment • Provide markings for Consultant with special driving with slow center and edge lines reference to conditions traffic and and stop lines at local due to pedestrians, junction and stop bus. dangers livestock accidents with • All markings and signs crossing animals must be reflectorized. • Improve junction and fly-over layouts. • In built-up areas, incorporate service lane and crossings for pedestrians, as feasible. • Bus, taxi and rickshaw bays in built-up areas • Prevent farmer vehicles crossing the highway and provide sufficiently dimensioned culverts for passage through expressway alignment. • Provide signage for livestock and animal crossings. Drainage Environmental Aesthetic, All along road in During and Major • Slopes of embankment Design Engineer NHA, issue and road water pond, mountainous after rains leading to water bodies Environmental Infrastructure breeding area will be modified and Consultant ground for screened so that mosquitoes contaminants do not enter the water body. • Proper design and maintenance
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Cultural Impact on Social Impacts To be checked At planning • Construction activities NHA, in bid NHA, Social properties mosques, all along the stage avoid any interference documents for Consultant madrassas, project corridor. with cultural heritage contractor, Design graveyard, and sites. Consultant, archeological • In case of unavoidable Sociologist sites interference, prior notification and consultation needed for consensus on options (e.g., relocation or rebuilding) or any other form of agreed compensation. Oil spillage Contamination With All along entire • Detailed technically Design Engineer NHA, caused by of soil and subsequent alignment designed solutions to Environmental tanker water environmental curb contamination risk Consultant accident resources hazards • Elaboration of contingency plan Structures Flash flow may Throughout Construction Serious if • Adequately designed x- Design Engineer NHA, be designed damage project corridor and operation structures sections of drainage Environmental to address structure or during rainy under- structures to be based Consultant flash flow cause seasons designed. on hydraulic studies for risk drainage last 50 years. problems in • Protective measures urban areas against scouring at bridges and culverts (e.g., planting with soil stabilizing shrubs and grasses) • In built-up areas, sufficiently size drains, possibly install small check dams to reduce water flow velocity. • All structures to be constructed with reasonable safety 1 Appendix against seismic impacts.
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen likely to occur Implementation Supervision Location in Windstorm Visibility During dry Dry windy Can be • Design standards of Design Engineer, NHA area subject gusts or smog problem, windy weather, weather occasionally structures to withstand Supervision Maintenance, to dust causing possibly anywhere on serious. wind velocities of 130 Consultant Environmental storms, obstruction causing project corridor km/hr or maximum Consultant smog, fog and risk of accidents recorded in 50 years driving • For stabilizing, planting of shrubs next to embankment • Plan for regular road maintenance during season with high incidents of dust storms and smog. Location in Seismic Air, water, Throughout After Can be • Adequately design Design Engineer, NHA area with activities may health, food project corridor earthquake serious at structures up to seismic Supervision Maintenance, seismic damage quality, jobs, with intensity times. scales indicated on Consultant, local Environmental background structures, safety higher than seismicity map. authorities Consultant environment, designs are • Seismic loads for health, lives. intended to bridges to be computed withstand in accordance with revised seismic code of Pakistan. • Discuss contingency planning measures with respect to road connectivity and rapid remedial reconstruction of structures in case of earthquake events or other natural disasters. Planning Avoidable loss • Prepare material plan. Contractor NHA, material of agricultural Environmental balance land for dump Consultant sites, borrow area Planning site Construction • Prepare health and Contractor NHA, activities causes danger safety plan. Environmental to local Consultant workers
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude of Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Construction Phase Camp Site and Construction Works Site Sociocultural, Sanitary waste Several sites Throughout Minor if • Prior consultation with local Contractor NHA, selection of environmental, disposal, solid along construction recommenda- contractor needed to obtain Environmental construction acceptability to (kitchen) waste expressway for period tions are No Objection Certificate for Consultant camp, public owner disposal, fuel construction followed. establishing work camps materials interference, leakage, noise and workshops, or storage, friction with and additional agreement made with the human residents traffic, water landowner. activities on usage and • Site construction to be site, travel pollution supervised to and from • Proper storage and construction fencing, locking of storage camp rooms containing hazardous material • Setting up complaints office; advertising ways to voice complaints. Site Loss of Loss of plants 7.3 to 23 km Long lasting Moderate • Manage design to Design NHA, restoration roadside in an area with especially, all minimize removal roadside Engineer Environmental after vegetation, already scarce along routes, plantation. Consultant contract assets, and biodiversity, camps • Apply flexibility in decision completion plantations, if and loss of reducing shoulder width. any, in an area functional • Plan compensatory of scarce benefits from planting: for each tree biodiversity; roadside plants felled, 10 plants of similar dissatisfaction or local flora specie. with • Contractor will provide plan rehabilitation for removal and measures after rehabilitation of site upon completion. completion. • Conduct photographical and botanical inventory of vegetation before cleaning the site.
• Disallow introduction of 1 Appendix exotic species or species with known environmental setbacks (e.g. Eucalyptus, Prosopis).
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Appendix 1 Appendix Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Sanitation Health risk to At all solid and Throughout Moderate • Contactor to provide proper Contractor NHA and waste work force and liquid waste operation of waste management plan for Maintenance, disposal public if not collection work camps composite waste. Environmental facilities and properly areas, latrine and long • Sewerage system at such Consultant camp site manage sites of camps lasting impacts camps to be properly designed (pit latrines or required septic tanks) to receive all sanitary waste waters. • Provide adequate sanitation, washing, cooking, and dormitory facilities. • Sewerage treatment facility be designed and located to ensure that no water pollution takes place. • Lined wash areas will be constructed within the camp site or site for receipt of wash waters from construction machinery. Movement of Environmental Soil Throughout During Low • Construction vehicles, Contractor via NHA vehicles in impact, compaction project corridor construction machinery, and equipment will bid documents Maintenance, construction damage of and alteration period move, or be stationed in the Environmental site and properties, of percolation designed right-of-way to avoid Consultant along impacts from and vegetation unnecessary soil compaction. haulage temporary pattern, • Damage will be instantly Approved labs routes haul and damage to repaired and/or compensated access roads properties and at contractor’s obligation. utilities • Air, water, and soil quality to be monitored regularly as in EMP • Existing road and tracks will be used to the extent possible for hauling materials.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision • In unavoidable circumstance, suitable compensation will be paid to people whose land will be temporarily acquired for duration of construction. Compensation will cover loss of income and land restoration. • Prior to alignment of new haul roads, topsoil will be preserved or at least will be used for turfing and embankment.
