LAHORE: The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project (Ali Town–Dera Gujran) will have both positive and negative impacts during the construction and operational phases and the experts have recommended measures to mitigate the negative impacts.

During field surveys completed by the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) in the wake of the recently issued Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the project, the experts identified some important social, cultural and environmental issues, recommending measures to deal with them.

According to EIA report, which has to be placed before the public at large on June 30 in order to have valuable inputs from the stakeholders, soil erosion and contamination may occur by the roadside and at contractors’ camps due to the excavation of earth/cutting operations, clearing of vegetation and land levelling activities.

“The impact can be limited by keeping excavations confined to the specified foundation spots as per the approved engineering drawings. Therefore, unnecessary excavations are required to be avoided,” the report reads.

It mentions that during the construction, the flow of traffic will be disturbed due to movement of heavy machinery and other construction activities and the traffic diversion plan must be communicated to the public before the start of work. It says the earthwork operations will open up scars on the land around the project area and proper landscaping and appropriate disposal of excavated materials should be done to deal with the issue.

Surface and groundwater may get contaminated due to construction activities and construction camp sites due to discharge of sanitary effluent and rainwater run-off to watercourses. Percolation of this water into the soil may also contaminate groundwater, as protection of groundwater reserves from any source of contamination such as the construction and oily waste that will degrade its potable quality. Therefore, the project executing agency should ensure prohibition of washing of machinery in surface water and provide sealed washing basins, collecting wastewater in sedimentation/retention pond.

“The air quality may also deteriorate during construction. However, during operation of the project it is expected that it will improve due to decrease in number of vehicles on the road,” the report claims.

It apprehends that issues of loss of vegetation, generation of waste and social conflicts between workers and community may arise too. Thus, workers camps should be set up at least 1km away from residential areas. Health risks and work safety problems due to construction activities and movement of heavy machinery and handling of construction/hazardous material may arise.

The report asserts that the project would generate economic activity with new opportunities for skilled/unskilled manpower. Mainly, the traffic congestion on the roads will be reduced and traffic flow will become smooth due to shift of passengers into improved public transport facility.

“Recommended mitigation measures to contain potential adverse impacts are described in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Therefore, the EMP shall be strictly enforced during the implementation of the proposed Project,” the report seeks.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2015

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