Public Disclosure Authorized NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA · NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA Nawtm Trnk Route im, (Rajn MargmU)n)-/ Grand Trunk RodIprvmn Proj'ect i1n.diependent

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIANawtm Trnk Route im

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The Independent Review of Environmental Assessment and Consolidation of EnvironmentalAssessment & Management Plans and Resettlement Action Plans consists of:

VOLUME I: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

VOLUME IA: ANNEXURES TO EIA

VOLUME II: INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT

VOLUME III: AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT

VOLUME IV: NOISE QUALITY ASSESSMENT

VOLUME V: ROAD LANDSCAPE AND TREE TRANSPLANTATION PLAN

VOLUME VI: CONSTRUCTION PERIOD ROAD SAFETY PLAN

VOLUME VII: GAUTAM BUDDHA WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Lea Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd.Lea Associates

New Delh7i_Z\7,C

Independent Review ReportGrand Trunk Road Improvement Project

Contents

1.1 PURPOSE 1

1.2 SAFEGUARD POLICIES 1

1.3 EA & SA METHODOLOGY 2

1.4 REVIEW FINDINGS AND COMPLIANCE 3

1.5 SPECIFIC FINDINGS 10

1.6 ADDITIONAL STUDIES 12

1.7 CONCLUSIONS 13

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1. INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT

1.1 PURPOSE

The Environmental and Social Assessments for the GTRP have been carried out as part of theproject preparation by the Design Consultants of the individual project packages. The EA andSA preparation activities for the project, started in 1998, were carried out in accordance to theOperational Directives of the WB. The Operational Policies of the WB that had come intoexistence from 1999 i.e., O.P. 4.01 require an Independent EA expert to carry out the EA forCategory A projects. However, as the project preparation / EA studies had already commenced,the EA preparation by an Environment and social team independent of the Design Consultantswas not possible.

The purpose of this independent review has been to carry out an independent evaluation of thebase EA work for the proposed project and confirm whether the EA has been carried out withoutany bias or influence from the project authorities or engineering design consultants and beenable to influence the project design by mainstreaming the key environment and social issues.

1.2 SAFEGUARD POLICIESSix of the ten safeguard policies have been triggered due to this project. Each of thesesafeguard policies have been adequately addressed and measures recommended.

Table 1: GTRP - Compliance to WB Safeguard Policies

Safeguard Policy Triggered by Projects Compliance to

WB Policies

Environmental Cumulative magnitude of the environmental and social impacts Comprehensive Environment andAssessment due to the project Social Assessment carried out. EMPs

COP 4.01, BP 4.01, and RAPs prepared for implementationGP 4 01) of environmental mitigation, corrective

and positive actions.

Natural Habitats GTRP impacts the following critical habitats Natural Habitats identified and

(OP 4.04, BP 4.04, GP 2 Agra Reserved Forest- Contract Package I A, between km management and policing policies4.04) 204.0 and km 206.0, suggested integrated with EMPs andRAP

* Kaimur Hills Reserved Forests- Contract Package IV C,along Sasaram bypass

* Gautama Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary - Contract PackageVB, between km 242.0 and km 260.0.

Forestry GTRP envisages the diversion of forest lands in Forest areas identified and mitigation

(OP 4,36, GP 4.36) 2 Agra Reserved Forest- Contract Package I A, between km uded n P actions204.0 and km 206.0,inlddnEM

* Kaimur Hills Reserved Forests- Contract Package IV- C,along Sasaram bypass

Cultural Property * Package I A falls entirely within the Ta; Trapezium Cultural Property and Protected

(OPN 11.03) * Several cultural properties as shrines, temples within the monuments and Heritage siteInfluence Area., enhancements and mitigation

measures and designs worked out and* A few archaeological monumentsisites none of which are included in EMPs for implementation

impacted by the project

Indigenous Peoples A total of 66 Scheduled Tribe Households to be impacted Additional support mechanisms to the

(OD 4.20) indigenous households affectedworked out in SA.

Invcluntary Resettlement * The GTRP affects 11,155 families, of whom 6,614 families Comprehensive SA carried out and

(OD 4.20) will be displaced. R&R for RAP prepared

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1.3 EA AND SA METHODOLOGYA consolidation of the Base EA and SA documents has been carried out addressing and fillingthe gaps and deficiencies of the base documents. The salient findings of the review of the basereports and the addressal of these issues in the Consolidated report are presented in Table 2.