Movement, Environmental Contamination All irrigation During • Slopes of embankment to Contractor via NHA, maintenance, pollution and of soil, canal crossings, construction be designed so that bid documents Environmental and fuelling of contamination irrigation and all work sites period pollutants do not enter Consultant construction groundwater water bodies. vehicles from fuel and • Construction vehicles lubricants and equipment to be properly maintained and fuelled so that oil and diesel spillage do not contaminate soil. • Fuel storage and refueling sites to be kept away from drainage channels. • Oil and grease traps to be provided at fuelling locations to prevent contamination of water • Unusable debris shall be dumped in nearest landfill sites. 1 Appendix • Waste oil to be sold off to authorized vendors. • Water quality to be monitored as envisaged in the EMP. 727
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur impacts Implementation Supervision Creation Solid, liquid Air pollution Around Throughout Moderate • Disallow siting of work camps, Contractor via NHA, and waste associated campsites construction including waste dumpsites, closer bid documents Environmental burning of generated, with burning and aftermath than 1 km to any inhabited areas. Consultant waste at/or and air garbage • Incorporate technical design near camp pollution features for refuse collection site associated containers and sites that would with burning minimize burning impacts. garbage • Devise plan for safe handling, storage, and disposal of harmful materials. • Disallow burning. Health and Health risk if Relevant for Upon High • Obligatory insurance against Contractor via NHA, safety at work entire establishing work accidents for laborers bid documents Environmental work place conditions construction camp sites and • Provide basic medical training to Consultant provide area. throughout specified work staff and basic unsafe operation of medical service and supplies to and/or Throughout work camps workers. unfavorable operation of • Layout plan for camp site work work camps indicating safety measures taken conditions. by the contractor (e.g., fire fighting equipment, safe storage of hazardous materials, first aid, security, fencing, and contingency measures in case of accidents). • Work safety measures and good workmanship practices to ensure no health risk for laborers • Protection devices (earmuffs) to be provided to workers operating in high noise generating machines, when blasting. • Proper maintenance of facilities for workers • Regular pest control measures in dormitories • Obligatory warning of work staff if pest hazard is imminent or detected • Awareness campaigns for protection from AIDS/HIV/Hepatitis
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Soil and Borrow Material, Rock Blasting or Cutting; Cut and Fill Rock Environmental Falling rocks: 7.3-22 km plus Throughout the High • Design for step and/or Contractor via NHA, cutting, sustainability, entire area 27 km onward lifetime of the bench cutting, use of low bid documents Environmental blasting safety issue. becomes and a few project impact explosives, going to Consultant required in Uncontrolled unsustainable, patches riverside on turning to hilly areas explosions can unsafe. Road extend road instead trigger is blocked touching rocks. landslides and regularly. • Pre-blasting geological, affect hydraulic geomorphologic and regime. hydrological studies. Groundwater • Application of good channels or engineering and springs might construction practices. be disturbed. • Consulting of experienced explosive expert to be mandatory. • Small interactive blast and shorter distance instead of massive loads • Blasting from top to bottom of hill • Secure wider area by providing visual and sound warning. • Provision of protective equipment for staff • Provide contingency plans, standby first aid equipment, and heavy bulldozers. • Safe storage of explosives at site as per international explosive storage guidelines • Compliance with all precautionary measures and obligations stipulated by law Appendix 1 Appendix and/or authorities concerned with use of explosives
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Measures Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Disposal of Surplus hill-cut Sourcing fill At prospective As applicable Medium • Design to Contractor via bid NHA, hill cuttings rock pieces can material and blasting site during optimize cut and documents Environmental block or alter disposing of construction fill net balance. Consultant waterways, excess • Contractor contributing to materials, needs to submit erosion. transporting of a plan for using excess and/or proper materials disposal of surplus material in a way to prevent blockage (and higher erosion) of surface waters as well as dumping of this in valleys or in designated forest areas. Disposal of Physical Water pollution Along the full At start of Low • Asphalt to be Contractor via bid NHA, surplus environment from runoff of length of the construction collected for documents Environmental material, discarded highway reuse Consultant storing asphalt, loss of • Waste disposed material for productive land in controlled reuse due to dust landfill • Water spraying to reduce dust
Digging Physical Borrow pits The entire length Early in Low • Use approved Contractor via bid NHA, borrow pit environment collect water; will require fill to construction borrow areas. documents Environmental areas malarial raise the level of Borrow road Consultant mosquitoes the highway made good completion of the contract • Inspection of sites
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Excavation Changes of Aesthetic, Borrow areas at Long lasting Medium • Agricultural areas to be NHA, in bid NHA, of earth from topographic water storage, or near avoided for borrowing of documents for Environmental borrow characteristic, seepage, agricultural and materials. contractor Consultant areas, loss of agricultural irrigation areas, • Contractors must obtain embankment topsoil, impacts, soil and at all sites approval from NHA for works, impact on erosion, where high excavation and for plan cutting agriculture, interrupting embankments of rehabilitating site after operations, soil erosion, pathways are required excavation. embanking, loss of (e.g., near • Remove top soil and clearing of vegetation bridges) reintroduce for returning vegetation habitat to nature. • In areas with strong flash flow, high embankments are provided to minimize soil erosion. • Stone pitching and/or retaining walls at high embankments in critical areas • As applicable and needed, planting of grasses and shrubs will be done for slope protection. • Soil erosion check measures adopted, such as forming sediment basins, slope drains. • Soil erosion along road to be visually checked, as in EMP. • Ensure adequate crossings. • Construct bridges or Appendix 1 Appendix underpasses where required. Quarrying Physical Cuts scar In mountain During Low • Use existing quarry sites. Contractor via NHA, materials environment natural section construction Fill should bid documents Environmental hillsides be Consultant available. 131
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Acquisition of Degradation of At agricultural Long term Medium • Excavation in NHA, in bid NHA sub-base existing sites and at effects farmlands and documents for Environmental material, riverbeds, demarcated riverbeds to be contractor Consultant procurement alteration of areas, quarries prohibited, unless of surface and and borrow areas authorized by local construction groundwater irrigation departments materials regime, land responsible for river use conflict, works soil erosion, • Maximum use of change of existing quarries from hydraulic approved and in-use patterns, and quarry sites landscape • Selection through degradation by community use of quarries consultation, which and borrow could subsequently be areas developed into fishponds or other productive purposes. • River excavation to be executed in close cooperation and upon approval from relevant authority. • No productive land or land adjacent to agricultural/irrigated land will be used. • Nonproductive barren lands in broken terrain, nullahs, and publicly recognized wastelands should be given preference as recommended for borrowing materials. • Procuring aggregate required for road construction from quarries needs approval from NHA.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the impact Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely is likely to occur of impacts Environment to happen Implementation Supervision Borrow pit Land disputes, All borrow sites During Low • Contractor must obtain Contractor NHA, land lease soil erosion, in entire construction, any necessary No Environmental agreement lost potential of project area before starting Objection Certificate for Consultant cropland, loss borrow borrow pits from the of vegetation, excavation, upon competent authorities, and landscape completion of including NHA. degradation excavation • Contractor must present a copy of agreement made with the landowner to NHA. • Contractor makes a biophysical inventory of site(s), including complete photographic documentation, and presents it to NHA for verification and to be used as criteria for rehabilitation obligations. Borrow pit Soil erosion, All borrow sites During borrow, Low • No excavations are allowed Contractor NHA, excavation damage to in entire upon completion within 100 m of the right-of- Environmental activities road project area of excavation way Consultant embankment, • In borrow pits, depth of pit public health to be regulated so sides of risk the excavation will have slopes steeper than 1:4. • Soil erosion along borrow pits to be regularly checked to prevent or mitigate impacts on adjacent lands. • In case borrow pits fill with water, measures to be taken to prevent mosquito breeding sites
