ROADS AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT (RHD)

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND BRIDGES (MORTB)

GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH (GOB)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) WITH

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)

FOR

THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ELEVEN BRIDGES UNDER WBBIP

TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR) FOR THE EIA WITH EMP

PREPARED BY:
OCG-OC-KEI-SMEC-JV
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
BCL-ACE-SARM-STRATEGI

FEBRUARY 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................. 3
2 MAIN OBJECTIVE......................................................................................................................... 3
3 SCOPE OF WORKS...................................................................................................................... 4
4 PROJECT LOCATION................................................................................................................... 4
5 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT........................................................................................................ 5
6 METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................... 6
6.1 PROJECT DESIGN AND DESCRIPTION (STEP 1)...........................................................................7
6.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE (STEP 2)......................................................................7
6.3 SCOPING (STEP 3).................................................................................................................... 7
6.4 BOUNDING (STEP 4)................................................................................................................. 7
6.5 MAJOR FIELD INVESTIGATIONS (STEP 5)....................................................................................7
6.6 SCREENING/ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (STEP 6 AND 7))...................................7
6.7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (STEP 8).........................................................................7
6.8 REPORT PREPARATION (STEP 9)............................................................................................... 8
6.9 PUBLIC CONSULTATION (STEP 10)............................................................................................. 8
7 WORK SCHEDULE........................................................................................................................ 8
8 EIA STUDY TEAM......................................................................................................................... 8
9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (TOC) OF THE EIA WITH EMP REPORT..............................................9

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1 Background

Bangladesh is a land of river. As a riverine country, for the establishment of road connectivity
on all over Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh (GOB) constructed 19,000 bridges.
Among these 4,500 bridges which is small and medium in size are managed by the Roads
and Highways Department (RHD) while the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) manages
large bridges such as Bangabandhu Bridge, Padma Bridge and other bridges in Bangladesh.
The RHD is the main authority ensuring road connectivity all over the country and to ensure
they continuously monitor the traffic, road and bridge condition. Through this process, they
try to identify if any bridge structure was damaged over time due to increasing traffic load and
wherever baily bridges are provided temporary basis the necessity of constructing a new
bridge to full fill the traffic demand. This is why RHD takes an initiative to improve 2-lane
roads and bridges replacing old one or reconstruction next to existing one. To do this
reconstruction of 105 the bridges in the Western Bangladesh is started using internal
resources and/or with donor’s financial assistance. The Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) under the Western Bangladesh Bridge Improvement Project (WBBIP) made
loan agreement (JICA L/A No. BD-P82) for the improvement of 82-bridges out of 105
managed by RHD on highways, regional highways and district roads in the Western
Bangladesh. In later stage, JICA agreed to include additional new 11 bridges in the project
utilizing some savings from loan amount.
A preliminary design of the bridge components through the Preparatory Survey (Feasibility
Study) which was funded through JICA, was undertaken during 2013-2014. As part of the
Feasibility Study, a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and an Abbreviated
Resettlement Plan (ARP) were prepared in accordance with Bangladesh environmental
requirements (the Project was assessed as falling into the “Red” Category) and JICA’s
Guidelines for Environmental & Social Considerations 2010 (the Project was assessed as a
Category “B”). The EIA and ARP prepared for the 105 bridges, were submitted to the DOE
for environmental approval and the Department of Environment (DOE) issued an
Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) on 1st of January 2015. 82 bridges out of these
105 bridges are being constructed/on-going construction under 7 packages (such PW-01 to
PW-05 and PW-06N and PW-06S). The PW-03 to PW-05 have already been completed and
PW-01, PW-02, PW-06S and PW-06N are under construction. In addition to 82 bridges, JICA
has agreed to finance for construction of additional eleven (11) bridges on the national and
district roads under package PW-01, PW-06N and PW-06S which additional bridges need
ECC from DOE.
The construction of the new eleven (11) bridges under WBBIP involve a considerable
amount of construction activities which have both negative and positive impacts on
environment. To identify the significant environmental negative and positive impacts due to
construction of new bridges, an EIA along with EMP is required to make the project
environmentally sound and sustainable.

2 Main Objective

The main objective of the EIA study is to make the Project environmentally friendly, sound
and sustainable in compliance with the Government of Bangladesh policies, rules, guidelines
and standards, related with the environment. In absences of GOB environmental guidelines
and standards, other international guidelines and standards such as ADB, WHO, USA EPA
etc. will follow.

