Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

Public Awareness program for Wildlife Protection, Environment Conservation and Sanitationduring construction and operation phases of the project.1.5.6 Status on EIA Clearance by DOE59. Conditional approval was accorded to the BBA EIA Report by the Department of Environment onJune 13, 2007 for one year. The scope of the study was to construct a bridge with a total length of5.58km (the rail corridor is in the center of the bridge) along with approach roads comprising 0.273kmat the Mawa side and 12km at the Janjira side, and River Training Works comprising 6km on theMawa side and 10km on the Janjira side. Boundary considered for EIA study comprised of approachroad ROW 150m) strip, RTW 100m for Mawa and 150m for Janjira side, service area (2.5km x 2.5km)= 6,25km 2 and Toll gate at Janjira (200m x 400m) = 80,000m 2 while that at Mawa (500m x 350m) =175,000m 2 . The following are the summary of the conditions of the clearance certificate: Project Proponent may undertake activities for land development and infrastructuraldevelopment of the project with taking consideration of the ECR 1997. Limit Condition for Discharges to Air and Water as per Environment Conservation Rules, 1997(Annex I & II). The ambient noise levels shall conform to the standards prescribed under Noise Pollution(Control) Rules, 2006. Proper environmental monitoring and recording should be maintained. Monitoring parametersare: water flow, water quality, air quality (SPM) the surrounding areas for spread of invasivespecies, the changes in aquatic habitats before, during and after construction, fish catchduring and after construction. Environmental Monitoring Reports shall be made available simultaneously to Head quartersand Dhaka Divisional office of the Department of Environment on a quarterly basis during thewhole period of the project. The Project authority must notify the Department of Environment of incidents causing orthreatening material harm to the environment as soon as practicable after the person becomesaware of the incident. Before making detailed structural design, further study should be carried out on the extent ofthe bank erosion with project condition, especially on the right bank and appropriate measuresshould be taken with respect to construction of guide bund as well as necessary modificationof rehabilitation and compensation plan accordingly. Project Proponent shall apply for Environmental Clearance Certificate without which proponentshall not start operation of the project.60. Co-financiers reviewed the BBA EIA report and under the impression that it does not comply withtheir safeguard requirements. And therefore, the Consultant prepared a comprehensive EIA report incompliance with harmonized safeguard requirements of GoB and co-financiers and submits to DOE forapproval. The tentative schedule for the submission of EIA reports for approval is May 2010. Once theEIA is approved by DOE, BBA will prepare a new application for ECC and submit to DOE. DOE issuesECC for one year and allow extension if required.1.5.7 Findings of the Review Process61. Review of the above environmental studies made earlier in respect of the proposed PadmaBridge Project necessitates conducting a full-scale EIA following the guidelines of ADB, WB, and JICAtogether with those of the Government of Bangladesh incorporating additional studies in respect of theImpact of Riverbed Dredged Materials and the State of Aquatic and Terrestrial Flora and Fauna,Wildlife, Hydrological Modeling, Climate Change impact on the project design , Health and SafetyIssues, and Charland (Sand Bar) Impact. In addition, the output of hydrological modeling will bereviewed, environmental impacts will be assessed and mitigation measures will be considered in theenvironmental management and monitoring plans (EMMP).‣ General Construction Impact1-22