ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

INTRODUCTION

The Environment means the surroundings, on a broad scale the biosphere. If Road

construction and traffic operations is undertaken without a proper understanding of the

relationships inherent in environmental function, serious disruptions to the environment can

be occurred, from which it may take a long time to regain equilibrium. Since environmental

and social impacts from road development are quite common, a comprehensive

environmental and social assessment study is really necessary for such a project.

Project development generally follows a well-defined process which includes prefeasibility

and feasibility studies, preliminary design, detailed design, and construction. This is followed

by operation and maintenance of the completed project. It is important to synchronize

environmental studies with the project development process.

This study includes the major impact associated with environmental and social and the

significance of such impacts. This study also includes the mitigation methods and how to

implement such mitigation plans.

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Environmental impacts arising from road development projects can be categorized as the

direct impacts and non direct impacts. Impacts may be positive or negative. Direct impacts

are generally easier to identify, assess, and control than indirect impacts. Indirect impacts are

more difficult to measure, but can ultimately be more important.

Environmental impacts also should be considered to sites associated with the road project,

which include deposit and borrow sites, materials treatment areas, quarries, access roads, and

facilities provided for project workers.

Air Quality

Air quality will directly affect from the emissions of construction vehicles, machinery and

equipments. All must be regularly serviced and must be accounted for road emissions

assessment. The causes of pollution within the traffic stream should be clearly identified that

is to determine whether pollution arises mainly from gasoline or diesel vehicles, whether it

can be traced largely to a specific vehicle type, and whether it is produced by all vehicles of

a given type or disproportionately from a small percentage of badly maintained vehicles.

Engine producers higher emissions while decelerating, accelerating and climbing grades. So

it is important to identify the geometry of the road design. Heavier vehicles with large

engines emits more pollutants than light vehicles.

The key feature in the air emission is traffic volume. Traffic peaks and their durations should

understand in order to make meaningful projections of emission levels. Sufficient capacity

should be provided to minimize the traffic congestion even with a projected increase in traffic

flow. Placement of busy intersections should be avoided. Steep grades and sharp curves

which promotes decoration and acceleration should be avoided in the design.

Generation of dust

Generation of dust greatly impact on the health of the public near by area. Dust will be

generated due to cleaning the road, excavation, material transport, etc. To avoid this, the area

disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation operations shall be minimized to

prevent excessive amounts of dust. Pre-grading and excavation activities shall include

watering the area to be graded or excavated before commencement of grading or excavation

operations. Application of water should be sufficiently penetrated to minimize the dust. All

trucks shall be required to cover their loads properly. The construction area should be

watered frequently. During windy days, cleaning excavating should be minimized. Maximum

speed of vehicles traveling within the construction areas should be limited. Machinery and

equipment will be handled well to minimize the generation of dust.

Flood mitigation measures

The existing drainage system is not adequate and most of the time the road subjects to

flooding during heavy rainfalls. The existing drain system would be re-designed to handle the

incremental increase in flows associated with the proposed road improvements to prevent any

substantial erosion.

When placing construction materials containing small fine particles, must be stored in places

in such a way that these materials will not be washed away by runoff. Fuel and oil type

liquids use in construction should be properly stored in barrels and keep until disposed in a

proper way.

Poor drainage system

Noise and Vibration

Noise is one of the obvious impact of daily road use. Noise associated with road development

may include noise from vehicles, friction between vehicles and road surface, driver behavior

and construction and maintenance activity. Vehicle noise come from the engine, transmission

and during acceleration. Road construction generally requires heavy machinery and they

contribute significant noise during operation. Noise associated with road developments

affects human health, vibration and wildlife disturbance.

Noise pollution adversely affect in human lifestyle, both psychologically and physiologically

creating an annoyance, communication problems and increase in stress levels. Vibration can

have an effect on nearby structures. Noise may prevent birds coming and it will disturb the

environment. Noise level gets increase when the road is heavily congested during peak hours.

Existing noise levels can be measured using devices called sonometers, which convert

sound wave energy into an electrical signal, the magnitude of which is displayed or recorded.

From the results obtained future noise levels can also be forecasted. Noise problems can be

avoided by moving the road alignment or diverting traffic away from noise-sensitive areas

using bypass roads.

