Eia of Ring road report of Jammu City

Environmental Imapact Assessment of ring road of Jammu city

1. EIA REPORT : Construction of Ring road around Jammu city Submitted by -: SAKSHAM MAHAJAN (161675 ) Email Id – [email protected] Mobile No. – 8492907770

2. Project Description NEED FOR THE PROJECT   Jammu city is expanding at a very fast pace in all directions, the traffic is also increasing accordingly . The main reason of the growth of traffic in Jammu city is due to following factors: Tourists coming from all over India to visit Temples, especially Vaishno Devi. Army traffic passing through Jammu city and going to border areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Akhnoor . Migration of people from military affected areas of Kashmir, Doda, Poonch, & Rajouri   Urbanization of rural areas of Jammu

3. Project Description National Highway 1A (NH 1A), is a National Highway in North India that connects the Kashmir valley to Jammu and the rest of India. The northern terminal is in Uri in Jammu & Kashmir and the southern terminal is in Jalandhar. Stretches of NH 1A run through some extremely terrain and shut-offs because of avalanches or landslides are common in winter months. The famous Jawaharlal Tunnel that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley across the Pir Panjal Range falls on route. The total length of NH 1A is 663 km. The project road is a bypass road of Jammu City which would be part of NH-1A. Project road start from Raya Morah of NH-1A and ends at Nagrota bypass at NH-1A. The length of the proposed bypass/ring road would be about 58.25Km

4. Project Description There are two tunnels to be constructed in hilly area of proposed Jammu ring road /bypass . Length of Tunnel -1 will be 770m (from km 50.700 to km 51.470) and Length of Tunnel-2 will be 710m (from km 53.770 to km54.480).  The project road is a new alignment and most of the part of the proposed bypass passes through agricultural and green field area, which is generally plain in nature except the area falling under Protected Forest, which is a mountainous region with steep and uneven terrain. Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Kukrian Wildlife conservation reserve/ wet reserve are located within the 10 km radius of the project area. The project road is strategically very important due its nearness to international boundary with Pakistan and Republic of China.

5. Source- Dailyexcelsior.com

6. Project Location Map

7. Environmental Assessment of the Project Environmental Parameters Jammu Ring Road/Bypass     Terrain Mainly plain; a few km stretch is also falls in hills section.   Geology Panjal, alluvium     Soil Type Loamy Soil with little content of clay materials   Surface water bodies crossing/ along the 2 Rivers and 48 Canal/Minor/Drain, 1 pond Project Road: Canal/Stream/Ponds and 2 other seasonal water bodies. Ground Water Bodies along the Project Road: 16 Tube well bore well and 21 Hand Pumps HP/TW/Well   Surface and Ground water quality Within permissible limits     Ambient Air Quality Within permissible limits     Noise level Within permissible limits       Protected Forest consisting mainly Mixed Forest Type and Broad leaf Tree Species, with few   numbers of Conifers (Chir Pine)   Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary,Nandini Eco-sensitive area with 10 km Wildlife Sanctuary and Kukrian wet   reserve/wildlife conservation reserve     Religious Properties along the Project Road 15 (Nos)   Archaeological Properties along the Project None` Road   Educational Institutes Along the Project 01 Road( Nos)   Industries along the road 02 small scale industries located along the Project road   Land Use Along the road 75% cultivated, 15% agriculture/green fields/barren lands and 10% forest land

8. Environmental Impact Summary Sl. No. Parameter Details             Negative Impacts             1 Tube wells / Hand Pumps 16Tube well and 21 Hand Pumps     Relocation (Nos.)         2 Diversion of Approx 310.1510 ha.     Agricultural/Cultivated land (ha.)         3 Diversion of Forest Land About 19.6240 hectares           4 Borrow Earth (Cum) Required in large amount           5 Quarry Material (Cum) Required in large amount           6 Water requirements (million L) 940         7 Nos of trees to be felled (Nos) in Approx 10112 trees exists, 9327 trees(4179   non forest + forest trees in non forest + 5148 trees in forest land)     will be felled and 785 trees will saved due to     proposed Tunnel   9 Surface water body 2 Rivers and 48 Canal/Minor/Drain/ Drains         10 Cultural/Religious Properties 15           11 Government 9  

