Due Diligence Report
Project Number 45432-002 April 2016
TAJ: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation
Corridor 6 (Ayni–Uzbekistan Border Road)
Improvement Project - Rehabilitation of two steel bridges across the Zeravshan River at
km 32 (Urmitan, Ayni district) and km 74+660 (Dupula, Panjakent
district)
Prepared by Ministry of Transport / Project Implementation Unit Road Rehabilitation for the
Asian Development Bank.
This environmental due diligence 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.
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Table of Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms .............................................................................................................. 3
1. GENERAL ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Key findings: ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.2. Site Environmental Aspects: ................................................................................................... 6
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ANTICIPATED IMPACTS ..................... 8
2.1 Physical Environment .............................................................................................................. 8
2.2 Ecological resources ............................................................................................................... 10
3. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM .................................................................................. 10
4. CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................................................... 10
Appendix 1: Photographs of the areas around the bridges ........................................................... 12
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
ADB Asian Development Bank
CAREC Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation
CEP Committee for Environmental Protection
DEP Department of Environmental Protection
DDR Due Diligence report
SSEMP Site Specific Environmental Management Plan
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMP Environmental Management Plan
ERP Emergency Response Plan
GoT Government of Tajikistan
IEE Initial Environmental Examination
KM Kilometer
KM/H – Kilometers per Hour
MoT Ministry of Transport
NO Nitrogen Oxide
m – Meter m – Meter
PIU Project Implementation Unit
PM Particulate Matter
TA Technical Assistance
TMP Traffic Management Plan
WMP Waste Management Plan
ToR Terms of reference
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1. GENERAL
1. Description of the Project
The Republic of Tajikistan has received Grant 00301 from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) for implementing Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridor 6 (Ayni-
Uzbekistan Border Road) Improvement Project (the Project). The civil works funded under
the Project comprise the upgrading of the existing road section upgrade the existing 113
kilometer road segment to the required Tajikistan road standards (a 47km category IV
section and a 66km category III section) from Ayni district to the Uzbekistan border and
improvement of facilities at Border Post.
2. Two bridges were recommended for maintenance work to be part of the current Aini
Panjakent Road Project namely, Urmitan Bridge and Dipula Bridge. In order to ensure that
this included tasks will not result to adverse impacts to the environment an Environmental
Due Diligence has been performed to cover the environmental aspects that are associated
with the said maintenance works on these bridges.
3. The Government of Tajikistan is requesting the use of ADB financing for much needed
repairing and rehabilitation of additional steel bridges which connect Yori, Amondara,
Hurmi Jamoats villages and Urmitan village (with the total population of 14,000 persons or
19% of total population in the Ayni districts and 32,685 persons 13% of total population in
the Panjakent district with the main Ayni - Panjakent road. These bridges will also promote
the formation of the transport infrastructure which is a precondition for economic
development and poverty reduction. These two bridges are located at the following sites.
i. Steel bridge across the Zeravshan River, km 1 of Dupula-Veshist access road, at
km74+660 of main Ayni-Penjikent-Uzbekistan boarder road (Panjakent District)
ii. Steel bridge across the Zeravshan river, at km 31+940 (Urmitan village, Ayni
district)
4. Initially the rehabilitation of these bridges was foreseen under Project component Rural roads , but due to the lack of funding they were excluded from the list of objects to be
rehabilitated. It was proposed to include these works to Contract of main road
rehabilitation.
Benefits of the proposed works for the maintenance / reconstruction of bridge across the
Zeravshan River
5. It is expected that proposed works are of vital importance and economically viable. They
will improve the living conditions of the projected area community and women will benefit
greatly due to a better access to medical, market and other commercial services both in
Panjakant and Ayni Districts. Some positive benefits include following:
• The travel time will reduce;
• The freight costs will go down due to the reduction of transportation expenses;
• The passenger fare will go down;
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• The highway length reduction and improvement will help to raise the commodity
value due to the speed increase and lesser travel time;
• The road safety will decrease the number of road accidents.
6. Figures below show the location of bridges proposed for additional rehabilitation.
Figure 1: Proposed bridge of Urmitan for maintenance / rehabilitation at KM31+940
Figure 2: Proposed bridge of Dupula for maintenance / rehabilitation at KM 74+660.