Impact on Flora and Fauna

The consumption of land, noise levels directly affected on loss of habitat. Road development

has perhaps its most serious effects on aquatic ecosystems. Erosion from poorly constructed

and rehabilitated sites can lead to downstream siltation, ruining spawning beds for fish. Effort

should take to minimize the number of trees cut down to construct the road as much as

possible.

Impacts on water resources

Water can be polluted due to unsafe disposal of solid waste, oil, chemicals during

construction. Rules and regulations should apply to workers and they must be thoroughly

aware of the importance and the protection of water bodies. Proper sanitary facilities should

be provided for workers. The waste should remove from the site frequently.

Generation of waste material and disposal

All waste, including any earth work should be properly disposed only at a location approved

by the relevant local authority such as Municipal council. Steps should be taken to prevent

waste disposal to nearby water bodies. Waste should dispose in such a manner which would

not block the drainage system. Replanting cleared areas and slopes is the most effective

action to be taken in reducing erosion and stability problems. Top soil removed from the site

can use as a soil medium when replanting.

IMPACTS ON SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

We conducted a survey to find out community attitude towards this project. When we

discussed with people who live near the project area, what they said was the existing road is

not enough to fulfill their needs. Since the road is narrow and congested most of the time

people around the area face difficulties such as noise, dust, time delays and safety. Most of

their view was that this road should be developed. Most of them had the positive attitude

towards this project. Main social impacts are as follows.

Land Use

The existing land use patterns in project area comprise a diverse mixture of apartments, new

single-family residential developments, older single family units, and vacant multifamily

residential development interspersed with commercial shopping centers, offices, and retail

uses. Some of the new commercial and residential units mixed in with other land uses along a

peripheral arterial road.

The proposed project may impact the property values of the businesses located in the project

area. At present the land value is around Rs. 0.3-0.4 million per perch. The proposed project

is to improve access and traffic circulation within the area. After the project implementation,

significant increase in land value can be expected. The City will ensure that access to all

commercial properties is maintained during construction and after project implementation.

Land Acquistion

The construction of the proposed project would require the acquisition of private property.

Project impacts include both complete acquisition of existing uses and partial acquisitions,

which may alter or displace existing uses. Approximately 1.3 acres area is required for the

acquisition.

Full acquisition of nonresidential property would require relocating employees and

businesses in other locations; partial acquisitions generally would not require relocation. The

project impacts on commercial properties would be restricted to partial acquisitions;

therefore, no direct displacement of businesses or employees would occur as a result of the

Proposed project.

Compensation would be paid for the community who subjected to partial acquisition of their

land. The project would not displace substantial numbers of existing housing.

Impacts on public services

Community facilities and services located near the proposed project site include a school,

where situated in Jayanthi Vidyala Mawatha. There is no property acquisition, but noise,

dust, safety, accessibility will affect adversely during construction and operation. The main

problem is the noise and the vibration. Mitigation methods are discussed under ‘Impacts due

to noise”. However, upon completion of the proposed road widening, access to the public

facilities would be improved.

Safety of road users and pedestrians during construction

The existing road is already congested during peak hours. Shoulder widths are also not

sufficient. When construction begins the traffic will be more. Traffic related accidents due to

increase number of heavy vehicles during transport of construction material will be a

potential impact. Difficulties in access to houses and other places will occur during the

construction period.

Mitigation safety problems begin by examining accident records to identify dangerous

sections of road and causative factors. Sidewalks should be provided for the road users and

facilitate access to nearby communities. The special needs of the elderly and the disabled

would be considered. Road signs should be properly placed which will enhance the safety of

all road users. Safety aspects should emphasize among project drivers. Safe traffic control

measures including road signs, flag persons to warn a danger condition should be employed.

Parking for construction vehicles

During the construction stage number of heavy vehicles are normally used. So suitable space

should be allocated for parking construction vehicles where no disturbance to public. The

existing road is a two lane road and congested during peak hours. There are no enough

shoulder widths also. So it is very difficult to park construction vehicles on the side of the

road. So that special area should allocate for parking construction vehicles.

Positive impacts to the society

On the positive side, the property becomes more accessible because of the widening project

may increase desirability and value. The value of the land may increase after the project is

implemented.

The improved sight distances for both drivers and pedestrians that result from this project

reduces the risk of road accidents. Concurrent improvement of pedestrian crossings of a

wider highway through a better marking and improved traffic signals also has a positive

effect on safety.