Rapid Environment Impact Assessment

(September 2002)

In the year 2002, Tuticorin Port Trust appointed NEERI as consultants for carrying out Rapid & Comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment Studies along with assessing Techno-economic viability of the project. The objective of the study was to obtain Environmental Approvals from the concerned local, state, and central government authorities. The terms of Reference issued by TPT to NEERI comprises of two section viz. Techno-economic viability & other related to Environment Impact Assessment as given below: 

TOR for Techno-economic viability

• Establishment of Techno-economic viability of the project
• Collection of oceanographic and meterological data
• Estimation of quantum of capital dredging
• Suggestion of best suited dredging methods, dumping & disposal methods
• Spell out offshore & onshore disposal areas
• Assessment of quantum of maintenance dredging periodicity & disposal areas
• Furnish requirement of onshore facilities for administration

 The progress report discussed about the project setting, baseline environmental conditions in terms of marine, land and social-economic environments.

Further the report also discussed about the impacts for the construction and operation phases. 

TOR for Environmental Impacts Assessment

• Short listing of viable routes based on Techno-economical considerations
• Assessment of present status of coastal water, marine, land, biological and socio-economic components including parameters of human interest
• Identification of potential impacts on various environmental components due to activities envisaged during construction and operation phases of the project
• Prediction of impacts using various simulation models
• Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement
• Delineation of acceptable Channel route for shipping based on environmental considerations
• Delineation of Environmental Management Plan
• Enumeration of benefits due to ship movements in the operation phase of the Channel
• Formulation of  environmental quality monitoring programme for construction and operation phases
• Make a presentation of the EIA Reports to various government agencies, environment authorities of State Government, NGO’s, MoEF etc.

Subsequently NEERI submitted a progress report to Tuticorin Port Trust in September 2002 on the works carried out till then. Observations on this report are as follows:

• The progress report submitted by NEERI in September 2002 discussed about the present environment status in terms of marine, land & socio-economic environments, Environment impacts & Channel alignment and Techno-economic viability. The study area was the same as considered in IEE.
• The report presented the environmental setting of the project area in terms of the island details in Gulf of Mannar, Hydrography etc. But details pertaining to access & site surrounding, access to Adam’s Bridge etc have not been discussed.
• The present status of the marine environment was established by drawing on the data collected during the IEE in 1998. The data presented for the Marine Environment covered the Physico-chemical and biological status. The assessment covered the marine water and sediment. The analysis given for the various marine environmental components is laudable and confirms the biodiversity richness of the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay.
• The status of land environment was established by using satellite imageries by developing false colour composites using IRC LISS & PAN images. The data was further used for identifying suitable sited for disposal of dredged material.
• The socio-economic environment elaborately discussed about the profile of the fishing communities located around Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. The profile was arrived at by analysis of secondary/published data supported with a rapid sample survey representing 8000-10000 fishermen hailing from Pamban, Natarajapuram, Ramakrishnapuram, Kothandaramakoil Nagar and  Moonruerupuchattram. During the random survey, the public perception about the project was eliciated.
• The impact associated with the project were discussed in terms of:

·                 Land acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, Impacts due to Dredging /

Dredged material disposal, Increased Road/Rail Traffic, Socio-economic

impacts, Ecological impacts and Hydrodynamics Aspects.  

·                 Analysis of Alternatives – The various alignment suggested during various studies were analysed in content of technical, economical, environmental and social aspects and alignment along the Adams Bridge has been accordingly finalized.

·                 On finalisation of the alignment, Techno-economic viability studies were carried out covering traffic, economics and benefits

It is understood that the progress report is basically meant for finalising  the Channel alignment paving way for further studies.

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