6.0

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Public Hearing for the Project was scheduled on 10th

July 2014. Notice of the Public

hearing is shown below which was published on 27-05-2014 in the regional news papers,

Dainik Jagran & Amar Ujala :

Public hearing was initiated by the Regional Officer (RO), UPPCB, Ghaziabad and was

chaired by Additional District Magistrate, Mr. Zameer Alam.

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The RO briefed about the project followed by the representative of the consultant. Then

the ADM welcomed the persons present there to raise queries if any. The questions

raised during the public hearing are given:

Name of the person

Question/ query/ statement of the

person

Reply/clarification given by the company/ panel

number

Action plan by the applicant

Budget Allocation

Sh. Chandar Singh, Ex. MLA

What will be the solution if water of Yamuna River dries up?

It was Informed by the representative of the consultant that if there is no flow in River Yamuna, concerned department should be informed to release water from the Dam. In addition it was told by the consultant that mining will be carried out in completely dry bed of the River.

Though there will a main stream flowing in river Yamuna, the flow will be channelized and mining will be done in the dry portion of the river bed only.

For Channelization

of River: Rs 50,000

A letter45087/-1/एन.ओ.�स.- जनरल -120/ 2014, was issued on 25/6/2014 in which

queries/complaints of villagers were outlined and an answer was demanded. The letter and

its replies are attached as Annexure XVIII (a)

During public hearing, name of the Complainant were called by ADM in context to the

letter No. 45087/-1/एन.ओ.�स.- जनरल -120/2014, it was found that no Complainant was

present in the meeting. Later the complaints mentioned in the letter was read out in front

of all people present in public hearing by ADM, and were asked for suggestions/remarks

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on complaints raised, however, all the attendee said that the complaints raised are baseless

and they do not have any problem from the proposed project.

Public hearing proceedings are attached as Annexure XVIII (b)

6.1

RISK is to expose someone or something to danger, harm or loss. The different steps of

risk assessment procedure are as given below:

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

Step I: Hazard Identification

The purpose of hazard identification is to identify and develop a list of hazards for each

job in the organization that are reasonably likely to expose people to injury, illness or

disease if not effectively controlled. Workers can then be informed of these hazards and

controls put in place to protect workers prior to them being exposed to the actual hazard.

Step II: Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is the process used to determine the likelihood that people exposed to

injury, illness or disease in the workplace arising from any situation identified during the

hazard identification process prior to consideration or implementation of control

measures.

Risk occurs when a person is exposed to a hazard. Risk is the likelihood that exposure to

a hazard will lead to injury or health issues. It is a measure of probability and potential

severity of harm or loss.

Step III: Risk Control

Risk control is the process used to identify, develop, implement and continually review

all practicable measures for eliminating or reducing the likelihood of an injury, illness or

diseases in the workplace.

Step IV: Implementation of risk controls

All hazards that have been assessed should be dealt in order of priority in one or more of

the following hierarchy of controls

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The most effective methods of control are:

i. Elimination of hazards

ii. Substitute something safer

iii. Use engineering/design controls

iv. Use administrative controls such as safe work procedures

v. Protect the workers i.e. by ensuring competence through supervision and training, etc.

Each measure must have a designated person assigned for the implementation of controls.

This ensures that all required safety measures will be completed.

Step V: Monitor and Review

Hazard identification, risk assessment and control are an on-going process. Therefore

regularly review the effectiveness of your hazard assessment and control measures. Make

sure that you undertake a hazard and risk assessment when there is change to the

workplace including when work systems, tools, machinery or equipment changes.

Provide additional supervision when the new employees with reduced skill levels or

knowledge are introduced to the workplace.

A RISK ANALYSIS

The risk assessment portion of the process involves three levels of site evaluation:

a) Initial Site Evaluation,

b) Detailed Site Evaluation,

c) Priority Site Investigations and Recommendations.

The risk assessment criteria used for all levels of site evaluation:

• The existing site conditions

• The level of the travelling public's exposure to those conditions.

The Initial Site Evaluation and Detailed Site Evaluation both apply weighted criteria to

the existing information and information obtained from site visit. The Initial Site

Evaluation subdivides the initial inventory listing of sites into 5 risk assessment site

groups. The Detailed Site Evaluation risk assessment is then performed on each of the

three highest risk site groups in order of the group priority level of risk. The result of the

Detailed Site Evaluation process is a prioritized listing of the sites within each of the

three highest risk site groups.