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3 Scope of Works

The scope of works of the EIA study will cover but not limited to the followings:
 Collection & review of relevant documents, data/information from secondary
sources
 Carry out environmental and social baseline survey including EQS at the field
 Public consultations
 Screening and assessment of the environmental impacts
 Alternative analysis and
 Preparation of EIA along with the EMP

4 Project Location

The eleven (11) bridges are included under contract package PW-01, PW-06N and PW-06S
of the WBBIP. The location of these 11 bridges is shown in the following Figure 4.1 along
with short description in Table 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Map showing the additional 11 bridges

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5 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT
The eleven (11) bridges under the WBBIP is the construction on the national highways and
district roads in the southern and northern parts of Bangladesh. The main components of the
project are: bridges, bridge approach roads and protection works. The details of the eleven
bridges are presented in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: Details of the New Eleven Bridges under WBBIP

New Bridge Data
Sl.
Bridge Name ID Span Arrangement Total Length
No.
(m) (m)
20+25+2@32+35+3
1 Bhushirbandar N5-385b 251
2+30+25+20
2 Solayasa N5-344a 25+35 60
3 Hurasagar Z5402-010b 23+2@30+23 106
4 Sohagi Para (Vadai) Z5034-008c 1@40 40
5 Hat Khata N7-045a 1@35 35

6 Sandhya Nadi (Jammudip) Z8033-019d 3@40 120

7 Kunyari Z8033-022e 1@35 35

8 Alongkorkathi Z8033-023a 1@20 20
9 Magura Z8033-025a 1@35 35
10 Shimakhali
11 Kalijira (Madhabpasha)
Total

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6 METHODOLOGY

The EIA along with the EMP will be carried out through the following steps (Figure 6.1):

Steps

Figure 6.1: Steps of EIA with the EMP.

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6.1 Project Design and Description (Step 1)

The detailed information of the project will be collected from the project proponent (RHD) by
the environmental consultants will have a thorough understanding of the project intervention
and their possible environmental consequences. This information may help in designing data
collection programme.

6.2 Environmental and Social Baseline (Step 2)

Environmental and social baseline condition of the subproject areas of the project will be
established through collection of data/information from secondary sources, field visits, field
surveys, measurements and consultation with the local inhabitants. Detailed data will be
gathered on land, properties, water resources, agriculture, fisheries, flora, fauna, socio-
economics as well as environmental quality (such as surface and ground water quality, noise
and air). In addition, consultation with the stakeholders also will be done to obtain their
opinions/suggestions on the project interventions and the environmental/social impacts.

6.3 Scoping (Step 3)

Important Environmental and Social Components (IESC), likely to be impacted by the railway
embankment, bridges and culverts, selected during the reconnaissance survey will be
revisited for finalizing their selection, based on the detailed information of the project
interventions collected at step 1.

6.4 Bounding (Step 4)

A bounding exercise will be carried out to determine area likely to be impacted by the 11
bridges.

6.5 Major Field Investigations (Step 5)

At this stage, detailed investigation will be carried out to obtain information/data on the
possible impacts of the project on the IESC.

6.6 Screening/Assessment of Environmental Impacts (Step 6 and 7))

The future without project condition will be done through trend analysis using information
collected at step 5. The future with project condition will be predicted using professional
judgement of the environmental team members based on information collected at the major
field investigation stage and feedback received through stakeholder consultations. The three
scenarios such as pre-construction, construction and operation conditions will be taken as
impact of the proposed interventions.

6.7 Environmental Management Plan (Step 8)

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be prepared recommending project stage
wise possible mitigation measures for minimizing the negative impacts and enhancement for
the positive impacts of the project. The Environmental Monitoring Plan (MP) will also be

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recommended for implementing the mitigation and enhancement measures successfully in
time with allocated EMP budget of the project. The EMP also will be included in the
bid/contract document. Institutional arrangement for the implementation of the EMP will be
suggested to ensure efficient utilization of all relevant agencies involved. Cost estimate of
each of the measure, recommended in the mitigation, compensation, and monitoring plan
during the pre-construction, construction and operation stages of the project will be prepared.
The EMP costs are in their bid document for implementation.
All the findings of the EIA along with the EMP will be presented in the final report.

6.8 Report Preparation (Step 9)

The report on the EIA with EMP will be prepared following the environmental guidelines of
the DOE as well as other organizations such as JICA. The proposed Table of Contents
(TOC) which contains the title of the main chapters of the EIA report along with contents
under each chapter is given below in Chapter 9.

6.9 Public Consultation (Step 10)

During the study period, public consultation with stakeholders (such as PAPs, local people,
relevant organizations etc.) will be undertaken for gathering the environmental baseline
data/information, local people opinions and suggestions on the environmental impacts due to
the project along with mitigation and enhancement measures. The findings of the public
consultations will be incorporated in the EIA report.