Table2: EA and SA Process for the Project

EAISA Process for the Review Findings from Base EA and SA. Addressal by the Consolidated EAJSAProject

Environmental and social The outputs/findings of the PreliminaryScreening Environmental and Social Screening study have

been adequately addressed in the Detailed designstage of the project.

Baseline environmental The baseline status for the various Project To achieve homogeneity in terms of baselineand Social status Packages shows inconsistency in depth and conditions, the baseline status has been updated on

extent of coverage of the environmental and social basis of field visits and primary surveys.issues. To establish benchmarks on the baseline

The environmental surveys carried out, in the environmental status and to validate the earlierabsence of any uniform methodology, do not surveys, an extensive monitoring network has beenrepresent the existing status. worked out for air, noise, water and soil.

A complete census (100 % of the PAPs) and Consolidated RAP, strengthens the findings from thebaseline Socio economic surveys (for 25% of the surveys with inputs frDm individual consultants andPAPs) have been carried out. Although the NHAI.surveys were conducted following a uniformmethodology the analysis of the findings has beenweak.

Identification of Potential The direct impacts due to the proposed project Additional direct and induced impacts due to theImpacts have been discussed in the EA. However, the project have been identified. Quantification of

impacts have not been adequately addressed for impacts has been carried out for air, noise qualityissues such as air and noise quality, and run-off etc, depletion of water resources etc

The SA process has identified the impacts due to The induced development due to the project alongthe project., however analysis of the same has the various settlements has been assessed.been weak

Community Consultation Community Consultation with the project affected The Consolidated EA report has structured andand Public Disclosure and the various stakeholders has been carried out documented the Community consulttion process.

during all stages of project preparation. It has been To ensure that the community has been consulted,used as a decision making tool at all the stages of as part of the primary surveys, the project affectedthe Project. The various issues raised during these and the other stakeholders have been verified atsessions have been incorporated into the final certain locations along the Corridor.designs.

The consultation has been conducted using acommon approach at state, district and local level.

Analysis of Alternative Analysis of Alternatives has been taken up as part The consolidated EA discusses how environmentalalignments of the feasibility study and EA process. However, and social parameters form a part of the criteria for

the documentation of the findings of the same, analysing alternatives with the objective ofespecially for the new bypass alignments, has not minimizing environmental and social impacts. It alsobeen specifically and adequately addressed in the shows a comparison of feasible alternatives to theBase EA reports. proposed project with respect to site, technology,

design. Evaluation has been carried out for "withand without" project scenario.

Mitigation Measures Mitigation guidelines and measures have been Additional mitigation measures and designs haveproposed to mitigate certain adverse been prepared as part of the Consolidated EAenvironmental impacts due to the prolect. However report.the guidelines have not been translated into Detailed BoQ and specifications have been preparedimplementable action plans or designs. for the same for inclusion in the EMPs so as to

Mitigation of adverse social impacts such as ensure implementation.restoration of income, loss of livelihood and Implementation arrangements were furtherproperty, assistance to vulnerable groups etc have elaborated to ensure restoration of livelihoodbeen addressed in accordance with the R&Rpolicy of NHAI

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EAISA Process for the Review Findings from Base EA and SA. Addressal by the Consolidated EAJSAProject

Environmental The Base EAs have proposed positive Environmental Enhancements have been worked outEnhancements enhancement actions but these are conceptual, in integration with the engineering design and have

not specifically addressed and therefore cannot been included in the EMPform part of the EMP. Conceptual enhancements Site-specific Enhancement designs have beenhave been proposed for water bodies and cultural prepared for locations identified during the primaryproperties, with no specific designs or surveys. Environmental enhancements have beenspecifications. proposed for cultural properties, water bodies, Bus

stops, Truck Parking Lay Bys, community resources.

Detailed BoQ and specifications have been preparedfor the same for inclusion in the EMPs so as to

l ensure implementation.

Implementation The implementation arrangements for the EA and Additional capacity building of the NHAI to addressArrangements SA have been addressed. the environmental and social issues has been

Workshop for R&R was conducted as part of worked out.capacity building of NHAI officials and training Training needs for Environment and Socialneed for RAP implementation management units at both corporate and field level

have been worked out.

