India: Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor: …...This initial environmental examination is a...

Initial Environmental Examination (Draft)

Project Number: 51308-001 May 2019

India: Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor: Power Sector Investment Project

Prepared by Tamil Nadu Transmission Company (TANTRANSCO), Government of Tamil Nadu (Department of Energy) for the Asian Development Bank.

CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS

(as of 27 May 2019)

Currency unit – Indian rupee (₹) ₹1.00 = $.01441 $1.00 = ₹69.37450

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB – Asian Development Bank ACSR – aluminium conductor steel reinforced AMSL – average mean sea level CEA – Central Electricity Authority CPCB – Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India DPR – detailed project report EIA – environmental impact assessment EMoP – environmental monitoring plan EMP – environmental management plan EHV – extra high voltage EPC – engineering, procurement and commissioning GCC General Construction Circle of TANTRANSCO GHG – green house gases GoTN – Government of Tamil Nadu GoI – Government of India GRM – grievance redressal mechanism CKIC – Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor TNPCB – Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board TANTRANSCO – Tamil Nadu Power Transmission Corporation Limited TNEB – Tamil Nadu Electricity Board IEE – initial environmental examination IFC International Finance Corporation/World Bank LILO – line-in-line-out MFF – multi-tranche financing facility MOEFCC – Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of

India PCB – poly chlorinated biphenyl PGCIL – Power Grid Corporation of India Limited RoW – right of way

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

ha (hectare) – 10,000 sq m km (kilometer) – 1,000 m kV – kilovolt (1,000 volts) kW – kilowatt (1,000 watts) kWh – kilowatt-hour MVA – Megavolt-Amperes MW – Mega Watt

This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to tСe “terms of use” section of this website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 The Project 1 1.3 Scope of Work and Methodology Adopted 3 2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 5 2.1 Indian - National, Local, Other Applicable Environmental Laws, Regulations, and Standards as applicable to the project. 5 2.2 India and Multilateral Environmental Agreements 11 2.3 Technical Standards, Rules and Regulations for Indian Power Sector 12 2.4 Asian Development Bank’s SafeРuards Policies 13 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 16 3.1 Type of Project 16 3.2 Category of Project 16 3.3 Need for the Project 17 3.4 Location 17 3.5 Size and Magnitude of the Operation 21 3.6 Associated Facilities 36

3.6.1 Existing Thermal and Renewable Power Plants 36 3.6.2 Proposed Thermal Power Plants 36 3.6.3 Renewable Plants that are under construction 37

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT 39 4.1 Physical Resources 39

4.1.1 Geographic Profile of Tamil Nadu 39 4.1.2 Climate, Rainfall and Temperatures 40 4.1.3 Topography and Soils 43 4.1.4 Water Resources (Surface and Ground Water) 46

4.2 Environmental Qualities 49 4.2.1 Baseline Air Quality 51 4.2.2 Baseline Noise Data 54 4.2.3 Baseline Surface Water Quality 54

4.3 Ecological Resources 56 4.3.1 Forest 56 4.3.2 Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries 60 4.3.3 Wetlands 64

4.4 Economic Development 69 4.4.1 Economy 69 4.4.2 Employment and Livelihood 71 4.4.3 Mining Activities 71 4.4.4 Industries 72 4.4.5 Infrastructure facilities 75 4.4.6 Land Use 77 4.4.7 Agriculture 80 4.4.8 Livestock 80 4.4.9 Fisheries 80 4.4.10 Tourism Facilities 81

4.5 Social and Cultural Resources 83 4.6 Climate Change in Tamil Nadu 84 4.7 Sites of Cultural, Archaeological and Historical Significance 87 5.0 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 88 5.1 Impact assessment methodology 88

5.1.1 Impact Magnitude 88 5.1.2 Sensitivity of Receptor 89

5.1.3 Assigning Significance 90 5.1.4 Impact Matrix 90

5.2 Environmental Problems Associated with Project Location and Design 94 5.3 Environmental Impacts Associated with Pre-Construction Stage 98

5.3.1 Impact on Environmental Resources 98 5.3.2 Land Resourses 98

5.4 Environmental Problems Associated with Construction Stage 100 5.4.1 Impact on Environmental Resources 101 5.4.2 Impact on Physical Resources 104 5.4.3 Impact on Ecological Resources 105 5.4.4 Impact on Terrestrial Ecology 106 5.4.5 Impact on Socioeconomic Resources 125

5.5 Environmental Impacts Associated with Operations and Maintenance Stage 127 5.5.1 Transmission lines 127 5.5.2 Substations 130 5.5.3 Cumulative Impact Assessment 131

5.6 Possible Hazards 144 6.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 152 6.1 TANTRANSCO’s ApproacС for Route Selection 152

6.1.1 Methodology for Selection of Route: Environmental View 152 6.2 Alternatives for Subproject Components 153

6.2.1 Transmission Lines 153 6.2.2 GIS Substations 153 6.2.3 Reasons for the final selection 154

7.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 158 7.1 Information Disclosure 158 7.2 Consultation and Participation 158 7.3 Consultation Details 158 8.0 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM 165 8.1 The Grievance Redress Mechanism 165 8.2 Formation of GRC 165

8.2.1 GRC at GCC, Madurai 166 8.2.2 GRC at TANTRANSCO Headquarters 166

8.3 Grievance Redress Process 166 8.3.1 GRC Record Keeping 167

9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 169 9.1 Mitigation 169

9.1.1 Critical Environmental Review Criteria 169 9.1.2 Emergency Response, Disaster Management, Health and Safety 169 9.1.3 Training Programs 170 9.1.4 Climate Risks Adaptation Measures 172 9.1.5 Environmental Management Plan 172

9.2 Monitoring 211 9.2.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMoP) 211 9.2.2 Performance indicators 218 9.2.3 Reporting 219 9.2.4 Environmental Management Plan Budget Costs 219

9.3 Institutional arrangements 220 9.3.1 Implementation Plan 220 9.3.2 Implementation Arrangements 223 9.3.3 Project Implementation Organizations: Roles and Responsibilities 224

10.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 230

ANNEXURES Annexure 1: Minimum Ground Clearance as Per IE-1956 (Rule 77) 232 Annexure 2: Site Analysis for Grid Substations 235 Annexure 3: Route Analysis for Transmission Lines 238 Annexure 4: Inventory along the Transmission Lines 255 Annexure 5: Environmental Audit Checklist for Electric Power Transmission Substations 262 Annexure 6: Standards, Baseline Environment Monitoring for Air, Water, Noise and Soil Sampling for Subprojects 304 Annexure 7: National Parks and Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu State 314 Annexure 8: Important Bird Area Information 325 Annexure 9: Details of Sample Public Consultations 373 Annexure 10: Terms of Reference for National Safeguards Consultant for Monitoring during Construction and comissioning 423 Annexure 11: Due Diligence Report of 2x800 Uppur Super Critical Coal based Thermal Power Plant 427

List of Tables Table 1: Proposed Capacities to be installed i Table 2: CKIC Subprojects 2

Table 3: Project Investment Plan ($ million) 3

Table 4: Project Financing Plan ($ million) 3

Table 5: Indian Regulations as Applicable for the project 7

Table 6: Acts and Rules Pertaining to Forest Protection in Tamil Nadu 9

Table 7: Indian Policies related to project 9

Table 8: Environment Safeguards Categorization: Definition 13

Table 9: List of Subprojects in CKIC power sector project in Tamil Nadu 16

Table 10: Different locations of proposed subprojects 17

Table 11: Location Details of substations, and transmission line from Grid Substations to other substations or LILO points 20

Table 12: Details of Substation Land Area and Coordinates 21

Table 13: Equipment at S1: Virudhunagar 765 kV Substation 21

Table 14: S1-Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) 22

Table 15: Equipment at S2: Ottapidaram Substation 23

Table 16: S2- Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA) 24

Table 17: S3.1-400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation 25

Table 18: S3.2-400 kV bays at Kayathar substation 26

Table 19: S3.3- 110 kV bay at Vijayapuri substation 27

Table 20: T1.1: 765 kV double circuit Virudhunagar - Coimbatore transmission line 31

Table 21: T1.2 - 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar transmission line 31

Table 22: T1.3 - 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappangundu details 31

Table 23: T2.1 - 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi transmission line details 33

Table 24: T2.2 - 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi transmission line details 33

Table 25: T2.3 - 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line details 33

Table 26: T2.4 - 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line details 34

Table 27: T2.5 - 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram - Eppothumvendran details 34

Table 28: T2.6 - 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri details 34

Table 29: T2.7 - 110 kV single circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto - T-off Sipcot line details 36

Table 30: List of Classifications in Tamil Nadu 41

Table 31: Distribution of rainfall range in various districts 2015-16 41

Table 32: Temperature at selected stations in Tamil Nadu 2005-06 (in Celsius) 42

Table 33: Classification of Tamil Nadu Soils 44

Table 34: River Basins ground water potential 48

Table 35: Locations for Monitoring 50

Table 36: Baseline Air Quality collected in February 2019 53

Table 37: Baseline Noise Monitoring data collected in Feb 2019 54

Table 38: Baseline Surface Water Quality collected in February 2019 55

Table 39: Forest Cover within and outside Recorded Forest Area 57

Table 40: District Wise Forest Cover (area in sq.km) 58

Table 41: Wildlife Sanctuaries, Bird Sanctuaries and National Parks in Tamil Nadu 61

Table 42: Important Wetlands of Tamil Nadu 65

Table 43: Area under Coastal Ecosystems in Tamil Nadu (in Square Kilometres) 67

Table 44: Ecologically Important Sites in Tamil Nadu 67

Table 45: Key Features of Tamil Nadu 69

Table 46: Important Mineral Deposits in Tamil Nadu in 2014-15 71

Table 47: Thermal Power Plant Emissions in Tamil Nadu 73

Table 48: Ports in Tamil Nadu and Total Cargo Handled in 2011-12 and 2012-13 76

Table 49: Distance from various Airports in the area 77

Table 50: Land Use Pattern in Tamil Nadu 77

Table 51: Productivity Position of Tamil Nadu at National Level 80

Table 52: Vital Statistics – Comparison of Tamil Nadu with India 83

Table 53: Climate Change and Moisture Index – Tamil Nadu 84

Table 54: Frequency of Cyclonic Storms in Tamil Nadu 85

Table 55: Season-wise Frequency of Cyclonic Storms in Tamil Nadu 85

Table 56: Parameters for Determining Magnitude 89

Table 57: Criteria for Determining Sensitivity 90

Table 58: Significance of Impact Criteria 90

Table 59: Impact Matrix 90

Table 60: Approximate distance of subprojects from sensitive receptors 94

Table 61: Total land required for subprojects 98

Table 62: Noise Parameters 101

Table 63: Transmission Voltage (kV) Width of Right of Way (in Meters) 104

Table 64: Distance from WLS and National Parks for all Subprojects 106

Table 65: Indian Continental IBAs and distances from Subproject locations 112

Table 66: Total Number of Trees to be felled for subprojects 117

Table 67: Planned Thermal Power Plants to be connected to the system 133

Table 68: Potential Hazards Associated with the Project 145

Table 69: Final alternatives selection 155

Table 70: Locations and Participants (Public Consultations) 159

Table 71: Summary of Environmental Public Consultation 160

Table 72: Grievance Redress Process 166

Table 73: Safety Implication and Mitigation 170

Table 74: Training programme - summary of training needs 171

Table 75: Environmental Management Plan (TANTRANSCO Transmission Line Packages) 174

Table 76: Environmental Management Plan (Substation Packages) 192

Table 77: Phase-wise Monitoring 211

Table 78: Measurement of Environmental Parameters & Periodicity 214

Table 79: Performance Indicators of Environmental Management prior to Construction. 218

Table 80: Estimated Environmental Costs for Implementation 219

Table 81: Project Construction Aspects 220

Table 82: Overall Project Implementation Schedule 221

Table 83: Project Implementation Organizations – Roles and Responsibilities 224

Table 84: Institutional Roles and Responsibilities for EMP Implementation Activities 229

List of Figures

Figure 1: Geographic locations of key assets to be built under the project 18

Figure 2: ADB Funded Transmission line network under the project 19

Figure 3: Locations for Virudhunagar substation 22

Figure 4: Locations for Ottapidaram substation 24

Figure 5: Location for Kamuthi substation bay 26

Figure 6: Location for Kayathar substation bay 27

Figure 7: Location for Vijayapuri substation bay 28

Figure 8: Map of Study Area and Coordinates for Termination points for each line 29

Figure 9: Tamil Nadu administrative divisions 40

Figure 10: Rainfall in Tamil Nadu 42

Figure 11: Temperatures in Tamil Nadu 43

Figure 12: Tamil Nadu Soils 44

Figure 13: Hazard Map 45

Figure 14: River Basins of Tamil Nadu 47

Figure 15: Forest Cover Map of Tamil Nadu 58

Figure 16: District-Wise Extent of Reserved and Protected Forests in Tamil Nadu in 2013-14 (in Square Kilometres) 60