1 Appendix
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Provisions Soil erosion, All borrow sites Upon Low • Abandoning borrow Contractor via NHA, for derelict land entire project completion of areas without proper bid documents Environmental rehabilitation uses, conflicts, area excavation rehabilitation Consultant of borrow pit aesthetics in measures will be landscape, disallowed and public health subject to penalties. risk due to • Contractor’s development of agreement with mosquito landowners must breeding pits determine options and appropriate measures for rehabilitation of borrow pit as approved by NHA (e.g. reshaping borrow site into a desired land use, such as irrigation, field, fishpond). • Replanting aimed at doubling numbering of trees removed from site Storage, Work safely At all Throughout Low • Provision of protective NHA, in bid NHA, handling, and human construction construction items for laborers documents for Environmental and transport health risk sites and all period handling hazardous contractor Consultant of hazardous along materials (e.g. helmets, construction construction adequate footwear for materials sites bituminous pavement works, protective goggles, gloves, etc.). • Strictly enforce use of protective clothing during work activities.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Creation of Contamination Air, water, and All construction During High • All spoils to be NHA, in bid NHA, construction of soil and solid waste sites and entire construction disposed of in documents for Environmental waste water from generation, project area, at environmentally- Contractor Consultant material and waste and/or filling of river possible sites friendly manner and spoil quarry bed that will be sites to be restored to management materials, and examined to original conditions. impact on prevent • Non-bituminous and landscape contamination bituminous waste to value be disposed of in an identified dumping site approved by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • If spoil material develops, pits will be used after examination for potential soil and/or water contamination risk. Spoils will then be covered with conglomerates. Transporting Physical Creation of Along right-of- During Medium • Haul roads to be dust NHA, in bid NHA, material to environment noise, fumes, way construction controlled; all vehicles documents for Environmental site and dust carrying loose friable Contractor Consultant material to be covered. Filling deficit Physical Local flooding For location of During initial Medium • Ensure sufficient NHA, in bid NHA, areas environment problems cross drainage, construction drainage flow documents for Environmental see annex. Contractor Consultant Sociocultural Creation of All along right-of- During Medium • Vehicles to be well NHA, in bid NHA, noise way construction maintained documents for Environmental Contractor Consultant Physical Creation of All along right-of- During Medium • Watering of fill area NHA, in bid NHA, environment dust way construction during filling documents for Environmental Contractor Consultant 1 Appendix Ecological Interrupting At points all During initial High • Natural pathways to be NHA, in bid NHA, pathways along right-of- construction reinstated. documents for Environmental way • Construction of Contractor Consultant underpasses
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Crushing rock Physical Dust emissions Crusher will be During Medium • Crushers to be NHA, in bid NHA, for pavement environment from crusher established at crushing fitted with dust documents for Environmental and screening strategic location operations suppression Contractor Consultant plant along route. equipment. Constructing Physical Noise, dust, All along road During Low, if • Supervision of NHA, in bid NHA, pavement, environment, and water surface construction adequate construction to documents for Environmental laying base runoff of precautions ensure proper Contractor Consultant course, cleaning hydrocarbons taken. techniques surplus during • Lay asphalt only “curing” during dry period period Laying of Physical Emission of In asphalt In latter stages Low • Ensure workers use NHA, in bid NHA, asphalt environment dust and fumes batching plant of construction appropriate clothing documents for Environmental from asphalt area Contractor Consultant plant Physical Runoff of On length of Within 48 Low, if laying • Lay asphalt during NHA, in bid NHA, environment hydrocarbons road where hours of laying of asphalt dry periods documents for Environmental during “curing” surface laying is asphalt does not Contractor Consultant period taking place occur in rain. Construction of Sociocultural Severance of At points where During Low, if • Ensure provision of NHA, in bid NHA, structures, local population road crosses construction crossings are adequate crossing documents for Environmental bridges, and established provided. points Contractor Consultant underpasses tracks Fencing / animal Ecological Accidents On established After Low, if • Ensure provision of NHA, in bid NHA, crossing involving animal crossing completion of crossings are adequate crossing documents for Environmental animals points road provided. points Contractor Consultant Rehabilitating Ecological Soil erosion, if At all sites where During heavy Low • Revegetate, where NHA, in bid NHA, site, restoring site not afforestation is rains necessary. documents for Environmental topsoil revegetated. required Contractor Consultant Planting trees Ecological Introduction of Alongside new After Medium • Use forest NHA, in bid NHA, appropriate road construction department to select documents for Environmental species appropriate plants. Contractor Consultant Require approved plan to be prepared and used Sociocultural Trees create Where trees are Once trees Medium • Planting scheme to NHA, in bid NHA, safety hazard planted have matured include shrubs close documents for Environmental to road barrier Contractor Consultant Removal of Sociocultural Adverse effect At camps After Low, if proper • Supervise and NHA, in bid NHA, construction on residents completion of closure plan enforce closure plan. documents for Environmental camp construction implemented • Monitor. Contractor Consultant
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Closure Plan Clearing site Damage not • Planting scheme to NHA, in bid NHA, restored on include shrubs close documents for Environmental departure to road barrier Contractor Consultant Utilities Disruption Disruption in Affected To be checked Construction None, if • Timely notifications NHA to notify all Respective public utilities utilities create all along the period organized in and consultations concerned line departments of disruption of project corridor a timely with respective agencies NHA public manner and agencies services and implemented; • All public utilities (e.g. economics otherwise water pipes, power intermediate. and telephone lines) likely to impacted by the expressway construction need to be relocated well ahead of works commencement Water Issues Use of water for Conflict with Throughout During • Contractor will NHA, in bid NHA, construction and local water project areas construction arrange for water documents for Environmental consumption for demand required for Contractor Consultant human use under very construction in such a limited supply way that water availability and supply nearby to communities remain unaffected. • For construction purposes, water shall be drawn from groundwater bodies on priority and as available. • Contractors will dig 4-5 deep bore wells Appendix 1 Appendix to be used for their requirements and later on hand over to the community.