Environmental The Package specific EMPs give generic To ensure the implementation of the variousManagement Plans and measures for implementation. No supporting mitigation measures proposed, typical and site-Resettlement Action Plan mechanism has been included which ensures specific designs with BOQ and specifications have

implementation of these measures been built in the EMPs.

Environment and Social performance indicatorsidentified. Monitoring mechanism and ProgressReporting system prepared.

1.4 REVIEW FINDINGS AND COMPLIANCEThe specific issues/gaps identified as part of the review and their addressal in the ConsolidatedEA is provided in Table 3.

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Table 3: Review Findings and Compliance

Environmental and social Review Findings Addressal by the Consolidated EA/SAIssues

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

A AIR

The individual ElAs have worked out the Environment Budget.However the budget was inadequate as all the related Detailed Package wise EIA budgets have been prepared and included in the EMPs. Additional

1 EIA Budget environmental mitigations have not been worked out and costed. budgeting has been done for items such as environmental enhancements, environmentalComponents of the RAP budget as the provision of resettlement mitigations, redevelopment of Borrow Areas, Tree Transplantation, etc.sites etc., have not been accounted for.

The AAQ monitoring results indicate inconsistency due to absence To establish benchmarks on the baseline environmental status and to validate the earlier surveys,

Baseline Ambient of a common monitoring procedure. an extensive AAQ monitoring network has been worked out.2 Air Quality Discrepancies in FrequencyDurationmethodofThe methodology for the monitoring instruments and techniques has been in accordance to the2 Air quality Discrepancies In Frequency/Duration/method of monitoring/and guidelines laid by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India.Monitoring distances of the HVS above ground level etc observed

The first row of receptors are those who will be continuously subject to traffic air quality impacts,therefore all monitoring to be carried out at the first row of receptors.

Locations for Objective of conducting Air Quality not highlighted from selection Monitoring station selected Near sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, forest areas,conduct of Air of monitoring locations as monitoring was conducted at centre or sanctuaries e, Within urban areas and congested stretches, not being bypassed, rural areas withQuality Monitoring edge of CW, which cannot be used to validate baseline pollution a pristine environment and along the proposed bypass alignment to establish baseline air quality

levels, as no standards exist for air quality at roadside kerbs. at sensitive locations

Also, monitoring conducted at major road intersections, ascending portions of vertical curves,sharp curves, At locations where the pavement has high roughness and at depressed sections inorder to be able to compare post project levels with improved road geometrics with pre projectroad conditions.

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Independent Review ReportGrand TrLnk Road Improvement Project


CALINE-4, an updated and expanded version of CALINE-3, developed by the CaliforniaDepartment of Transportation, has been used for predicting pollutant concentrations due to the

No modeling of impact on Air quality during the life of the project proposed bypass. CALINE 4 is based on the Gaussian equation and employs a mixing zoneModeding for done except in package VB, where the prediction has been carried cQncept to characterize pollutant dispersion over the highway.

Impacts on Air out purely based on the emission loads likely due to the proposed The input parameters for the modelling has been deduced from the proposed improvements to theQuality traffic, with no consideraton of the Improvements proposed to the highway, predicted traffic levels, emission factors of the different vehicle modes (worked out by the

existing highway. Indian Institute of Petroleum Research, Dehradun).

Pollution levels predicted at the sensitive receptors locations for years 2004, 2014 and 2024

The entire stretch falling within the Taj Trapezium is to conform to the standards laid down forsensitive areas. The existing concentrations for SPM and exhaust gases exceed the permissible

Baseline air quality status in the Taj established. limits.

The prediction of air quality in the Taj Trapezium which is a crucial The results of the prediction of air quality in the Taj Trapezium area for years 2004, 2014 and 2024

Air Quality in the Ta) issue (SO2 and NOx dissolve in water to form sulphuric and nitric indicate that by 2015, the area within 1 00m on either side along the road in the Taj Trapezium will6 Tfapezium zne acids respectively, both of which have the potential to dissolve exceed the prescribed limits for SPM.

