Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development (MMWD) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 Submitted to; Submitted By; Central Environmental Authority Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Prepared By: Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd, Japan Consulting Engineers and Architects Associated (Pvt.) Ltd., Sri Lanka EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 Table of Contents Executive Summary i CHAPTER 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background of the Project .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Background of the Project ................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.2 Current Status .................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.1.3 Implementing Agency ........................................................................................................ 1-2 1.2 Objectives of the LRT Project (Project Justification) ................................................................. 1-4 1.2.1 Project Justification ............................................................................................................ 1-4 1.2.2 Objectives of the proposed Project .................................................................................... 1-5 1.3 Project Scope .............................................................................................................................. 1-6 1.4 Objectives of the EIA Report ...................................................................................................... 1-6 1.5 Methodologies and Technologies Employed for the EIA Study ................................................. 1-7 1.5.1 Literature Survey, Data Collection ..................................................................................... 1-7 1.5.2 Impact Assessment ............................................................................................................. 1-7 1.6 Conformity with Government policies and plans ....................................................................... 1-8 1.6.1 National Environmental Act (NEA) No 47 of 1980, and its’ amendment Acts No. 56 of 1988 and Act No. 53 of 2000 ............................................................................................................. 1-8 1.6.2 Colombo District (Low Lying Areas) Reclamation and Development Board Act No. 15 of 1968 ………………………………………………………………………………………...1-10 1.6.3 Crown lands Ordinance (Chapter 454) ............................................................................ 1-10 1.6.4 Fauna and Flora Protection (Amend) Act (No. 49 of 1993) ............................................ 1-10 1.6.5 Urban Development Authority Law No 41 of 1978 ........................................................ 1-10 1.6.6 Flood Protection Ordinance (Chapter 449) ...................................................................... 1-10 1.6.7 Colombo District (Low Lying Areas) Reclamation and Development Board Act No. 15 of 1968 1-10 1.6.8 Thalangama Environmental Protection Area: Government Notification under the National Environmental Act, No.47 of 1980, Order under Section 24C and Section D. ............................... 1-11 1.6.9 Declaration of Sri Jayawardenepura Bird Sanctuary ....................................................... 1-11 1.6.10 Municipal Council Ordinance No 29 of 1947 .................................................................. 1-11 1.6.11 Agrarian Development Act (No. 46 of 2000) .................................................................. 1-11 1.6.12 Road Development Authority Act (No. 73 of 1981) ........................................................ 1-11 1.6.13 National Thoroughfares Act No. 40 of 2008 .................................................................... 1-11 1.6.14 Sri Lanka Railways Authority Act (No. 60 of 1993) ....................................................... 1-11 1.6.15 Antiquities Ordinance, No. 9 of 1940 .............................................................................. 1-11 1.7 Required Preliminary Approvals and Conditions Laid Down by State Agencies .................... 1-12 i EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 1.7.1 Required Approvals ......................................................................................................... 1-12 1.7.2 Conditions Laid Down by State Agencies ....................................................................... 1-12 CHAPTER 2 Project Description .......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Description of the proposed project ............................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.1 Location of the Project ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.2 Ownership of the Project Site ............................................................................................. 2-5 2.1.3 Project Components ............................................................................................................ 2-5 2.1.4 Layout plans ...................................................................................................................... 2-19 2.1.5 Future Expansion .............................................................................................................. 2-19 2.1.6 Pre-Construction and Construction Activities ................................................................... 2-20 2.1.7 Construction Methods ....................................................................................................... 2-21 2.1.8 Resources for Construction ............................................................................................... 2-26 2.1.9 Operation and Maintenance .............................................................................................. 2-26 2.1.10 Energy Requirement ......................................................................................................... 2-31 2.1.11 Wastewater Sources .......................................................................................................... 2-31 2.1.12 Other Wastes ..................................................................................................................... 2-32 2.1.13 Other Infrastructure Facilities ........................................................................................... 2-33 2.1.14 Project Investment and Funding Sources .......................................................................... 2-35 2.2 Alternatives Analysis ................................................................................................................ 2-35 2.2.1 No Project Option ............................................................................................................. 2-35 2.2.2 Alternatives of Structural Options .................................................................................... 2-35 2.2.3 LRT Alternative Routes .................................................................................................... 2-37 CHAPTER 3 Description of the Existing Environment ........................................................................ 3-1 3.1 Description of the Study Area..................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Physical Environment ................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.2.1 Existing Land Use ............................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.2 Topography ......................................................................................................................... 3-3 3.2.3 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.2.4 Ambient Air Quality ........................................................................................................... 3-4 3.2.5 Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................................ 3-5 3.2.6 Surface and Groundwater Quality ....................................................................................... 3-8 3.2.7 Geology ............................................................................................................................. 3-14 3.3 Socio-cultural Environment ...................................................................................................... 3-16 3.3.1 Socio-Economic Profile of the Project Area ..................................................................... 3-16 3.3.2 Existing Social Infrastructure ............................................................................................ 3-18 3.3.3 Noise Sensitive Receptors ................................................................................................. 3-20 ii EIA Report: Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project April 2018 3.3.4 Cultural Heritage ..............................................................................................................