Professional Documents
Culture Documents
14032019LEAOSI62Summary CEIA 25012019
14032019LEAOSI62Summary CEIA 25012019
for
Page | 1
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
The Ministry of Railways (MoR), Government of India, released, The Indian Railways’ VISION
2020 which envisages a two-pronged approach to bring High Speed Rail (HSR) in the country.
The first strategy involves using conventional technology to increase the existing speed from 80-
100 kmph to 160-200 kmph on segregated passenger corridors on trunk routes. The second
approach involves identifying viable intercity routes to build advanced high speed corridors for
speeds up to 350 kmph. The proposed “Diamond Quadrilateral” HSR network will link the four
major metro cities of India. These are mainly high-density corridors and range from 135-991 km
in length. These plans target building four corridors of 2,000 km by 2020 and planning for eight
other corridors. These interventions are expected to deliver significant economic, social and
environmental benefits. In this report, the benefits for energy security and mitigation of CO2
emissions are analyzed, thereby contributing to the understanding of the impacts of HSR.
In furtherance of the plan, Ministry of Railway has decided to implement first High Speed Rail
Corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad - named as Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed
Railway (MAHSR) Project.
India has inched closer to getting a bullet train of its own after Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi and his Japanese counterpart HE Shinzo Abe laid the foundation for a high-speed train
network. Both heads of state announced the launch of Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail
(MAHSR) project in Sabarmati on 14th September, 2017. It will cost Rs 1.08 lakh crore to see this
ambitious project through.
This Summary has been prepared as an extract of the Comprehensive EIA Report and includes
references to relevant sections in the CEIA Report and its Annexures (Vol-II). The information
presented in this Summary as well as the CEIA report is based on the findings of the study team 1.
Maharashtra and Gujarat are one of the most industrialized and affluent States of India with
tremendous movement of goods and passengers between them. By 2050, it is predicted that
the travel demand between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will reach 58.2 billion Passenger
1
The study team comprising the following organizations:
• GPS Technologies Pvt. Ltd: CEIA Report, collection and assessment of primary / secondary environmental
data
• NHSRCL General Consultancy: Project Specifications / Data / Maps / Project Drawings
• NHSRCL / RITES: Land Acquisition Plan and related details
• ARCADIS: Resettlement and Rehabilitation Action Plan
Page | 2
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Kilometer (pkm) – an increase of four and half times from 2010 levels. The existing modes of
transport are unable to meet such surging demand or to reduce the travel time resulting in
economic loss, loss of productivity and green house emissions.
4 IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
The Government of India has created a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)- National High-Speed Rail
Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), a Joint Venture of the Government of India and participating
State Governments for implementing all stages of MAHSR project development from planning to
execution, construction, operation and maintenance.
The MAHSR Project, qualifies (vide a letter from Ministry of Railway, dated February 15, 2018) to
be designated as a ‘non-Governmental Railway’ within the meaning of the Section 2(25) of the
Railway Act, 1989 and the Managing Director, NHSRCL as ‘Railway Administration’ under Section
2(32) of the Railway Act, 1989.
5 PROJECT LOCATION
The MAHSR alignment of 508.17 km, begins at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai Suburban
District and runs through Thane and Palghar districts of Maharashtra and then enters Gujarat in
Valsad district. It runs a short course of 4.302 km through the UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and
then re-enters Gujarat and runs through Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda and
Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat before terminating at Sabarmati. The planned route lies between
Latitude 19003’58.52”N-Longitude 72005’47.48”E and Latitude 23005’39.78” N-Longitude
72034’33.48”E.
Page | 3
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
The alignment is proposed on elevated viaduct, bridges and underground tunnels. There are 8
tunnels of 26.915 km with the longest tunnel being 20.375 km under sea at the Thane Creek.
There are 23 bridges with total length of 6.421 km. The rest of alignment, 474.834 km is on
viaduct. The location and extent of the MAHSR project is shown in Exhibit 1. Twelve stations
have been proposed as given in Table 1.
6 PREPARATION OF EIA
M/s GPS Technologies Private Limited, New Delhi in association with Amaltas Enviro Industrial
Consultants LLP. (NABET Certificate No. NABET/EIA/1518/IA 0017) were appointed to conduct
EIA study to review the joint feasibility study between MoR and JICA study team, assess further
environmental impacts anticipated due to the construction and operation of the proposed
MAHSR project and associated facilities (Construction Yard, Railway Stations and Maintenance
Depots etc.), and propose mitigation measures along with an environmental management and
monitoring plan.
The MAHSR project is being developed based on an official development loan from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA). To encourage the appropriate consideration of
environmental and social aspects in all the projects that it supports, JICA has established
Environmental and Social Guidelines in April 2010.
The MAHSR project is categorised as Category A2 as per JICA’s Guidelines for Environmental and
Social Consideration, April 2010.
