Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project

12 Conclusions1. Based on the harmonized environmental safeguard requirements of the co-financiers and theGovernment of Bangladesh adopted for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Design Project, allenvironmental assessment documentations have been prepared. The EIA reveals that there will beboth negative and positive impacts due to the construction of the 6.15 km long bridge over the PadmaRiver and other associated components such as transition structures, RTWs, approach road, andBEFs (service areas, construction yards and toll plazas) and 4 RS.2. The significant negative environmental impacts of the Project are land acquisition of about 1,144ha and resettlement of about 4,975 households (this includes residential, business and other structurehouseholds); cutting of about 201,273 trees; loss of 1267ha of aquatc habitats (permanent wetlandsand seasonal flood plains), annual loss of 21,972 tons of crops; generation of about 44 million cubicmeters of dredge spoils from RTW; changes in land use; and health, hygiene and sanitation ofconstruction workers and public. The medium impacts of the Project are generation of excessmaterials; blocking of flood water flows and natural drainage; noise and air pollution due toconstruction activities and operation of the Project; traffic havoc and road safety; and soil erosion.3. The significant positive environmental impacts of the Project in terms of environmentalenhancements and compensation measures are the development of new plantations in about 100hectares of land or 405,461 plants; establishment of a protected sanctuary with the concept of ecotourism,visitor center, regional development through connection of the southwest with the rest of thecountry, which is now connected only through ferry; development of resettlement sites with allnecessary infrastructure facilities; and huge potential for employment during construction and O/Mstages as well as from induced economic growth and activities.4. A climate change study was conducted to see the impacts of climate change in the design of theProject and the impacts the Project to climate change. It was found that the combined impacts of sealevel rise and increase basin rainfall contributes to 0.63m rise in water level in the bridge site ormaximum water level of 7.44m PWD (for the maximum sea level rise of 1.00 m in Bay of Bengal).Maximum temperatures of 43.9 0 C and 46.6 0 C for years 2050 and 2100 and minimum temperatures of9.3 0 C and 9.9 0 C for the same periods are recommended in the design. 1-day or 2-day consecutivemaximum rainfall of 372 mm and 514 mm for a 1 in 100 yr return period event are recommended.Predicted peak discharge of 151,100 cumec and lowest flow as 7,345 cumec are recommended.Maximum wind speed is predicted as 126 km/hr and is recommended to include in the design. Therisk of salinity intrusion in the Padma Bridge is considered insignificant.5. An EMMP has been formulated to mitigate the negative impacts during various phases (preconstruction,construction and O&M) of the Project to acceptable levels. Detailed plans such asdredged material management plan, and emergency preparedness and response plan are prepared toaddress key impacts/risks of the Project, ECPs are prepared to address all general constructionrelated and common environmental impacts and will be included in all construction contracts of theProjects. Environmental enhancement plans and compensation measures such as treeplantation/green area development plan; agricultural development plan; conservation plans for thedevelopment of protected sanctuary, and visitor center are recommended to improve theenvironmental conditions in the Project area. To ensure that these enhancement and compensationmeasures are implemented correctly and negative impacts avoided, the EMMP along with adequatebudget is included in the contract documents of the Project with a separate line item on environmentalmanagement in the BOQ. The EMMP prepared under this project also recommended pre-qualifyingISO14000 compliant contractors. A successful tool for the EMMP is the environmental monitoringduring various stages of the Project, which has been provided as a part of the EMMP. The mainmonitoring parameters include ecological monitoring, environmental quality monitoring (air, noise,surface water, ground water, river bed materials), hydro-meteorological monitoring, wastes, drainagecongestion, river erosion, agriculture, wildlife, tree plantation, road and water transport accident, healthand safety etc.12-1