CONSTRUCTION OF 500 KV GRID STATION AND

ALLIED TRANSMISSION LINE AT SHIKARPUR

Executive Summary

EIA / ESA REPORT

500 KV GRID STATION AT SHIKARPUR AND ALLIED TRANSMISSION LINE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

E-1 INTRODUCTION
National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is a public limited
utility company responsible for transmission of electric power. The NTDC
has prepared an overall power development programme for the improvement
of transmission system and its expansion. The present project is to be
funded through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a part of
NTDC’s overall power development programme. It is proposed to strengthen
the power transmission system in HESCO Area (Sindh). 500 kV Shikarpur
Project will comply with JICA’s guidelines relevant to environmental and
social safeguard policies as well as GOP applicable laws and regulations.
The Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA/EIA) Study of this Project
has been awarded to M/s EnMasse Consultants, Lahore. This EIA study
presents the environment assessment for a 500kV G/S and Allied T/L part of
power transmission is Shikarpur (Sindh). NTDC intends to upgrade the
existing 220kV G/S to 500kV at Shikarpur.
E-2 THE PROJECT OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
The prime objectives of this Project are to help in increase the efficiency,
reliability, and quality of electricity supply in terms of the overall technical and
commercial losses reduction, continuous availability and the improved
voltage profile of electricity in this part of Sindh. The Project shall also
facilitate electricity sector reforms, investment planning, financing and
technical assistance in this SEPCO area. After the up gradation of existing
220kV G/S to 500kV G/S at Shikarpur, the industrial & commercial activities
of the project area will get a considerable up lift.
E-3 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORKS
The National Environmental Policy had been announced by Government of
Pakistan in the year 2005. Pakistan Environmental Protection Council is the
apex decision making body of the country. Submission of the Environmental
Impact Assessment report to the concerned Environmental Protection Agency
is mandatory under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.
Similarly the international financial institution and donor agencies like JICA
also demand for the undertaking the EIA / ESA studies in respect of the
developmental projects. To carryout this EIA study the environmental
legislation and guidelines enforced by Pakistan EPA & JICA have been
followed.

ES - 1

Engineering & Management Advisory Services

239-P, Model Town Ext, Lahore.
Tel: 042-35162687, 35164338 Fax: 042-35179451
Email: enmasse.pk@gmail.com Web: www.enmassepakistan.com
CONSTRUCTION OF 500 KV GRID STATION AND
ALLIED TRANSMISSION LINE AT SHIKARPUR
Executive Summary

E-4 PROJECT ENVIRONMENTS

Base line conditions for physical, ecological and socio-economic environment
were studies for Shikarpur. The project area occupies almost level alluvial
plain. The soils are free from physical and chemical hazards and do not
present any problem for foundation construction. The area is not prone to
earthquakes. The climate of the area is sub-humid, sub-tropical and
continental and has no negative impact on the performance of electrical
insulations. The ground water is also fit for irrigation and construction
purposes. For drinking it needs treatment. Mostly there are agricultural fields
outside this G/S.
Some wildlife exists in the project area. No forest is found. Total number of
project affectees families falling within the ROW (30 meter i.e. 15 meter or
the centre line of T/L on each side) of transmission lines is 62. Census of
these affectees was carried out on 100 percent survey level to account for
their type of assets, loss of assets, number of dependents, affected incomes,
etc. The project area is one of the hottest region with sever climate. In
summer May, June and July are the hottest months and December and
January are the coldest months. The project area is irrigated by Guddu
Barrage canal system. Water table is higher in project area and various from
3 to 20 m at certain locations. For industrial activity the area demands reliable
voltage supply. The objective of the survey was to have an overall
assessment of the socio-economic profile of the people of area, their
dependence on electricity, income and expenditure patterns and their
vulnerability status. The women and old people have been found to be the
most venerable people having no means of livelihood.
E-5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT
Various environment & social impacts due to proposed project have been
studied under change of land use, soil erosion, air pollution, noise
resettlement, flora and fauna etc. As a first step, the screening of the Project
was done considering the JICA’s guidelines and provisions of Pakistan
Environmental Protection Act, 1997. The project falls in Environmental
Category “B” for which environmental and socio-economic impact
assessment was required. Which is studied in details chapter 5 for
developing base line informations about the affectees of this project.
To ensure participation of local communities and Project stakeholders,
consultative meetings, scoping sessions and group discussions were held.
The participants were of the view that Project should be implemented as
early as possible. The main concerns of the participants were that minimum
trees / crop losses should be allowed, the transmission line should not pass
over the private houses, provision of jobs to local people during construction,
load shedding should be minimized and compensation to affected persons
before the start of the project. The participants were of the view that
ES - 2

