World Bank will provide 238 million dollars for "Electricity Distribution and Transmission Improvement Project" to help increase the efficiency, reliability, and quality of electricity supply by supporting reductions in overall technical and commercial losses, increased availability of electricity, and improved voltage profile in Pakistan.
According to official sources, the project also aims to support power sector reform and investment planning and financing through technical assistance.
The update Environmental Assessment (EA) document evaluated impacts and suggests mitigation measures in the following areas, respectively: soil erosion and degradation, caused by grid stations and transmission lines construction activities; surface and ground water contamination; loss or damage to wildlife; damage to natural vegetation; inappropriate liquid or solid waste disposal; leakage from oils and chemicals; crop compensation; construction crews will be provided with LPG for cooking; use of firewood will not be allowed; post-construction monitoring of tower foundations will be carried out to detect early signs of soil erosion or land sliding; and finally, applicability of Pakistan's legal and environmental policy legislation and the bank's operational safeguard policy on environmental and social matters, such as forestry, natural habitats; indigenous peoples; cultural property; projects in disputed areas. Negotiations scheduled for mid-November 2007, sources added.
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