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Risk analysis is done for:

• Forecasting any unwanted situation • Estimating damage potential of such situation • Decision making to control such situation • Evaluating effectiveness of control measures

Risk Likelihood Table for Guidance (Table No- 6.1)

Step 1: Assess the Likelihood Step 2: Assess the Consequences

L1 Happens every time we operate

Almost Certain

Common or repeating occurrence

C1 Fatality Catastrophic

L2 Happens regularly (often)

Likely Known to have occurred "has happened"

C2 Permanent disability

Major

L3 Has happened (occasionally)

Possible Could occur or "heard of it happening"

C3 Medical/hospital or lost time

Moderate

L4 Happens irregularly (almost never)

Unlikely Not likely to occur

C4 First aid or no lost time

Minor

L5 Improbable (never)

Rare Practically impossible

C5 No injury Insignificant

A logical systematic process is usually followed during a qualitative risk assessment to

identify the key risk events and to assess the consequences of the events occurring and

the likelihood of their occurrence.

Risk Rank L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 LikelihoodxConsequence Almost certain Likely Possible Unlikely Rare

C1 1 2 4 7 11 Catastrophic

C2 3 5 8 12 16 Major

C3 6 9 13 17 20 Moderate

C4 10 14 18 21 23 Minor

C5 15 19 22 24 25 Insignificant

RISK RATING:

HIGH RISK 1-6 MEDIUM RISK 7-15 LOW RISK 16-25

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6.1 RISK ASSESSMENT

There are various factors, which can create unsafe working conditions/hazards in mining

of minor minerals from river bed.

The key risk (hazard x probability) event rating

The Risk rating of such hazards is as follows:

associated with sand bed mining and to

assess its consequences of such events occurring and the likelihood based on above

Table-2 are as:-

The risk rating assigned to this activity is assigned as ‘4’ i.e., it is possible and will have

catastrophic with major consequences, if work started without assessment of the river bed

condition especially during monsoon season. Inundation or flooding is expected and

beneficial for these mines as during this time only the mineral reserve gets replenished.

6.1.1 INUNDATION/FLOODING

Measures to prevent consequences of Inundation/Flooding

Inundation of flooding is expected and beneficial for these mines as during this time only

the mineral reserve gets replenished.

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1. During monsoon months and heavy rains the mining operations are ceased.

2. There should be mechanism/warning system of heavy rains and discharges from the

upstream dams.

The risk rating assigned to this activity is assigned as ‘12’ i.e., it is an unlikely event with

major consequences as frequency of this risk is less likely to occur.

6.1.2 Quick Sand Condition

Two things may create the conditions to form quicksand. Underground water may seep-

up and saturate the sand, thereby reducing the friction between the sand grains and giving

the sand a liquid nature. Or, sand or another soil may be sifted by the force of an

earthquake so that friction is lessened and the earth becomes unsteady.

This creates danger condition to the trucks plying near the river bed and banks for

transportation of minerals.

Measures to Prevent Quick Sand Condition

• The only way to avoid quick sand condition is by avoiding mineral lifting below

water table.

• Mining will be done in layers rather than going for maximum depth at one time.

The risk rating assigned to this activity is assigned as ‘13’ i.e., it is possible event with

moderate consequences as frequency of this operation is more but the predicted/assumed

intensity is less like minor cuts, bodily injury. The possibilities of road accidents are due

to reckless or untrained driver or overloading of trucks or in case pathway is not

compacted suitably, etc.

6.1.3 ACCIDENT DUE TO VEHICULAR MOVEMENT

Measures to Prevent Accidents during Transportation

• All transportation within the main working should be carried out directly under

the supervision and control of the management.

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• The Vehicles will be maintained/ repaired and checked thoroughly by the

competent person.

• A statutory provision of constant education, training etc. will go a long way in

reducing the incidents of such accidents.

• Overloading will not be permitted and will be covered with tarpaulin.

• The maximum permissible speed limit will be ensured.

• The truck drivers will have valid driving license.

DROWNING

The risk rating assigned to this activity is assigned as ‘16’ i.e., it is a rare accident but will

have major consequences, if occurred. This may occur due to flash floods etc due to

which the workers at the site may get seriously injured or drowned.

Measure to Prevent Drowning

1. The mining will be done under strict supervision and only in the dry part of the river.

2. Mining will be completely stopped in monsoon season to avoid such accidents.

3. Deep water areas will be identified and ‘No Go Zones’ will be clearly marked and

made aware to the mine workers.

The risk rating assigned to this activity is assigned as ‘18’ i.e. it is possible event with

minor consequences”, as frequency of this operation is more but the predicted/assumed

intensity is less like minor cuts, abrasion, etc. may be due to river bank collapse, over

thrown boulders/pebbles, injuries due to carelessness use of hand tools, etc.

6.1.4 ACCIDENT DURING MATERIAL HANDLING & LOADING

Measures to Prevent Accidents during material handling & loading

1. The truck should be brought to a lower level so that the loading operation suits to the

ergonomic condition of the workers.

2. The loading should be done from one side of the truck only to avoid over throw of

materials.

3. The workers should be provided with gloves and safety shoes during loading.

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All the activities will be done under strict supervision/control to avoid anticipated

accidents so that the risk is reduced to a level considered As Low As Reasonably

Practicable (ALARP) conditions which are adequately safe and healthy.