TrPeimzn marble (CaC 03), and can be a potential threat to the Taj Mahal)marble (CaCO3)an can be a otential theattotheTajMahal) The consolidated EIA suggests acquisition of additional 1 Om of land on either side of the project

Mitigation measures in Base EIA propose plantation of 10 trees for road to plant pollution resistant species to mitigate the impacts of increased S02 and NOx levels.

every tree felled along the ro,ad in the Taj trapezium zone. Also dense plantation to screen pollution has been proposed and detailed Landscape Plan hasbeen prepared for the same as part of the Consolidated EIA.

B WATER

Baseline Status of Baseline Status of Water quality established in the direct influence A water pollution monitoring network established to validate the earlier monitoring results, for water1 Water Resources zone of the project resources (Rivers and Nallahs) and Ground Resources (Wells, Hand Pumps and Tube wells) in

the direct influence zone of the Project

2 Impairment of water Although the impact on water quality has been envisaged The Consolidated EiA study proposes typical mitigation designs to minimize contamination of2 Quality mitigation measures or corrective actions have not been specific water sources during construction and operation period and Included them in the EMPs.and adequately addressed

The issue of use of water during construction has not been The Consolidated EIA estimates the average demand for water use due to the proposed3 Depletion of water specifically addressed. Keeping in view that the new two lanes is construction and estimated the impact on the water resources.

resources to be of concrete, the issue of water used for construction A reporting mechanism has also been prepared to keep a check on the water sources beingbecomes significant. tapped during construction to ensure no community resources are being exploited for the same.

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Independent Review ReportGra-nd Trunk Road Improvement Project


Impacts on Imnpacts quantified in the Base EIAs. Number of resources to be Additional typical mitigation and enhancement designs prepared for the community resources toImpacts~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~h be impacted naeluelsannanbumsloaed in the RoW. Specifi desibns hav bncs o e bem4 Community Water impacted identified and quantified, However mitigation for the Worked out for vaous categories of wels pand chated n the ioWh SpecBfic designf have oeen

Sources impacts has not been specifically and adequately addressed included in the EMPs.

C NOISE

Baseline Noise The monitoring results of existing noise levels indicate A noise-monitoring network was established to validate the existing noise levels and to establishI levels inconsistency and do not reflect the ground realites due to more benchmarks across the project road.

absence of a common monitoring procedure.

Operational noise for the highway is predicted through the model developed by Federal HighwayAdministration, Department of Transportation of the U.S.

Modeling for No prediction of noise levels during the operation stage of the Likely noise levels at various receptor locations predicted through FHWA noise model, based on

2 Prediction of Noise project has been done, except in Package VB where the predicted the future traffic conditions, and the proposed improvements due to the project.Impacts noise levels have been worked out as a function of the increased The input parameters for the modelling have been worked out based on the predicted traffictraffic due to the project. volumes, absorption coefficients of the adjoining surfaces and the distance of the sensitive

receptor location from the highway.

Pollution levels predicted at the sensitive receptors locations for years 2004, 2014 and 2024.

Noise barriers have been proposed at certain sensitive receptor Noise barriers have been designed for sensitive receptors. The design, materials and height of he

3 Mitigation measures locations. The design, rationale for the provision of the barrier at barrier have been worked out using Sound 32 model. Also, detailed specifications and Boms havethe location, or the effectiveness of the barrier has not been been worked out is included in the EMPs to ensure implementation.specifically and adequately addressed.

D LAND

The baseline of the Borrow Areas has been found to be Due to significant variations in the baseline for the various borrow area locations, the possibility ofsignificantly altered. Most of the lands identified for borrowing the utility of these areas for borrow areas need to be ascertainedhave already been levelled or borrowed for brick kilns. Typical Designs have been worked out for the redevelopment of borrows areas.

The Base EIA does not address the issue of redevelopment of Discussions with the Panki Thermal Power Plant Authorities and the National Fly Ash Mission1 BorrowArea borrow areas after construction together with a study on the properties of fly ash available identified Fly ash as a suitable

Redeveiopment embankment fill material for the project. The Independent review has explored the suitability ofusing fly ash in the stretch of NH-2 near Kanpur as an alternative to use of earth as fill material. Fly

Package 11 B, has disapproved the use of fly ash as an ash from Panki Thermal Power Station (PTPS) Kanpur has been proposed for use in this stretch.embankment fill material for the project. This decision has been The Consolidated EIA finds the Fly Ash from the Panki Power plant suitable and recommends thebased on a report prepared by lIT Kanpur. use of fly ash in the proposed project.

