Parul University International Conference on Engineering & Technology (PiCET-2018): Smart Construction Page |
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) Study for Upgradation of NH51 to Two /
Four Lane with Paved Shoulder Configuration
Jaykumar M. Soni Sagar Deshmukh
Civil Engineering Department Associate Director
(M. Tech in Infrastructure Engineering and Management) LEA Associates South Asia Pvt Ltd
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, India Gandhinagar, India
jmsoni9@gmail.com sagar@lasaindia.com
Ankur Modi Ronak Motiani
Senior Engineer Lecturer
LEA Associates South Asia Pvt Ltd, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
Gandhinagar, India Gandhinagar, India
ankur@lasaindia.com ronak.motiani@sot.pdpu.ac.in
Abstract-— Infrastructure development is one of the key needs for development of any country. Roads and highway networks are
one of the most important parts of Infrastructure. However, most of these road and highway projects on due to their location,
routes, alignments and associated activities are invariably accompanied by significant environmental and social impacts during
various project implementation stages. These impacts could be both positive or negative to the existing environment and
surrounding community. Here, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool which mitigate negative impacts caused due to the
proposed project into positive effects. According Constitution of India; Environmental Clearances are necessary for construction
or upgradation of any road and highway project. Recently, the role of EIA of Roads and Highways have become more important
as Central Government is undertaking widening and upgrading of various National Highways. The present paper briefly states
various procedures for carrying out EIA for Upgradation of Limbdi (Junction of Old SH 20 with NH 08) – Wadhwan –
Surendranagar – Dhrangadhra – Kuda Section of NH 51 (Old Name 147 A) to Two / Four Lane with Paved Shoulder Configuration
(Package No: NH/IAHE/15).
Keywords—Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Public Consultation, Effects on air, water and land
I. INTRODUCTION Plan: Vision 2021. As part of the Govt’s initiatives to further
India has one of the largest road networks across the world. road development, the existing section of Junction with NH-
This road network transports more than 60 per cent of all 47-Limbdi-Surendranagar, Dhrangadhra-Kuda the state of
goods in the country and 85 per cent of India’s total Gujarat has been considered for widening to two lanes with
passenger traffic. There is a gradual increase in Road over paved shoulders/four lane configuration.
the years with the improvement in connectivity between Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) has been
cities, towns and villages in the country. The Govt. of India entrusted with the development of this Project Road.
has acknowledged the importance of better road
infrastructure and launched several programs and initiatives II. LOCATION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
to extend and improve India’s highway network. Road The Project Road starts from NH-08A junction at
development is vital to sustain the country’s economic Limbdi to Kuda village up to km 20+000(MDR),
growth which is further reflected in the Ministry of Road traversing a length of around 85.860 kilometers.
Transport and Highways (MORTH) Road Development
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physiography, hydrology and soil were studied / recorded
within 10-15 km radius of the project road.
The Project Highway location is shown on Figure.
B. Analysis of Geological Data
Fig 1 Location of Proposed Project
A. Study of Physiological Measures of Heart rate:
The project corridor acts as connector between two Fig 2 Analysis of geological Data
important highways in the region; Viz., Ahmedabad-
Viramgam-Maliya (SH-07) and Ahmedabad-Rajkot (NH-
08A). These two roads, connects important locations in the The oldest rocks found in the project area belong to Jurassic
Saurashtra Region and Kachchh Region. These two roads Cretaceous period and they are divided into two groups:
carry port bound traffic to the hinterland. Wadhawan Group and Dhrangadhra Group. The Dhangadhra
The Project Highway passes through a number of towns group has three formations. The lower one called Than
and villages en-route. The important among them are formation, comprises grey and carbonaceous shale with
Ankevaliya, Samla, Wadhwan, Surendranagar, Dudhrej, sandstone bands. The middle one is called Surajdeval
formation and is constituted by red to violet colored friable
Latuda, Rajsitapur, Khambhada, Navalgadh, Virendragadh
shale and white sandstone. The upper one is called Ranipat
and Kuda.
formation and is represented by ferruginous sandstone;
Quartzite with grit can conglomerate bands and lenses.
III. COMPREHENSIVE EIA STUDY FOR
PROPOSED PROJECT The Wadhawan group is also divided into three formations
as stated further. The lower one, Kukda formation, is mainly
A. Land Environment composed of brick-red colored loose sandstone. The middle
As per MoEF guidelines for conducting EIA, the one, Malechimata formation, is composed of massive
geographical scope of the EIA study will be of 15 km radius fossiliferous limestone and sandstone. The upper one,
for highway projects, since the project involves widening of Khamisana formation, is composed of white to light
existing highway, the direct influence of the project is ferruginous sandstone having quartzite at the top.
restricted within the proposed Right of Way (ROW) only.
The baseline status has been documented at the ROW level C. Water Environment
but major environmental features like eco-sensitive zones, Project corridor passes through 3 major bridges, 5 minor
forests, industrial areas and physical features like bridges, about 20 culverts and several canals (SSNL
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Narmada main canal and branch canals). About 8 ponds, 2 Monitoring of Air, Noise, Surface and Ground Water
wells, a hand pump and a drinking water facility exists along Parameters were done and following are the monitoring
the project corridor that are likely to be impacted due to stations.
proposed improvement.