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Spillage of Risk of polluting 7-22 km, During Low • Regular water quantity NHA, through NHA, liquid waste surface and throughout area construction monitoring according to independent Environmental groundwater with surface determined sampling monitoring agency Consultant from spillage, waters, schedule drainage, and throughout • Contractor shall ensure Contractor runoff from project area that construction debris construction does not find its way sites into the drainage or river. • To maintain surface water flow and/or drainage, proper mitigation measures will be taken along the road, like drainage structures in urban areas. • Prohibit washing of machinery and vehicles in surface waters; provide sealed washing basins and collect wastewater in sedimentation and/or retention ponds Earthwork, Contamination Throughout During Low • Construction work Contractor NHA stonework, of water due to project road, construction close to river or other Environmental and, other construction approved water bodies to be Consultant construction waste dumpsite avoided, especially activities during monsoon period. • Take precautions by constructing temporary and permanent devices to prevent water pollution due to increased situations with erosion potential. • Waste must be collected, stored, and taken to approved disposal site.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Air Pollution Control Vehicular Emission from Dust and other Workshops of Throughout Low • All temporary service Contractor, NHA, movement construction emissions contractor camp construction and access roads to be Approved labs Environmental and vehicles and site period regularly water- Consultant, operation of machinery, sprayed to minimize EPA machinery causing public the dust generation. health risk, Haul roads to be dust nuisance, and controlled, and all other impacts vehicles carrying loose on biophysical friable material to be environment covered. • All machinery and plants will be placed at least 5 km downwind from human settlement. • All vehicles, equipment and machinery used for construction to be regularly maintained to ensure that pollution emission levels conform to National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) • Air quality parameters to be monitored, as determined. • Sites and schedule determined by NHA. • Incorporate design features to enable continuous traffic flow and avoid traffic jams.
1 Appendix
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Appendix 1 Appendix Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Operation of Dust Dust emissions At sites of plants, Throughout High • Ensure precautions to Contractor NHA, asphalt, mix generation from crusher crushers construction reduce dust emissions Environmental plants, from and screening period from mixers, plants, Consultant crushers, etc construction plant, crushers, and batching machines emissions of plants (e.g., providing causing dust and with dust extraction health risk to fumes from units). Crushers to be operating asphalt plant fitted with dust workers and suspension equipment. impact on • Water will be sprayed in biophysical lime, cement, and earth environment mixing sites. • Work safety measures, such as dust masks and appropriate clothing, to be used to ensure no health risk for operators • Equipment to be well maintained. • Asphalt plants to be located a few km away from populated areas (downwind) and many have wet scrubber. Transportation Dust and Throughout During Low • Vehicles delivering loose Contractor, NHA, of materials, emissions project road, construction and fine materials, like Environmental Environmental and other from construction sand and fine Consultant, Consultant, construction machines sites near major aggregates, shall be Approved EPA activities that causing settlements covered to reduce spills monitoring lab create dust and health risk to on existing road. emissions operators; • Ambient air quality Impacts on monitoring be carried out biophysical in accordance with the environment EMP. • If monitored parameters are above prescribed NEQS limits, suitable control measures must be taken.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Noise Pollution Operation of Noise from At mix plant, During Medium • Plants, vehicles, and Contractor, NHA, construction vehicles, batching construction equipment to strictly Approved agency Environmental machinery, asphalt plants, plants, and conform to NEQS- Consultant use of and construction specified noise standards explosives equipment; sites; built-up • Vehicles and equipment for rock explosive areas; schools used will be fitted, as cutting and usage for along the applicable, with silencers blasting, rocks cutting length of and properly maintained. replanting on project road; • In urban areas, right-of-way monitoring at construction activities will above sample be restricted to daytime. sites • Noise barriers in sensitive areas (in front of schools, hospitals, mosques) • Public consultations to find appropriate solutions and materials to control noise (e.g., mud and brick walls, brushes, etc.). • Use controlled blasting techniques. Advise timing of blast so as not to alarm locals. • In accordance with EMP, noise measurements to be carried out at locations and schedules specified to ensure effectiveness of mitigation measures. • Use Forest Department to select appropriate plants. Require approved plan to be prepared and used. • Noise protection work for selected critical locations Appendix 1 Appendix
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Fauna and Flora; Wildlife and Adjacent Ecological Sensitive Areas Access to Poaching of Disturbance to Near river Throughout Low • Use of firewood for cooking and Contractor NHA, sensitive wildlife, ecologically banks construction execution of work to be Environmental areas and collecting wild sensitive areas period prohibited. Consultant fragile plants, adjacent or • No open fires allowed. ecosystem disturbance of near to • Restoration of damaged river habitats expressway vegetated areas. • Strict instructions to contractors’ staffs (particularly the cooks) with respect to poaching local wildlife • Signage for wildlife crossing to raise attention • Assist in public awareness program. • Patrolling and enforcement Road Safety and Community Life Vehicular Accident risk, Throughout Throughout Low • Timely public notification on Contractor, NHA, movement particularly project construction planned construction works Motorway Environmental at affecting local expressway, period • Close consultation with local police Consultant construction communities, particularly near communities to identify optimal sites and which are not the settlements solutions for construction access to familiar with and sensitive activities to maintain community service presence of locations integrity and social links roads heavy (schools, • Seek cooperation with local equipment hospitals, education facilities (teachers) for mosques, etc.) road safety campaigns. • Provision of proper safety signage, particularly at urban areas and at sensitive or accident-prone spots. • Setting up speed limits in close consultation with locals • Ensure such proper facilities as bus bays, taxi stands, passengers waiting shelters, etc. • If identified, consider additional guardrails at accident-prone stretches and sensitive locations.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Risk Accident and At all project Throughout Low • Ensure safely code for Contractor NHA, associated health risks work sites construction work staff is observed, Environmental with period including provision and Consultant construction wearing of safety activities equipment required for specific works (e.g. helmets, dust masks, ear muffs, safety goggles, etc.). • At every construction site, a readily available and fully equipped first aid unit to be provided, including a staff with basic medical knowledge. • Elaboration of contingency planning in case of major accidents • Instruct foremen to strictly enforce the keeping out of worksites non-working persons, particularly children. • Adequate signage, lighting devices, barriers, persons with flags during construction to manage traffic at construction sites, and on haulage and access roads • Road safety education be provided to drivers operating construction 1 Appendix vehicles.
