Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

Baseline parameters;Level of consultations;Study findings;Mitigation/enhancement measures and the costs; andRecommendations made for further assessment.1.5.2 Pre-feasibility Study (February 2000 IEE)33. IEE process during the Pre-feasibility Study of the proposed Padma Multipurpose Bridge Projectfollowed the requirements of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and the EnvironmentConservation Rules, 1997 as well as the guidelines on environmental issues related to physicalplanning formulated by the Local Government Engineering Department of the GoB.34. Boundaries considered for the IEE had been the two potential locations – Corridor 1: MawaCorridor and Corridor 2: Goalundo Corridor of the project of which the Corridor 1: Mawa Corridor hadbeen the primary focus. The preferred Project location was identified near the ferryghat of Mawaaround 35km upstream of the confluence between the Padma and the Meghna with the northernapproach roads crossing upazila Lauhajang and Srinagar of Munshiganj district and the southernapproach through upazila Shibchar and Bhanga, respectively, in Madaripur and Faridpur districts. Nospecific boundaries were considered for baseline environmental monitoring.35. Baseline environmental parameters that were considered in the IEE process had been thegeneral topography, geology, seismology and soils, climate, air quality and noise level, employmentand land use, and surface water and ground water for the project location. The February 2000 IEEanticipated project activities resulting in negative impacts on erosion, siltation and bank stability, soilquality, surface water quality, ground water quality, air quality and noise quality and agriculturalproductivity and in hindrance to navigation and road traffic, social disruption, lowering of nutritionalstatus, occupational and other health hazards.36. Cost toward mitigation of negative impacts and enhancement of positive impacts due to theproject toward the protection of the environmental interests in the project area has been estimated toTK 34.985 million.37. The following actions were recommended:Utilization of post-construction experience of Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge in EIA and EMPof the proposed Padma Multipurpose BridgeInventory of wildlife in and around project areaCollecting baseline information not covered in the study (hydrological impact due to the bridge,agricultural practices and production, cropping pattern, fish catch, ground and surface waterquality, quality of River bed materials etc.)Exploring ways of reducing noise pollution during construction phaseProviding for cross-drainage along and across flood-plains during design phaseUndertaking monitoring of ground water quality, ground water level and agricultural practiceswithin project area during and after construction phasesUndertaking monitoring of changes that are likely to take place in agricultural practices andachieved production in areas bordering the project-affected zonesAfforestation of approach road embankments and bridge-ends.1.5.3 JICA Feasibility Study (March 2005 IEE and EIA)38. JICA IEE and EIA studies had followed the guidelines of JICA and the GoB together with a reviewof those of the ADB and the World Bank. The studies had their focus on boundaries comprising twoproject sites: (a) the Paturia-Goalundo site encompassing Paturia ferry ghat in Shibalay upazila ofManikganj district and Daulatdia ferry ghat in Goalundo upazila of Rajbari district, and (b) the Mawa-Janjira site encompassing the point at about 2km from Mawa ferry ghat in Lauhajang upazila ofMunshiganj district and Janjira at about 10km from Kathalbari ferry ghat in Janjira upazila of Shariatpurdistrict. Of these two sites of the project, the Mawa-Janjira site was considered in the review process.1-17