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7. The DDR has been prepared for mentioned above works on bridges rehabilitation as
required under ADB Safeguards Policy Statement which requires due diligence to be carried
out when a change of project design occurs at the implementation stage. The present report
has been prepared by the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan (MOT) and describes the
findings of the initial studies on the subproject.
8. The following tasks were implemented:
Consultation with relevant MOTC staff;
Consultations with Contractor;
Consultations with residents in the project area;
Review of available safeguards documents (IEE, EMP, SSEMP, environmental
monitoring reports);
Field researches of the bridges (from April 2015 to November 2015) and
Compiling the draft Due Diligence Report.
9. Key findings:
Proposed works will not have significant environmental impact;
Existing EMP/SSEMP (with WMP, ERP, TMP and other Annexes) with mitigation
measures can cover all possible environment issues
10. The results of the study suggest that the impact of this sub-project does not incur any major
negative environmental impact.
11. Consultation with local community and local Government representatives: Consultations
with Ayni and Panjakent government authorities, community members have been
conducted during feasibility studies of the sub-project bridges for preparation of this due
diligence report. Discussions were held about impact of this sub-project to local community
members livelihoods and other concerns that are raised by any other stakeholders of the sub-project bridges.
1.1. Site Environmental Aspects:
Urmitan Bridge
12. Urmitan Bridge is located at around km 32 at the right-hand side of the Aini-Panjekent Road
and serves as the primary access over the Zaravshan River to Urmintan. It crosses the
Zaravshan River which runs through the Zaravshan Valley and through which the Project
Road traverses from Ayni to the Uzbekistan Border. In terms of topography, this Urmitan
bridge point is within the mountainous area of the Project road. The bridge itself has an
approximate elevation of 1200 meters with mountain slopes on both sides. The soil cover in
the area consists of gray desert (sierozem), brown-carbonate, and mountain steppe soils. The
water in Zaravshan River was observed to be murky in the previous years, which were due
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to the some activities and discharges upstream.
13. Aside from the normal steppe grass and bushes on the slopes and river banks, no
endangered floral species exists. Likewise, no sensitive or endangered faunal species were
noted near the bridge area. Since, animal herding is among the basic industry in the villages,
only farm animals are expected to roam the area.
14. From the project road, the access to the bridge is via an old semi-paved road that zig-zags
down the slope. A farmhouse at the right-hand side near the south abutment exist, however
no other nearby structure is found; hence social impact to receptors is unlikely. Urmitan
village is at the northern side of this bridge with most of the houses located higher than the
elevation of the bridge. The bridge itself is at considerable distance from any of the sensitive
receptors, such that the maintenance/construction works will not significantly affect any of
them.
15. In general, the maintenance/construction works will consist of replacement of bridge
structural members, deck pavement works, abutment repairs and provision of apron,
railings, slope protection works, and other minor works. Among the environmental concern
for this bridge maintenance work will be certain impacts on:
I. River water quality – during dismantling and replacement of structural components,
construction of slope protection, abutment works, and pavement works
II. Noise and dust generation – general removal/demolition and construction of steel
members;
III. Vegetation Impacts – vegetative covers may be affected in areas where slope clearing
will be done, however will be minimal and regeneration can be expected after some
time;
IV. Disruption to access – during critical phases of the maintenance work
16. No impact on flora and fauna is anticipated for this task since the work will just be confined
in the immediate vicinity. The current contractor can utilize his existing ancillary facility
hence to new impacts would be generated.
Dupula Bridge
17. Dupula Bridge is located at around km 75, right-hand side and about 300m due north of the
Aini-Panjekent Road. This bridge over Zaravshan River links the 5 villages to the project
road which are located at the northern side of the river. The general topography at this
bridge area is somewhat flat and where most of the agricultural lands are found. This area is
further downstream of Zaravshan River, with the same murky quality as that found in the
upstream regions.
18. Vegetation is in the area are that mostly planted by residents such as fruit-bearing trees
(apricot, persimmon, walnut and mulberry), and ornamental types such as poplar species.