2
Proposed projects are classified as Category A, if they are likely to have significant adverse impacts on the
environment and society. Projects with complicated or unprecedented impacts that are difficult to assess, or
projects with a wide range of impacts or irreversible impacts, are also classified as Category A.
Page | 4
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
In line with JICA’s Guidelines for E&S Considerations, the following international requirements
have also been followed, as relevant to the project:
• International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards, 2012;
• EHS Sector Guidelines of IFC, 2007 (for Railways);
• General EHS Guidelines of IFC, 2007;
• World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies (R2012-0130; IDA/R2012-0161).
Page | 5
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
The MAHSR project does not attract requirements of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) as per
EIA Notification, 2006 as the Railway sector is not included in the Schedule I of the notification.
However other regulatory clearances related to diversion of forest land or approvals for forest
land, mangroves and wildlife (protected) areas, tree felling in various land types, coastal
regulation zone will be relevant as applicable to specific sections of the alignment passing
through such areas.
Other requirements (Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety as well as Labour laws) based
on various Central, State and Gram Panchayat level regulation will apply (as relevant) during the
construction and operational phases.
All these regulatory requirements have been addressed in the CEIA report and responsibility
allocation for compliance has been included in the EMP as well as project bid documents.
The MAHSR alignment passes through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) at seven locations- six
in Maharashtra and one in Gujarat. In view of the CRZ Notification 2011, the present
Comprehensive EIA Report has been prepared to obtain the CRZ clearance.
The EIA Study has been conducted in accordance with the Guidelines of Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Environmental and Social Considerations, 2010 of JICA,
regulations notified by the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat and Union Territory of Dadra and
Nagar Haveli and the Terms of Reference issued by MAHSR General Consultancy (RFP document
for Environmental Consultancy Services for MAHSR Project for Detailed Design). Further details
have been provided in Chapter 1 of the CEIA Report.
11 PROJECT PROFILE
The proposed MAHSR alignment starts at the BKC, Mumbai, Maharashtra and ends at Sabarmati
in Gujarat. The total length of MAHSR alignment is 508.17 km consisting of tunnels, viaducts and
embankments. The salient features of MAHSR project are given in Table 2.
Page | 6
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
12 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
Various project alternatives were analyzed to avoid and reduce adverse environmental and social
impacts as far as practically possible, during the feasibility, planning and design stage, by the
design team including engineers, environmental and social experts. This is reflected in the
finalization of the cross sections, construction methods, construction materials and alignment.
Key alternatives chosen include:
• Route optimization and siting of maintenance depot so as to avoid/minimize
environmentally and socially sensitive areas (such as forests and mangroves, sanctuaries,
hospitals, schools, densely populated areas, etc.);
• Embankment option changed to Viaduct, thus substantially reducing the Right of Way (RoW)
and subsequent requirements on land acquisition;
Page | 7
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
• Elevated viaduct also ensures continuity within pier spans, without any physical severance
on ground across the alignment, allowing free movement for local community as well as
livestock;
• Japanese Shinkansen technology chosen which is one of the most optimal among HSR, as
regards noise emissions and energy efficiency (lower GHG emissions).
The status of the existing environmental baseline in the project area (an impact zone of influence
of 250 m on both sides of the centerline was considered for the purpose of the EIA) is described
below:
Environmental Finding of the EIA Study
Attributes
Physical Environment
Location of the Geo-Coordinates: The planned route is located between Latitude
Project 19003’58.52”N-Longitude 72005’47.48”E and Latitude 23005’39.78” N-Longitude
72034’33.48”E.
Mean Sea Level of project area is between 0 to 168 m
The length of MAHSR project is 508.17 km
Passing through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra
& Nagar Haveli
MAHSR starts from BKC, Mumbai close to Mithi River (km 0.00) in Mumbai and
traverses through the districts Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Silvasa (DNH), Valsad,
Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda and Ahmedabad (km 508.17).
Physiography and The topography of the study area can be bifurcated into two regions. The first
Terrain part towards Mumbai- having undulated and coastal area while the second one,
falling in the Gujarat region having plain with minor undulation. The majority of
the alignment runs through plain, coastal plain and rolling terrain.
Drainage Geographically, Mumbai is an island outside the mainland of Konkan separated
from it by narrow Thane Creek and a somewhat wider Harbor Bay. At present, it
covers the original island group of Mumbai and most of the islands of Salsette
with the former Trombay island appended to it in its Southeast.
All rivers except Tapi, Narmada and Mahi originate in the eastern hilly tract. The
rivers flow with highly meandering courses in westerly direction and cut across
the alluvial plains. The flow directions of the rivers are dominated by tectonic
activities e.g. Rivers like Narmada and Tapi flows through rift valleys along the
Vindhyan and Satpura range in a westerly direction. There are many other small
and medium streams cutting across the alignment.
