Pakistan: National Highway Development Sector Investment Program Tranche 2

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1 Environmental Monitoring Report Annual Report Loan 2540-PAK February 2014 January 2015 Pakistan: National Highway Development Sector Investment Program Tranche 2 Qillah Saifullah Zhob Road Project, ICB 3B (N 50) Prepared by the Environment, Afforestation, Land and Social (EALS) Unit, National Highway Authority (NHA) for the Asian Development Bank.

2 This environmental monitoring report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

3 Contents 1.0 Introduction Activities of the project Environmental Monitoring Environmental Monitoring Summary Noise Drinking Water Quality Air Quality Flora and Fauna Borrow Areas Safety Provision Conclusion... 6 Annexure Annexure 1 Annexure 2 Pictorial Profile of Project s Operational Phase Environmental Monitoring Test Reports

4 D.I.Khan LOCATION MAP AFGHANISTAN Chaman N-50 QilaSaifullah Zhob Dhan asar Mughalkot KPK Kuchlak Loralai QUETTA Lakpass Sariab Chowk D.G.Khan Taftan Nok Kundi Dalbandin Kalat Sibbi PUNJAB IRAN Nag Basima 91 Sorab Khuzdar Dera Allah Yar Sukkur Ratodero SINDH Panjgur Wad Kakkar 136 Gabd Jiwani GWADAR Turbat Pasni Hoshab Awaran Ormara Uthal Bela Hub 18 KARACHI

5 1.0 Introduction The Qillah Saifullah - Zhob road project ICB-38, section N-50 is located at the main artery from Kuchlack to D.I. Khan and within the administrative jurisdiction of district Qillah Saifullah and Zhob. This Annual Environmental Monitoring Report (February 2014 January 2015) presents the findings for operational phase of the project. The project involved the improvement and widening of the road ICB-3B (N-50) from Qillah Saifullah to Zhob (150 Km) carriageway from the existing 3.65 meters to 7.30 meters (within the existing right of way). The project was funded by the Asian Development Bank Loan No 2540-PAK National Highway Development Sector Investment Program. With the improvement of this section of the national highway N-50, trade activities have been enhanced and the general public has been facilitated through considerable amount of savings against vehicular operating cost including lower vehicle maintenance costs. The main objective of this project was to facilitate people and goods transportation and promotion of business activities like the establishment of real estate, small hotels, warehouses, cattle farms and businesses on adjacent lands along the road alignment. The area traversed by the project road comprises is agricultural. Wheat and vegetables are the major crops cultivated here as well as fruits including grapes, apple and almond. The main source of pollution in the project area is vehicular emissions due to heavy traffic movement, and Suspended Particulate Matters (PM10) due to vehicular movement. Currently there is no major industrial area, mineral processing unit or industrial mining unit operating in the project area, which could enhance air and noise pollution. However during the operation period, necessary mitigating measures have been adopted to minimize the emissions so that they comply with the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) limits through the implementation of Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan. 2.0 Activities of the project. Activities were carried out in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. Specific Traffic Management Plans (TMP) were developed and implemented as per requirement of EMP, for the protection and safety of public and road users. For registering any complaints from the local community or any complaint from the local Government agencies regarding environmental pollution/land etc., a complaint register is made available in NHA s Qila Saifullah office. 4

6 3.0 Environmental Monitoring 3.1 Environmental Monitoring Summary Environmental monitoring was carried out as per EMP compliance requirement during the operation phase. Comprehensive monitoring of noise, air quality, soil and water was conducted through an authorized laboratory as per EMP testing requirement frequency. 3.2 Noise Noise monitoring was carried out as per requirements. On comprehensive monitoring of the project was undertaken by PERAC labs Karachi, including measurement of noise level along the road alignment. The noise levels were recorded between 75 to 80 db, which conform to the NEQS. 3.3 Drinking Water Quality. Drinking water parameters were analyzed during the comprehensive monitoring on and were found conforming to WHO-guide lines and Pakistan Standards for Drinking Water Quality. No adverse impact was noted on the quality of drinking water used by the community living along the road alignment. Table 1: Drinking Water Sampling Results of the camps side and urban areas. CODE DESCRIPTION F.E. Coli Count/ml 1430 D/W1-Main Camp side NIL ( ) 1431 DW2- Sub Camp side NIL ( ) 1432 DW3 community drinking water ( ) NIL 1433 DW4-Urban area 255 R/S, NIL community drinking water Dw5-Urban area ( ), NIL community drinking water 3.4 Air Quality. The parameters of air emission were checked as per EMP testing frequency/ requirements. These included particulate matter (PM 10 ), SO 2, NO 2 and CO 2 concentrations. These were compared with NEQS. The recommended value of PM 10 as per NEQ for 24 houres is 250 ug/m3.the Test reports is attached as Annexure-2. The evolving of very fine dust particulate matters is mainly due to heavy traffic volume or wrong side overtaking of public transport. 3.5 Flora and Fauna. Safety sign boards depicting the speed limit and to alert drivers at wildlife crossing points have been installed at various locations. No mortality of wild animals has yet been reported in the operation phase of the project. Tree plantation is under process as per schedule. 5

7 3.6 Borrow Areas All borrow areas have been closed. The last operative borrow was closed on 31st Oct, 2013, after leveling of land. The Borrow Area Management Plan prepared for the project was followed during excavation of materials from various borrows areas. 3.7 Safety Provision Road markers, sign boards and cat s eyes have been installed throughout the length of the project. 4.0 Conclusion The agricultural land along the project alignment has not been damaged due to project activities. The water courses crossing the road site at different locations have been protected from pollution and contamination during the construction phase. Parameters like noise, air and liquid emissions have been controlled to NEQS limits with continual efforts. Appropriate safety measures were adopted for the safety of work force during marking and installation of traffic/safety sign boards. No complaints regarding the environment have been received from the local community. Road accident rate was minimal and no mortality was reported during the entire operation phase reporting period. 6

8 ANNEXURE - 1 Pictorial Profile of Project s Operational Phase 7

9 Project was inaugurated on 30 January 2014 by Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan; Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif 8