F.No. 10-58/2010-IA-III Government of India Ministry of Environment & Forests (IA-III Division) Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003, Dated: 14th November, 2011 To Chief General Manager (LA), National Highways Authority of India, G- 5&6, Sector – 10, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075 Subject: Environmental Clearance for 6-Laning of Chilkaluripet to Nellore section of National Highway No-5 from Km 1182.802 to Km 1366.547 (including 10.125 Km long New Ongole bypass) in the state of Andhra Pradesh by M/s NHAI–Reg. This has reference to your letter No. 11013/1/2k/GM(Env)/110 dated 28.09.2011 seeking Environmental Clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006. The proposal has been appraised as per prescribed procedure in the light of provisions under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 on the basis of the mandatory documents enclosed with the application viz., the Form-I, EIA, EMP, Public Hearing proceedings and the additional clarifications furnished in response to the observations of the Expert Appraisal Committee constituted by the competent authority in its meetings held 17th – 18th October, 2011. 2. It is interalia, noted that the present project includes widening and up-gradation of the section of NH-5 from Km 1182+802 (at Tatapudi village of Chilakaluripet Mandal in Guntur District) to Km 1366+547 (at Kovour village of Kovur Mandal in SPSR Nellore District) from existing 4 lane to 6-lane configuration, and a new six lane Ongole bypass having a length of 10.125 Km. The project including new Ongole bypass is 183.620km. The entire project is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh and passes through the administrative boundary of Guntur, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore District. The Project road passes through major locations such as Marturu, Maddipadu, Muppavaram, Ongole, Pelluru, Tanguturu, Bitragunta, Ulavapadu in the district of Prakasam and Kavali, Rajupalem and Kovour of Ongole District in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Carriageway will be 2 x 10.75 m including Curb shyness, and paved Shoulders 1.5 m on either side of median. The Median width will be 4.5 m The project road is designed for speed of 100 km/hr for plain sections and 80 km/hr for rolling section. The project will be fully access control. The existing ROW of Project Road varies between 40m and 60 m. The proposed ROW is 66 in rural and open areas, 50 m in urban areas. For proposed new Onlgole bypass the proposed ROW is 80m. Land use pattern on either side of project area is predominantly agriculture, barren and built up. The land use pattern along the proposed ROW is predominantly agriculture and barren. The project would require acquisition of 270.98 Ha of additional land (186.02 Ha for main alignment and 84.96 Ha land for proposed Ongole Bypass) for the improvement of project road. 1104 Numbers (approx.) of structures will require to be demolished which includes 653 Number of Pucca House, 387 Number of Semipucca and 64 Kachha houses. The affected persons will be suitably compensated as per NPRR, 2007 and NHAI Act and Policy. There is not proposal of acquisition of forest land for widening of road to 6-lane configuration. There are 7 Water Tanks/Reservoirs (5 in Prakasam district and 2 in Nellore district) are falling within proposed ROW and partial acquisition of water tanks would be required to accommodate the desired width. About 32506 trees proposed to be felled for improvement of project road, against 97518 trees shall be planted as avenue plantation. The project road is crossing 11 streams including Mudigandi River, Musi River, Pelluru River, Manneru River etc. There are existing 108 Minor Bridge, 22 Major Bridge, 586 culverts. Out of existing 108 Minor Bridges 56 will be retained, 3 will be replaced with new 3 Lane Bridge and 34 bridges will be widened. 11 new minor bridges have been proposed. Out of 22 major bridges, 12 bridges is proposed to retain without widening; provision of 6 new 2-lane bridges parallel to existing bridges, 3 bridges will be widened and for 1 major bridge only wing wall will be provided. 1 six lane new major bridge is proposed at proposed Ongole bypass. The length of existing service road is only 13.529 Km. It is proposed to provide new service road along the highway section for a total length of 84.66 Km (42.33 Km on each side). Apart from this 13.520 km long cart track along Ongole Bypass is also proposed. The existing road has 2 underpasses including one Vehicular and one Cattle-pass. It is proposed to provide 47 new underpasses including 22 Pedestrian/cattle underpasses, 25 vehicular underpasses. 