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Appendix 1 Appendix Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Social Impacts Cultural Local residents Entire project Throughout Medium • Timely and full public Contractor, in NHA, differences may resist area, especially construction consultation and close consultation Social between contractors populated areas period announcement of with local consultants contractor attitudes; mobilizing equipment authorities, and locals cultural • Establishment of formal notables, and clashes, and links with affected nongovernment particularly communities organizations when nonlocal • Plans for social contractors are grievance redress engaged. mechanisms, including community leaders • Seek assistance from and cooperation with local nongovernment organizations. Conflict Social Entire project Throughout Medium • Familiarize outside Contractor NHA, arising due disturbance area especially construction laborers on local Social to a mix of and populated period costumes. consultants local and dissatisfaction blanches • Aim for contractors to nonlocal job with employing employ local (unskilled) seekers outsiders labor for construction works. • An agreed minimum unskilled labor employment rate to be discussed.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Use of local Competition for Agricultural area Throughout Low • Water supply and Contractor NHA, resources natural with tube well construction sanitation facilities, so Social and product resources (e.g., and canal period that labor will not consultants with farmers, irrigation and exacerbate livestock limited water environmental hazards. raisers, and availability Contractors should nomads for primarily seek their rangelands and own sources of water water). by deep well boring at 4–5 locations in due distance (minimum 1 km.) from local users as wells • Ensure laborers do not exploit adjacent forest resources (e.g., ban on tree cutting).
Archeological Sites Encountering Impacts of If sites of Throughout Throughout Low • Carry out archeological Contractor NHA, archeological historically special interest entire project construction inspection identifying Social sites during important sites not identified area, including period all sensitive areas prior consultants earthworks and damage to and flagged, borrow sites to construction. and fossils, contractors • In case of finding any construction artifacts, tombs, may archeological artifact structure, and inadvertently structure, tomb, etc, others, as cause damage. the contractor must defined in 1975 immediately halt all Antiques Act works and contact the Archeological Department. • In the event of such finding, the contractor has the duty to secure the site against any intrusion until an archeological expert 1 Appendix will decide on further action.
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the impact When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on is likely to impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment happen to occur Implementation Supervision Operations Phase Water and Soil Drainage of Physical Localized At natural When road Medium • Adopt performance Local NHA runoff from congestion of flooding drainage operates and specified maintenance government, roads into drainage points in built- in rainy contracts NHA water bodies structures in up areas season, as • Ensure proper cleaning urban areas required scheme for keeping drainage structure clear of debris and blockage. Road Physical water Drinking water At water When road Medium • Provide check dams NHA NHA operation – pollution from quality abstraction operates and soak pits to filter Approved lab water quality storm waters deteriorates points runoff. • Water quality monitoring will be carried out during operation phase according to schedule approved by NHA. • If monitored parameters are above prescribed limits, suitable control measures be adopted. Vehicular Contamination Throughout As incidents Medium • Accidental spillage to NHA, Local NHA, movement from spills due project area occur be cleared and Authorities, Environmental to traffic and disposed of EPA consultants, accidents immediately and EPA properly
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Ambient Air Quality Induced Emissions from Adverse Where Scheduled as Low – traffic • Roadside tree plantation NHA, NHA, vehicular vehicular traffic effects on applicable, per NHA generation as applicable and feasible Environmental Environmental traffic causing public residents from along full roadside will be under harsh climatic Consultant, Consultant, movement health risk, noise and dust length of road; plantation minimal condition; plants should Motorway Police EPA nuisance, and for urban areas scheme; be selected according to other impacts and sensitive according to their abilities to absorb on the spots schedule emissions. biophysical defined in the • Regular road environment monitoring maintenance to ensure plan good surface condition • Speed limits at sensitive locations • Monitoring air quality at defined schedule • Regular vehicle check to control and ensure compliance with NEQS • Enforcement and penalties against traffic rules violation Increased Increase of air air pollution Built-up areas, When road Low – traffic • Incorporate design Design Engineer NHA. traffic pollution and and associated school, operates, generation features for continuous Environmental intensity associated health risk mosques, heavy traffic; will be traffic flow and avoiding Consultant health risk for hospitals throughout minimal congestion. roadside project life • Include design measures residents to prevent blockage of bus bays and highways by street vendors, particularly in the vicinity of local markets.
Appendix 1 Appendix
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Noise Level and Vibrations Induced Traffic-related At towns and At schedule Low – traffic • Noise measurements NHA, NHA, vehicular noise pollution villages, as defined in the generation to be carried out at Environmental Environmental traffic and vibrations applicable at monitoring plan will be locations and schedule Consultant, Consultant, movement from engines, sensitive spots minimal specified by NHA to EPA tires, and use ensure the of (pressure) effectiveness of Motorway Police horns mitigation measures, (e.g., speed limits and noise control plantations at sensitive spots). • According to monitoring results, additional sound barriers in form of trees and hedges be discuss with the affected public and planted agreed • Signs for sensitive zones (health centers/ educational institutions etc.) will to disallow the use of pressure horns; • Enforcement and penalties against traffic rules violators Increased Increase of Traffic noise Built-up areas, When road Low – traffic • Incorporate design Design Engineer NHA, traffic noise pollution pollution and school, operates, heavy generation features for continuous Environmental intensity and associated associated mosques, traffic; will be traffic flow and Consultant health risks for health risks for hospitals, noise throughout minimal avoiding congestion. roadside roadside sensitive project life • Include design residents residents dwellings. See measures to prevent Road survey blockage of bus bays forms for full and highways by street details. vendors, particularly in the vicinity of local markets. • Consider noise barriers in sensitive areas.
