Project Implementation Agency Public Disclosure Authorized Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project Government of Puducherry Environmental Impact Assessment Study for Reconstruction and Modernization of Puduchery Fishing Harbour Public Disclosure Authorized April 2011 Public Disclosure Authorized WAPCOS Limited Public Disclosure Authorized EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. GENERAL The Puduchery fishing harbour is constructed on Ariyankuppam river mouth at Thengaithittu in Puducherry. At present 115 mechanized boats are operated from this fishing harbour. The other facilities available in this fishing harbour are 2 Nos. of Auction hall, Work shed, Diesel (bunk) outlet, Vehicle parking shed, Fishing boat repair yard, Fishing Harbour Management Society Office, One power room with 440 volts capacity receiving 315 KW power from transformer, Overhead tank capacity of 80,000 litres. Puducherry fisheries department proposes the reconstruction and modernization works in the existing fishing harbour at Puduchery to augument the above mentioned facilities for additional fish catch. The present document outlines the Executive Summary of the EIA study of Reconstruction and Modernization of Puducherry fishing harbor. 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed of Reconstruction and Modernization of Puducherry fishing harbor envisages the following facilities: Extension of Quay and providing appropriate fender on the quay. Modernisation of sloping yard Marine Mechanized Workshop Boat making and repairing yard Fish Processing Unit Ice Plant Treatment for discharge of effluent sullage 2.1 EXTENSION OF QUAY Puducherry Fishing Harbour has 119 wooden mechanized boats and 83 are FRB boats with inboard Engine. The total length of quay required for Mechanised and FRB boats shall be 540 m. A wharf of 330 m length is already available, and it is proposed to extend the wharf by another 200 m to accommodate additional number of boats. It is proposed to have the lower level for anchoring the FRP boats and to dredge upto -2.5m level on the basin side for facilitating the berthing of vessels without any hardship. 2.2 MODERNIZATION OF SLOPING YARD There is no proper rail arrangement and cradle system to receive the boats and there is no proper hauling system to beach the boat for repairing and the fisherman communities are finding great difficulty for beaching their vessel for repair. Following works are proposed for the modernization of sloping yard: Construction of cofferdam in front of the sloping hard to rectify the damage if any. The disturbed portion of the existing sloping hard floor is proposed for improvement. Providing CR100 Rail of 2.5 m at 3 m apart in sloping hard area, transfer bay area for the movement of transfer cradle and also in the boat making and repair yard. Providing winch room with winch of suitable capacity. Fabrication of sloping cradle, Boat trolley and Transfer cradle. There is no proper workshop for the repair of engines, propeller etc., and the fisherman find it difficult to repair them. Therefore, it is proposed to have one workshop at the harbour. 2.3 BOAT MAKING AND REPAIR YARD The proposed boat making and Repair Yard is placed at northern side of the sloping yard. It consists of 3 Bays on each side and each bay is provided with CR100 Rail arrangements. There is no boat making and repair yard at present in Puducherry and the fishermen are finding it difficult to build or repair the Boat. The fisherman has to go to Cuddalore for utilising the boat making and repair yard facilities. In this Boat making and Repair yard, 6 Nos. of Boats can be repaired or build at a time. 2.4 ICE PLANT WAPCOS Centre for Environment 1 As per CMFRI data the total fish catch at Puducherry is 26 tonne per day. Approximately 50% of total fish catch is considered for iceing, hence the total quantity of ice required at Puducherry harbor is estimated to be 53 tonnes. The ice plants available in Puducherry do not fulfill the ice requirement at Puducherry. Hence, it is proposed to provide a ice plant with a capacity of 50 tonnes per day. 2.5 FISH PROCESSING UNIT The fish process consists of mainly processing unit, freezing unit and chilled storage unit. It is proposed to have a fish processing unit of 6T capacity initially which will be expanded to 12T capacity at ultimate stage (year 2040) to process, freeze and preserve the low value fishes and to supply the same in the local market at higher cost. 2.6 NET MENDING SHED At present there is no proper net mending shed to mend their nets and the fishermen are using the existing auction halls for this purpose and therefore