Figure 17: Protected Area map of Tamil Nadu 64

Figure 18: District-Wise Wetlands Area (in ‘000 Ha) and PercentaРe of Wetlands Area to District Geographical Area in 2011 65

Figure 19: District-Wise Coastal Length of Tamil Nadu (in Kilometres) 67

Figure 20: Index of Industrial Production in Tamil Nadu and India (Base Year= 2004-05) 73

Figure 21: Power Generation and Consumption in Tamil Nadu 75

Figure 22: District-Wise Total GeoРrapСical Area in Tamil Nadu (in ‘000 Hectares) 78

Figure 23: Type of area 78

Figure 24: District-Wise Land Use Classification in 2013-14 (in Percentage of Total District Area) 79

Figure 25: Fish Production in Tamil Nadu from 2000-01 to 2013-14 (in ‘000 Tonnes and as a % of Total All-India Production) 81

Figure 26: Eco-Tourism Destinations in Tamil Nadu 82

Figure 27: GHG Emissions from Energy Sector in Tamil Nadu 86

Figure 28: Central Asian Flyway 109

Figure 29: The migratory routes through India (not to scale) 110

Figure 30: Flight Paths via Indian Continent to Sri Lankan breeding areas 110

Figure 31: Location of Kullur Sandai Reservoir and the proposed route aligment - Broken Red and Black line above whereas the Black dash and blue line have been avoided. Arrow shows the proposed distance (approx. 8 km) 114

Figure 32: Locations of IBAs and the sub-project levels 115

Figure 33: Distances from Line for EMF measurements 130

Figure 34: CIA Approach 132

Figure 35: Connectivity Diagram 135

Figure 36: Wind Power Projects Along Ckic Project Overlaying with Kullur IBA 143

Figure 37: Process of Grievance Redressal Mechanism 168

Figure 38: Project Organization Structure 228

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Tamil Nadu presently has more than 29,000 MW power generation capacity. It is estimated that the peak demand of the state would increase from 15,340 MW in FY2017 to 18,900 MW by FY2020, onwards to 27,800 MW by FY2025, reflecting a modest annual growth rate of 7.7%. As the demand grows, the transmission network may not have requisite redundancy (i.e. spare capacity) to maintain the required reliability levels. Tamil Nadu has also been assigned a cumulative capacity target of 21,500 MW of renewable energy by the Government of India (GoI) to be operational by 2022. New power generation zones are at significant distances away from the load centres of Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. Therefore, long and high capacity transmission lines are required to be built in a timely manner to deliver generated power to load centres. Scattered nature of wind and solar power Рeneration would require several “poolinР” substations to collect power deliveries and transfer to the 400 kV and 765 kV network for delivery to cities in the northern sector of the state. 2. Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support power transmission to improve the reliability of power supply through the proposed Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) Power Sector Investment Project (The project), with an estimate cost $645.7 million, among which a regular loan of $451 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources. This will contribute to economic development in Tamil Nadu through supporting a sustainable electricity sector in the state. The project proposes to finance the construction of the following transmission assets in the state of Tamil Nadu. The assets comprise of two new substations, five new transmission lines of voltage ranging from 110 kV to 765 kV, six line in and line out (LILO) sections, and addition of five bays at three substations. Table 1 gives the information on the capacities proposed to be installed through the project.

Table 1: Proposed Capacities to be installed 1. Substation a. Transformer capacity installed 4,400 MVA 2. Transmission lines a 765 kV double circuit lines 242 km b 400 kV double circuit lines including line-in line-out sections 216 km c 230 kV line-in line-out sections 16 km d 110 kV double circuit lines 14 km e 110 kV single circuit lines 34 km

3. As per GoI Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Act 2009, Power transmission projects are not listed as environmental sensitive projects and hence no clearance is required from Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) or Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), GoI. Clearance from Tamil Nadu Forest Department is required only in cases where subproject is constructed on forestland or requires cutting of forest trees. However, National Environmental Policy 2006 of GoI, ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 and their procedures and guidelines thereto apply to all components/subprojects funded by ADB. 4. An Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has been prepared for this project. This IEE report comprises baseline data on existing conditions of physical, ecological, economic, and social aspects, together with the anticipated environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The field studies by Anna University were supported by satellite imagery data, Forest, coastal and other departments for arriving at final route alignments. Field surveys were also undertaken to assess the physical and biological environment of the area. Detailed assessment of the baseline environment has been conducted for all the routes for the proposed alignments and data collection from primary and secondary sources has been done to support the findings of the field survey. Observations were made along the proposed transmission line tower locations, as well as in and around the proposed premises for new substations. The alignment of transmission line may slightly vary after the exact demarcation of tower locations.

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5. The Ottapidaram substation (60.61 Acres) is located on private and government land. This land has been purchased at Tamil Nadu government rates and acquisition of land will not be required from the surrounding communities The Virudhunagar substation (230 Acres) is located on private land which will be acquired as per Tamil Nadu government rates. The five other bays proposed for the project are located in existing substation lands. No environmentally/ecologically sensitive areas are involved in this project. However, some trees will be required to be felled that fall under the right-of-way (RoW). For these substation lands, Table 66 gives the approximate number of trees to be felled/trimmed1. The larger extent of proposed transmission lines will run mostly through barren and agricultural - cultivated and uncultivated lands. These line routes have been selected with least impacts on forests trees, orchards, cultivable land and habitation. Wherever possible, the alignments have been proposed routes or towers with extra heights to reduce the impacts on land underneath while maintaining the mandatory clearance as per Indian Electricity Act (Rules 77 and 80). The proposed alignments pose no disturbance to any reserve forests or any sanctuary and national parks in the state. 6. The proposed project will have a number of positive impacts and negative impacts on the existing environment as follows:

Positive Impacts: • The proposed project will improve operational efficiency and quality of power, reliability of the

system and at the same time will reduce losses due to interconnection with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) network and hence virtual up-gradation to higher voltage level and better voltage profile. Evacuation of power to both the local areas and regions outside the state will boost overall economic development of the state due to extra revenues generated by power sold outside the state because of availability of additional power evacuation infrastructure.

Negative Impacts: • Removal of trees for the transmission line is the main negative impact on the proposed project

area, however as per proposed route alignment, there is no forest land traversed by the lines and therefore no forest trees are required to be cut.

• Environmental pollution due to cut and fill operations, transportation of construction materials, disposal of debris, disturbance to the farming activities, nuisance from dust, noise, vehicle fumes, black smoke, and vibration due to construction activities are short term negative impacts from the project.

• The loss of agricultural productivity due to reduction of land for agricultural and horticultural purposes will be minimal. Any loss of crop, fruit/non-fruit tree to be felled will be compensated based on established rates by concerned Forest/Horticulture departments of Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) as per the Compensation Plan/Resettlement Plan.

• Occupational and community H&S risks associated with installation (workers) and presence of electricity infrastructure in community (electrocution, EMF etc.)

7. Various mitigation measures to be taken prior to the project activities are listed in the project's IEE/EMP. Potential adverse environment impacts associated with transmission lines have been avoided or minimised through careful route selection. The alignment is sited away from major settlements, whenever possible, to account for future urban expansion. There are no national parks, sanctuaries, geologically unstable areas, which can pose foundation and route related problems. Route alignment passes through barren and agricultural lands and there are no reserve forests areas and thick vegetation areas. The alignments in the project will also avoid forest areas as well as geologically unstable areas, which can also pose foundation related problems. Land acquisition is required for placing transmission towers on private land as per standard practice. The land shall be

1 No of trees to be affected will be counted during the detailed survey conducted by EPC contractor after

award of contracts.

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paid/purchased at government rates or even acquired as per GoTN rules. Wherever the land is not acquired, any physical damage to the crops during the construction phase of the project will be compensated at the time of damage as per GoTN rules, as the impacts on agricultural/horticultural lands will be restricted to the construction phase and will be temporary in nature. 8. There are no associated facilities for the project as project will only provide system strengthening for power transmission system in the CKIC corridor. TANTRANSCO is not constructing any dedicated line for any particular power plants but rather a host of generation projects in various project areas. TANTRANSCO as a State Transmission Utility (STU) is responsible to design networks with a principle to provide the power evacuation to an intrastate point. On the other hand, the power plants in Tamil Nadu should have a backup line to evacuate the power, hence, TANTRANSCO system will only be treated as one supplementary line proving redundancy. However, TANTRANSCO has a standard application procedure prescribed by Tamil Nadu Energy Regulatory Commission (TNERC) making it mandatory for all linked power plants to provide information to ensure that their facilities comply with GoI and GoTN rules for environmental and social clearances before they connect to the TANTRANSCO transmission system. 9. The project will also support five bays in three substations which are recognized as the existing facilities as per ADB’s SPS 2009. TСe compliance audit including on-site assessment was conducted with the findings presented in Annexure 5. 10. Public consultations were conducted with the project affected communities, stakeholders, and government officers focused on existing environmental conditions around the proposed transmission lines/substations where potential construction related impacts could occur due to project implementation. 11. Since the project does not involve activities that have significant adverse impacts, the present IEE has been prepared to determine the impact of power transmission aspects as per ADB’s SPS 2009, and consistent with ADB’s Operations Manual F1/BP and F1/OP (2013). Accordingly, the environmental classification for the project is expected to be ‘Environment Category B’. 12. Benefits far outweigh negative impacts. Overall, the major social and environmental impacts associated with transmission projects are limited to the construction period and can be mitigated to an acceptable level by implementation of recommended measures and by best engineering and environmental practices.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1. Tamil Nadu was a power deficient state until FY20152 but in FY2017 served the peak demand of 15,340 megawatts (MW3) with no load shedding. The state has since become power surplus. It is estimated that the peak demand of the state would increase from 15,340 MW in FY2017 to 18,900 MW by FY2020, onwards to 27,800 MW by FY2025, reflecting a modest annual growth rate of 7.7%. The total available generating capacity for Tamil Nadu4 was 29,212 MW as of 31 May 2018. As the demand grows, the transmission network may not have requisite redundancy (i.e. spare capacity) to maintain the required reliability levels. Tamil Nadu has also been assigned a cumulative capacity target of 21,500 MW of renewable energy by the Government of India (GoI) to be operational by 2022. New power generation zones are at significant distances away from the load centres of Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. Therefore, long and high capacity transmission lines are required to be built in a timely manner to deliver generated power to load centres. 2. The Government of India (GoI) has recently declared economic corridors to boost the country’s manufacturinР sector, and tСe second pСase of tСe East Coast Economic Corridor is the CKIC in Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that the peak demand in FY2025 would be 27.8 GW with the CKIC implementation whereas it would be only 22.8 GW (7% demand growth) in the business-as-usual scenario. Most of the energy power plants are at significant distances away from the load centres of Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, which would require considerable investments in transmission infrastructure to transfer power to the planned CKIC with improved quality and reliability. Scattered nature of wind and solar power generation would require several “poolinР” substations to collect power deliveries and transfer to tСe 400 kV and 765 kV network for delivery to cities in the northern sector of the state. Therefore, long and high capacity transmission lines are required to be built in a timely manner to deliver generated power to load centres. 1.2 The Project 3. The proposed Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) Power Sector Investment Project consists of (i) establishment of 765 kV transmission link from the southern section of CKIC (Madurai) to load centers in North (Chennai) and North Western (i.e. Coimbatore) regions of Tamil Nadu (ii) establishment of 400 kV pooling substation in southern region of CKIC (i.e. Thoothukudi) for collecting power generated from proposed upcoming power plants; and (iii) Institutional capacity building of TANTRANSCO for improved financial management and enhanced gender sensitive workplace. 4. The project is aligned with the following impact(s): Industrial development and renewable energy generation in Tamil Nadu will be enhanced. The power supply to industrial demand centers in CKIC will be improved. The project will have following outputs. 5. Output 1: A transmission link from the energy hub in southern CKIC to load centers in northern CKIC established. This will establish a 765 kV power transmission link between the energy generation hub in Madurai–Thoothukudi area and load centers in the western and northern parts of the state. The outputs consist of (a) Virudhunagar (765/400/230 kV, 2x1,500 megavolt ampere [MVA] and 2x500 MVA) substation; (b) 242 kilometers (km) of 765 kV transmission lines from Virudhunagar to Coimbatore; and (c) 77 km of 400 kV transmission lines to link Virudhunagar substation to several 400/230 kV pooling substations for wind and solar power plants; 6. Output 2: A pooling substation for renewable energy established in southern CKIC. This will establish a pooling substation to receive electricity generated from power plants in the Thoothukudi district. This consists of (a) Ottapidaram (400/230/110 kV, 2x315 MVA and 2x200 MVA)

2 FY2015 means the fiscal year 2014–2015, ending on 31 March 2015. 3 Peak demand in FY2017 occurred in June 2016. 4 Including capacity allocations and long term open access power purchases from outside the state.

