Environmental impact assessment of Faisalabad : Pindi Bhattian motorway (M-3)

Abstract: Roads often bring significant economic and social benefits, but they can also have substantial negative impacts on communities and natural environment. As we become more aware of these impacts, there is a growing demand for the techniques and skills needed to incorporate environmental considerations into road planning and management. The objective of this thesis is to provide a description of practical methods which are useful in designing and executing effective environmental assessments (EAs) to those who are involved in various aspects of Highway/Motorway projects, from planning to construction to maintenance. The techniques discussed can be applied to in-depth environmental assessment studies, or to action/management plans for dealing with environmental aspects of Highway/Motorway projects. The Faisalabad Pindi Bhattian Motorway Project (M-3) with 52.5 Km length,100 meters R.O.W. and Rs. 532.66 million cost falls under the category of projects for which a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report is required by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency vide Section 12 of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.No EIA of M-3 was conducted during planning and designing phases. Failing to identify potential impacts of the project and neglecting to account for these impacts caused the road agency (NHA) to adopt some solutions that compromise the environment to some extent. Even now, when the M-3 is in operation phase, Implementation Agencies(NHA and NH & MP) have no official Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan to be followed. In the light of above discussion, an EIA of the project at operation stage to identify the potential impacts of the project on environment should be conducted to develop the Environmental management Plan for operation stage of this project as well as for the construction phase of future projects. It is found that the nature and scope of the construction works and the environmental setting of the project were such that many of the adverse impacts often5associated with road construction projects caused insignificant environmental impacts. No adverse impacts were seen in respect of sensitive habitat, wildlife, cultural heritage and endangered species etc. Even the use of borrow material from the vicinity of the project was not likely to cause such changes which may be irreversible or non- mitigable. Air and noise pollutions are the main issues of operation phase of the project but both are not foreseen to cross the limits of Environmental Quality Standards even in year2030. (Except Sox and SPM which will cross the standard limits in 2015 and 2020respectively).Social consultation was carried out during project study with officials and local communities. The aim was to solicit views on the proposed project and incorporate their concerns, demands and needs into the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Social Framework Agreement (SFA). Based on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),a Social Framework Agreement (SFA) has been proposed. However for future projects this instrument shall be prepared and made public when the project is approved and is ready for implementation.