Soil The project area has four types of soils ranging from moderately well drained to
poorly drain, acidic to slightly alkaline and medium to high textured. The soils
are primarily belonging to deep black soil, coastal alluvial, medium black soil
and grey brown soil. Alluvial soil is found along riverbed, which is used for
agriculture. Sandy soil is also found in the riverbeds. The coastal plain of project
area is composed of alluvial clays with a layer of black soil on the surface.
Geology and Geologically, the MAHSR alignment can be divided into two segments -
Seismology Paleogene sedimentary rocks of Maharashtra, Vindhyan formation and Alluvial
plains of Gujarat. On perusal of Seismic Zoning Map of India, 2002, entire
MAHSR alignment falls in the intensity Zone-III as per IS 1893:2002. Zone –III
represents area of moderate risk zone.
Landscape The landscape of Maharashtra region of the study area is undulated with many
Page | 8
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Ground Water
On perusal of the results presented in the Table 3.13.3 (i) and Table 3.13.3(ii) of
Annexure 3.13, Vol-II, it may be inferred that the Total Dissolved Solids and
Chlorides in GW are little higher than the permissible limits in GW5 sample
from Vasai in Thane District of Maharashtra. All other parameters were found
within the permissible limit of the Indian Standard for the Drinking Water
Quality- IS: 10500-2012. Some of the vital parameters are above permissible /
desirable limits.
Water Body There are 32 ponds/stagnant water body other than rivers, nallahs and
estuaries.
Air Quality Ambient Air Quality monitoring was carried out at 12 locations during the
study. The results indicate that the air pollutants were higher than prescribed
NAAQS standards at a few urban locations in the study area and the air quality
in the rural areas is well within the limits.
PM10 and PM2.5: Ahmedabad, Valsad and Sabarmati have the highest PM10 and
PM2.5 of all locations and higher than NAAQS standards. The PM10 and PM2.5
though are less than NAAQS standards at other locations but quite close to it.
SO2 and NOx: were found to be lower than NAAQS standards at all the
locations.
CO: was measured to be higher than NAAQS standards at multiple locations
including BKC, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara and Anand. It is pertinent to mention
that these locations are Industrial belts/Urban areas.
Noise The noise levels were measured at 31 locations. Leq value varied between 43.4
dB(A) to 80.1 dB(A) among all locations. LDay and LNight value varied between 44.1
dB(A) to 81.2 dB(A) and 32.2 dB(A) to 65.3 dB(A) respectively. The highest Leq
Page | 9
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Flora
In addition of the orchids there are various kinds of non-fruit trees, bushes and
grasses. Different types of trees were observed along the alignment during the
field visit. These trees mainly consists of Agle marmelos (Bel), Mangifera indica
(Amba), Spondias pinnata (Ambadi), Emblica officinalis (Amla), Bridellia retusa
(Asan), Himenodictyon obovatum (Bhorsal), Bauhinia lawii (Chamel), Anogissus
latifolia (Dhamoda), Randia Uliainosa (Gogda), Anacardium occidentale (Kaju),
Garuga pinnats (Kakad), Madhuca indica (Mahudo), Ficus rumphii (Payar),
Casuarina equisetifolia (Saru), Oroxylum indicum (Tetu),and Ficus bengalensis
(Vad). The list of common Flora in the project area is given in Table 3.15.12 in
Annexure 3.15, Vol-II.
Fauna
The domestic animals reported in the study area are mainly mammals and
listed in Table 3.15.13 (Refer Annexure 3.15, Vol-II). In absence of natural
forest (National Parks and Sanctuary other than SGNP, TWLS, TCFS), there is a
dearth of wild animals in the study area. A list of avifauna, reptiles, amphibians
and rodents based on information gathered from local enquiries and State
Forest Department is presented in the Table 3.15.14 (Refer Annexure 3.15, Vol-
II).
Protected Areas The MAHSR alignment passes through the notified ESZ of Sanjay Gandhi
National Park (SGNP), Protected Area and Deemed ESZ of Tungareshwar
Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS) and Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS). The
alignment is entirely underground in TCFS and no physical change in the
sanctuary area is envisaged.
Page | 10
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
As per the Gazette Notification dated March 15, 1973, the plantation along the
NH/SH/MDR falling with RoW, and Canals has been notified as Protected Forest
in the State of Gujarat. In view of this, Forest Clearance is required for the RoW
of the MAHSR alignment falling within this land in the State of Gujarat.
Accordingly, the application for forest clearance for diversion of forest land of
5.8470 ha. in the State of Gujarat has been submitted on 10-May-2018 vide
proposal No. FP/GJ/RAIL/33381/2018 and the Stage –I Clearance has been
recommended by the Ro/MoEFCC, Bhopal in its REC meeting held on 02-
January-2019.