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substation; (b) 139 km of 400 kV transmission lines to connect Ottapidaram substation with several power plants; and (c) 64 km of 230 kV and 110 kV transmission lines to connect Ottapidaram substation with nearby load centers. 7. Output 3: Enhanced capacity for improved financial management and gender sensitive workplace. This will be delivered through the attached technical assistance grant. This will consist of (a) strengthening the financial management capacity of the Executing Agency, particularly in reconciling intercompany balances and establishing and maintaining a comprehensive fixed asset register; (ii) supporting the Executing Agency in adopting and implementing Indian Accounting Standards; and (iii) facilitating the introduction of gender sensitive workplace practices and (iv) enhancing the capacity of TANTRANSCO for monitoring the environment and social impacts of transmission projects. 8. Table 2 lists all CKIC power sector subprojects in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Table 2: CKIC Subprojects No. Sub-Projects Details S Substation Operating voltages (kV) S1 Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) 765/400 S2 Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA) 400/230/110 T1. Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation Route Length (km) 1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore 242 1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Kayathar 72 1.3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi

to Thappagundu (proposed) line 5

T2. Transmission lines associated with Ottapidaram substation Approx. Route Length (km)

2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi 68 2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi 71 2.3 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot -

Kavanoor line 10

2.4 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line

6

2.5 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram - Eppothumvendran

4

2.6 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri 34 2.7 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto

- T-off Sipcot line 10

S3 New bays at associated substations Quantity 3.1 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation 2 3.2 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation 2 3.3 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation 1

Cost Estimates Preparation and Revisions 9. Base cost estimates were prepared by TANTRANSCO based on its assessment of unit quantities and recent tender prices received for similar works. Price contingencies and financial charges during implementation were estimated by ADB. The project cost is estimated at $645.7 million, including physical and price contingencies, financing charges during implementation, taxes and duties. The project investment plan is summarized in Table 3.

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Table 3: Project Investment Plan ($ million) ($ million)

Item Amount A. Base Cost a 1. Transmission link from southern CKIC to northern CKIC (output 1) 401.8 2. Pooling substation for renewable energy in southern CKIC (output 2) 105.7 3. Capacity building (output 3) 0.4 3. Environmental and social mitigation costs 51.1 Subtotal (A) 558.9 B. Contingencies b 54.6 C. Financing Charges During Implementation c 32.1 Total (A+B+C) 645.7

CKIC = Chennai-Kanyakumari industrial corridor. a In Jan 2019 prices. Includes GST of $68.8 million b. Physical contingency computed at 5% of base costs (excluding environmental and social mitigation costs and capacity

building). Price contingency computed using ADB's forecasts of international and domestic inflation and includes provision for potential exchange rate fluctuation under the assumption of a purchasing power parity exchange rate.

c. Interest during construction has been computed at 3.15% of disbursed loan amount. Commitment charge has been computed at 0.15% of undisbursed loan amounts.

Sources: TANTRANSCO and Asian Development Bank estimates

10. The government has requested (i) a regular loan of $451.0 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and (ii) technical assistance grant of $ 0.5 million to help finance the project. The Counterpart funds to be provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu will be utilized for payment of compensation for right of way for transmission lines and Goods and Service Tax (GST) on turnkey contracts. TANTRANSCO has financed the land acquisition cost for substations and will finance part of the contingencies, commitment charges and project management expense. The Associated Technical Assistance Grant funded by Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF) - Others administered by ADB will finance the capacity building of TANTRANSCO. The financing plan is in Table 4.

Table 4: Project Financing Plan ($ million)

Source Amount ($ million)

Share of Total (%)

Asian Development Bank OCR loan 451.0 69.8 Attached Technical Assistance (TASF-others) 0.5 0.1 TANTRANSCO/Government of Tamil Nadu 194.2 30.1 Total 645.7 100.0

OCR = ordinary capital resources. Sources: TANTRANSCO and Asian Development Bank estimates.

1.3 Scope of Work and Methodology Adopted 11. This IEE has been prepared for the project. This IEE requires identification of potential environmental issues associated with the project and appropriate mitigation measures to be put in place to minimize the environmental impacts. The broad scope of the IEE is: i) To conduct field visits to collect data relevant to the study area and also collect secondary

data so as to establish the baseline environmental status of the study area; ii) To assess the impacts on environmental attributes due to the location, design, construction

and operation of the proposed Project; iii) To prepare an Environment Management Plan (EMP) outlining the measures for mitigating

the adverse environmental impacts, as well as institutional arrangements; iv) To identify critical environmental parameters required to be monitored subsequent to the

implementation of the proposed project; v) To carry out consultation with local people to identify public perception regarding the project; and vi) To establish an Environment Monitoring Plan (EMoP) for TANTRANSCO to prepare

environmental monitoring reports for ADB’s review at regular intervals.

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12. This IEE comprises baseline data of existing conditions on physical, ecological, economic and social aspects, together with the anticipated environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The field studies by Anna University were supported by satellite imagery data, Forest, coastal and other departments for arriving at final route alignments. Field surveys were also undertaken to assess the physical and biological environment of the area. Detailed assessment of the baseline environment has been conducted for the all routes for the proposed alignments and data collection from primary and secondary sources has been done to support the findings of the field survey. Observations were made along the proposed transmission line tower locations, as well as in and around the proposed premises for new substations. The alignment of transmission line may slightly vary after the exact demarcation of tower locations. 13. Public consultations with the project affected communities, stakeholders, and government officers focused on existing environmental conditions around the proposed transmission lines/substations has been conducted and the potential impacts that could happen due to project implementation were explained to the participants. 14. Since the project does not involve activities that have significant adverse impacts, the present IEE has been developed as per ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009. The IEE conforms to national environmental regulations and is also consistent with ADB’s SPS 2009. Accordingly, the environmental classification for the project is expected to be “CateРory B” as per ADB’s SPS 2009.

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2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 2.1 Indian - National, Local, Other Applicable Environmental Laws, Regulations, and

Standards as applicable to the project. 2.1.1 Tamil Nadu Specific Environmental Regulatory and Policy Framework 15. As per GoI’s Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2009, Power transmission projects are not listed as environmental sensitive projects and hence no clearance is required from Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) or Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), GoI. Clearance from Tamil Nadu Forest Department is required only in cases where subproject is constructed on forestland or requires cutting of forest trees. Moreover, National Environmental Policy 2006 of GoI and SPS 2009 of ADB and procedures and guidelines as listed in Annexure 1 thereto apply to all components/subprojects funded by ADB. 16. MoEFCC, GoI, vide its Notification Nos. S.O. 1533 dated September 14, 2006, reengineered the EIA process in India, also decentralized some powers, and made provision to constitute the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for performing functions under the said Notification. For the Tamil Nadu State, the SEIAA and SEAC were constituted vide the MoEFCC, GoI, Notification on 12th August 2015 vide No. S.O. 2199 (E). In addition, TNPCB’s guidelines for project proponents apply to all Tamil Nadu state projects. Indian Environmental Regulatory and Policy Framework Selection A1.1 National Government Environment Classification 17. The transmission project is exempted from clearance under the GoI’s EIA Notification 2009. As per the notification, the environmental classification of projects is determined by MoEFCC), GoI and there are two possible outcomes: • Category A: A project is classified as Category A if it is likely to have significant negative impacts

and is thus one of the types of project listed in this category in the EIA Notification. Such projects require EIA, plus Environmental Clearance (EC) from MoEFCC;

• Category B: A project is classified as Category B if it is likely to have fewer negative impacts and is listed in this category in the EIA Notification. These projects require EC from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), who classify the project as B1 (requiring EIA) or B2 (not requiring EIA), depending on the level of potential impacts. Projects classified as B2 require no further study.

2.1.2 Indian Policy, Legal, and Administrative Framework 18. The major Indian acts, rules and policies which are relevant to the project activities are: The Electricity Act (1910) & its Amendments (2004) & (2007) and the Electricity Rule (1956) & its Amendments (2000); The Indian Telegraphic Act (1885) & its Amendments (2003); The Environment Protection Act (1986); The Forest Act (1980); The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013); and The National Environment Policy (2006).

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Table 5 gives an illustrative list of acts and their applicability to the project.

7

Table 5: Indian Regulations as Applicable for the project

No Name of Regulation Applicability Relevancy to Project ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

1 National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010 Yes If any project components fall under gambit of NGT.

2 The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Environment (Protection) Rules 1986 & its amendments

Yes Umbrella Act to the Air, Water and Noise Acts and relevant during construction and operations

3 The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998

No

4 Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, MoEFCC, (Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife), 6th January, 2011

No

5 The Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movements) rules, 2009

Yes Use of Transformer oil

6 Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 and further amendments

Yes Use of Batteries

7 Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Rules, 2000 as amended in 2005

Yes Use of Sulfer Hexafloride (SF6), a GHG polluting agent.

8 Forests (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Rules 1981 No 9 The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 No 10 The Biodiversity Act, 2002 No 11 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,

1981 Including Rules 1982 and 1983 Yes Applicable during

construction and operations 12 Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,

2000 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Rules, 2010

Yes Applicable during construction and operations

13 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), Act, 1974 including Rules, 1975 (as amended up to 1988)

Yes Applicable during construction

14 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), Cess Act, 1977 including Rules 1978 and 1991

Yes Applicable during construction and operations

15 The Indian Forest Act 1927 No 16 The National Environmental Appellate Authority

Act, 1997 No

17 National Wetland rules GSR 252 E No REGULATIONS RELATED TO LAND AND LABOUR

1 Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996

Yes Key legislations providing guidelines for onsite labour and worker management and welfare during construction

2 Interstate Migrant Workers Act 1979 Yes In case workers and labourers working at the project sites are migrants from other states during construction

4 The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 Yes Right of Way required for lines

5 Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 (as modified upto September 1949)

Yes Change find during construction.

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No Name of Regulation Applicability Relevancy to Project 6 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 Yes Change find during

construction. 7 The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)

Act, 1986 Yes During construction

8 The Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act 1976 Yes During construction 9 The Trade Union Act, 1926 No 10 Minimum Wages Act, 1948 Yes During construction 11 Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 Yes ESI Act or Workmen

Compensation Act during construction and operations

12 The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 and Rules

Yes During construction and operations

13 The E.P.F. and Miscellaneous Provisions act, 1952


14 Factories Act 1948 Maybe In-case implementing agency more than ten full time employees during the operations phase of the project

15 Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI) Yes ESI Act or Workmen Compensation Act applicable to the implementing agency

16 Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 Yes during construction and operations

17 Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Area) Act, 1996


18 The Right to Information Act, 2005 Yes During all stages 19 Employers’ Liability Act no. 24 of 1938 Yes During construction and

operations OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

1 The Indian Factories Act, 1948 and State Rules No 2 The Shops and Establishment Act and State

Rules No

3 The Petroleum Act, 1934 and the Petroleum Rules

No

4 Gas Cylinder Rules and Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 1981

No

5 National Policy on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, Ministry of Labour and Employment, GoI.


6 National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Work Place, Ministry of Labour and Employment, GoI


7 Central Electricity Authority (Safety Requirements for Operation, Construction and Maintenance of Electric Plants and Electrical Lines) Regulations 2008

Yes Detailed design, maintenance procedures. Details in 2.1.4. During construction and operations

8 CGWA Notification no.21-4/Guidelines/CGWA/2009-832 dated 14th October 2009


9 Indian Electricity Act, 2003 Yes During construction and operations

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2.1.3 Relevant Environment related Acts of Government of Tamil Nadu and TANTRANSCO A. State Government/TANTRANSCO Policies 19. Some of the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) and TANTRANSCO’s policies that are applicable to the sub-projects are below: Acts and Rules pertaining to forests and wildlife in Tamil Nadu 20. Table 6 summarizes different Acts and Rules pertaining to forests and wildlife in Tamil Nadu.

Table 6: Acts and Rules Pertaining to Forest Protection in Tamil Nadu Act/Rule Intended Objective Applicability Madras Wild Elephants Preservation Act, 1873

Enacted to prevent indiscriminate destruction of wild elephants

No elephants in the area

Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 Enacted by the Madras Presidency for protection of forests and wildlife

No forests in the area

Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949 and Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955

Enacted to regulate felling of trees in private forests and hill areas

No private forests in the area

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Enacted to protect wild fauna and flora

No wildlife in the substation area

Forest Conservation Act, 1980 Enacted to regulate diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes

Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

Enacted to recognize community rights of tribes in forest lands

None

Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules, 1967 Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules, 1968 Tamil Nadu Timber (Movement Control) Order, 1982 Tamil Nadu Wildlife (Transit) Rules, 1991

Rules to regulate forest products and wildlife

None None None None

21. Apart from the above-mentioned regulations, GoI has also structured a number of policies that are relevant to TANTRANSCO’s initiatives. The key policies are provided in Table 7.

