PROPOSAL FOR FOREST CLEARANCE UNDER FOREST (CONSERVATION) ACT, 1980 FORM A – PART I Diversion of 5.153 Ha Forest Area for Upgradation to 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder/4-Lane configuration of Digras-Darwha-Karanja Section (From Km 0.000 To 74.351) Pusad, Yavatmal & Akola Forest Division USER AGENCY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (NATIONAL HIGHWAY), AKOLA GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 5.153 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF DIGRAS-DARWHA-KARANJA FROM KM 0.000 TO 74.351 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA FORM – ‘A’ Form for seeking prior approval under section 2 of the proposals By the State Governments and other authorities PART-I PART - I (To be filled up by user agency) Sr. Description Comments No. 1. Project details: Proposal for diversion of 5.153 Ha Forest area for upgradation to two lanes with paved shoulder/four lane configurations of Digras-Darwha-Karanja from Km 0.000 to 74.351 in the State of Maharashtra. (i) Short narrative of the The project alignment is spanning through Yavatmal & Washim proposal and district with a total length of approximately 74.351 Kms. project/scheme for which Presently the existing Highway is as per SH specification & the the forest land is required. proposal is to upgrade the existing Highway to NH specification. The project road is in two stretches: Stretch 1: Starts at Ch. 0.000 located in Digras and ends at Ch. 31.350 at Darwha which is the existing Major State Highway No. 213. Total Length- 31.351 km Stretch 2: Starts from Ch. 31.351 located in Darwha and ends at Ch. 74.351 which lies on junction of SH-207 & SH-212 in Karanja. Total Length- 43.000 km Some portion of Digras-Darwha-Karanja project alignment passes through seven number of forest patches covering a total length of 2.874 km admeasuring an area of 5.153 Ha. Therefore, it involves diversion of this forest land for above upgradation purpose under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. (ii) Map showing the required Attached as Annexure I in this section forest land, boundary of adjoining forest on a 1:50,000 scale map. (iii) Cost of the project: Rs. 391.06 Crs (iv) Justification for locating Infrastructure development particularly faster movement and the project in forest area. transportation of goods in a country like India is a guiding factor for economic development. Proper transportation of goods requires comprehensive transport systems and increasing road traffic requires better roads. Hence it becomes necessary to create a new road network or upgrade the existing road network. With a view to upgrade and rehabilitate the existing highway where necessary, Public Works Department (National Highway) of Maharashtra State has envisioned upgradation of existing highway to two lane/four lane with paved shoulders. The project alignment is an amalgamation of New SH-212 (Old SH-282) & New SH-213 (Old SH- 257) passing through Digras, Darwha & Karanja town forming an important artery for movement of goods from Chandrapur & Yavatmal District to PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 5.153 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF DIGRAS-DARWHA-KARANJA FROM KM 0.000 TO 74.351 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Sr. Description Comments No. Mumbai. Goods transported are cement from different factories located in Chandrapur District to Akola, Amravati & Mumbai & seasonal crops and agricultural products throughout the year from different places located in Yavatmal & Chadrapur. It is appreciated that over a horizon of next 20-30 years, this road will serve a critical purpose of linking Yavatmal & Chandrapur to Mumbai & contributes substantially to the development of the local economy. Further a number of remote villages are also being provided connectivity under the PMGSY and the take-off points emanate from this highway. (v) Cost-benefit analysis (to Cost Benefit (CB) analysis is not essential as the forest area be enclosed). proposed for diversion for this project is <20 ha and falling in plains. (vi) Employment likely to be The proposed project will generate employment opportunities generated. for the local people during construction as well as operation phase. The construction will require about 200 workers during peak constuction times. It is proposed to employ the local people to the maximum extent possible. In addition proposed development of the area would result in industrialization/ urbanization of the region and would generate more opportunities of employment. About 75 Workers will require during operation phase. 2. Purpose wise breakup of Patch Chainage Length in m Area Legal the total land required. From To LHS RHS (Forest) Status under Acquisition (Ha) P1 9+741 10+166 212 265 0.86 RF P2 11+127 11+321 232 185 0.40 RF P3 19+629 19+970 340 341 0.665 RF P4 51.313 51.417 98 191 0.282 RF P5 58+215 58+385 170 0 0.166 RF P6 60+533 61+410 994 933 1.878 RF P7 62+025 62+494 459 467 0.902 RF Total = 2.874 km 5.153 3. Details of displacement of There is no displacement of people in the forest area. people due to the project, if any. (i) Number of Families Not Applicable (ii) Number of Scheduled Not Applicable Casts/Scheduled Tribe families (iii) Rehabilitation Plan Not Applicable 4. Whether clearance under Not Applicable environment (Protection) Act 2006 required 5. Undertaking to bear the Enclosed in Checklist cost of raising and maintenance of PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 5.153 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF DIGRAS-DARWHA-KARANJA FROM KM 0.000 TO 74.351 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Sr. Description Comments No. compensatory afforestation and/or penal compensatory afforestation as well as cost for protection and regeneration of Safety Zone, etc. as per the scheme prepared by the State Government (undertaking to be enclosed). 6. Details of Enclosed at respective place in the Forest Diversion Proposal Certificates/documents (FDP) as per the Checklist. enclosed as required under the instructions. Dated: 06.04.2019 Executive Engineer National Highway Division Akola PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 5.153 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF DIGRAS-DARWHA-KARANJA FROM KM 0.000 TO 74.351 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Annexure I Map showing the required forest land, boundary of adjoining forest on a 1:50,000 scale map .