9. Environmental Impact Summary   Positive Impacts       S.No .   Parameters   Details 1 Enhancement sites Approx 27981 trees (1:3 times) under     compensatory afforestation and avenue     plantation along the Ring Road/Bypass 2 Median Plantation Provided (1500 plants /km ) i.e 82500 Shrubs         3 Connectivity and road safety Improved           4 Safe Assess to Educational Improved     Institute         5 Enhancement of Service road Improved           6 Sitting Arrangement improved  

10. Environmental Impact Summary . Table: “With” and “Without” Project Scenarios S.No . Scenario type Long-Term Scenario “With” Project Long-Term Scenario “Without” Project A. Physical Environment i ) Atmosphere and Climate Travel time and traffic congestion will reduce as a result of the development of ring road/bypass. Overall, a lower or similar level of air pollution. No change in climatic condition Congested road will consume more travel time and will increase air pollution. No change in climatic condition ii) ii) Topography and Soils No major change in topography and soils, however, better road will reduce soil erosion and dust Further deterioration in present conditions

11. S.No . Scenario type Long-Term Scenario “With” Project Long-Term Scenario “Without” Project B. Ecological Environment i ) Flora About 27981 trees are going to be affected by the proposed project however, through compensatory afforestation @ 1:3 will again improve the greenery of the area. Additional plantation along the project road will enhance the esthetic beauty of the area No change in vegetation and number of trees. ii) Fauna Increase disturbance and chances of illegal hunting during construction period which will be minimized by the patrolling of forest department during construction. After development of Ring Road/Bypass road side fencing/netting situation . Continued, and possibly increased disturbance to the fauna. Increased disturbance and chances of illegal hunting due to overall traffic growth on existing road

12. S.No . Scenario type Long-Term Scenario “With” Project Long-Term Scenario “Without” Project C. Social and Cultural Environment Increased comfort and safety while traveling. Improved business environment for those living along the project road-increased passing trade from generated traffic and reduced transportation costs for imports and exports of the area. Traveling may increase time, thereby transportation costs will increase. Reductions in comfort and safety due to congestion and deterioration in highway condition. Business opportunities remain largely the same as before. D. Overall Long term improved social and environmental conditions but an increase in expenses for project activities during the course of project construction and it will slightly effect the forest area during construction period Small deteriorations in environmental conditions, no increase in economic opportunities and increased expenses associated with maintenance.

13. Project Disadvantages Loss of 19.6240 hectares of protected forest(PF) land Loss of about 9327 trees(4179 trees in non forest +5148 trees in forest land ). Loss of 310.1510 ha of agricultural land and cultivated land, Forest land A marginal reduction in aesthetic beauty . All the trees felled due to this project will be compensated to reduce the negative impact of the area.

14. Project Benefits S avings in travel times – from faster vehicle speeds and reductions in congestion of Jammu city. T he projected overall savings in travel time and fuel consumption and it will also reduce the emission of dust .  Reduced cargo delays – from faster vehicle speeds and reductions in travel time   Reduced vehicle operating costs – from improved riding surfaces .  Reduced road maintenance costs – from higher quality infrastructure. Reduction in exhaust emission- the Development of Ring Road/Bypass will reduce the emission level in and around Jammu city .   Reduced accidents – mainly as a result of reduced travel time and congestion but also because of the provision of safety infrastructure and warning signs, though this latter element was impossible to quantify – it was, however, estimated that the benefits from a 50% reduction in accidents   Improved access to the Jammu-Srinagar, specially the army vehicles could travel easier .  

15. References http:// environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/EIA/09022017CPSK8ZTREIAREPORTJAMMU.pdf