Occasionally, herds of animals roam the area but no sighting of wild fauna has been
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reported.
19. In a spot around 100 meters prior to the bridge at the south side, a local produce bazaar is
organized once a week for the surrounding villages to bring their local products and
livestock to be sold. This commercial activity generally last for the entire day which can be
really busy during mid-day. Merchant s stalls and some buildings are found at the road side, but these will not be affected by the bridge maintenance works. Although, the
maintenance works is mainly confined at the bridge, certain measures should be established
during the bazaar days so as not to disrupt the commercial activities of the local population
and to maintain safety to the people and the animals in the area.
20. The envisioned maintenance/construction works will consist of replacement/strengthening
of bridge structural steel members, orthotropic deck and pavement works, fixing of cables
and hangers, installation of bearings and joints, and painting/rust proofing. During the
performance of the works, the environmental concern for this bridge maintenance work will
consist of:
(i) River water quality – during dismantling and replacement of structural steel
components, deck, and pavement works, painting and rust proofing;
(ii) Noise and dust generation – general removal/demolition and construction of steel
members, especially during bazaar day;
(iii) Disruption to access and safety concerns – during critical phases of the maintenance
work and mainly on the bazaar days.
21. Impact on flora and fauna is highly unlikely as the area is no longer forested, but near
farmlands and agricultural areas. No new ancillary facility will be needed, hence no new
impact is anticipated as materials can be obtained from current sources.
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ANTICIPATED IMPACTS
2.1 Physical Environment
Topography:
22. The bridge near Urmitan village, Ayni district (km32 of the main Ayni-Panjakent road) is
located in the Zaravshan Valley, a mountainous region in the north of Tajikistan, the
altitude of 1420 meters above sea level (masl).
23. The bridge over Zeravshan river, km 1 of Dupula-Veshist access road), at km74+660 of the
main Ayni-Penjikent-Uzbekistan boarder road (Panjakent District) is located in the area
with mountain slopes and valley floor. Elevations in Panjakent district are approximately
1000 meters above sea level.
24. There will be minor or no impact on the Zeravshan river and Vashan gully due to the type
of works and very short period of their execution .
25. Climate conditions where the bridges located are characterized by dry climate, with hot dry
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summers and cool, winters. The cold period lasts 110-190 days, the warm period – 260-140
days. The climate affects the construction season in the Project area which is between March
and November. Zaravshan valley winds have an average speed of 3-6 m / s and generally
blow down the valley, west, during the day and up the valley, east at night.
26. Air quality is generally acceptable with all parameters measured in 2015 within the
maximum acceptable limits set by Government. The area of bridge near Urmitan in Ayni
district is in relatively barren mountainous landscape interspersed with small villages
clinging to the valley slopes. As such there is little industrial activity that may produce air
quality impacts. Emissions from the combustion of fuel, at present rates, are relatively low
due to the low volume of traffic on the road and via the bridge. Proposed works here will
have minor and temporary effect due emissions from tracks bringing the materials for road
rehabilitation and excavators which will be used for earth works. The impacts can be easily
mitigated in frame of existing EMP/SSEMP developed for these projects.
27. The area of bridge at the 1 km Dupula-Veshist Road (Panjakant District) is in the valley floor
and is dedicated more to agricultural use, again limiting scope for industrial related air
emissions, discusses industrial activity in the region). One of the main sources of air
pollution in the region relates to the burning of fossil fuels for heating, cooking and power
within the urban areas, although this impact is being reduced as more portions of the valley
become powered by hydroelectricity from Tajikistan s vast hydro resources. The other main source of emissions in the Valley is from vehicle movements which can be classified in two
categories; emissions from the combustion engines, and dust related impacts from the
movement of vehicles. Emissions from the combustion of fuel, at present rates, are relatively
low due to the low volume of traffic on the road and via the bridge. Due to the type of
works (replacement of steel structures of the bridge, painting and etc., dismantling of
asphalt-concrete pavement) minor and temporary environment impact is expected. The
impacts can be easily mitigated in frame of existing EMP/SSEMP developed for these
projects
28. Noise from vehicles is not a big concern in the areas around the bridges as they located at
the distance about 100 m (near Urmitan) and about 1 km (near Dupula) from the residential
houses. Noise mitigation measures are included in the environmental management plan to
ensure construction and operational vibration does not escalate to unacceptable levels.