Followings are the locations considered for the analysis.
D. Air and Noise Environment
Followings are the parameters considered for the Air and
Noise environment analysis.
Fig 3 Analysis of Air and Noise Parameters
The figure shows the location of proposed project on Google
Earth.
Fig 4 Location for Monitoring Stations for Proposed Project on
Google Earth
Table 1: Legends for Google Earth Map
Below are the locations where the monitoring took place for
the stated parameters.
Fig 3 Location of Proposed Project on Google Earth
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F. Opinion of Villagers / Issues Discussed
Table 2: Locations for Monitoring Parameters
Fig 5: Discussion with Villagers
E. Socio Economic and Health Environment
The socio-economic profile along the project corridors takes After having the discussion with the people residing near the
into account the social as well as the economic aspects project area and issues with them, it is to be concluded that
• Population Distribution the people agreed the proposed project and with their
acceptance for this project.
• Density of Population; Following are the opinions and suggestions of villagers for
the proposed project:
• Sex Ratio; o Opened for provision of vehicle / truck parking bays
and sanitation facility for vehicle operators /
• Literacy Rate; truckers at locations along Limdi junction.
o Villagers have requested for safe pedestrian
• Share of Vulnerable Groups; crossing facility and suggested to provide few more
speed breaker / rumble strips with pedestrian
crossing near pick up stand.
• Workforce Participation Ratio;
o They also suggested to provide railing at both sides
• Sector-wise Distribution of Workers and of the corridor, having a single / double pedestrian
access (Depend upon availability of balance width /
land).
• Urbanization
o During consultation with village community / local
IV. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND FINDINGS people, it was revealed that road side retaining wall
(protection wall) needs to be demolished, which
Public consultation is an important part for minimizing or will have a negative impact as it may impact the
avoiding public controversy as well as confrontation and water carrying capacity of the pond.
delay, and it can make a positive contribution to the EIA o Hence, they recommended a bypass to a town on
process. left side, beyond the pond as there is barren land
which is available.
o The villagers have requested for Pedestrian crossing
facility.
o Installation of appropriate road signs is also
requested.
o Community and local people are dependent on
nearby water source (Pond) for domestic purpose;
hence it has been requested not to use the surface
water for construction purposes.
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o Enhancement measures for the ponds were also Fig 6: Alternatives Considered for Analysis of Bypass
requested.
Following alternatives are evaluated:
V. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
Wadhwan - Surendranagar town bypass realignment (New
Alignment on Right Side)
Analysis of alternatives provides an overview of the
comparative assessment of project scenarios. The proposed • Alternative 1, Option I
project interventions are planned / designed to accommodate • Alternative 2, Option II
within the available RoW, without major alteration to the • Alternative 3, Option IIII
project corridor. •
Follow the existing alignment only.
However, due to the presence of dense settlement, the bypass
at Wadhwan – Surendranagar has been proposed. Hence for • Alternative 4, development and upgradation on
fixing the bypass alignment, the analysis of alternatives has existing two lane old SH – 20 passes through
been studied. The analysis has been carried out in view of
Wadhwan / Surendranagar town.
design criteria, geometry, land use and environmental and
social aspects. The alternative analysis is also conducted for
the realignment sections in the project corridor.
The comparison of alternatives is discussed in the following
sections.
Following are the important factors considered for deciding
the appropriate alternative for bypass provision. Table 3: Analysis for Options for Bypass Provision
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All the three alignment options have been so chosen that any G. Mitigation Measures
of the option is not likely to be affected by future growth near
Wadhwan - Surendranagar town in the coming years, at least
for the next 25 years. As alignment passes through mostly
mix of agricultural and plain land, there would not be Mitigation
significant loss of vegetation cover and thus resultant loss Measures
would be insignificant. Further, social impact of this
alternative is negligible as there is no / minimal acquisition
Cultural Temple
of properties involved. Water Bodies
Properties Enhancement
Apart from this, evaluation for alternatives are done with
considering following matrix: Align Roads to Cultural Asset
Opposite Side of Lakes, Development to Construction and
Table 3: Analysis for Options for Bypass Provision Ponds, Water Bodies Beautify the Mainttainance of
Experience Chabutra for Local
Peoples Sitting
Providing Retaining Promote Arrangement
Wall where Qualitative
Enchroachment is Development to
inevitable Increase Raod
Environment
Development of Cultural Proerties
for Betterment of Community
Fig 7: Mitigation Measures
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The study would not have been possible without the support
of staff of LEA Associates South Asia Pvt Ltd and respected
faculties of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.
REFERENCES
1. http://environmentclearance.nic.in/accessed on 12th june 2017
2. http://forestsclearance.nic.in/ accessed on 10th july 2017
3. http://gpcb.gov.in/environmental-clearance.htm/accessed on 18th july
2017
4. http://iahe.org.in/ accessed on 10th june 2017
5. http://cpcb.nic.in/ accessed on 10th july 2017
6. http://www.moef.nic.in/ accessed on 16th august 2017
Out of these, majority of the stack holders are likely to agree
to adopt east side bypass alignment for Wadhwan -
Surendranagar town city having option 2 as proposed.