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the impact Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely is likely to occur of impacts Environment to happen Implementation Supervision Fauna and Flora Roadside Maintenance Soil erosion if Throughout Operation stage Low • Vegetative barriers to lessen In consultation NHA right-of-way of flora site not project road visual and other impacts. with social and plantation revegetated. • Monitoring of survival of forestry Acts as sound trees at the specified rate departments, barrier and and suitable measures NHA against should be taken to protect Maintenance adverse effects trees. on residents • Efforts will be made to from noise and properly maintain greenery dust. and aesthetics. Road Safety Vehicular Accidental Trees closed Unpopulated Both at night and Low • Provision of proper safety NHA NHA movement harm to to road create areas during the day signage wildlife and safety hazards • Setting up speed limits trees close • Proper lighting management to at petrol stations, bus and expressway truck stops • Display of signboards alerting drivers’ attention to wildlife and environmental issues related to safe driving and wildlife encounters • Special educational signboards at times when migratory birds tend to approach the expressway • Planting scheme to include shrubs close to road as barriers Fast to Poaching on Throughout Operation stage Low • Display of signboards NHA, NHA access to wildlife; project road explaining wildlife and other Forest and sensitive disturbance ecological values Wildlife areas of fragile • Support nongovernment Department ecosystem organizations advocating
against hunting of 1 Appendix endangered species (houbara). • Patrolling and enforcement
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Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Appendix 1 Appendix Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Vehicular Accidents At any location Operation stage Low • In case of spillage, NHA, Local NHA movement involving that such report to relevant authorities, hazardous accident occurs departments to be Motorway Police materials made. • Clearing of spills of oil, toxic chemicals or other materials as early as possible Vehicular General road Throughout Operation stage Low • Traffic management NHA, Local NHA movement safety issues project road plan to be developed, authorities, especially along Motorway Police congested locations. • Traffic control measures, including speed limits, to be enforced. Higher speed Sociocultural More accidents Along new As soon as Medium • Provide enhanced NHA NHA traffic due to divided highway road opens signs and markers. increase traffic • Effective traffic speeds enforcement Social and Economic Development Increase in Impacts related Throughout Operation stage Low • Control of NHA, Local NHA facilities, to desired and project road encroachment and authorities, mobility, undesired ribbon development Motorway Police access, and development along new expressway shipment of following road • Control and goods sector project enforcement against smuggling and other crimes • Tourism development needs to be supported and linked with ecotourism
Project Type(s) of Potential Where the When the Magnitude Mitigation Measures Institutional Responsibility Activities Impact Impacts on impact is likely impact is likely of impacts Environment to happen to occur Implementation Supervision Road Sociocultural More problems Along new As soon as Low – traffic • Crime control, sexually NHA NHA transporters of drugs, divided highway road opens generation transmitted diseases increase prostitution, likely to be and AIDS program activities and sexually minimal undertaken in parallel. transmitted diseases Maintenance Maintenance Physical; Blocking of Along new As soon as Medium • Adopt performance NHA NHA activities localized drains with divided highway road opens specified maintenance flooding due to dust; contracts. inadequate deterioration of maintenance shoulders; road blockage Road surface Physical Surface quality Along new As soon as Medium • Incorporate overweight NHA NHA deterioration declines divided highway road opens charges in toll regime. • Install weighbridges. Other Matters Change in Physical, Physical, Along new Project duration Low to high • Review potential NHA NHA alignment biological, and biological and alignment impacts. If significant after initial socioeconomic Socioeconomic change in alignment environmental impacts resources will be undertaken, examination is additional initial completed environmental examination will need to be conducted. EPA = Environmental Protection Agency, EMP = environmental management plan, NEQS = National Environmental Quality Standards, NHA = National Highway Authority. Source: Global Environmental Technologies for Ministry of Communications. 2005. Peshawar Torkham Expressway Section Environmental Impact Assessment. Pakistan.
Appendix 1 Appendix 151
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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN FOR N5 PESHAWAR–TORKHAM EXPRESSWAY 2 Appendix
Environmental Project Approximate Implementing Parameters Locations Frequency Standards Supervision Component Stages Cost (Rs) Air quality Construction PM10, SO2, (1) at 5–10 m distance from PM10, for WHO/USEPA 6*12*20,000 Contractor NHA, NOx, CO all plants, crushers, continuous 8 guidelines, = 1.44 million Environmental batching hours, on NEQS Independent Consultant, (2) Peshawar Takhhtabaig, monthly Contract EPA km 0 schedule (3) Ali Masjid, km 22 (4) Landikotal bypass, 37 km (5) Torkham border, km 52 Operation SPM, RPM, NOx, (1) at km 0 For WHO/ USEPA 4*4*30,000 Independent NHA, SOx (2) at km 22 continuous 8 Standards, = 480,000 Contract Environmental CO, HC, Pb (3) at km 37 hours, on NEQS Consultant, (4) at km 52 quarterly EPA bases Water Quality Construction pH, NaCl, BOD, (1) 5 sites for surface, piped, Quarterly WHO and 4*5*30,000 Independent NHA, COD, TDS, and spring water sources: NEQS = 600,000 Contract Environmental TSS, DO, NHx Jabba spring, Jabba stream, Consultant, coliforms Ali Masjid stream, Ali Masjid EPA hardness, nitrate, underground well from hydrocarbon, Pb drinking water pipes, Mata Khel water tank, Michini Check Post piped water supply Operation pH, NaCl, BOD, (1) 5 sites, as above Quarterly WHO and 4*5*25,000 Independent NHA, COD, TDS, NEQS = 500,000 Contract Environmental dissolved O2, Consultant, NHx, coliforms, EPA hydrocarbon Noise Levels Construction dBA At construction sites in Twice in 8 EPA Ambient 4*5*8*2,000 Independent NHA settlement areas hours at Noise = 320,000 Contract Environmental (1) at km 0 selected standards Consultant, (2) at km 7 during explosive sites at 1 m, EPA usage 7.5 m, 15 m, (3) at km 22 and 50 m (4) at km 37 from right-of- (5) at km 52 way, Quarterly
Environmental Project Approximate Implementing Parameters Locations Frequency Standards Supervision Component Stages Cost (Rs) Operation dBA (1) at km 0 Twice in 8 hr at EPA 4*5*8*2,000 Independent NHA, (2) at km 7 selected sites at 1 Ambient = 320,000 Contract Environmental (3) at km 22 m, 7.5 m, 15 m, Noise Consultant, (4) at km 37 and 50 m from standards EPA (5) at km 52 right-of-way, Quarterly Soil Erosion Construction (1) Visual All along road Daily No erosion Contractors Contractor NHA, and inspection for alignment, especially damage cost Environmental Contamination damages on drainage and oil spill engineering When required and embankment prevention measures standards Design and structures Consultants (2) Heavy metal At reported sites with On occurrence, NEQS EPA contaminants spillage and with immediate (3) Check contamination effect Engineering 12*30,000 NHA NHA inspection standards = 360,000 EPA All along the Quarterly alignment EPA Operation (1) Visual All along road According to NHA Engineering NHA NHA EPA inspection for alignment, maintenance standards Maintenance Maintenance damages schedule on Budget Budget (2) Heavy metal occurrence, with NEQS EPA contaminants At reported sites with immediate effect spillage and contamination Roadside Construction Visual inspection (1) At sites where (1) One month 75 % 3*30,000 Independent NHA, Plantation of plant species plantation was after plantation survival rate = 90,000 Contract Environmental survival rate and carried out (2) One year after Consultant, status of plantation Forest maintenance Department, (2) At site within right- 1 month, 3 months EPA of-way with 6 months, 12 experimental months after 4*2*10,000 NHA and plantation of planting =80,000 contracted firm scrubs Operation Visual inspection At sites where (1) 2.5 years after 75% survival 1*30,000 Independent NHA, of plant species plantation was carried plantation rate = 30,000 Contract Environmental survival rate and out Consultant,