The proposed road construction shall involve dismantling of the Reuse of construction debris from the dismantling of the existing pavement has been proposed in

2 Disposal of existing pavement in addition to construction of the new two lanes. the consolidated EA subject to the suitability of the material.Construction Debris The EA does not address the issue of disposal of construction Areas have been identified for the dumping of construction wastes, and adequate protection

debris measures have been worked out for the same.

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Environmental and social Review Findings Addressal by the Consolidated EAISA

Issues

E FLORA

A detailed Landscape Plan has been worked out based on the Landscape Strategy of the NHAIprepared for the TNHP. The Landscape Plan has been included in the EMPs to ensure

Landscape strategy for the planting along the roadside has not implementation.been worked out. In addition the study has prepared a progress and monitoring mechanism for the landscape works.

Tree species suitable for plantation have been identified in thebase EA The entire project road has been categorized into homogenous landscape sections, based on

which detailed plantation schemes have been worked out for junctions, medians, and urban andrural stretches along the road.

Compensatory To compensate for trees felled during the project compensatory Over and above compensatory afforestation to mitigate for felled trees the consolidated EIA study2. Afforestation afforestation involving replacement of every tree cut with two trees has proposed transplantation of suitable and significant trees

has been proposed.

The EA process has evaluated the status of the Forest and To prevent dumping of garbage in the reserved forest and also on the Kanpur Bypass the3 Agra reserved identified key environmental issues. The Base EA identifies consolidated EIA study proposes site-specific mitigation design complete with BoQ and

Forest dumping of garbage in the Agra reserved Forest, but offers no specifications of barrier for prevention of dumping in the RoW.specific mitigation or corrective measure for the same.

Kaimur hills The EA process has evaluated the status of the Forest andReserved forest identified key environmental issues.

F FAUNA

The Consolidated EA has suggested the additional provisions for mitigating any adverse impactson the wildlife within the sanctuary:

Addressing the water scarcity problem within the sanctuary by increasing the storage capacity ofA detailed study on the wildlife impacts within the sanctuary has the existing ponds, Construction of new check dams etc.

Gautanm Buddha been carried out as part of the EA process. Mitigation measuresWild Life Sanctuary have been suggested, as the provision of underpasses for animal Designs and specifications worked out for the various barriers worked out to regulate the access to

crossing, provision of water holes for the animals. the sanctuary.Animal Underpasses have been provided at locations where the project road intersects majorwildlife corridors. Additionally all other culverts shall also function as Animal Underpasses.

A wildlife sanctuary management fund has been provided for ensuring monitoring duringconstruction and operation stages of the project.

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SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

The individual RAPs have worked out the Resettlement Budget. A detailed structure for the RAP budget has been worked out, wherein all entitlements / assistanceThe budget has not covered all the entitlements and assistance previded for in the R&R Policy for the project have been budgeted. The revised budget has been

1 R& R Budget that have been provided for in the R&R Policy for the GTRP. subsequently updated in the individual RAPs.Components of the RAP budget as the provision of resettlementsites etc have not been accounted for.

Communty consultation has been carried out at various locations As part of the surveys carried out during the course of the consolidation exercise, discussionsalong the corridor. The issues raised during the various community were held at certain critical locations with the community, to ascertain whether communityconsultation sessions have been incorporated into the project consultation has actually been conducted, and the relevant stakeholders are informed of the

2 Community design. proposed actions.Consultation However, the issues raised and the efforts taken to the A documentation of the various issues raised and the design measures suggested have been

minimisation of the adverse social and environmental impacts have documented for the entire project corridor and have been graphically repnot been documented properly.