Table 7: Indian Policies related to project

No. Name of Regulation Applicability Relevancy to Project

ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & LAND RELATED POLICIES 1 National Forest Policy, 1988 No 2 National Environmental Policy 2006 Yes During construction

and operations 3 Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002 No

2.1.4 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) applicable to TN transmission projects 22. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification under section 3(1) and section 3(2)(v) of the

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Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rule 5(3)(d) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 declaring Coastal Stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Regulating Activities in the CRZ. The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India vide number S.O. 114(E), dated, the 19th February 1991 and subsequently amended. However, this project will not include any CRZ. 23. Under the regulation, the Government of India declared the coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters which are influenced by tidal action (in the landward side) upto 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL as Coastal Regulation Zone; and imposes with effect from the date of this Notification, the following restrictions on the setting up and expansion of industries, operations or processes, etc., in the said CRZ. Classification of Coastal Regulation Zone: 24. 6(1) For regulating development activities, the coastal stretches within 500 metres of HTL on the landward side are classified into four categories, namely:

a. Category I (CRZ-I) (i) Areas that are ecologically sensitive and important, such as national parks/marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats, mangroves, corals/coral reefs, areas close to breeding and spawning grounds of fish and other marine life, areas of outstanding natural beauty/historically/heritage areas, areas rich in genetic diversity, areas likely to be inundated due to rise in sea level consequent upon global warming and such other areas as may be declared by the Central Government or the concerned authorities at the State/Union Territory level from time to time.

(ii) Area between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide Line.

No new construction shall be permitted within 500 metres of the HTL. No construction activity, except as listed under 2(xii), will be permitted between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL.

b. Category-II (CRZ-II) The areas that have already been developed upto or close to the shore-line. For this purpose, "developed area" is referred to as that area within the municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas which is already substantially built up and which has been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructural facilities, such as water supply and sewerage mains.

(i) Buildings shall be permitted neither on the seaward side of the existing road (or roads proposed in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of the area) nor on seaward side of existing authorized structures. Buildings permitted on the landward side of the existing and proposed road/existing authorized structures shall be subject to the existing local Town and Country Planning Regulations including the existing norms of floor space index (FSI)/floor area ratio (FAR). (ii) Reconstruction of the authorised buildings to be permitted subject to the existing FSI/FAR norms and without change in the existing use. (iii) The design and construction of buildings shall be consistent with the surrounding landscape and local architectural style.

c. Category-III (CRZ-III) Areas that are relatively undisturbed and those which do not belong to either Category-I or II. These will include coastal zone in the rural areas (developed and undeveloped) and also areas within Municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas which are not substantially built up.

(i) The area upto 200 metres from the HTL is to be earmarked as 'No Development Zone'. No construction shall be permitted within this zone except for repairs of existing authorised structures not exceeding existing FSI, existing plinth area and existing density. However, the following uses may be permissible in this zone-agriculture, horticulture, garden pastures, parks, play fields, forestry and salt manufacture from sea water.

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(ii) Development of vacant plots between 200 and 500 metres of HT Line in designated areas of CRZ-III with prior approval of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) permitted for construction of hotels/beach resorts for temporary occupation of tourists/visitors subject to the conditions as stipulated in the guidelines at Annexure-II of the Gazette notification. (iii) Construction/reconstruction of dwelling units between 200 and 500 metres of the HTL permitted so long it is within the ambit of traditional rights and customary uses such as existing fishing villages and gaothans. Building permission for such construction/reconstruction will be subject to the conditions that the total number of dwelling unit shall not be more than twice the number of existing units, total covered area on all floors shall not exceed 33 percent of the plot size; the overall height of construction shall not exceed 9 metres and construction shall not be more than 2 floors (ground floor plus one floor). (iv) Reconstruction/alterations of an existing authorised building permitted subject to (i) to (iii) above.

d. Category-IV (CRZ-IV) Coastal stretches in the Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and small islands, except those designated as CRZ-I, CRZ-II or CRZ-III.

25. In the MoEFCC Notification IV dated 12th April, 2001 Under heading CRZ-I, the following shall be substituted, namely:- "No new construction shall be permitted in CRZ- I except (a) Projects relating to Department of Atomic Energy and (b) Pipelines, conveying systems including transmission lines and (c) facilities that are essential for activities permissible under CRZ-I. Between the LTL and the HTL, activities as specified under paragraph 2 (xii) may be permitted. In addition, between LTL and HTL in areas which are not ecologically sensitive and important, the following may be permitted: (a) Exploration and extraction of Natural Gas, (b) activities as specified under proviso of sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph 2, and (c) Construction of dispensaries, schools, public rain shelters, community toilets, bridges, roads, jetties, water supply, drainage, sewerage which are required for traditional inhabitants of the Sunderbans Bio-sphere reserve area, West Bengal, on a case to case basis, by the West Bengal State Coastal Zone Management Authority". 2.2 India and Multilateral Environmental Agreements5 26. India is member of almost all major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), under four clusters, namely the following:

A. Nature conservation; B. Hazardous material; C. Atmospheric emissions; and D. Marine environment.

27. There are 20 major global MEAs, to which India is a signatory. These are listed below:

A. Nature conservation Sno. Nature Conservation Relevancy to Project 1 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands IBA exists in the project area 2 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species of Fauna and Flora) Yes, Project lies on Central Asian Flyway

3 TRAFFIC (The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network) No 4 CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory

Species) Yes, Project lies on Central Asian Flyway

5 CAWT (Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking) No 6 CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) No 7 ITTC (International Tropical Timber Organisation) No 8 UNFF (United Nations Forum on Forests) No 9 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and No

5 Source: http://www.moef.nic.in.

12

Natural Resources) 10 GTF (Global Tiger Forum) No

B. Hazardous material

Sno. Hazardous material Relevancy to Project 1 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety No 2 SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals

Management) No

3 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

No

4 Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal

Yes, Use of Transformer oil

5 Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

No

C. Atmospheric emissions

Sno. Atmospheric emissions Relevancy to Project 1 UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change) No

2 Kyoto Protocol No 3 UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat

Desertification) No

4 Montreal Protocol (on Ozone Depleting Substances) Yes, Use of SF6

D. Marine environment Sno. Marine environment Relevancy to Project 1 IWC (International Whaling Commission) No

2.3 Technical Standards, Rules and Regulations for Indian Power Sector 28. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is the technical agency making regulations consistent with the Electricity Act, 2003 under section 177 and carry out the provisions of the Act. The following relevant regulations are notified and published in official gazette of GoI and available in the CEA website:

a. CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 – Notified on 17.3.2006 b. CEA (Grid Standards for Operation & Maintenance of Transmission lines) Regulations,

2010- notified on 26.06.2010. c. CEA (amendment to the regulations on “Installation & Operation of meters”)

regulations, 2010- notified on 26.06.2010. d. CEA (Measures relating to safety & Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010- notified on 24-

09-2010. e. CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electric Plants and Electric Lines)

regulations, 2010-notifed on 20-08-2010 f. CEA (Safety Requirements for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Electrical

Plant and Electrical Lines) Regulations, 2011-notifed on 14-02.2011. g. CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) –

Regulations 2010. h. CEA (Technical Standards for connectivity to the Grid) (Amendment) Regulations,

2010.

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2.4 Asian Development Bank’s Safeguards Policies 2.4.1 Asian Development Bank’s Environment Classification 29. The ADB’s SPS 2009 is applicable to all projects. These projects can be categorized as A, B, C or FI. Table 8 below provides a list of Environment categorisations as per ADB’s SPS 2009 requirements:

Table 8: Environment Safeguards Categorization: Definition

Category Environment

A — Significant Investments that anticipate significant adverse environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works.

B — Less Significant

Investments with potential adverse impacts that are site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can be more readily designed than for Category A investments.

C — Minimal or No Impacts

Investments that have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts.

FI — Financial Intermediation

Investment of ADB funds through financial intermediaries (FI)

2.4.2 ADB Prohibited Investment Activities List (PIAL) 30. At an initial stage of identifying project activities, ADB's Prohibited Investment Activities List (described below) will apply. If the investment involves a prohibited activity, the implementing agency will not consider the investment. 31. The following types of projects do not qualify for ADB financing:

(i) production or activities involving harmful or exploitative forms of forced labour6 or child labour;7

(ii) production of or trade in any product or activity deemed illegal under host country laws or regulations or international conventions and agreements or subject to international phase outs or bans, such as (a) pharmaceuticals,8 pesticides, and herbicides,9(b) ozone-depleting substances,10 (c) polychlorinated biphenyls11and other hazardous chemicals, 12 (d) wildlife or wildlife products regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,13 and (e) trans-boundary trade in waste or waste products;14

(iii) production of or trade in weapons and munitions, including paramilitary materials;

6 Forced labor means all work or services not voluntarily performed, that is, extracted from individuals under threat of force

or penalty 7 Child labor means the employment of children whose age is below the host country's statutory minimum age of

employment or employment of children in contravention of International Labor Organization Convention No. 138 "Minimum Age Convention" (www.ilo.org).

8 A list of pharmaceutical products subject to phaseouts or bans is available at http://www.who.int. 9 A list of pesticides and herbicides subject to phaseouts or bans is available at http://www.pic.int. 10 A list of the chemical compounds that react with and deplete stratospheric ozone resulting in the widely publicized ozone

holes is listed in the Montreal Protocol, together with target reduction and phaseout dates. Information is available at http://www.unep.org/ozone/montreal.shtml.

11 A group of highly toxic chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls are likely to be found in oil-filled electrical transformers, capacitors, and switchgear dating from 1950 to 1985.

12 A list of hazardous chemicals is available at http://www.pic.int. 13 A list is available at http://www.cites.org. 14 As defined by the Basel Convention; see http://www.basel.int.

http://www.ilo.org/

http://www.who.int/

http://www.pic.int/

http://www.unep.org/ozone/montreal.shtml.

http://www.pic.int/

http://www.cites.org/

http://www.basel.int/

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(iv) production of or trade in alcoholic beverages, excluding beer and wine;15 (v) production of or trade in tobacco; (vi) gambling, casinos, and equivalent enterprises; (vii) production of or trade in radioactive materials, 16 including nuclear reactors and

components thereof; (viii) production of, trade in, or use of unbonded asbestos fibers;17 (ix) commercial logging operations or the purchase of logging equipment for use in primary

tropical moist forests or old-growth forests; and (x) marine and coastal fishing practices, such as large-scale pelagic drift net fishing and

fine mesh net fishing, harmful to vulnerable and protected species in large numbers and damaging to marine biodiversity and habitats.

2.4.3 ADB’s SPS 2009 Requirements (SR1): Environment Policy 32. ADB’s SPS 2009 sets out the policy objectives, scope and triggers, and principles for the environmental safeguards. To achieve the policy objectives and deliver the policy principles, ADB carries out the actions described in the “Policy Delivery Process” (subsection “B” of Section Five of the SPS 2009). To help borrowers/clients and their projects achieve the desired outcomes, ADB adopts a set of specific safeguard requirements that borrowers/clients are required to meet in addressing environmental and social impacts and risks. ADB staff, through their due diligence, review, and supervision, will ensure that borrowers/clients comply with these requirements during project preparation and implementation. These safeguard requirements are as follows: 33. The objective of ADB’s due diligence for the project loan is that the executing agency ensures the environmental soundness and sustainability of projects and to support the integration of environmental considerations into the project decision-making process. 34. Environmental safeguards are triggered if a project is likely to have potential environmental risks and impacts. 35. Policy principles:

• Use screening process for each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment so that appropriate studies are undertaken commensurate with the significance of potential impacts and risks.

• Conduct an environmental assessment for each proposed project to identify potential direct, indirect, cumulative, and induced impacts and risks to physical, biological, socioeconomic (including impacts on livelihood through environmental media, health and safety, vulnerable groups, and gender issues), and physical cultural resources in the context of the project’s area of influence. Assess potential transboundary and global impacts, including climate change. Use strategic environmental assessment where appropriate.

• Examine alternatives to the project’s location, design, technology, and components and their potential environmental and social impacts and document the rationale for selecting the particular alternative proposed. Also consider the no project alternative.

• Avoid, and where avoidance is not possible, minimize, mitigate, and/or offset adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts by means of environmental planning and management. Prepare an environmental management plan (EMP) that includes the proposed mitigation measures, environmental monitoring and reporting requirements, related institutional or organizational arrangements, capacity development and training measures, implementation schedule, cost estimates, and performance indicators. Key considerations for EMP

15 This does not apply to investee companies who are not substantially involved in these activities. Not substantially

involved means that the activity concerned is ancillary to an investee company's primary operations. 16 This does not apply to the purchase of medical equipment, quality control (measurement) equipment, and any equipment

for which ADB considers the radioactive source to be trivial and properly shielded. 17 This does not apply to the purchase and use of bonded asbestos cement sheeting where the asbestos content is less

than 20%.

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preparation include mitigation of potential adverse impacts to the level of no significant harm to third parties, and the polluter pays principle.

