PFR for Under Construction Bridge across Narmada River,

Nr. Golden bridge on old NH-8, Dist.: Bharuch, State: Gujarat

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) – Bharuch has started development of a new bridge adjacent
to the Golden Bridge across Narmada River in Bharuch district of Gujarat, India. The site is located
approximately 0.5 km from densely populated Bharuch city. The proposed bridge would serve as an
important public infrastructure facility on the existing busy NH-8 and SH-76. NH-8 is an important
component of the Golden Quadrilateral and is one of the busiest highways of the country.

The proponent R&B Department – Bharuch has already started bridge construction across Narmada
River. Due to tidal influence of sea, it attracts violation of CRZ Notification, 2011 under Environmental
Protection Act – 1986. The proposed bridge is under construction parallel to the Golden Bridge. The
Golden Bridge traces its history back in 1881 when the British constructed it. During those days, the
British needed a bridge across the Narmada River to create better access to trade and administration
officials in Mumbai (then called Bombay). The Bridge is also called Narmada Bridge. It has a length of
1462 m and is considered an important architecture which connects Ankleshwar to Bharuch in
the Gujarat state of western India. The Golden Bridge has seen many natural disasters like
floods and earthquakes, but it has stood for 132 years, providing daily transportation to the people of
Ankleshwar and Bharuch. In recent times too, the Golden Bridge is considered as an important route
for PCUs, since heavy transportation vehicles are not allowed on this bridge considering its design
parameters and loading capacity. Golden Bridge adjoining Ankleshwar to Bharuch city is heavily
loaded with PCUs and other small vehicles. In view of increase in traffic intensity in multiples, heavy
load vehicle and fast industrial growth, the need of new bridge has arisen. Hence, the R&B
Department -Government of Gujarat (GoG) took up the task of constructing another bridge across
Narmada River.

The proposed project requires setting up foundations and piers within the Narmada River which is
considered as a permissible activity under the CRZ Notification, 2011. Proposed construction falls
under CRZ III and IVB. But the proponent did not obtain prior CRZ Clearance before starting the
construction of the same. Hence, it is mandatory to get the clearance under the provision of the CRZ
Notification, 2011 and file the application to violation committee of MoEF&CC, New Delhi for the
proposed project.

The pre-feasibility report includes a brief introduction of the proponent, need and justification of the
project, required and available resources, proposed Environment Management Systems, existing
land-use and proposed infrastructure, project schedule and cost estimate, and proposed Terms of
reference for conducting the EIA studies. The department has engaged Eco Chem Sales & Service
(ECSS) as their Environment Consultant to conduct the EIA studies for obtaining CRZ clearance for
the proposed project. ECSS is a NABET accredited Environmental Consultant.