The commencement of site work of Faisalabad-Khanewal Motorway (M-4) under the National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Program (NTCHIP) Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF) is expected in early 2008, with an estimated completion date of late 2010.
According to official sources, the economic benefits resulting from implementation of the proposed project are decreased vehicle operating costs and travel time due to the improved road facility, reduced traffic congestion, uninterrupted and smooth traffic flow between Faisalabad and Khanewal, as well as increased commercial activity in the project area.
According to Summary Environmental Impact Assessment (Seia), which is based on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) prepared for the proposed construction of the Faisalabad-Khanewal Motorway (M-4) under the National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Program (NTCHIP) Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF).
The EIA was prepared by the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (Nespak), contracted by the Project's executing agency, the National Highway Authority (NHA). The EIA was prepared consistent with the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Pakistan and with the Environmental Policy (2002) and Environmental Assessment Guidelines (2003) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Project has been classified as category A (OM Section F1) 2 in accordance with ADB's Environmental Assessment Guidelines. Based on the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency Regulations (2000), the proposed Project falls under Schedule II, 4 ie, projects requiring an EIA. NHA plans to submit the EIA to the provincial Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2007. EPA's decision on the application for environmental approval is expected 3 months from EIA submission.
This SEIA briefly describes the Project, existing environmental conditions in the project area, anticipated environmental impacts and corresponding mitigation measures, public consultation process, and environmental management and monitoring plan.
The Project falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Faisalabad, Toba Tek Sing, Jhang, and Khanewal districts. The road alignment starts at the end point of M-3 near Faisalabad and extends for 184 kilometres to N-5 near Khanewal. M4 will include construction of a two-lane dual carriageway and construction of nine interchanges at road crossings. Two bridges will also be constructed, one at Sadhnai Spill channel and the other across Ravi River. The proposed carriageways will include inner and outer paved shoulders.
The two carriageways will be separated by a median nine meters in width. This median, will be provided with vegetation cover, and will allow for the construction of a 3.65m lane on both carriageways, should future road expansion be undertaken. Total road width is 31.8m. The interchanges will have two lanes, each having a width of 3.5m and a 1 m shoulder at its outer edge. About 350 culverts will be installed to maintain proper drainage. The new road will have a 100 m right-of-way (ROW). At the location of the proposed interchanges, the ROW widens to 300 m.
Strips of land-250 m wide and 700 m long-will be reserved along the M4 for service areas, where restaurants and petrol pumps will be located. There will also be provisions for 150 m wide x 200 m long rest areas on both sides of the motorway. The construction is expected to employ more than 400 people for approximately 300 days per year over a 3-year period.
Commencement of site works is expected in early 2008, with an estimated completion date of late 2010. To establish socio-economic baseline for the Project, a survey of 100 males and 100 females from various areas in the vicinity of the alignment was conducted from January to February 2007.
Of the 200 respondents, 142 were literate; of these 30percent had primary level education, 28 percent had education up to secondary level, 24 percent reached the intermediate level, and 18 percent had either graduate or postgraduate education.
As documented during the field survey, educational facilities (in about 103 villages in the vicinity of the project area) consist of 88 government schools for boys, 98 schools for girls, and 92 private schools.
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