• Carry out meaningful consultation with affected persons (APs) and facilitate their informed participation. Ensure women’s participation in consultation. Involve stakeholders, including APs and concerned nongovernment organizations, early in the project preparation process and ensure that their views and concerns are made known to and understood by decision makers and taken into account. Continue consultations with stakeholders throughout project implementation as necessary to address issues related to environmental assessment. Establish a grievance redress mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of AP’s concerns and grievances regarding the project’s environmental performance.

• Disclose a draft environmental assessment (including the EMP) in a timely manner, before project appraisal, in an accessible place and in a form and language(s) understandable to APs and other stakeholders. Disclose the final environmental assessment, and its updates if any, to APs and other stakeholders.

• Implement the EMP and monitor its effectiveness. Document monitoring results, including the development and implementation of corrective actions, and disclose monitoring reports.

• Do not implement project activities in areas of critical habitats, unless (i) there are no measurable adverse impacts on the critical habitat that could impair its ability to function, (ii) there is no reduction in the population of any recognized endangered or critically endangered species, and (iii) any lesser impacts are mitigated. If a project is located within a legally protected area, implement additional programs to promote and enhance the conservation aims of the protected area. In an area of natural habitats, there must be no significant conversion or degradation, unless (i) alternatives are not available, (ii) the overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh the environmental costs, and (iii) any conversion or degradation is appropriately mitigated. Use a precautionary approach to the use, development, and management of renewable natural resources.

• Apply pollution prevention and control technologies and practices consistent with international good practices as reflected in internationally recognized standards such as the World Bank Group’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines. Adopt cleaner production processes and good energy efficiency practices. Avoid pollution, or, when avoidance is not possible, minimize or control the intensity or load of pollutant emissions and discharges, including direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, waste generation, and release of hazardous materials from their production, transportation, handling, and storage. Avoid the use of hazardous materials subject to international bans or phase-outs. Purchase, use, and manage pesticides based on integrated pest management approaches and reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides.

• Provide workers with safe and healthy working conditions and prevent accidents, injuries, and disease. Establish preventive and emergency preparedness and response measures to avoid, and where avoidance is not possible, to minimize, adverse impacts and risks to the health and safety of local communities.

• Conserve physical cultural resources and avoid destroying or damaging them by using field-based surveys that employ qualified and experienced experts during environmental assessment. Provide for the use of “cСance find” procedures that include a pre-approved management and conservation approach for materials that may be discovered during project implementation

2.4.4 Other documents relevant to ADB’s SPS 2009

(i) World Bank Group’s EHS Guidelines, 2007 which are currently under revision. (ii) World Bank Group’s EHS Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and

Distribution. (iii) ADB’s Environmental Safeguards: A Good Practice Sourcebook-Draft Working

Document (November 2012); and (iv) International Labor Organization (ILO) Core Labor Standards.

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3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 3.1 Type of Project 36. The proposed project will strengthen the transmission network by improving the transmission connectivity at extra high voltage 765 kV level between the proposed energy hub in Madurai- Thoothukudi sector located in the southeast region of Tamil Nadu and demand centers in the northern sector of CKIC (i.e., Chennai-Madurai) and Coimbatore. In addition, the proposed project will evacuate bulk power in Thoothukudi region to the 765 kV network through pooling substations at 400 kV level. The project would develop a transmission link from the energy hub in southern CKIC to load centers in northern CKIC, and establishing pooling substation for renewable energy established in southern CKIC. 37. The project’s impact is aligned with the enhancement of industrial development and renewable energy generation in Tamil Nadu and expected to improve the power supply to industrial demand centers in CKIC. The project also includes institutional strengthening initiatives for the state’s power utility such as enhancing the capacity for improved financial management and gender sensitive workplace through technical assistance grant. 3.2 Category of Project 38. The project proposes to finance the construction of the following transmission assets in the state of Tamil Nadu. The assets comprise two new substations, five new transmission lines of voltage ranging from 110 kV to 765 kV, six LILO sections and addition of five bays at three substations (see Table 9).

Table 9: List of Subprojects in CKIC power sector project in Tamil Nadu

No. Sub-Projects Details

S Substation Operating voltages (kV)

S1 Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) 765/400 S2 Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA) 400/230/110 T1. Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation Route Length (km)

1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore 242 1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Kayathar 72 1.3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi

to Thappagundu (proposed) line 5

T2. Transmission lines associated with Ottapidaram substation Approx. Route Length (km)

2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi 68 2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi 71 2.3 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot -

Kavanoor line 10


6


4

2.6 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri 34 2.7 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto

- T-off Sipcot line 10

S3 New bays at associated substations Quantity

3.1 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation 2 3.2 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation 2 3.3 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation 1

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3.3 Need for the Project 39. TСe GoI Сas recently declared economic corridors to boost tСe country’s manufacturinР sector, and the second phase of the East Coast Economic Corridor is the CKIC in Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that the peak demand in FY2025 would be 27.8 GW with the CKIC implementation whereas it would be only 22.8 GW (7% demand growth) in the business-as-usual scenario. Most of the energy power plants are at significant distances away from the load centres of Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, which would require considerable investments in transmission infrastructure to transfer power to the planned CKIC with improved quality and reliability. Scattered nature of wind and solar power Рeneration would require several “poolinР” substations to collect power deliveries and transfer to the 400 kV and 765 kV network for delivery to cities in the northern sector of the state. Therefore, long and high capacity transmission lines are required to be built in a timely manner to deliver generated power to load centres. 3.4 Location 40. The connectivity of the proposed two substations and five new transmission lines of 765 kV, 400 kV), 230 kV and 110 kV lines and five LILO sections of 400 kV, 230 kV and 110 kV is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The proposed subprojects are located in different areas of the Tamil Nadu State listed in Table 10. Table 11 indicates details of the proposed subproject locations with coordinates for the substation or LILO points. Annexure 3 contains the topographic survey details for the transmission lines showing angle point locations on a 1:25,000 topographic map and the substation locations.

Table 10: Different locations of proposed subprojects

No Sub-Project District S Substation

S1 Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) Virudhunagar S2 Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA) Thoothukudi T1 Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation T1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore Virudhunagar,

Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruppur

T1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Kayathar Thoothukudi T1.3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to

Thappangundu (proposed) line Thoothukudi

T2 Transmission lines associated with Ottapidaram substation T2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi Thoothukudi T2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi Thoothukudi,

Ramanthapuram T2.3 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot -

Kavanoor line Thoothukudi

T2.4 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line

Thoothukudi

T2.5 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram - Eppothumvendran

Thoothukudi

T2.6 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri Thoothukudi T2.7 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto -

T-off Sipcot line Thoothukudi

S3 New bays at existing substations S3.1 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation Ramanthapuram S3.2 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation Thoothukudi S3.3 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation Thoothukudi

18

Figure 1: Geographic locations of key assets to be built under the project

19

Figure 2: ADB Funded Transmission line network under the project

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Table 11: Location Details of substations, and transmission line from Grid Substations to other substations or LILO points SNo Description Length Starting Point Ending Point

km Village Name Latitude Longitude Village Name Latitude Longitude 1. Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation 765/400 kV T1.1 765 kV DC TL from

Virudhunagar 765 kV SS to Coimbatore 765 kV SS

242 Mannarkottai & Valayapatti Village

9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E

Near Koundampalayam

11° 14' 51.796" N

77° 26' 58.672" E

T1.2 400 kV DC TL from Virudhunagar 765 kV SS to Kayathar 400 kV SS


9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E

Ayyanar Uthu Village

8° 57' 27.872" N 77° 43' 29.739" E

T1.3 400 kV DC TL (line in and Line out) at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappangundu (proposed line)


9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E

Malaipatty village

9° 29' 1.892" N 78° 1' 9.807" E

2. Transmission lines associated with Ottapidaram substation 400/230/110 kV T2.1 400 kV DC TL from

Ottapidaram 400 kV SS to Udangudi Switch Yard

68 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Udangudi 8° 26' 3.205" N 78° 3' 30.103" E

T2.2 400 kV DC TL from Ottapidaram 400 kV SS to Kamuthi Switch Yard

71 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Kamuthi 9° 20' 57.983" N 78° 23' 50.9832" E

T2.3 230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-Sipcot and Kavanoor

10 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Kumarapuram

8° 54' 42.540" N 78° 7' 54.380" E

T2.4 230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-Sipcot and Savaspuram

6 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Venkatachalpuram

8° 54' 15.770" N 78° 5' 47.240" E

T2.5 110 kV Double circuit line in and Line out at Ottapidaram- For Ottapidaram-Eppothumventran

4 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Sinthalakattai 8° 53' 41.320" N 78° 4' 48.410" E

T2.6 110 kV TL Ottapidaram-Vijayapuri

34 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E Vijayapuri 9° 8' 12.820" N 77° 53' 56.840" E

T2.7 110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-TTN Auto & T Sipcot feeder

10 Swaminatham 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E South Veerapandiyapuram

8° 49' 13.780" N 78° 4' 21.690" E

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3.5 Size and Magnitude of the Operation 41. Table 12 provides general information about the substations.

Table 12: Details of Substation Land Area and Coordinates No Name of

Substation Area of Land in sq meter

Co-ordinates Altitude in meters

S1 Virudhunagar substation

230 acres Swaminthan Village 8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E

95 m

S2 Ottapidaram Substation

60.61 acres Mannarkottai & Valayapatti Village 9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E

41 m

S3.1

Kamuthi 400/230/110 kV substation

70 Acres (total existing substation)

Ayyanar Uthu Village 8° 57' 27.872" N 77° 43' 29.739" E

29 m

S3.2

Kayathar 400/230/110 kV substation


Kamuthi village 9° 20' 57.983" N 78° 23' 50.9832" E

89 m

S3.3

Vijayapuri 110 kV substation


Vijayapuri 9° 8' 12.820" N 77° 53' 56.840" E

91 m

COMPONENT I. Substation and Bays Subproject S1 - 765/400 kV Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) 42. The work involves construction of Virudhunagar 765/400 kV AIS substation in Tirunelveli Region in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. The work involves construction of the substation is proposed on private land identified and acquired by TANTRANSCO. Equipment details are given in Table 13 and salient features of the site are given in Table 14. Annexure 2 contains substation land details.

Table 13: Equipment at S1: Virudhunagar 765 kV Substation Equipment Nos Details 1 765 kV Inter-Connecting

Transformers (ICTs)

a 765/400kV, 1500 MVA 2 Nos. 2x1500MVA Three phase ICTS b Single phase 765/400 kV 500

MVA ICT 1 No. Spare

2 765 kV connectivity a Erection of 765 kV DC line with

hex a Zebra conductor Route length of 242 km.

Virudhunagar 765/400 substation to Coimbatore 765 kV substation

3 765 kV Bays a Transformer Bay 2 b Feeder Bays (Coimbatore 1&2) 2 c Reactor Bays 2 Bus 3x110 MVAR 2 Line 3x110 MVAR 1 Spare 1x110 MVAR d Tie Breaker Bays 3 4 400 kV Bays a Transformer Bay 2 nos. b Feeder bays: 6 nos. Kamuthi 1x2, Kayathar 1x2 and

Thoppangundu 1x2 c Reactors bays 2 nos 3x110 MVAR d Tie Breaker Bays 3 5 400 kV Connectivity

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Equipment Nos Details a Erection of 400 kV DC line

from Virudhunagar 765/400 kV substation to Kayathar 400 kV

Route length of 72 km.

Virudhunagar 765/400 kV substation to Kayathar 400 kV

b Erection of 1 no. of 400 kV quad moose DC line and 1 no. 400 kV twin moose DC line

Route length of 5 km

LILO of Kamuthi to Thappangundu 400 kV DC line at Virudhunagar765/400 kV substation.

c 400 kV DC Line on DC tower between Kamuthi 400 kV substation and Thappangundu 400 kV substation (LILO at Virudhunagar 765/400 kV substation).

Table 14: S1-Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA)

No. Feature Description 1 Area of land 230 acres 2 Geographical coordinates 9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E 3 Village / town Mannarkottai & Valayapatti Village 4 Ownership of land Private 5 Slope/Plain land Undulating 6 Kind of land Agriculture and barren 7 River/Coast (if any) 61 km from Coastal area 8 Permanent feature nearby if any 100 km from Perumal Peak. 9 Distance from nearest Wildlife

Sanctuary/National Park 62 km Meghamalai WLS, 100 km from Indira Gandhi National Park

43. Land: 230 acres of private land from three parties have been identified. This is a dry land. The land is surrounded by two nearby villages such as Valayapatti which is 2 kilometers on the west and Manarkottai which is 1.5 kilometers on the east. GPS Coordinate: 9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E Photographs:

Left marker of GSS site Right side of Road opposite the GSS

site Left side of road until next marker (GSS on the left side)

Figure 3: Locations for Virudhunagar substation City nearest to project site: 1. Madurai. About 48 km from Virudhunagar

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2. Coimbatore: The terminal point of 400 kV transmission line. Subproject S2 - Establishment of 400/230-110 kV substation at Ottapidaram with 2x500 MVA, 400/230 kV ICTs & 2x200MVA, 400/110 kV ICTs 44. The work involves construction of Ottapidaram 400/230/110 kV AIS substation in Tirunelveli Region in Thoottukudi district of Tamil Nadu. The work involves construction of the substation on private land identified and transferred to TANTRANSCO. Equipment details are given in Table 15 and salient features of the site are given in Table 16. Annexure 2 Contains substation land details.