The .oodirvmtsaliueeespecially Based on population trends from Census data and various secondary sources, the developmentThe proposed improvements shall induce development, trends and growth pattern for the various settlements along the corridor have been established.3 InducedfRibbon around the major settlement stretches. The issue of induced Based on the likely magnitude of growth, the corridor has been divided into stretches of various

Development development due to the project has not been specifically policy zones. For each policy zone, control guidelines have been worked out. These zones shalladdressed in the base EA / RAP reports. be reie nacrac

be refined In accordance

Enhancement of cultural properties has been proposed. However, Enhancement measures for the individual cultural properties have been worked out for variousEnhancement of cultural properties has been proposed. However, locations. For each of these locations, designs have been prepared and Boo worked out.these proposals are conceptual and no specific designs have been

4 Enhancement of worked out. Lump sum provisions have been budgeted in the Typical enhancement measures have been worked out for all cultural properties along the corrdor,Cultural Properties EMPs. the enhancement of these have been worked Detailed working drawings supported by detailed

BoQ and specifications have been prepared based on topographic survey of the locations. Allenhancement and mitigation measures have been included in the EMPs

Construction period The construction schedule has not been made as part of the The study has prepared a construction period workers and road users safety plan. The safety plan5 Safetyuclan project preparation but shall be the onus of the contractor during has been supplemented with a monitoring mechanism to ensure implementation of safety

Safety plan construction period measures during construction in the work zones.

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Survey has been conducted and 66 indigenous families have been6 Indigenous People identified as affected during project preparation Although data has Special provisions for the policy have been elaborated in the RAP.

been gathiered the analysis pertinent to the same is weak.

As part of the Consolidation exercise, various similar case studies carried out for highway projectsin India have been analysed.

The base reports, has not adequately addressed the issue of Specific actions to be taken up in GTRP for the control of STD as Information campaign, co-7 Hghway Diseases highway diseases along the corridor,. No study or primary surveys ordination with other agencies, proper measures at the construction camps, rest areas etc have

Highway iseases have been carried out to establish a baseline scenario for the been proposed.issue.

A budgetary provision has been made in the RAP budget to address the issue of highwaydiseases.

The Consolidated RAP has worked out special provisions for the women headed households to beThe base RAP reports has addressed the gender issue and impacted due to the project.

8 Gender Issues collected baseline information for the same. However the analysis Women's involvement in the development process has been worked out through empowerment inof the data is inadequate. various areas, as by the involvement of women in the various project preparation activities,

encouraging participation of women in NGOs, in the contractors team etc,

A study of the various poverty alleviation programmes of the Gol has been carried out.

The beneficial impacts of the GTRP that will alleviate the poverty in the region have beenThe corridor passes through the two most underdeveloped states assessed, and the benefits likely to result have been worked out.

9 Poverty alleviation of the country. Adequate addressal of the poverty alleviation Income restoration and socio-economic enhancement of the project affected, especially themeasures has not been suggested. vulnerable groups have been suggested as part of the RAP.

To assess the effectiveness of the measures suggested, a benefit study of the road users and theroadside communities to understand the poverty reduction through GTRP has been suggested.

Review/Design of The individual EA Reports have suggested the provision of bus The consolidated EA has undertaken a review of locations of bus stops along the project road. As10 Stops stops at several locations. However, no detailed designs have part of the exercise informal bus stop locations were reviewed. Design of existing bus shelters was

_ Bus Stops been worked out. reviewed and new typical designs proposed for the project road.

Typical layout for construction camps has been worked out.

Constructio The various requirements for the construction camps and the Additional specifications with respect to the environmental and social safeguards at the12 Constructon provisions to be done for the safety of the workers have been construction sites have been added in the contract clauses.

addressed. Provisions for the better quality of life for the residents of the construction camps have beenproposed.

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1.5 SPECIFIC FINDINGS

® Kanpur Bypass

The review has the following observations on the Kanpur bypass:1. The alignment along the Kanpur bypass has been proposed to be a raised carriageway

(3m to 6m). This massive structure, running for a length of 25.1km, severs thecommunities totally and is obtrusive from the point of view of urban aesthetics.

2. The earthwork required for such a structure is overwhelming and shall result in a lotmore borrowing of earth. The locations of borrow areas /availability of earth forconstruction is an issue.

There is no data in the reports of Package Il-B to defend this structure (such as pedestriancount, accident hazard rates, etc). Other cheaper options explored by the review may be-

1. Most of the carriageway can be at grade, with continuous barriers (with crush barriers)for the entire length, except for the locations, where level crossings! flyovers/underpasses are needed. Approximate calculations indicate that the length of the locallyraised section may be 5.6km (instead of 25.1km) and a saving of about Rs.150crore. Ithas been seen that such an arrangement will not result in a roller coaster effect.

