DRAFT EIA Report-Phase 1A of Multimodal River Water Terminal at Ramnagar, Varanasi, U.P., India INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA 33333333333 Ministry of Shipping, Government of India DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT - PHASE 1A OF MULTIMODAL RIVER WATER TERMINAL AT RAMNAGAR, VARANASI, U.P. INDIA Prepared by: EQMS -AIAID – IRGSSA JV EQMS – IRGSSA – AIAID JV 1 DRAFT EIA Report-Phase 1A of Multimodal River Water Terminal at Ramnagar, Varanasi, U.P., India Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ 6 1.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Project Background ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.3. Project Description ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.4. Connectivity, Surroundings & Sensitivity of the Project Site .................................................... 8 1.5. Project Activities and Area Statement ......................................................................................... 8 1.6. Resources and Utilities Demand for Off-Site Developments ................................................... 9 1.7. Baseline and Social Environment .............................................................................................. 11 1.8. Environment and Social Impacts of the Proposed Project ..................................................... 14 1.9. Environmental Management Plan .............................................................................................. 14 2. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................41 2.1. Prelude ........................................................................................................................................... 41 2.2. Project Background ...................................................................................................................... 42 2.3. Project Brief ................................................................................................................................... 43 2.4. Need for the Proposed Project ................................................................................................... 45 2.5. Need of Study................................................................................................................................ 46 2.6. Scope and Methodology of the Study ....................................................................................... 47 2.7. Limitation of the Study ................................................................................................................. 47 2.8. Structure of the Report ................................................................................................................ 48 2.9. References .................................................................................................................................... 49 3. LEGISLATIVE, REGULATION AND POLICY CONSIDERATION .........................................51 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 51 3.1.1. Overview of Indian Environmental Legislation and Administrative Framework ............... 51 3.1.2. Applicable Environmental Legislation .................................................................................... 52 3.2. International Best Practices & Guidelines................................................................................. 60 3.2.1. Operational Policies of World Bank ........................................................................................ 60 3.2.2. Relevant International Environmental Convention ............................................................... 62 3.2.2.1. International Maritime Organization Conventions ............................................................. 62 3.2.2.2. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Montego Bay, (1982): .................. 63 3.2.2.3. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG-code) ........................................ 64 3.3. Environmental Standards & Guidelines .................................................................................... 64 3.3.1. Guideline, Standard and recommendations as published by Environmental Committee of PIANC ................................................................................................................................................ 65 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................66 4.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 66 4.2. Location, Access and Layout of the Project ............................................................................. 66 4.3. Proposed Development ............................................................................................................... 67 4.4 Capacity and features of the project ...................................................................................... 75 4.5 Material handling and other Facilities.................................................................................... 78 4.7 Waste management ................................................................................................................. 78 4.8 Other features ........................................................................................................................... 78 EQMS – IRGSSA – AIAID JV 2 DRAFT EIA Report-Phase 1A of Multimodal River Water Terminal at Ramnagar, Varanasi, U.P., India 5. : DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT (EVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL BASELINE) .......79 5.1. Prelude ........................................................................................................................................... 79 5.2. Site Description and Its Environs ............................................................................................... 80 5.3. Geology, Topgraphy & Drainage, Hydrology, Hydrogeology ................................................. 81 5.4. Meteorology ................................................................................................................................... 88 5.5. Ambient Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 90 5.5.1. Analysis of Ambient Air Quality ........................................................................................... 93 5.6. Ambient Noise Quality ................................................................................................................. 94 5.6.1. Analysis of Ambient Noise Quality ..................................................................................... 95 5.7. Trafic Assessment & Site Connectvity ...................................................................................... 95 5.8. Surface and Ground Water Quality ............................................................................................ 95 5.9. Soil Quality ..................................................................................................................................... 98 5.10. Land Use ................................................................................................................................... 100 5.11. Biological Environment ............................................................................................................ 102 5.11.1. Flora .................................................................................................................................... 102 5.11.2. Fauna .................................................................................................................................. 109 5.11.3. Kashi Turtle Sanctuary ..................................................................................................... 112 5.11.4. Aquatic Ecosystem ........................................................................................................... 116 5.12. Social Impact Assessment ...................................................................................................... 124 5.12.1. Tourism and Heritage ....................................................................................................... 132 6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ............................................................................................ 137 6.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 137 6.2. Impact Identification ................................................................................................................... 137 6.3. Impact on Climate ....................................................................................................................... 139 6.4. Impact Due to Natural Disaster ................................................................................................ 140 6.5. Impact on Air Environment .......................................................................................................