Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

Loss of seasonal floodplainDeterioration in water qualitySoil qualityWaste generationLand acquisition and resettlementLoss of agricultural landsChange in landuse151. Loss of seasonal floodplain: Loss of seasonal floodplain will result from construction ofindustries on roadside floodplain/wetlands, adjacent to major roads and in other areas in the regions152. Deterioration in water quality: Industries are likely to produce hazardous and non-hazardouswastes which they may not handle/manage properly and dump elsewhere without treatment. This willdeteriorate surface water quality. Surface water contamination during monsoon may spread over largearea due to flooding. Unplanned disposal of hazardous/toxic waste may lead to the deterioration ofgroundwater quality, which may lead to several public health implications related to drinkinggroundwater. In Bangladesh groundwater is the main drinking water source.153. Deterioration in Soil quality/soil contamination: Improper waste dumping will contaminate soil.Liquid wastes generated from industries may be accumulated contaminating surface water,groundwater and soil there. The effect may be widespread due to flooding effect.154. Waste: Wastes will be generated at various stages of industrial development, both duringconstruction and O/M. The wastes generated during construction may not be hazardous as maybecase during the operation of the industries. Various types of hazardous and non-hazardous wasteswill be generated depending on the type of industries and their extent of operation.155. Land acquisition and resettlement: Land acquisition and resettlement issues will arise due to theestablishment of various industries including the EPZ.156. Loss of agricultural lands: Loss of agricultural lands is associated with land-acquisition forindustrial development.157. Change in landuse: Change in landuse is primarily due to the transformation of agricultural andother lands to industrial development.Major Positive Impacts Employment Gender158. Employment: Industrial sector is a potential source of employments in Bangladesh. Industrieswill provide employments to many people directly and indirectly. Several types of industries areexpected to be established in the regions such as, textile and dyeing, pharmaceuticals, sea fish/foodprocessing industries, etc. These industries require professionals at various skills and levels and thetechnicians. Employment will also come from associated business and commercial activities linkedwith industries. Thus people who are associated with the transportation and export/import businesswill also be benefited from employments.159. Gender: With industrialization, ample job opportunities will be generated for the local people anda part of these jobs are for women. In the textile and garments sector, a large part of the industrialjobs are offered to women because of the job nature and for their skills and efficient performance inthis sector. It is anticipated that after the project, textile and garments sector will boost up in southwesternpart of the country and local women will be highly benefited from it.7.4.1.4 Railway Network Development160. The provision of railway on the bridge is considered in the design. In order to take the fullbenefits of the Padma Bridge, Bangladesh Railway requires undertaking urgent initiatives forconstructing 30km long railway line from Gendaria-Mawa to connect Padma Bridge and then about90km long railway line from the Padma Bridge to Bhanga-Kashiani-Narail-Jessore. Then this railwayconnection will work as integral part of the Trans-Asian railway network.7-37