status of Forest 2 Appendix maintenance Department, EPA 353
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Environmental Project Approximate Implementing Parameters Locations Frequency Standards Supervision 2 Appendix Component Stages Cost (Rs) Safety and Operation (1) Faulty, All along the road, Quarterly basis, To be Highway Highway Highway Traffic Rules overloaded with spot check at for 3 years determined Police Police Police Compliance and speeding accident-prone black Budget vehicles spots (2) Inspection of signage dBA = decibels (measured in the audible range), EPA = Environmental Protection Authority, NEQS = National Environmental Quality Standards, NHA = National Highway Authority, PM10 = particulate matter smaller than about 10 micrometers, ROW = right-of-way, SPM = suspended particulate matter, TSS = total suspended solids, USEPA = United States Environmental Protection Agency, WHO = World Health Organization. Source: Global Environmental Technologies for Ministry of Communications. 2005. Peshawar Torkham Expressway Section Environmental Impact Assessment. Pakistan.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE PROJECT CORRIDOR
Participants Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken people) 1. 6 August Ali Mosque Bazar 30 persons • Avoid relocation of religious structures like mosques 2005 Tehsil Jamrud (residents of and graves as much as possible. If such structures locality) attended fall along the planned route, then the route should be the meeting. changed as most of the population will not like to Names of some disturb these religious structures. prominent persons • Clearance of the route should be done before starting are given below: the construction work, especially removal of trees, • Haji Pakistan infrastructure (electricity lines), etc., which may cause • Hyder accidents during the construction time. • Rehman • There must be provision to accommodate our local • Ayyab population for job opportunities during the Project’s • Khasta Jan execution stage. • Khatab Ali • Local population will have to face noise and dust • Naeem Khan pollution during the construction, which should be • Mudmair Khan minimized to the greatest possible extent. • Muhammad • Contractor should use the proper tracks and roads Saddique when accessing the construction sites instead of • Sher Baz Khan damaging adjoining land, crops, etc. • Contractor should take due care and to respect the women during their daily activities. • Delay in compensation will cause an adverse affect on the livelihoods of the population, especially the affected persons. Therefore, compensation prior to 3 Appendix project execution will be essential.
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Participants 56 Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken
people) 3 Appendix 2. 7 August Under Shede 20 persons • This Project will be very useful for enhancing the 2005 Tree Shrines (residents of income generation and ultimately reducing poverty, Tehsil Jamrud locality) attended due to increased off-farm employment activities, and the meeting. daily commuters will help to supplement incomes. In Names of some addition, the local population, and especially the prominent persons affected persons, must be deployed to various skilled are given below: and unskilled activities, such as drivers and laborers. • Abdul Jalal • Compensation for loss of houses, tube wells, motor • Khan Sharif pump wells, etc, should be on the basis of local • Shah Mahmood market rates to install these infrastructures and • Zawar Khan should be made prior to executing the project • Manugay Khan activities. • Avoid the relocation of religious structures, like mosques and graves, as much as possible. • Proper attention must be given to facilitating pedestrian and animal crossing during the project execution. • Tree plantation along the route will be necessary to reduce air pollution. 3. 7 August Khasadar Check 10 persons • The project staff, contractors and other people who 2005 Post Tehsil (residents of will work on the Project should not disturb their Jamrud locality) attended females working in the fields and should not interrupt the meeting. their mobility in their routine activities. Names of some • The contractors should advise their staff not to hinder prominent persons the women’s activities while walking from distant are given below: places for fetching drinking water, and they must take • Muhammad heed of all the customs and norms of the tribal Saddique system. • Sher Baz Khan • Under the Project, the contractor should employ the • Masood Khan local unskilled labor, especially those who will be directly affected by implementation of the Project.
Participants Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken people) • The compensation for loss of houses, tube wells, wells, water pumps, etc, should be on the basis of replacement value and should be made before starting the construction works. • Compensation for loss of tress (shade trees, fruit trees, and trees for firewood) should be made through negotiation rather than using the predetermined government rates
4. 7 August Khasadar Check 10 persons • During construction, activities of the camps will pollute 2005 Post Near (residents of the perennial nullah (Khaur), which is the only source Mosque, locality) attended of water in the whole area. To avoid contamination, Tehsil Jamrud the meeting. the contractor should arrange its own source of water Names of some to be used during the construction activities. prominent persons • As the availability of groundwater and wells along the are given below: project corridor is scarce, the contractor should hand • Haji Merab Gull over their installed water pumps to the community • Janaid Shah after completing road works. This will be an added • Nasir Ahmad benefit to the community’s water resources. • There would be continuous dust pollution for a couple of years and other interruptions during the construction stage. Therefore, the contractor should use the best engineering practices to minimize the adverse effects and impacts. • Contractor should use the proper tracks and roads as well as alternate routes during the road construction 3 Appendix stage. • Contractor should employ the local population during implementation of the Project, while not interrupting the privacy of the local women during their daily activities, which include to fetch drinking water, collect firewood, tend to the livestock grazing, etc. 57
Participants 58 Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken
people) 3 Appendix 5. 8 August Site of graveyard 25 persons • The Project should provide special benefits to the 2005 outside of Khwar (residents of local community, which would be the people Small portion, locality) attended potentially affected by the Project. Benefits would Tehsil Jamrud. the meeting. include proper and timely compensation for their Names of some damaged assets and structures, proper assistance in prominent persons reconstructing similar structures, and to provide are given below: employment opportunities under the Project. • Sardar Saraj • Avoid shifting of graveyards to the greatest possible • Zaher Shah extent. • Nazir • There must be some alternate arrangements for traffic • Bahdar Khan during the road construction, particularly at places • Muhammad where the proposed alignment will pass through the Baz existing road. • Ismail Khan • Control of speeding, overloading, traffic disorders, and • Haji Merab Gull construct speed breakers were requested, especially • Junaid Shah near the settlements along the project route. • Tree plantation should be increased along the road to reduce air pollution and make a good environment along the road. • Employ local labor (skilled as well as unskilled) during the project implementation. • Birds hunting should be prohibited during the project implementation as well as the operational stage. 6. 8 August Government 30 persons • The Project will provide a way to increase 2005 Primary School (residents of development and alleviate poverty in the area, and Khwar, Lala locality) attended particularly in the backward areas and settlements Chena, Tehsil the meeting. along the perennial nullah (Khaur). Jamrud Names of some • Contractor should employ the local unskilled labor, prominent persons especially those who are directly affected due to are given below: implementation of the Project. • Abdul Ali • Reduce dust emissions from road shoulders by • Hassan Ahmad providing an asphalt surface.