2. There are urban sections, where instead of 3m underpass, pedestrian subways couldbe possible solutions. There are methods of preventing flooding of the subway, and asubway is less costly than a combination of raised carriageway and an underpass.

3. Instead of 3m raised sections, or a section with continuous barrier, a 0.6m high-raisedsection (with 1 m high railing already provided) will be equally effective to segregate thelocal and the through traffic. By reducing the height to 0.6m, the savings would be aboutRs. 140crore.

4. As this is not an expressway, making the locally originated/destined traffic travel 20kmor more to get into the road is an unrealistic proposition. Truck traffic generated at sayShyamnagar Junction (km488) and bound to Agra has to travel 15km on the serviceroad to get into the main carriageway. Some junctions and slip roads/ lanes on eitherdirection need to be designed.

S Etawah Bypass

The Etawah Bypass (km321.10-393.00) proposed in Package I-C shall be taken upindependently of the GTRIP. The Implementation of the Etawah Bypass is crucial to ensuringthe consistency across the whole of the Grand Trunk Road Project. Accordingly the status ofthe Etawah Bypass assumes significance.

Status of Land Acquisition: The UP PWD has completed the land Acquisition for the EtawahBypass for the entire length of the Bypass as per Land Acquisition Estimate sanctioned byMOST vide job No. 2681/UP dated August 1976.The land has been acquired under Phase I of7.3km in 45m width and for Phase II i.e., remaining 6.3km for 60m width.

Status of Environmental Clearance: Also, the UP Pollution Board has issued the environmentalclearance vide Letter .No G-11665/C-5/NOC/235/2000,dated 15-09-2000

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Independent Review ReportGrand Trunk Road Impravement Project

Status of Tree Cutting: For Phase I the proposal is pending with the Government of UP for finalnotification of Tree cutting for Etawah District (this includes the tree cutting for Phase I). In thisregard letter has been written to Principal Secretary Forest Department. Vide this office letter noWB-III/PD(Agra)?03/VI/785 dated 16-11-2000.For Phase II, very few tree cutting is required Asthe forest is not deemed as a protected forest the clearance shall be given by the DFO and isbeing pursued and is likely to be cleared soon.

Status of R&R: RAP has taken care of R&R issues. Verification of PAPs and PDPs is requiredto be done by deputing NGO.

® Flyover at Ram Bagh Intersection

The proposed flyover above the Agra-Aligarh road is likely to impact its surrounding environ,especially Rambagh Garden to the north of the existing road. The issue is sensitive keeping inview that the Ram Bagh Garden is an Archaeological Site protected by ASI.

The engineering design suggests a span arrangement of 6x22.2m approach spans, and a1x42.2m central span. From the point of view of urban aesthetics, it is desirable that theapproach spans immediately on either side of the central span be equal to the central span. Thereduction of span in approach spans should generally be gradual with proper transition.Although gradual reduction in spans may increase the cost marginally, it will improve theaesthetics of the structure.

Given the proximity of the ASI protected monument, it would be important not to use pre-castpiles driven piles. Our recommendation would be the use of cast-in-situ bored piles. The abovetwo recommendations would be useful not only in environmental conservation, but are alsomore likely to be more acceptable solutions to the ASI.

Provision of Rest areas

In the individual EIA reports, Rambagh and Budiya ka Taal (Package I) both of which areprotected and archaeological sites have been proposed as Rest Areas. Given the facilityrequirements of Rest Areas on highways, which should ideally include motel hotels, restaurants,public conveniences, parking for heavy vehicles, repair and service shops, the sanctity andambience of these places are likely to be destroyed. Therefore, the review has recommendedthe identification of alternate site for rest areas. Guidelines, standards and specifications for thelocation of rest areas have been worked out in the Consolidated EA Report.

( Impact on Step Well at km in 327.6 on South side in Package IC

The proposed Project shall impact an ancient step well at the above-mentioned location. Afterdetailed discussions with the Project Director, it has been agreed upon that the alignment shallbe worked out on the opposite direction to avoid impacting this structure.