6.2 6.2.1 Anticipated Disasters

DISASTERS & ITS MANAGEMENT

1 Floods: The area is prone to floods caused from Major Rivers present in the district;

Hindon & Yamuna. Ghaziabad district was facing biggest flood disaster in year 1978.

In this flood around 527 Village and some urban areas was affected due to flood. After

1978, no critical flood has been seen in Ghaziabad district. Hence no mining is

proposed during the monsoon season. (Source: City disaster management plan 2012-2013).

2 Earth Quake: The lease area falls in seismic zone IV i.e. is highly prone to

earthquakes. Workers during the hiring will be informed to evacuate the site as soon as

they receive or feel even slightly of the earth quake.

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Site

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Emergency Response Plan:

The need for an effective disaster management strategy is to lessen disaster impact which

can be achieved through strengthening the existing organizational and administrative

structure at district and state level. The Emergency Response Plan is a first attempt to

follow a multi-hazard approach to bring out all the disasters on a single platform and

incorporates the ‘culture of quick response’. (Source: City disaster management plan 2012-

2013). The district has proposed an organizational chart for response mechanism for the

impending disasters, which is given as below:

A coordination & Communication frame work has been devised attached:

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A Personnel will be appointed from the side of project proponent who will maintain a

regular link with Disaster Management Authority, to keep a proper mechanism of

communication at the site and maintain an alarming system at the time of disaster.

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6.3

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Socio-economic impact assessment focuses the effect of the project on social and

economic well-being of the community. The analysis relies on both quantitative and

qualitative measures of impacts. The impacts are evaluated in terms of community

demographics, housing, employment & income, public services, quality of life and artistic

qualities of the community. Assessing proposed developments in socio-economic context

will help the community leaders and local people identify potential social equity issues,

evaluate the adequacy of social services and determine whether the project has adverse or

positive effects on overall social well-being.

Probable Impact Assessment due to proposed Mining

Impact on population composition

The impact of the proposed mining project on population composition will be marginal as

there will be no immigration of people from distant areas. Workers employed will be from

nearby villages only. No mining operation will be permitted to the lease holder till it is

assured that local people has been recruited and deployed for mining operation.

Impact on employment generation

The proposed mining project is expected to provide Direct and Indirect employment

opportunities to local people of different skills and trades. It is a positive impact that

needs to be encouraged. Around 10 workers for mining- including skilled administrator

and supervisor and unskilled workers, also semi-skilled worker for plantation will be

benefited directly from employment. Some workers in and around the village area will

also be benefited in petty business and service oriented industries, indirectly through the

proposed mining activity. The employment potentiality of the project is expected to

ameliorate the economic condition of the families in the vicinity of the lease village.

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Impact on Industrial activity

The Industrial activity in the study area is expected to get a boost due to proposed mining

project. It is expected that in the near future few micro and small scale industrial units

may come up in the vicinity offering employment opportunities to many people.

Impact on Health

Extraction of Sand from the river bed poses slight health risks due to dust.

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung disease often caused to miners, due to the

inhalation of dust. Silica content in the sand may also lead to Silicosis, which is again an

occupational lung disease. Miners may also suffer with occupational respiratory ailments,

skin allergies etc, but the same are preventable if exposure is minimized. Further, regular

health check-up of the miners is required to prevent any negative impact on their health.

Impact on income

The impact of the proposed mining activity on household income in the study area is

positive since it will provide employment to local people, which will result to an increase

in household income and hence, livelihood of those workers who will be recruited for

mining operation.

Impact on road development

Movement of trucks and other vehicles to and fro the site is expected to increase

substantially, when mining will start. The existing road connecting the mine site is narrow

mud road. There will be mud slide and traffic bottle neck if this road is not widened and

condition is not improved by making them paved roads. Hence, there is ample scope for

road development in and around the mining areas. Budgetary support for road

development in and around the mining areas will also be given. Plantation will be done

along the approach roads.

CONCLUSION

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The commissioning of Sand Mining Project on River Yamuna near Village: Pachayra,

District: Ghaziabad, State: Uttar Pradesh will provide employment to local people who are

in search of the same.

The granting of environment clearance will make mining of Sand environmentally safe,

legally valid and it will generate revenue for the state. Agricultural productivity in the area

can be increased if some surplus fund can be transferred to agricultural activities which is

lacking in the area due to local fund generating capability of the farmers. Also there is

surplus agricultural labour leading to unemployment. With the implementation of the Sand

Mining Project the occupational pattern of the people in the area will change making more

people engaged in mining, industrial and business activities rather in agriculture only. It is

expected that mineral resources, employment & other community facilities will improve to

a great extent with the opening of the Sand Mining Project and associated industrial and

business activities.