Engineering & Management Advisory Services

239-P, Model Town Ext, Lahore.
Tel: 042-35162687, 35164338 Fax: 042-35179451
Email: enmasse.pk@gmail.com Web: www.enmassepakistan.com
CONSTRUCTION OF 500 KV GRID STATION AND
ALLIED TRANSMISSION LINE AT SHIKARPUR
Executive Summary

improvement of electricity supply through up gradation of existing 220kv

Shikarpur Grid Station to 500kv grid station and transmission lines is the
need of the area.
E-6 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
Different alternatives for T/L route and G/S site were analyzed. No project
option was also considered the present site for G/S has been proposed
inside existing 220kv NTDC grid station boundary where enough space is
available for up gradation of existing 220kv G/S to 500kv G/S and no land
acquisition & resettlement involved.
T/L route will pass through such rural land away from any settlement and
obstruction with least temporary loss to crops / trees which will be properly
compensated as per satisfaction of A.Ps.
E-7 MITIGATION MEASURES
Mitigation measures proposed to eliminate / minimize negative impacts
include proper compensation to Project Affected Persons for the loss of
standing crops, trees and affected structures at agreed market rates. The
noise can be mitigated by using silencers and earmuffs. The dust pollution
can be mitigated by sprinkling water and controlling of speed of moving
vehicles. For controlling the traffic, traffic management plan has been
proposed in Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). The
other mitigation measures include, planting of trees along transmission line
route @ 10 plants against cutting of one tree and in grid station, careful
driving in work areas, avoidance of unnecessary vehicle and machinery
movements in the project area, careful transportation of equipment and
machinery and proper collection and proper disposal of wastes, heath &
safety of general public and equipment / labour should be ensured. Mitigation
measure have been proposed for different stages of project implementation
by considering environment & social impacts of the proposed project.
E-8 RESETTLEMENT PLAN (RP)
The RP provides the basis for the mitigation of social impacts. It has been
developed in accordance with the requirements of the JICA’s Guidelines.
These Guidelines endorse the eligibility of all the categories of persons,
whether with formal legal rights or without these rights, occupying project
area prior to the cut-off date established.
The governing legislation regarding land acquisition and compensation is the
Land Acquisition Act (LAA), 1894. The LAA is limited to a cash compensation
policy for the acquisition of land and built-up property, and damage to other
assets such as crops, trees and infrastructure. The LAA does not take into
account the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced populations and the
restoration of their livelihoods. The JICA’s Guidelines, however, provide full
protection to the people affected by a Project. Accordingly, the RP defines the

ES - 3

Engineering & Management Advisory Services

239-P, Model Town Ext, Lahore.
Tel: 042-35162687, 35164338 Fax: 042-35179451
Email: enmasse.pk@gmail.com Web: www.enmassepakistan.com
CONSTRUCTION OF 500 KV GRID STATION AND
ALLIED TRANSMISSION LINE AT SHIKARPUR
Executive Summary

compensation for the acquisition of land and other assets of the PAPs falling
within the ROW of the transmission line.

E-9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN (EMMP)

EMMP has been prepared. It includes actions proposed for mitigation of
negative impacts and effective monitoring of the implementation of proposed
mitigation measures during pre-construction, construction and operation
phases. This will form part of contract document. NTDC will be responsible
for its implementation. Environmental and social mitigation costs are
estimated as Rs. 41.61 million.
E-10 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
EIA team identified stakeholders and PAPs of the proposed project. Their
view and concerns have been reviewed and incorporated in this report as
proposed mitigation measures.
E-11 CONCLUSION
 The construction stage will face a few negative impacts in the form of
dust, smoke and noise on account of employment of vehicles, machinery
and equipment. The generation of construction waste, solid waste and oil
spills/seepage will have negative impacts of land and air resources. All
such impacts are temporary / minor in nature. The mitigation measures
have been suggested in the EMMP for giving the due compensation.
 The project for upgrading existing 220kv G/S at Shikarpur to 500kv G/S in
Shikarpur Sindh along allied T/Ls is an environmentally feasible,
economical and sustainable power transmission project option.
 There will be significant improvement in reliability, stability of electric
supply system and voltage profile will improve.
 Poverty will decrease and living standard of project area will certainly
improve.
E-12 RECOMMENDATIONS
 The provisions of Resettlement Plan should be followed in letter and spirit.
 Environmental approval of the present report should be obtained from
Environmental Protection Agency Sindh and environmental monitoring
reports should be submitted to EPA Sindh in order to confirm
compliances, which is main stakeholder.
 The affected families should be compensated for the loss of their crops,
trees and other assets, as recommended in the Resettlement Plan as per
prevailing market rate as per satisfaction of the PAPs.

ES - 4

Engineering & Management Advisory Services

239-P, Model Town Ext, Lahore.
Tel: 042-35162687, 35164338 Fax: 042-35179451
Email: enmasse.pk@gmail.com Web: www.enmassepakistan.com