4 number of fly-overs; 2 on main alignment and 2 at Ongole By-pass have been proposed. The Project also includes safety Road and traffic safety measures such as MS Crash Barriers at 86 locations, 126 numbers of new bus shelters in addition to existing 92, street lights at 35 locations near junctions and settlement areas, provision of pedestrian guard railing between service roads and main carriageway at 14 locations covering a total length of 22.932 Km, 6 Truck lay-byes cum rest area (3 on LHS & 3 on RHS), and 6 way side amenity centers, have been provided. The project cost is Rs. 1422.13 crores, which includes civil construction cost of Rs. 1233.32 crores, Rs. 14.00 Crores Environmental cost and Rs 174.81 Crore for R&R Plan. Rs. 1002.24 crores for Main section. 3. The project was considered by the EAC in its 91st meeting held on 21st – 23rd September, 2010 and finalized the ToR. Public Hearing was conducted at the office of Revenue Divisional Office Kaveli of Nellore district on 21.06.2011, on 26.06.2011 at Tahsildar office, Ongole of Prakasam district and on 04.08.2011 at Mandal Parishad Pradmik Patasal, Tatapudi village, Chilakaluripet mandal in Guntur district. 4. The Expert Appraisal Committee, after due consideration of the relevant documents submitted by the project proponent and additional clarifications furnished in response to its observations, have recommended for the grant of Environmental Clearance for the project. Accordingly, the Ministry hereby accords necessary Environment Clearance for the above project as per the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and its subsequent amendments, subject to strict compliance of the terms and conditions as follows: 5. SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: (i) The project indicates cutting of 32506 trees for the widening of the road. Necessary prior permission shall be obtained for cutting of trees from the competent authority. Compensatory afforestation shall be carried out as per stipulated conditions of MoEF and State Forest Division. (ii) Rain water harvesting including oil and grease trap shall be provided. Water harvesting structures shall be located at every 500 mts along the road. Vertical drain type rainwater harvesting structures shall be set up to minimize surface runoff losses of rainwater. (iii) R&R shall be as per the guidelines of State/Central Government. (iv) IRC guidelines shall be followed for widening & up-gradation of road. (v) The responses/commitments made during public hearing shall be complied with letter and spirit. (vi) All the recommendation of the EMP shall be complied with letter and spirit. All the mitigation measures submitted in the EIA report shall be prepared in a matrix format and the compliance for each mitigation plan shall be submitted to MoEF along with half yearly compliance report to MoEF-RO. (vii) Green belt development shall be undertaken as suggested in EMP. (viii) Rain water harvesting including oil and grease trap shall be provided. Water harvesting structures shall be located at every 500 mts along the road. Vertical drain type rainwater harvesting structures shall be set up to minimize surface runoff losses of rainwater. (ix) The seismic nature of the area shall be taken into account while designing the project. (x) No ground water shall be used for the project. The project proponent shall obtain necessary permission from the State Irrigation Department before drawing water from the river sources for the purpose of the proposed construction activity. (xi) Sidewalk shall be provided along the bridges. (xii) The drain shall be at least 1 m. away from the toe of the embankment of the road adopting IRC guidelines. (xiii) Longitudinal drains shall be provided all along the project road to ensure proper drainage of the area. In addition, adequate number of under passes and culverts to act as cross drainage structures shall also be provided. (xiv) The solid waste generated shall be used for rehabilitating the borrow areas. (xv) For providing safety to the crossing animals and avoid road accidents speed breakers/rumbled strips shall be constructed at the identified locations of the animal movements. Enough hoardings and signages shall also be put up for the public and vehicles convenience. (xvi) Minimum of three times the number of trees to be cut shall be planted. It shall be ensured that the trees planted as a part of the afforestation shall be looked after by NHAI. Tree plantation shall be of the same species/local species and survival shall be monitored. Transplantation of trees shall be carried out wherever possible. The tree plantation shall be taken up on the extreme end of the road. (xvii) Necessary permission for tree felling from the concerned department shall be obtained before commencement of the project work and copies of the same shall be submitted to this Ministry. (xviii) Adequate number of underpasses shall be provided in the habitation areas. The details of such underpasses shall be provided to the Ministry within 6 months from the date of issue of this letter.