29. Vibration will increase gradually as traffic increases but the improvement of the bridges
should have a beneficial effect to dampen vibration. Mitigation measures are included in the
environmental management plan to ensure construction and operational vibration does not
escalate to unacceptable levels.
30. Soil contamination is not a concern in the areas around the bridges at present and soil
contamination should not be a problem in construction or operation. Mitigation measures
are included in the environmental management plan to control any residual effects (spills,
cement usage).
31. Solid waste disposal in construction or operation will be controlled by mitigation measures
included in the environmental management plan.
32. Water pollution is not a big concern in the area of proposed bridge works. People here take
the underground water from springs and wells for drinking. Mitigation measures are
included in the environmental management plan to control any residual effects.
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2.2 Ecological resources
33. Flora and fauna. No important, rare, endangered, or protected species of flora and fauna are
found within the vicinity of the bridges. No impact on biodiversity is expected from
proposed rehabilitation works. Relevant mitigation measures related to pollution of waters
in regards to aquatic fauna are included to existing EMP/SSEMP developed for the project.
Area with poor vegetation around bridge near Urmitan village, at KM 31+940
Bridge across the Zeravshan River, Dupula-Veshist Road, Panjakant District – no trees or bushes around
and no rare animal species observed here which can be affected by proposed reconstruction works.
2. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM
34. Earlier in the project a Grievance Redress Group (GRG) was established according to ADB's
Safeguards Policy Statement (2009). The GRG member in charge shall visit the site regularly
to meet he local residents, and the local residents can contact him/her by mobile
communication in case of any appeals, requests or claims. No claims have been registered so
far, as no works were done at the site.
35. Consultations will continue throughout construction phase as per the Project s communications plan. Records including reports on environmental and social complaints
and grievances will be kept in a simple database in the PIURR office.
3. CONCLUSIONS
36. The bridges are predominantly existing pieces of infrastructure that do not create any
impact previously anticipated. The impact on the environment during the construction at
the site will not be significant and will have temporary and are reversible in nature.
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37. The EMP (IEE dated August 2012) and the SSEMP developed in 2013 remain effective and
has been efficiently monitored in 2013-2015 and will continue to be monitored until the
Project is completed. The two streams of environmental management namely: (i) control
over the contamination sources, and (ii) protection of receptors will remain in place for the
duration of the project, and the implementation of the bridge maintenance works. The
accepted EMP/SSEMP and mitigation measures should be effective and applicable to control
all expected impacts but adjustments will be made if any unexpected impacts occur during
the construction period to minimize the impact on the environment.
38. The proposed works involve the reconstruction bridge works which are acceptable
environmentally and offers some other advantages both financially and socially.
39. During construction or maintenance work, the Contractor will take all measures to mitigate
the possible adverse effects (such as noise and dust) and the Consultant in turn will run
strict monitoring of the Contractor`s activity for timely undertaking of mitigation measures
in line with the accepted EMP/SSEMP. PIURR specialists will periodically visit the site
during the construction active phase of works to monitor the environmental impacts and
check on the implementation of the EMP/SSEMP.
40. The project will not create any additional impacts on cultural or heritage sites. The proposed
project will not create conflicts with natural resource allocation.
41. The construction impacts should be very predictable and manageable and with appropriate
mitigation few residual impacts are likely. Implementation of appropriate measures during
the design, construction, and operation phases will minimize negative impacts to acceptable
levels.
42. To ensure that these mitigation measures are implemented and negative impacts avoided,
the measures have already been included in the contract specification. Environmental
monitoring of the project will continue to be undertaken regularly through the construction
to ensure that the measures are being implemented properly.
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Appendix 1: Photographs of the areas around the bridges
Allowed traffic only one way after found problem – bridge across the Zeravshan River, Dupula-Veshist
Road, Panjakant District
Tension rod upper connections displacement.
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Underside view: Decay of orthotropous deck and cross beams
idge near Area
Area around the bridge near Urmitan village