Consultancy Services for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Traffic Study (TS), Land Acquisition Plan (LAP), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)

Feasibility Study with Detailed Engineering Design, Bidding Services and Construction Supervision and Services during Defect Liability Period for “Construction of Double Line Track Between Khulna-Darsana Junction Section of Bangladesh Railway”.

The Khulna-Darshana Rail Line is an important railway route in Bangladesh, connecting the city of Khulna in the southwest to Darshana, a border town near the India-Bangladesh border. Additionally, the rail line provides an essential means of travel for commuters and tourists, enhancing regional mobility and tourism opportunities. A double line track between Khulna and Darsana Junction would be a viable option to meet the rising demand. According to the Railway Master Plan, to be a viable mode of transportation, the rail transport subsector must significantly expand its efficiency, service quality, intermodal link, and network coverage. The project “Construction of Double Line Track between Khulna – Darsana Junction Section of Bangladesh” is prioritized in the Railway Master Plan. It is planned to construct 126.457 Km (BG) main line and 24.853 Km (BG) loop line connecting Khulna and Darsana Junctions Corridor.

The assignment’s scope comprises preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report, Land Acquisition Plan (LAP) Report and Traffic Study Report to carry out the task, the following activities were performed:

·     Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Project. For baseline data collection, Air quality, Water quality, soil quality, Noise, Vibration, temperature, wind speed & Velocity data were collected from the project location.

·     Household survey was conducted in the region to collect primary social data to prepare the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report.

·     Based on the social survey data on the Railway Track alignment, a Land Acquisition Plan (LAP) is prepared for the project authority.

·     Traffic count and Traffic Origin Destination (OD) survey is conducted in each of the road that has a rail line under the project. Traffic Prediction and current traffic survey report is prepared

·     Focus group discussion (FGD) among peoples of Khulna Division are conducted during the EIA, SIA and Traffic study of the project.

·     Environmental monitoring of various issues due to project activities, such as, environmental pollution (dust, noise, and water); issues as listed in the EMP; provision of safe water, sanitary toilet facility and hygienic accommodation for workers at camp sites; provision of adequate occupational health, safety, and fire safety facilities; flora & fauna; waste management system; drainage system & vegetation.

·     Carry out environmental quality monitoring sampling and testing.

·     Conduct ambient air quality monitoring for 8 hours duration carry out testing of defined parameters, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx), Sulphur Di-oxide (SOx), Particulate Matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5).

·     Collection of surface water samples from project area carry out testing of defined parameters, such as Temperature, pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Electric Conductivity (EC), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolves Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Coliform (TC), Faecal Coliform (FC) and Oil and grease.

·     Liaison with Client for project activities, reports & invoices submission and follow up payment.