Initial Environment Examination Project Number: 43464-023 June 2018 (Addendum) IND: Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program - Tranche 1 Submitted by Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) This Addendum to Initial Environment Examination(IEE) has been submitted to ADB by Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) and is made publicly available in accordance with ADB’s Public Communications Policy (2011). It does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB. This is an addendum to IEE posted in June 2011 available on https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/himachal- pradesh-clean-energy-transmission-investment-program-tranche-1. This Addendum to Initial Environment Examination Report 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. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Addendum Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 43464-023-IND June, 2018 India: Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Programme Tranche – 1 Prepared by HP Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) This addendum to Initial Environment Examination report 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. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 1 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 4 2. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ....................................................... 6 2.1. Country’s Legal Framework and Regulatory Requirements for the Project ............................. 6 2.2. Environmental Clearance ....................................................................................................... 7 2.3. Forests Clearance .................................................................................................................. 7 2.4. Wildlife Clearance .................................................................................................................. 7 2.5. Required Clearances/Permissions.......................................................................................... 7 2.6. International Agreements ....................................................................................................... 8 2.7. Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies ......................................................................... 9 2.8. Project Categorization as per ADB ......................................................................................... 9 3. DETAILS OF CHANGES IN SUB-PROJECTS ....................................................................... 10 3.1. Details of Changes in 220 kV D/C transmission line from Hatkoti to Pragatinagar (Gumma): 10 3.2. Details of Changes in 400 kV D/C Transmission Line from 220/400 kV Pooling Station Gumma to LILO point for interconnection with 400 KV Jhakhri- Abdulapur D/C Line of PGCIL: ................. 12 3.3. Details of Changes in 132 kV Substation Chambi ................................................................. 14 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT......................................................................................... 15 4.1 Brief Description of the Sub-Projects .................................................................................... 16 4.1.1. 220 kV D/C Transmission Line from Hatkoti to Pragati Nagar (Gumma)......................... 16 4.1.2. 400 kV D/C Transmission Line from 220/400 kV Pooling Station Gumma to LILO point for interconnection with 400 KV Jhakhri- Abdulapur D/C Line of PGCIL......................................... 16 4.1.3. 220/400 kV Substation at Pragati Nagar (Gumma) ........................................................... 17 4.1.4. 22/66/220 kV GIS Substation at Bhoktoo with LILO of 220 kV Kashang- Bhaba line .... 17 4.1.5. 66/220/400 kV Substation at Wangtoo With LILO of 400 kV Wangtoo-Abdullapur and 220 kV Kashang - Bhaba D/C lines .................................................................................................... 17 4.1.6. 132/33 kV Substation at Pandoh + LILO of one circuit of 132 kV Bajaura- Kangoo D/C Line (0.300 Km) .................................................................................................................................... 18 4.1.7. 132 kV Substation Chambi ................................................................................................... 18 5. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................... 20 5.1. Physical Resources .............................................................................................................. 20 5.1.1. Ambient Air Quality ............................................................................................................... 20 5.1.2. Noise Quality ......................................................................................................................... 23 5.1.3. Soil Quality............................................................................................................................. 24 5.1.4. Water Quality of the Sub-Project Area ................................................................................ 25 5.2. Seismicity ............................................................................................................................. 27 5.3. Ecological Resources ........................................................................................................... 27 5.4. Socioeconomic Profile .......................................................................................................... 29 6. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ........................ 32 6.1. Impact on Physical Resources ............................................................................................. 32 6.1.1. Impact on Air Quality ............................................................................................................ 32 6.1.2. Impact on Noise Quality ....................................................................................................... 32 6.1.3. Impact on Water Quality ....................................................................................................... 33 6.1.4. Impact on Soil Quality and Geology .................................................................................... 33 6.2. Impact on Ecological Resources and Mitigation Measures ................................................... 34 6.2.1. Impact on Forest & Trees ..................................................................................................... 34 6.2.2. Impact on Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 35 6.3. Impact on Human Environment ............................................................................................ 36 6.4. Environmental Impact Matrix ................................................................................................ 36 7. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION, AND PARTICIPATION ........................... 39 8. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM .............................................................................. 40 9. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................................................ 41 9.1. Institutional Arrangements .................................................................................................... 41 9.2. Environmental Management Plan ......................................................................................... 42 9.3. Monitoring of Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ........................................................ 43 9.4. Environmental Monitoring Plan ............................................................................................. 43 9.5. Environmental Monitoring Report (EMR) .............................................................................. 44 9.6. Environmental Management Budget ..................................................................................... 44 10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................ 46 Appendices Appendix-I: - Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist ................................................. 50 Appendix-II: - Photographs of the Project Site .............................................................................. 53 Appendix-IIIA: - Alternative Route Analysis for Hatkoti-Pragatinagar (Gumma) Transmission Line54 Appendix-IIIB: - Alternative Route Analysis for LILO of 400 kV