Table 15: Equipment at S2: Ottapidaram Substation Equipment Nos Details 1 400 kV Inter-Connecting Transformers

(ICTs)

a 400/230 kV, 500 MVA 2 Nos. 500MVA Three phase ICTS 400/110 kV, 200 MVA 2 Nos. 200MVA Three phase ICTS 2 400 kV Bays 4 nos. a Transformer Bay 4 nos. b Feeder bays 4 nos. c Tie Breaker 4 3 400 kV Connectivity a Erection of 400 kV DC feeder

with Quad Moose conductor Route length of 68 km.

Ottapidaram to Kamuthi 400 KV SS

b Erection of 400kV DC feeder with Quad Moos e conductor

Route length of 71 km

Ottapidaram to Udangudi switchyard

4 230 kV Bays 7 nos. a Transformer Bay 2 nos. b Feeder bays: 4 nos. c Bus Coupler: 4 nos. 5 230 kV Connectivity a Erection of DC zebra 230 kV

line Route length of 10 km.

Ottapidaram to make LILO of T-off Sipcot-Kavanoor 230 kV line

a Erection of DC zebra 230 kV line

Route length of 6 km.

Ottapidaram to make LILO of T-off Sipcot-Savaspuram 230 kV line

6 110 kV Bays 8 nos. a Transformer Bay 2 nos. b Feeder bays: 5 nos. c Bus Coupler: 1 nos. 7 110 kV Connectivity a Erection of 110 kV DC line Route

length of 4 km.

from Ottapidaram to make LILO of existing 110 kV Ottapidaram-Eppothumvendran feeder Ottapidaram to Kamuthi 400 kV SS

b Erection of 110 kV SC line Route length of 34 km.

from Ottapidaram to Vijayapuri 110/10 kV SS

c Erection of 110 kV DC line Route length of 10 km.

from Ottapidaram to make LILO of existing 110 kV Ottapidaram-TN Auto-Sipcot feeder

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Table 16: S2- Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA)

No. Feature Description 1 Area of land 60.61 acres 2 Geographical coordinates 9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E 3 Village / town Tuticorin. About 36 km from

Ottapidaram 4 Ownership of land Transferred from Ind Bharat to

TNEB 5 Slope/Plain land Plain 6 Kind of land Barren 7 River/Coast (if any) 15 km from Coast 8 Permanent feature nearby if any No permanent feature nearby site. 9 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/National

Park 54 km from Kunthangulam Bird Sanctuary (Important Bird Area, IBA)

45. Land: Total land required for the Ottapidaram substation is 60.61 acres. The land was in possession of Ind-Bharat Power Infra Limited (IBPIL), a thermal power producer since 2016. Historically, the land was originally an agricultural land acquired by IBPIL. TNEB has approached Ind Bharat to allocate the land for proposed substation and Ind Bharat has already transferred the land to TNEB. The land is a barren land and not being used by any informal settlers. Figure 4 shows the substation land and its physical location. GPS Coordinate: 9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E Photographs:

Ottapidaram GSS land in Red outline Ottapidaram GSS location Figure 4: Locations for Ottapidaram substation

46. There is no compulsory land acquisition for the proposed substation. The land has been procured by TNEB through negotiated settlement and through mutual transfer of land from Ind-Bharat to TNEB.

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S3.1 – 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation 47. Altogether five bays will be erected in three substations. The audit report of the three substations is attached as Annexure 5: Environmental Audit Checklist for Electric Power Transmission Substations. According to the audit report, the corrective action should include a plan for the substation facilities should designate special areas/ points for solid waste collection and collect all unwanted scraps for a safe disposal. Storage areas for SF6 gas cylinders and lined facility for transformer oil, and non-hazardous material needs to be improved especially in storage arrangement and prevention of spillage. 48. Configuration of additional equipment to be installed at 400/230/110 kV existing AIS substation at Kamuthi is as follows: • 2 nos. of 400 kV bays at Kayathar 400 kV substation for connecting 400 kV DC quad line

from Ottapidaram 400 kV substation. • 2 Nos. of 400 KV Reactor (2x100 MVAR). 49. Table 17 shows the details of bay at Kamuthi substation. Figure 5 shows the location of the Kamuthi substation.

Table 17: S3.1-400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation No. Feature Description 1 Area of land 70 Acres - existing substation 2 Geographical coordinates 9° 20' 57.983" N 78° 23' 50.9832" E 3 Village / town Kamuthi village 4 Ownership of land TNEB 5 Slope/Plain land Plain 6 Kind of land Substation land 7 River/Coast (if any) 26 km from Coast 8 Permanent feature nearby if any Adjacent to Adani solar energy plant 9 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/National

Park 50 km from Madurai Tank IBA, 54 km from Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, 64 km from Big Tank IBA.

26

Figure 5: Location for Kamuthi substation bay S3.2 - 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation 50. Configuration of additional equipment to be installed at 400/230/110 kV existing AIS substation at Kayathar is as follows: • 2 nos. of 400 kV bays at Kayathar 400 kV substation for connecting DC line from

Virudhunagar 765/400 kV substation. • 2 Nos. of 400 KV Reactor (2x100 MVAR). 51. Table 18 shows the details of bay at Kayathar substation. Figure 6 shows the location of the Kayathar substation

Table 18: S3.2-400 kV bays at Kayathar substation

No. Feature Description 1 Area of land 91 acres - existing substation 2 Geographical coordinates 8° 57' 27.872" N 77° 43' 29.739" E 3 Village / town Ayyanar Uthu Village 4 Ownership of land TNEB 5 Slope/Plain land Plain 6 Kind of land Substation land 7 River/Coast (if any) 52 km from Coast 8 Permanent feature nearby if any 1 km from solar energy plant 34 km

from Kattabomman Memorial Fort 9 Distance from nearest Wildlife sanctuary/National

Park Pothigai Malai Peak in Western Ghat reserve – 65 km and Agasthayamali Biosphere reserve – 70 km

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Figure 6: Location for Kayathar substation bay S3.3 - 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation 52. Configuration of additional equipment to be installed at 110/11 kV existing AIS substation at Vijayapuri is as follows:

• 110 kV Bay provision at Vijayapuri 110 kV substation to connect 110 kV SC line on DC tower from the proposed Ottapidaram 400/110 kV SS.

53. Table 19 shows the details of bay at Vijayapuri substation. Figure 7 shows the location of the Vijayapuri substation

Table 19: S3.3- 110 kV bay at Vijayapuri substation No. Feature Description 1 Area of land 5 acres - existing substation land 2 Geographical coordinates 9° 9' 20" N 77° 53' 56.70" E 3 Village / town Vijayapuri 4 Ownership of land TNEB 5 Slope/Plain land Plain 6 Kind of land Substation land 7 River/Coast (if any) 40 km from Coast 8 Permanent feature nearby if any 11 km from Ettayapuram Palace 9 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/National

Park 107 km from Indira Gandhi Wild life sanctuary

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Figure 7: Location for Vijayapuri substation bay COMPONENT II. Transmission lines 54. The routes are planned using Land-use/cover Map prepared using Resources at Satellite (5.8m resolution) and Least Cost Path Analysis in an GIS environment. The least cost path routes are generalized to minimize the number of angle points and crossings. The selection of best route from the available alternatives (Route A, Route B and Route C) is to be decided by TANTRANSCO based on the above details in the table and the maps attached with Annexure 3. Figure 8 provides GPS locations for all terminating points on each transmission line proposed under the project.

29

Figure 8: Map of Study Area and Coordinates for Termination points for each line 55. The given co-ordinates of Angle Points are to be adjusted to suit the local field constraints. For example, if the agricultural land is converted as residential layout and with no buildings on it, it may not be very clearly visible on satellite imagery. Hence, if the route encounters such residential/industrial land, the field engineer can modify the angle point location to overcome the field constraints. Subproject T1.1 - 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore transmission line details. 56. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in

30

Table 20.

31

Table 20: T1.1: 765 kV double circuit Virudhunagar - Coimbatore transmission line No. Detail Description 1 Line Length estimated 242 km 2 Total Angle Points estimated 92 3 Total Nos. of River Crossing 4 4 Total Nos. of road crossings 7 5 Total Nos. of HT line crossings 31 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled No forest 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife

Sanctuary/National Parks 100 km from Indira Gandhi National Park.

Source: Anna University Route Survey 2018

Subproject T1.2 – 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar transmission line 57. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in Table 21. Table 21: T1.2 - 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar transmission

line No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 72 km 2 Nos. of Angle Points estimated 27 3 Nos. of River Crossings 1 4 Nos. of Road Crossings - 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 5 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled No forest 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park 150 km from Western Ghats


Subproject T1.3 - 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappangundu (proposed) line. 58. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in Table 22. Table 22: T1.3 - 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi

to Thappangundu details No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 5 km 2 Nos. of Angle points estimated 3 3 Nos. of River Crossings - 4 Nos. of Road Crossings - 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings - 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled - 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled - 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife sanctuary/ National

Park Local village pond (waterbody) 1.3 km from tower line

Subproject T2.1 - 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi transmission line 59. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in

32

Table 23.

33

Table 23: T2.1 - 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi transmission line details

No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 68 km 2 Nos. of Angle Points estimated 68 3 Nos. of River Crossings 1 4 Nos. of Road Crossings 1 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 8 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled Nil 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled No. of Coconut palms affected not

estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park 10 km from Valasai Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and biosphere reserve 18 that is 171 km (21 islands-See Annexure 8) NE aerially from the site. 6.2 km from local village pond (water body).


60. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in Table 24. Table 24: T2.2 - 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi transmission line

details No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 71 km 2 Nos. of Angle Points estimated 43 3 Nos. of River Crossings 1 4 Nos. of Road Crossings 1 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 5 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled Nil 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park 35 km from Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary


61. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in Table 25.

Table 25: T2.3 - 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line details

No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 10 km 2 Nos. of Angle points estimated 10 3 Nos. of River Crossings - 4 Nos. of Road Crossings 1 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 4 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled No forest 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park Local village pond (waterbody) 1.1 km in the area


18 As mentioned in Annexure 8.

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Table 26: T2.4 - 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line details

No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 6 km 2 Nos. of Angle Points estimated 6 3 Nos. of River Crossings - 4 Nos. of Road Crossings - 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 2 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled No forest 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled None 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park Local village pond (waterbody) 0.8 km from tower line



Table 27: T2.5 - 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram - Eppothumvendran details

No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 4 km 2 Nos. of Angle points estimated 3 3 Nos. of River Crossings - 4 Nos. of Road Crossings - 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 2 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled None 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled None 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park Local village pond (waterbody) adjoining water body to the line



Table 28: T2.6 - 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri details No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 34 km 2 Nos. of Angle Points estimated 30 3 Nos. of River Crossings Nil 4 Nos. of Road Crossings Nil 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 3 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled Nil 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park None

65. Full details of the location of the towers resulting from the surveys undertaken by TANTRANSCO are presented in Annexure 3 and a summary in

35

Table 29.

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Table 29: T2.7 - 110 kV single circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto - T-off Sipcot line details

No. Feature Description 1 Length of line estimated 10 km 2 Nos. of Angle points estimated 10 3 Nos. of River Crossings - 4 Nos. of Road Crossings - 5 Nos. of Existing HT line Crossings 2 6 Nos. of Forest trees to be felled - 7 No of Fruit trees to be felled Not estimated 8 Distance from nearest Wildlife Sanctuary/ National

Park 10 km from Kurumalai Reserve Forest. Local village pond (waterbody) 2.2 km from tower line.

3.6 Associated Facilities 66. There are no associated facilities for the project as project will only provide system strengthening for power transmission system in the CKIC corridor. TANTRANSCO as a State Transmission Utility is responsible to design networks with a principle to provide the power evacuation to an intrastate point. TANTRANSCO has a standard application procedure prescribed by Tamil Nadu Energy Regulatory Commission (TNERC) making it mandatory for all linked power plants to provide information to ensure that their facilities comply with GoI and GoTN rules for environmental and social clearances before they connect to the TANTRANSCO transmission system. 67. The existing power plants, substations and transmission lines in Figure 35 have been assessed to ascertain whether they should be considered as Associate Facilities in accordance with the definition of Associated Facilities provided in ADB SPS 2009. The power plants were assessed whether they meet the following conditions.

