Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

generated during the construction of the approach road. The approach road will require 330,196m 2asphalt road surface. Asphalts plants will be the major source of air pollution. It is estimated that17,714 tons of NMVOC will be generated from the asphalt plant. The contractor will ensure thatasphalt plants are located more than 500 m from the sensitive receptors (hospital, school, andresidential areas).Dust Emission Calculation:Approach RoadEmbankment Area = 652,240 m 2= 161.10 acreDust Emission Factor* 1.20 tons/acre/monthPeriod 9.00 monthDust Emission 1,739.92 tons* Source: EPA AP42, Sections 13.2.3Major Positive Impacts67. Major positive impacts are: Re-use of top soil Employment generation Gender promotion Change in landuse68. Re-use of Topsoil: As mentioned above, the estimated loss of top soil is 326,120m 3 over road.The top soil will be collected, stored and re-used for bringing slope stability of the road, tree plantationand roadside grass coverage. The roadside green area will have significant positive impact onenvironment. An estimated 149,791 nos. of trees will be planted on both sides of the road. Thus, thenegative impact of loss of top soil will eventually have a positive impact with better managementpractices.69. Employment Generation: Construction of roads requires both skilled and unskilled workers atdifferent levels, and thus provides ample jobs during their construction. There will be huge demand ofconstruction labors and different professionals during construction of the project for its severalcomponents including for approach roads, which cannot be met up with the local labor forces.Therefore, a significant quantity of labors will come from other parts of the country. An estimated5,000 people will get employment during construction stage, including for approach roads.70. Gender Promotion: In both urban and rural areas, now-a-days it has been a common practice inBangladesh to involve female labors in the construction works. This is due to the fact that femalelabors are available in the close proximity and they are more time-bound and cost-effective to thecontractors compared to male labors. In several projects executed by LGED substantial involvementof women in the road construction is observed. Similar situation is expected for the project approachroads. However, involvement of female labors in the construction site is expected to raise severalgender issues which need to be resolved. A Gender Action Plan is under preparation for use in theproject which will handle gender related issues effectively.71. Change in Landuse: Existing landuse is mainly agriculture type. Table 7-14 provides the existinglanduse pattern along the approach alignment. More than 90% landuse is agriculture (132ha) andabout 11.7ha is homestead. With the construction of approach road the landuse will be completelychanged to urban nature and high scenic value due to the plantation program along the road and railright-of-way.Table 7-14: Existing landuse pattern along the approach road alignment.Landuse Type Mawa (ha) Janjira (ha)Homestead 5.56 6.14Agriculture 17.32 114.77Unused 1.46 1.04Waterbody 2.06 1.657-21