it is proposed to construct the same. 2.7 TREATMENT OF SULLAGE On the commencement of full-fledged commercial activity in modernised Puducherry fishing harbour, it is expected that around 750 fishermen (150 x 5) and around 250 outsiders may use the harbour. The average fish catch per day is 26 Tonnes and the total sullage expected to be generated in the fishing harbour is estimated as 40,000 litres/day. In addition, around 10,000 litres/day is expected to be generated in the pre-processing unit. Hence the total quantity of sullage likely to be generated in the Puducherry fishing harbour shall be 50,000 litres. It is proposed to provide a comprehensive sullage collection and treatment system . 2.8 DREDGING As per the Feasibility Report, during the Pre-stake holder’s meeting conducted on 24.04.2009, it was unanimously demanded to dredge the mouth as well as the fishing harbour area for navigation and berthing of vessels. A detailed Bathymetry survey to ascertain the depth available in front of the wharf and along the approach channel in the river was carried out. From the Bathymetry chart, it is seen that the depth available in front of the wharf and upto the tip of the break water is less than required. The total quantity of dredging envisaged is 272764 m3. The project layout map as superimposed on HTL/LTL map is enclosed as Figure-1. The Cost Estimate has been prepared and the total cost for the Puducherry Fishing Harbour has been estimated as Rs.1907.70 lakhs. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS The Study Area considered for the EIA study has been considered as the area within radius of 10 km considering the proposed project site at the centre. As a part of the EIA study, the baseline status has been ascertained for various aspects and the same is summarized in the following sections: 4.1 METEOROLOGY In the project area the average annual rainfall is 1245 mm. Majority of rainfall is received in the period from October to December. In the project area, the temperature starts increasing from February end and it reaches up to 37 oC. The average maximum and minimum temperatures during the summer season are 43 oC and 27 oC respectively. 4.2 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY The ambient air quality monitoring was carried out with a frequency of two samples per week at three locations in August / September, 2010. The parameters monitored as a part of the study are listed as below: • PM 10 • PM 2.5 • Sulphur dioxide (SO 2) WAPCOS Centre for Environment 2 • Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). 3 The PM 2.5 concentration varies from 21.46 to 31.68 µg/m at various stations Values of PM 10 ranged from 23.33 to 35.57 µg/m 3, which is below the prescribed limits of 60 µg/m 3 and 100 3 µg/m respectively. The concentration of SO 2 at various stations ranged from 5.21 to 8.59 3 3 µg/m , which is below the prescribed limits of 80 µg/m . Similarly NO X concentration was below detectable limits. 4.3 NOISE ENVIRONMENT Baseline noise levels were recorded at 3 locations in the study area and equivalent noise level were calculated. The day time noise level ranged from a minimum of 29 dB(A) to a maximum of 40 dB(A). The night time noise level ranged from a minimum of 26 dB(A) to a maximum of 33 dB(A), which area well below the permissible limit. 4.4 LANDUSE PATTERN The landuse pattern of the study area has also been studied using satellite data. The major portion of study area is occupied by water bodies (51.78%). Area under vegetation and agriculture accounts for about 17.29 % and 19.56 % of the total study area respectively. The settlements and barren area are about 3.62%, and 6.22 % respectively. 4.5 MARINE WATER QUALITY The temperature of the surface water samples ranged from 24°C to 26°C. pH value also did not exhibit insignificant variation and was in the range of 8.0 – 8.2. There is no fresh water influence was recorded during the time of collection and thus the salinity of surface water samples varied from 29 to 31 ppt. The DO values recorded in the four stations ranged from 4.20 mg/l to 4.60 mg/l. Biochemical Oxygen Demand varied from 1.04 to 1.35 mg/l. The phosphate and nitrates concentrations varied between 0.329 to .538 µmol/l and 1.071 to 1.115 µmol/l respectively. Major Elements and Trace Metals The concentration of cadmium in the water samples varied from 0.19 to 0.31 µg/l. The concentration of Zinc in the study areas varied between12.0 to 13.80 µg/l. The estimated concentrations of lead ranged from 3 to 4.2 µg/l. The mercury level varied from 12 mg/l to 13 mg/l. 4.6 Sediment Quality The pH of sediments at various samples ranged from 8.1 to 8.2.