1) TСe facility’s (power plant, substation and transmission line) viability and existence exclusively depend on the proposed ADB funded project; and

2) Goods and services produced by the facility (i.e. in this context power generated or transmission connectivity provided by the existing facility) are essential for successful operation of the project.

3.6.1 Existing Thermal and Renewable Power Plants

68. As the existing facilities have been justified without taking into account the proposed project and they have been successfully operating without the project, the condition (1) has not been met by any of the existing facilities. Hence it is concluded that none of the existing renewable and thermal facilities meet the SPS definition of Associate Facilities. 3.6.2 Proposed Thermal Power Plants

3.6.2.1 SEPC 500 MW Thermal Power Plant 69. This plant is expected to be commissioned in December 2019 and will be connected to existing Thennampathy 400 kV substation. The Thennampathy substation will be connected to proposed Virudhnagar substation via Kayathar 400 kV substation. The 400 kV line Kayathar – Virudhnagar is financed under the ADB loan.

37

70. SEPC Power plant will be commissioned before the project assets are commissioned and it has been proven that its output can be evacuated without the project. Hence, the condition (1) will not be met. 71. In addition, SEPC plant’s output is not an essential requirement for tСe successful operation of none of the project assets including Virudhunagar substation and Virudhunagar – Kayatha 400 kV Transmission line. 72. Hence it is concluded that SEPC power plant is not an associate facility of the project. 3.6.2.2 Udangudi 2 X 660 MW Thermal power plant. 73. The Udangudi power plant is currently under construction and it is scheduled to be commissioned in May 2021. It will be initially connected to existing Kayathar 400 kV substation and proposed Ottapidaram 400 kV substation to be build under the ADB project. The 400 kV Transmission Line from Udangudi to Ottapidaram is also included in the ADB Project. 74. The load flow studies have indicated that Udangudi power plant can be dispatched using the existing Kayathar 400 kV substation and 400 kV transmission lines connected to Kayathar substation. The connection to Ottapidaram substation provides only redundancy through an alternate path of power evacuation. Hence condition (1) has not been met. 75. The Ottapidaram 400 kV substation included in the project is adequately loaded without considering the output from Udangudi power plant. However, the Udangudi – Ottapidaram 400 KV transmission line can not be fully justified in the absence of Udangudi power plant. It can be concluded condition (2) has been partially met. 76. As condition (1) has not been mc) et and condition (2) is partially met, it can be concluded that Udangudi power plant is not an associate facility of the project. 3.6.2.3 Uppur 2 X 800 MW Thermal Power Plant

77. The Uppur 2 X 800 MW Thermal Power Plant is currently under construction and it is expected to be commissioned in February 2021. It will be connected to Virudunnagar 765 kV substation through a dedicated 765 kV transmission line to be built. 78. The Uppur power plant can not be dispatched without the Virudhnagar substation to be built under the project. Hence Condition (1) has been met. 79. However, Virudhnagar substation is adequately loaded ( more than 1000 MVA) without considering the output of Uppur Power Plant. Hence, condition (2) has not been met. 80. As only condition (1) has been met, it can be concluded that Uppur power plant is not an associate facility of the project. Due diligence (Annexure 11) has been conducted as a good practice. 3.6.3 Renewable Plants that are under construction 81. The renewable plants that are under construction are expected to be commissioned prior to the commissioning of proposed project. They will be dispatched using the existing network and none of the plants will be directly connected to proposed ADB funded transmission assets.

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82. Hence, by definition they would not depend on proposed ADB funded project for their viability and operation, Hence Condition (1) is not met and none of the renewable projects under construction will be associate facilities. 83. The proposed project facilities will form part of the overall state-wide transmission network and they are not associated with any of the dedicated power evacuation infrastructure related existing or planned generation facilities in the state. Therefore it is concluded that none of the generation facilities discussed in the previous sections can be considered as associated facilities in the context of safeguards.

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4.0 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT 84. Information on the baseline environmental status of the project area is required for the impact assessment process, to assess and predict the possible environmental consequences of the project interventions. Based on the existing environmental scenario, the potential impacts of subprojects were identified and accordingly an environmental management plan was prepared. The baseline environmental conditions will help in comparing and monitoring the predicted negative and positive impacts resulting from the project during the pre-construction, construction and operation phases. The impact assessment focused on the direct adverse changes that might be caused by project activities, including effects on the quality of habitats, flora, fauna and humans, socio-economic conditions, current use of land and resources, climate change aspects, physical and cultural heritage properties and biophysical surroundings. The baseline environment is collected through secondary data and field studies within the possible impact area (project influence area) for various components of the environment, physical, ecological/biological, and socio-economic parameters. Focus group discussions were carried out in the project influenced areas to investigate local environmental conditions, issues, and possible impacts. 4.1 Physical Resources 85. The state can be divided into two natural zones – coastal plains and hilly areas, with temperatures ranging between 21 to 36 °C and 10 to 25 °C, respectively. Tamil Nadu has number of rivers that are relatively small and not perennial. Barring the hills, the climate of Tamil Nadu can be classified as semi–arid tropic monsoonic. The maximum temperature in the plains is about 45°C in the summer and the minimum goes to about 10°C during the winter; the normal rainfall in the state is about 950mm with an average number of 50 rainy days. 4.1.1 Geographic Profile of Tamil Nadu 86. Tamil Nadu is situated on the south eastern side of the India Peninsula as shown in Figure 9. It is bounded on the east by the Bay of Bengal, in the south by the Indian Ocean, in the west by the States of Kerala and Karnataka and in the north by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The state of Tamil Nadu is the Southernmost state located between 8o 5’ and 13o 35’ N latitude and 76o 15’ and 80o 20’ E lonРitudes. Tamil Nadu Сas an area of 1,30,058 sq. km and is the eleventh largest state in India. Administratively the state is divided into 32 districts and 385 blocks. With a coastline of 1,076 km, Tamil Nadu is one of the important coastal states of India.

40

Figure 9: Tamil Nadu administrative divisions Source: Central Ground Water Board 4.1.2 Climate, Rainfall and Temperatures Climate 87. The climate of Tamil Nadu is characterized as tropical with little variation in summer and winter temperatures. The hottest period is April-June, with the temperature rising up to 40°C. November-February is the coolest period with average temperature hovering around 20°C. Tamil Nadu gets its rain from North-East Monsoons between October and December. The average annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu ranges between 635-1905 mm. The coastal region of Tamil Nadu becomes uncomfortably warm and humid during summers; however, nights are cool and pleasant due to sea breezes. 88. Tamil Nadu has many different climates, while the dominant one is Aw by Köppen-Geiger classification.

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Table 30: List of Classifications in Tamil Nadu Classification Count Köppen-

Geiger19 Examples

Tropical savanna climate 1354 Aw Chennai, Vellore, Kanyakumari, Namakkal, Madurai

Hot semi-arid climates 340 BSh Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Karur, Palladam Subtropical highland oceanic climate

20 Cwb Ooty, Poombarai, Poondi, Vembadi Shola, Kolukkumalai

Oceanic climate 19 Cfb Kodaikanal, Vilpatti, Perumal Malai, Ugharte Nagir, Pambarpuram

Tropical monsoon climate 9 Am Bodimetu, Nadugani, Devala, Nelliyalam, Pandalur

Rainfall 89. In Tamil Nadu, during 2015-16 the maximum rainfall of 1,800 mm and above occurred in the Nilgiris, Tiruvallur, Chennai and Kancheepuram. The minimum rainfall was observed in Thoothukudi district.

Table 31: Distribution of rainfall range in various districts 2015-16 Range of Rainfall

Normal Rainfall expected Actual Rainfall occurred

Below 800 mm Namakkal, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Karur, Theni and Thoothukudi

Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Virudhunagar, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Madurai and Thoothukudi.

801 mm to 1000 mm

Vellore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Madurai, Dindigul Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, and Tirunelveli.

Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Theni, and Dindigul

1001 mm to 1200 mm

Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Ariyalur and Kanniyakumari

and Sivagangai, Tiruvannamalai, Perambalur, Thanjavur, and Ariyalur.

1201 mm to 1400 mm

Chennai, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam and Pudukkotaao

Tirunelveli, Villupuram, Vellor, and the Nilgiris

1401 mm to1800 mm

The Nilgiris Kanniyakumari, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam

1801 mm and above

Nil The Nilgiris, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thirvalllur.

Source: Regional Meteorological Center, Chennai - 6

19 The Köppen climate classification is based on the empirical relationship between climate and vegetation. This

classification provides an efficient way to describe climatic conditions defined by temperature and precipitation and their seasonality with a single metric. Because climatic conditions identified by the Köppen classification are ecologically relevant, it has been widely used to map geographic distribution of long-term climate and associated ecosystem conditions. The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). The second letter indicates the seasonal precipitation type, while the third letter indicates the level of heat.

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/ooty-24046/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/poombarai-965060/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/poondi-795655/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/vembadi-shola-171750/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/kolukkumalai-1060307/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/kodaikanal-47742/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/vilpatti-659286/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/perumal-malai-965062/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/ugharte-nagir-965061/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/ugharte-nagir-965061/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/pambarpuram-519387/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/bodimetu-519879/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/nadugani-294084/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/devala-294158/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/nelliyalam-718399/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/tamil-nadu/pandalur-294159/

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Figure 10: Rainfall in Tamil Nadu

Temperature 90. In Tamil Nadu, temperature is being recorded in different districts. For the present study data from only eight sites has been collected and mapped. They are Nungambakkam, Meenambakkam, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai, Kodaikanal and Erode.

Table 32: Temperature at selected stations in Tamil Nadu 2005-06 (in Celsius) S. No. Station Average actual temperature

in 2005 Average actual temperature in 2006

1. Nungambakkam 33.6 33.52 2. Meenambakkam 33.57 34.12 3. Tiruchirappalli 33.81 34.34 4. Madurai 39.78 34.7 5. Kodaikanal 17.94 19.9 6. Coimbatore 31.27 33.12 7. Erode 33.58 35.52 8. Salem 32.22 34.84

91. According to the data, the highest temperature was recorded in Madurai (39.78oC) during 2005 and Erode (35.52oC) in 2006. The minimum temperature was recorded in Kodaikanal on both the years.

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Figure 11: Temperatures in Tamil Nadu

4.1.3 Topography and Soils Soils 92. In Tamil Nadu soils are classified in to six orders, 12 sub-orders, 20 great groups, 44 sub- groups and 94 soil families in the hierarchy. The six orders are Entisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, Vertisols. Inceptisols cover about 50% of the State’s total geographical area followed by Alfisols (30%), Vertisols (7%), Entisols (6%), Ultisols (1%) and negligible area by Mollisols. About 5% of the area are miscellaneous land types, which include rocklands, marshes, urban areas and water bodies. (Figure 12).

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Figure 12: Tamil Nadu Soils

Source: Directorate of Agriculture and Department of Economics and Statistics, Chennai.

Table 33: Classification of Tamil Nadu Soils

Type of Soil Place of occurrence 1. Red loan Parts of Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Salem, Dharmapuri,

Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Sivagangai, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Dindigul and Nilgiris districts.

2. Laterite soil Parts of Nilgiris district. 3. Black soil Parts of Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai,

Salem, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Sivagangai, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Dindigul and Nilgiris districts.

4. Sandy coastal alluvial soils

Along the coasts in Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Kancheepuram and Kanniyakumari districts.

5. Red sandy soils Small patches in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts. 6. Riverine alluvial soils Parts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore,

Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi district.

Source: Directorate of Agriculture and Department of Economics and Statistics, Chennai.

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93. Soil salinity problems are encountered in some pockets in Vellar, Vaippar, Nambiyar, Koadaiyar and Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) basins. Drainage problems are found in tail end areas in Tambaraparani basin and some parts of PAP basin. Soil salinity is caused due to backwater effect of sea. In Chennai basin seawater intrusion occurs affecting the ground water quality due to indiscriminate pumping of groundwater. Conversion of lands for urbanisation results in loss of cultivable lands. Seismology of the State 94. The seismic hazard map of India was updated in 2000(6) by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). According to the new map more areas of Tamil Nadu are susceptible to damage from earthquakes than previously thought. The city of Chennai, formerly in Zone II now lies in Zone III. Districts in the western part of the state, that lie along the border with Kerala also lie in Zone III, along with districts along the border of Andhra Pradesh and a section of the border with Karnataka. The maximum intensity expected in these areas would be around Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik (MSK) VII. The rest of the state lies in Zone II. Since the earthquake database in India is still incomplete, especially with regards to earthquakes prior to the historical period (before 1800 A.D.), these zones offer a rough guide of the earthquake hazard in any particular region and need to be regularly updated (See also: Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP) Hazard Map20 for Tamil Nadu & Puducherry in Figure 13).