Participants Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken people)
• Said Zamir • Erect pedestrian overhead bridges, particularly near • Habibullah schools and settlements, along with a fence or • Haji Khail partition wall between the highways. Masat • Build bus bays, passenger shelters, and parking areas, particularly for taxi stands. • The price of land and compensation in accordance with it should be consulted with the community, the community elders, and the tribal elders (maliks). • Compensation, resettlement, and relocation to the project affected persons should be made prior to execution of the Project. • In addition to compensation for the structures removed, additional financial assistance will be required to erect structures at new locations. • Compensation should be paid directly to the project affected persons. • The acquisition of land can be made after consulting the elder of the tribe. • Consultation with the community and tribal leader should be an integral part of the land acquisition process. 7. 9 August Bridge after Ali 15 persons • The installation of temporary arrangements, camps 2005 Mosque Tehsil (residents of and other operational activities will disturb the existing
Jamrud. locality) attended resources, and especially the water resources, along 3 Appendix the meeting. the route as well as adjoining settlements. To avoid Names of some contamination, the contractor should install some prominent persons additional sources of water to be utilized during the are given below: road construction activities. • Zaheer Shah
• Nazir 59
Participants 60 Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken
people) 3 Appendix • Lal Khan • During the road construction activities, the routine • Khalil activities of the women will be affected. In other words, their privacy will be effected, which is very a very critical matter for tribal life. • Contractor should employ the local unskilled laborers, and especially those who will be directly affected by the Project. • Public facilities, including bus bays with passenger waiting shelters and latrines, service lanes, footpaths, pedestrian-crossing facilities, and fences. • A tree plantation program to compensate for the anticipated loss of vegetation during construction activities, and to help abate pollution caused by emissions, dust, and noise during highway operation. 8. 10 August Tamir-e-Sirat 10 persons • The compensation for loss of houses, tube wells, 2005 Model School, (residents of wells, hand pumps, etc, should be on the basis of Lala Chena, locality) attended replacement value and should be made prior to the Tehsil Jamrud. the meeting. start of construction activities. Names of some • Loss of crops should be compensated as per market prominent persons rates prevalent in the area. are given below: • Compensation for loss of trees should be made on a • Shahzehan negotiated basis, as government rates are Khan significantly less than the market rates. • Habib Khan • The route alignment should be carried out in a way • Shahani Gul that it would minimally disrupt the community, • Pehlwan Khan community structures, and infrastructure. • The Project should disrupt the minimum number of trees, as the areas already have too few trees along the route.
Participants Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken people) • In case of removing trees, proper compensation must be made to the affected persons, keeping in view the importance of shade trees, fruit trees, and trees for obtaining firewood. Furthermore, the same number of trees must be planted in the area. • The route alignment should avoid the schools and settlements, as well as some sensitive locations (i.e., shrine, mosques, graveyards, etc.), where there is a frequent mobility of the local people. 9. 10 August Site Fish Hotel 20 persons • Avoid shifting of mosques to the greatest possible 2005 Tehsil Jamrud (residents of extent, and avoid relocating/dismantling of mosques locality) attended as well as other permanent structures. the meeting. • The affected persons should be compensated as per Names of some the prevailing rates in the market not as per the prominent persons revenue record, which is generally less. are given below: • Contractor should make the compensation prior to • Hassan Gull utilizing the land, as delayed compensation processes • Malik Abdullah in some previous projects adversely affected our Khan livelihood. • Duran Khan • In case of demolishing structures, proper • Daud Ahmad compensation should be provided prior to the project • Haji Ajab Khan implementation. 10. 11 August Ghar Uba 10 persons • Contractor should use the proper means and ways 2005 Peshwar (residents of along the route to access the construction site. Torkham Road at locality) attended • There would be an adverse impact on the birds, so 3 Appendix 24 Km. (Village the meeting. the contactor should not allow its staff to hunt birds Khata Khushta) Names of some and other animals in the vicinity of the project prominent persons alignment. are given below: • Project facilities will be located at a minimum distance • Fateh Shah of 500 m from existing settlements and built-up areas • Sikandar Khan to avoid restricting the mobility of the local community 61 (women, children, etc.).
Participants 62 Public Place where Date of (number and Consultation consultation Issues discussed during consultation Consultation description of Number was undertaken
people) 3 Appendix • Rais Khan • Sensitivity towards local customs and traditions will be • Rab Nawaz encouraged to minimize social friction. Good relations • Naimat Khan with local communities will be promoted by • Anayatulla encouraging contractors to provide opportunities for skilled and unskilled employment to locals, as well as on-the-job training in construction for young people. • The entitlement policy framework for the Project incorporates stakeholder consultation as part of the resettlement plan. • The loss of privately owned land or built-up property will be compensated on a replacement-cost basis. 11. 12 August Malaysia Check 12 persons • The Project route (alignment) should be demarcated 2005 post at section-II. (residents of in such a way that it would disrupt the minimum locality) attended number of persons and families, structures, the meeting. infrastructures, etc. Names of some • The Project should disrupt the minimal number of prominent persons trees, as the areas already have too few trees. are given below: • The road construction should avoid the schools and • Malik Jan Doud settlements, as well as some sensitive location (i.e. • Malik Ahmad shrine, mosques, graveyard. etc.). In certain cases, if • Rajwali Khan removal or dismantling is necessary, reconstruction of • Mirza Khan a similar structure should be made in view of the local community’s needs. • Contractor will be required to ensure that construction work does not hinder local people’s access to the local route and their ability to cross it safely. Constructing temporary ramps and diversion routes will facilitate pedestrians and livestock while crossing the highway. Source: National Highway Authority, Pakistan.