Micro- Habitat in Waterlogged Area

In Package IB at km307.4 on the north is a perennial waterlogged area, which seems to haveevolved into a microhabitat area of sorts with local diversity of flora, fauna and avian fauna seenand reported during the primary surveys. The proposed road alignment shall impact it. Thereview suggested that the road design should be revisited to realign the stretch and save themicrohabitat area. It has been agreed upon by the NHAI that the alignment will be routed toavoid impacting this waterlogged area.

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® Use of Fly Ash as Embankment Fill material in the GTRP

The review has identified sources of Fly Ash in close proximity to the Project Road. A paper hasalso been prepared an annexed in the Consolidated EIA on the suitability of Fly Ash (PondBottom Ash) from the Panki Thermal Power Plant in Kanpur for use as an embankment Fillmaterial in GTRP. This Review stresses upon the use of fly ash as an embankment fill material.Fly Ash has been successfully use in other projects in the country. A report from the reviewconsultants found the physical properties of the Panki Power Plant is adequate in strength etcand is comparable to the fly ash used in other successful project in the country. The review alsopoints out that the use of polythene. bags; etc is not required, as reported by Package Il-Bconsultants, and suggested earth sandwiched fly ash embankment. Additionally, cost of usingfly ash will be substantially less than using earth (cost of using earth is inclusive of the cost ofredevelopment of borrow areas, in addition to procurement and transportation of earth)

Moreover, this Review would also like to draw attention to the ministry of Environment andForests notification of 14 September 1999 which says that thermal Power Plants shall makeavailable fly ash without payment for a period of 10 years (from 1999) .The timing of the Projectand the location of the Thermal Power Plants in the vicinity of the project corridor create aopportune moment to make maximum utilisation of fly ash (pond bottom ash).

1.6 ADDITIONAL STUDIESThe following additional studies are recommended as part of the GTRP to evaluate the impactson critical envir.onmental and social issues due to the project. The findings of these studies willneed to be implemented, by appropriately incorporating into the project design.

The GTRP is the most ancient/historic transport route in the country dating back to 15th CenturyB.C. The independent review proposes a study on the GT Road to re-establish the historicsignificance of this highway.

The Consolidated EA report has worked out measures for the mitigation of the air qualityimpacts within the Taj Trapezium. The review proposes additional studies to assess impacts ofthe road environment such as:

* Additional study to ascertain the air quality impacts due to the project in the TajTrapezium;

* Additional study on the impact of the Project Road on the Wildlife sanctuary;

• Additional Study on Ribbon Development along the Project Road; and,

* Additional Study on the Historic Significance of the Project Road.

The following studies have been proposed to evaluate the social issues due to the project.

* Additional Study on Impact on Alternative Livelihood;

* Additional Study on impacts on Indigenous People;

* Additional Study on impacts on Quality of Life (including study on the host communities;and,

* Additional study on HIVIAIDS spread.

A number of other smaller assignments has been identified and recommended as part of theterms of reference for the NGOs to be contracted to implement the RAP. Contractual andbudgetary provisions have been made adequately. It is proposed that the following studies shallbe undertaken, among others, in the GTRP, by procuring consultants' services.

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* Quarterly Monitoring of the RAP implementation;

* End of the Project, Evaluation of the RAP component of the project;

* Mid-term Monitoring of the RAP implementation;

* End of the Project, Evaluation of the RAP component of the project; and,

* A Benefit Monitoring Study as part of the Project Completion Report.

1.7 CONCLUSIONS1. The EA and SA for the GTRP conform to the various safeguard policies triggered

due to the project and have been adequately addressed. The recommendations ofthe EA/ SA have been adequately reflected in the Project Design.

2. The project conforms to the relevant legal requirements of the Gol and the borrowerhas complied with all requisite mandatory requirements.

3. The GTRP is being taken up in continuation of the TNHP. To ensure homogeneity,it is recommended that the various measures proposed as part of the GTRP needto be incorporated in the TNHP where applicable and relevant.

4. The EA /SA propose certain additional studies, especially on the evaluation of thevarious social issues. The GTRP, being carried out as a vanguard project by theGol shall thereby establish a benchmark for the evaluation of similar developmentprojects in future.

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Documents

Public Disclosure Authorized NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA · NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA Nawtm Trnk Route im, (Rajn MargmU)n)-/ Grand Trunk RodIprvmn Proj'ect i1n.diependent