Socio-Economic Environment
Districts within Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Silvasa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), Valsad,
the project area Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad
Population As per Census 2011, the total population of the districts in zone of influence
stood at 45,131,455.
Sex Ratio The sex ratio in general shows positive trend except Surat. As per Census 2001,
it stood at 810 females per 1000 males, which reduced to 788 in 2011. The sex
ratio of districts in Maharashtra in the zone of influence stood at 858 whereas
for Gujarat it was 915.
Occupational The population of main workers in the zone of influence stands at 18,465,302
Pattern (35.29% of the total population) comprising of male – 15,024,665 and female –
3,440,637 respectively. The population of main workers is highest in Mumbai
suburban at 93,515,922 followed by Thane urban at 3,045,058. The lowest
population of main workers is seen at Navsari -144,902.
Education In the Maharashtra region, the highest literacy rate was recorded in Mumbai
Page | 11
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
The development and operation of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway project is expected
to generate adverse environmental impacts (long term or short term, reversible or irreversible).
The potential adverse impacts and proposed mitigation measures for the project are presented
below:
Project Environmental Potential Adverse Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures
Activities Attributes
A) Long Term Impacts (Operation Phase)
Land Topography • Permanent change in the local • None
topography of certain areas.
Landscape • Visual / landscape impact due to • None
construction of viaduct from
Mumbai to Ahmedabad and bridges
across the intersecting water bodies.
• Permanent change in the vicinity of • None
the proposed stations.
Page | 12
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Page | 13
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Page | 14
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Page | 15
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Page | 16
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
Environment Management Plan (EMP) has been developed outlining measures for
implementation of mitigation measures to offset or mitigate them to acceptable levels. The
Environment Management Plan has also outlined the responsibility of implementing and
supervising the implementation of measures of ISO 14001, details of this is included in Chapter 6
of the S-EIA Report. The budgetary provision for cost of environmental protection measures for
implementation of the Environmental Management Plan has been discussed in detail in Chapter
8 of the CEIA Report. The EMP budget has been estimated at INR 1642.509 Million.
In addition to the above cost, 2.5% of the project cost shall be allocated towards Enterprise
Social Commitment (ESC) as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provision for the
implementation of various activities over a period of 10 years like Community Health
Improvement, Community Education Facilities, Community Welfare Activities, Infrastructural
Developmental, Community Water Conservation, Afforestation Programs, Community Capacity
Building, Community Sanitation facilities and Skill development etc.
During the construction and operational phases of the MAHSR, periodic inspections and audits
shall also be conducted by NHSRCL through third party competent agencies so as to track the
implementation of the EMP and ensure that all adverse impacts are effectively mitigated.
The EMP also presents an institutional structure for implementing the EMP and communication
between the key agencies such as NHSRCL, its Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and State level
Chief Project Managers (CPMs), State level Social and Environmental Management Units
Page | 17
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
(SEMUs), Contractors (as per various packages), Supervision Consultants and Regulatory/
Administrative Authorities. A grievance redress mechanism shall be established at the level of
each SEMU (for systemic E&S concerns) and Contractors (to handle issues at a local level from
local community).
Disaster/emergencies such as land subsidence, accidents, fire hazards, structure collapses, etc.
may arise during construction phase while Natural Disaster-Earthquake, Floods, Cyclones,
Landslides, Tsunami; Train Accident Related Disaster- Collision, Train Marooned, Derailment,
Tunnel Collapse, Fire Explosion in train etc. and Man-made Disaster-Act of Terrorism and
Sabotage could happen during operation stage which can result in substantial loss of life or
human suffering or damage to and destruction of property or damage to degradation of
environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the
community of the affected area. In order to prevent such emergencies from occurring and to
ensure adequate control and management, should an emergency still happen due to unforeseen
circumstances, a disaster management plan, has been prepared. The DMP includes preventive
action, communication protocol, Emergency Action Committee for incident control and
emergency control measures.
17 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
In order to understand concerns of stakeholders and local community, public consultations were
conducted during the feasibility study stage of the project and additional consultations has been
conducted at the detailed design stage in each district. The consultations also involved
discussions with environmental experts and local NGOs. Outcomes of these public consultations
were recorded, analyzed and incorporated in the CEIA Report, as relevant. Suitable
recommendations will also be made in project planning, design and operation based on relevant
outcome of the consultation process, if so required.
A separate budgetary provision has been made for implementation of Environmental Monitoring
Plan for the construction phase INR 287 Million and for the operation phase INR 525 Million.
19 CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the EIA study and recommendations on regulatory compliance,
mitigation measures and management plan, it is concluded that the MAHSR project is in
Page | 18
Comprehensive EIA Report for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway Project
compliance with JICA E&S guidelines as well as National, State and local environmental
regulation.
Page | 19