Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

construction yard and other construction sitesOperation &Maintenance Medium negative impact during O/M due to road side developmentand industrialization.Religious and Cultural SensitivityConstruction activities may raise social and cultural issues due to influx on non-local labours andconstruction near the settlements of approach roads.Assessment of impactsPre- constructionMedium negative impact since 91 cultural resources, includingmosques and graveyards, will be affected due to the Project.ConstructionLow negative impacts during construction stageOperation &Maintenance No impactsNavigation and Water AccidentsWater transport is the important riverine transport in the project area. Normal navigation in the riverPadma may be hindered due to movement of barges and dredgers, dredging works and cargos.Assessment of impactsPre- constructionNo impactConstructionMedium negative impact to navigation due to movement of barges,dredgers, cargos and dredging works. Most of the constructionmaterial required for the project mainly comes through watertransport.Operation &Maintenance No impactGenderWomen in general believed to be vulnerable group in Bangladesh and their empowerment is crucialfor country’s development.Assessment of ImpactsPre- constructionConstructionMedium positive impact during construction of resettlement sitesdue to hiring of women workers and development of livelihoodrestoration facilities targeting women.Construction of Project activities will provide short term employmentto around 5,000 local people, including women, and hence will havea medium positive impactOperation &Maintenance High positive impact due to (i) induced road side development andindustrialization, and (ii) access to bigger and wider markets to selltheir products, agriculture produce and fisheriesNon Road AccidentsNon road accidents are related to public utility crossings and would be a cause for potentialconcern, especially, if they are constructed after the bridge is in operationAssessment of impactsPre- constructionNo impactsOperation &Maintenance Medium negative impacts due to installation of public utilitycrossings such as high power transmission and high pressure gaspipeline.ConstructionLow negative impacts due to rail network development and possibleindustrialisation through induced development.LanduseThe landuse in the project area is rural with the dominance of floodplains and agriculture. Changein landuse due to filling of flood plains and construction works. With the implementation of theproject, the rural areas may get urbanization gradually in the long run and this could introducesecondary impact which might change the existing land use.Assessment of impactsPre- constructionLow positive impact due to construction of Resettlement Sites withall civil amenities, and plantations.ConstructionDisposal of dredge spoils will have a medium negative impact.However, since aesthetic values will be considered for design ofbridge and bridge end facilities, there will a medium positive impactpost construction4-11