7 WORK SCHEDULE
The duration of the preparation of the EIA including EMP will be about 3 months.

8 EIA STUDY TEAM

Under the supervision of Team Leader of the Consultant, the EIA team is included in the
following members:
1. Senior Environmental Specialist 3 months
2. Jr. Environmental Engineer 3 months
3. Land Acquisition and Resettlement Specialist 3 months
The RHD will be responsible to coordinate with the Consultant to carry out the EIA study
along with EMP in accordance with environmental guidelines of GOB within the
project stipulated time schedule. The RHD/Consultant will monitor the EIA and EMP activities
on a regular basis and review all environmental reports prepared by the Environmental
Team of the Consultant.

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9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (TOC) OF THE EIA WITH EMP REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The executive summary will contain issues in a short and focused description of the
proposed project, environmental baseline data/information of the environmental components
such as physicochemical, ecological, social, screening and assessment of potential
environmental impacts along with possible mitigation measures for the negative impacts and
enhancement for positive impacts as well as mitigation plan, monitoring plan, institutional
arrangement, capacity building, training and EMP budget.

Table of Contents (TOC)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Description of the project
1.2 Sub-project interventions and locations
1.3 Project Background
1.4 Importance of the project
1.5 Objective of the project
1.6 Brief description of Subproject sites

2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATIONS

2.1 Policy, Legal and Administrative Frameworks

2.1.1 GoB Requirements
2.1.2 National Environmental Legislations
2.2 EIA Sustem and DoE Procedures
2.2.1 Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC)
2.2.2 Policy Safeguards
2.3 Harmonization of GoB and International Policies
2.4 Land Acquisition Frameworks
2.5 Framework for Resettlement
2.5.1 Objective of the Abbreviated Resettlement Plan (ARP)
2.5.2 Methodology for Preparing the Abbreviated Resettlement Plan

3 IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS (BASELINE CONDITION)

3.1 Physical Components
3.1.1 Climate
3.1.2 Topography and Geology
3.1.3 Soils and Land uses
3.1.4 Sedimentology and Seismicity
3.1.5 Hydro-Geology

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 3.1.6 Landscape
3.1.7 Ground Subsidence
3.1.8 Bottom Sediments
3.2 Ecological Components
3.2.1 The Floral Species
3.2.2 The Faunal and Avi-Faunal Species
3.2.3 Biodiversity Status
3.2.4 Wetlands
3.3 Socio-Cultural Components
3.3.1 Water Use
3.3.2 Cultural Heritage
3.3.3 Socio-cultral Infrastructures
3.3.4 Indigenous/ Ethnic Communities
3.3.5 Health Care Facilities
3.3.6 Educational Facilities
3.3.7 Professional Communties
3.3.8 Fisherman Community
3.3.9 River Transportation
3.3.10 Road and Water Route Accidents
3.3.11 Protected Areas
3.3.12 HIV/AIDS
3.3.13 Gender Equity
3.3.14 Children's Right
3.3.15 Climate Change
3.4 Pollution
3.4.1 Air Pollution
3.4.2 Water Pollution
3.4.3 Soil Pollution
3.4.4 Noise and Vibration
3.4.5 Wastes and Effluents
3.4.6 Offensive Odor

Y4 ACTIVITIES DURING IMPLEMENTATION STAGES

5 IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS

5.1 Environmental Impact Identification
5.2 Environmental Impact Scoping Matrices

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 5.3 Mitigation Measures by Bridges

6 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
6.1 Alternative Alignment
6.2 No Action Alternative

7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

7.1 Institutional Framework
7.2 Environmental Monitoring Plan
7.2.1 Compliance Monitoring
7.2.2 Environmental Management Implementation
7.2.3 Environmental Monitoring Plan
7.2.4 Reporting
7.2.5 Environmental Management Cost Estimation
8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION
8.1 Summarized Stakeholder’s Opinions at least Affected Subproject Sites
8.2 Summarized Stakeholder’s Opinions at Moderately Affected Subproject Sites
8.3 Summarized Stakeholder’s Opinions at Seriously Affected Subproject Sites

9 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

9.1 General
9.2 Grievance Redress Mechanism

10 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATONS

10.1 Conclusions
10.2 Recommendations

Annexes:

Annex -A: List of Participants of 1st Public Consultations (Prior to Start Draft EIA)
Annex- B: List of Participants of 2nd Public Consultations (After Completion of Draft EIA)
Annex -C: Checklist for Identification of Potential Environmental Impacts
Annex- D: Tree Plantation Plan
Annex- E: Environmental Quality Standards (EQS)
Annex- F: Environmental Field Assessment of Each Bridge Sites
Annex- G: Approved letter of ToR by DoE

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