Figure 13: Hazard Map

95. According to GSHAP data, the state of Tamil Nadu falls mostly in a region of low seismic hazard with the exception of western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard

20 Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP) was launched in 1992 by the International Lithosphere

Program (ILP) with the support of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), and endorsed as a demonstration program in the framework of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN/IDNDR).

http://asc-india.org/seismi/seis-tamil-nadu.htm#6

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zone. Puducherry lies in a low hazard region. As per the 2002 BIS21 map, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry fall in Zones II & III. Historically, parts of this region have experienced seismic activity in the M5.0 range. Though not as seismically active as states in the northern and western parts of the country, small to moderate earthquakes have occurred in the state of Tamil Nadu. The frequency of earthquakes is low i.e. the gap between moderate sized events is fairly long. Seismic activity in the recent past (August 2011, Mw=3.5) has occurred in clusters along the borders with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. 96. The transmission towers and the substation sites fall in Seismic Zone II&III area (High Damage Risk Zone – MSK22 V) which indicates a very moderate damage risk zone. However, TANTRANSCO is required to take measures while erecting transmission lines to ensure least damage during earthquake. The proposed route alignment passes through Zone IV. Similarly, the proposed substations also fall in Seismic Zone – II&III and therefore the TANTRANSCO needs to ensure that the designing and installation of components of subprojects can avoid damage during earthquakes. The transmission lines are lattice structure which can bear the earthquake shocks. Tsunami 97. After the 26th December 2004 tsunami, the soils in the coastal villages comprising Serudhur (near Velankanni), Pradhabaramapuram, Vellapallam (south of Nagapattinam), Erukkatancheri, Sathankudi, Kalamanallur, Manickapanngu, Pillaiperumanallur, Neithalvasal, Vellapallam (north of Nagapattinam) and Koozhaiyur, Nagapattinam district and Killai, Parangipettai, Devanampattiman, Thazhanduda and Uppalvadi, Cuddalore District soils were affected. The massive quantity of seawater that inundated the coastal agricultural lands for 0.5 to 2.0 km area inland, due to reasons of poor drainage, stood for a few days affecting the quality of soil and groundwater. The electrical conductivity (EC) of soil and shallow groundwater increased by about 10 times and 15 times respectively, and the degree of variations differed from place to place.23 Cyclone 98. The cyclone ’OCKHI’ wСicС Сit tСe soutСern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on 30th November 2017, with a wind speed of about 55 to 65 km/h followed by heavy rainfall in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli Districts inundated paddy crop raised in an area of 10,547 acre and the heavy wind in Kanniyakumari district uprooted several coconut trees resulting in colossal crop damage. 4.1.4 Water Resources (Surface and Ground Water) Surface water 99. There are 17 major river basins in Tamil Nadu with 61 reservoirs and about 41,948 tanks (SoERTN, 2006). Despite rich resource availability, the per capita water availability in the state at 900 cubic meters a year is well below the national average of 2,200 cubic meters a year. Tamil Nadu has number of seasonal rivers; the surface water resources are almost fully harnessed by impounding the available water in 61 major reservoirs and also in 39,202 big and small tanks. As per the estimates, 60% of the ground water resources have also been utilized. Figure 14 shows the river basins of Tamil Nadu. 100. Agriculture continues to be the single largest user (75%) of available water resources, while demands from both domestic and industrial sectors are also increasing.

21 Bureau of Indian Standards 22 Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik (MSK) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less),

VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones II, III, IV and V, respectively. 23 Chandrashekaran, H., V. P. Singh, D. U. M. Rao, M. Nagarajan, B. Chandrasekaran 2005. Effect of tsunami on

coastal crop husbandry in parts of Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, Current Science, Vol. 89, No. 1, 10.

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Figure 14: River Basins of Tamil Nadu

Source: Central Ground Water Board Report

Ground Water 101. The total groundwater potentials of the river basins are furnished besides the well census and the present stage of utilisation indicating the Dark and Grey blocks are given in the following Table 34 below:

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Table 34: River Basins ground water potential River Basins Area in

sq.km. No. of Observation wells

Ground Water Potential in MCM GW Fluctuation method

Ground Water Estimation

Ground Water Potential considered

1.Chennai 7292 150 - 1120.00 1120.00 2. Palar 18.3 148 3416.00 2610.00 2610.00 3. Varahanadhi 4357 55 - 1482.00 1482.00 4. Ponniyar 11257 172 1499.00 1622.00 1560.00 5. Vellar 7659 103 1022.00 1665.58 1344.00 6. Paravanar 760 13 226.00 225.00 226.00 7. Agniyar 4566 64 - 919.91 920.00

8. Pambar & Kottakaraiyar

5847 84 1272.00 680.00 976.00

9. Vaigai 7031 87 1956.00 993.07 993.00 10. Gundar 5647 87 867.00 665.07 766.00 11. Vaipar 5423 86 1261.00 1073.20 1167.00 12. Kallar 1878.8 18 - 70.00 70.00 13. Thambaraparani

5969 77 762.00 725.43 744.00

14. Nambiyar 2084 31 310.27 275.00 275.00 102. Statistical information shows that there is a considerable increase in number of wells in the river basins of Tamil Nadu. To avoid overdrawal of ground water, recharge of ground water should be facilitated during flood periods by means of construction of percolation ponds check dams and small weirs across the streams etc. Well is avoided to be with 500m of project site by carefull alignment selection. Hydrogeomorphology 103. Geomorphically Tamil Nadu may be broadly divided into three provinces namely Coastal plains, Central Pediplain region with elevation ranging between 150 to 300 m with inselberge and bosses. The western part of the state is bounded by Western Ghat hill ranges, which are the structural hills. The Eastern Ghats namely Javadhu hills, Shevaroys, Kalvaroyans, Pachamalai and Kollimalai hills are the hills occupying the central part of the State. The Pediplains are comprised of vast stretches of Pediments, buried pediments (deep) and buried pediments (shallow). Bazada zones, which are the coalscenes of Alluvial fans and cones, occur in the foothills of Western Ghats and Eastern Ghat hill ranges. 104. Sedimentary formations in the State include coastal sandy zones and river alluvial formations of recent age, the Tertiary formations, Cretaceous formations and Gondwana formations. Lateritic cover over the Tertiaries and Cretaceous formations are observed. Alluvial sands are observed in the coastal stretches all along the rivers in Tamil Nadu. Tertiary sandstones are observed around Cuddalore, Jayankondam and Neyveli areas. Predominantly Cretaceous formations are observed around Tiruchirappalli and Gondwana shales and clays are observed around Sriperumbadur, Sivagangai and other areas. 105. In Tamil Nadu nearly 73% of the total area of the State is occupied by a variety of hard and fissured crystalline rocks like charnockite, gneisses and granites. As per the estimate updated recently, 85% (671 TMC) of the total ground water potential in Tamil Nadu has been developed and is being utilized. Out of 385 revenue blocks, 175 revenue blocks are overexploited and critical, 8 blocks are saline, 105 blocks of semi-critical and 97 blocks of safe category are available for developing the left over 15% of the potential24.

24 Anon, 2007. Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Policy Note, 2007-08, 97pp

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4.2 Environmental Qualities 106. To establish the baseline for environmental qualities, 10 locations (below) were selected with the consideration of receptors to collect the baseline environmental data, together with secondary data. Table 35 lists the locations where the pre-assessment baseline data collection has been done. A more comprehensive analysis of air, noise and water at work sites will be conducted before commencing the construction when the alignment is finalised. The details are provided in the Environment Monitoring Plan in Section 9.2.1 later.

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Table 35: Locations for Monitoring

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Location No

Description Name Latitude Longitude

1 Virudhunagar Substation

Mannarkottai &Valayapatti village - Virudhunagar

9° 26' 41.827" N 77° 59' 52.876" E

2 Ottapidaram Substation

Swaminatham - Ottapidaram

8° 53' 39.695" N 78° 2' 53.010" E

3 Udangudi Substation

Udangudi 8° 26' 3.205" N 78° 3' 30.103" E

4 Coimbatore Substation

Near Kaoothupalayam - Coimbatore

11° 14' 51.796" N 77° 26' 58.672" E

5 765 kV Virudhunagar to Coimbatore line

Poruppumuttupatti (Waterbody)

9°54'26.863"N 77°53'13.197"E

6 765 kV Virudhunagar to Coimbatore line

Samarajapalayam (Waterbody and village)

11°12'56.067"N 77°27'30.375"E

7 400 kV Virudhunagar to Kayathar line

Pothirapatti (waterbody and Village)

9°18'20.814"N 77°57'17.852"E

8 400 kV Ottapidaram to Udangudi line

Alagappapuram (Waterbody)

8°35'40.592"N 78°2'59.063"E

9 400 kV Ottapidaram to Kamuthi line

Kammapatti (Waterbody and village)

9°4'51.115"N 78°9'45.275"E

10 110 kV Ottapidaram to Vijayapuri line

Therkupommayapuram (Waterbody and village)

9°0'45.52"N 77°58'16.818"E

4.2.1 Baseline Air Quality 107. The project area is in the rural area of Tamil Nadu where ambient air quality is dependent on factors like air movement, exhaust gas emissions, and suspended dust particles. A continuous monitoring scheme is essential to evaluate air quality and for the development of any plan for mitiРation of СealtС risks caused by polluted air. TСe “criteria pollutants,” particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), CO, SO2 and NO2 have to be monitored. The WHO air quality guidelines (2005) provide global guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants that pose health risks. 108. Based on the primary data collected by PPTA consultants as shown in

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Table 36, locations 2, 5-10, parameters are within World Health Organisation (WHO) ambient air quality limits and are located mostly in rural areas; whereas Locations 1, 3 and 4 (which are near towns) are above WHO standards limit of 50 ug/m3 for PM10. The more stringent of the two – the GoI regulations and WHO (IFC/World Bank EHS) guidelines will be followed for monitoring purposes. Data suggest that this would be DA for PM probably due to wind blow dust since the PM2.5 does not exceed whilst PM10 does. Careful attention will be paid to dust management in vicinity of receptors for installation phase.

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Table 36: Baseline Air Quality collected in February 201925 AQ Parameters 24 hour max content

SO2 in ug/m3 NO2 in ug/m3 TSP М10

in ug/m3

TSP М2.5 in

ug/m3

О in ug/m3

Remarks

Location 1: Mannarkottai-Valayapatti

BDL 4.2 52.4 9.4 BDL

Location 2: Swaminatham-Ottapidaram

BDL 4.2 42.8 6.55 BDL

Location 3: Udankudi BDL BDL 58.2 7.2 BDL Location 4: Kaoothupalayam

BDL 5.2 68.2 13.4 BDL

Location 5: Poruppumuttupatti

BDL 4.0 40.8 7.14 BDL

Location 6: Samarajapalayam

BDL 3.8 48.2 7.6 BDL

Location 7: Pothirapatti BDL 4.26 40.6 8.4 BDL Location 8: Alagapuaram BDL BDL 24.6 3.80 BDL Location 9: Kamapatti BDL 5.05 36.4 6.2 BDL Location 10: Therkupommayapuram

BDL 3.25 32.8 6.2 BDL

Secondary Data Sources (CPCB Data) Dindigul (about 11 km from Virudhunagar-Coimbatore line

9 17 66 CPCB 2017

Coimbatore (about 60 km from substation site)

4 32 CPCB 2016

Tirunelveli (about 30 km from Kayathar)

4 13 84 CPCB 2017

Madurai (about 31 km from Kamuthi)

23 48 CPCB 2016

Thootukudi (16 km from Ottapidaram)

20 29 CPCB 2017

GoI regulations -24 hour* 80 80 100 60** 2 WHO Ambient Air Quality (WB EHS 2007) Guidelines-24 hour

20 40 (Annual) 50 25

Red figures means exceedence from WHO/EHS guidelines * Test menthod using IS 5182 ** Test Method using LSL/SOP/CHE/002 BDL (Below detectable limit); CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) Source: PPTA consultants test reports

109. To correlate the above primary results for the 10 locations, some secondary data of cities that are situated next close to these sub-projects was also collected which shows that the air quality of PM2.5 parameters loacared in suburban area exceed the values of WHO guidelines. This is mostly due to more traffic involved. To develop a reliable project baseline, the EPC contractor shall collect the full set of data during pre-construction phase before construction as per the monitoring requirements in Table 78 using an accredited laboratory under the direction of the TA funded Environment Consultant.

25 The Contractor shall conduct a proper baseline survey before start of construction as per

Environment Monitoring Plan Section 9.2.1.

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4.2.2 Baseline Noise Data 110. Noise is generated in this area due to the movement of vehicles like van and motorbike. To develop project baseline information for the current prevailing noise levels at several sub-project areas, monitoring of dB(A) LAeq* for daytime hours 6AM to 9 PM with a frequency every 1 hour was collected at select locations. Based on the primary data collected by PPTA consultants as shown in Table 37, locations 1-2, 5-10 are within limit of 55 dBA and are located mostly in rural areas; whereas Locations 3 and 4 (industrial area) are within limit of 70 dBA. 111. To develop a reliable project baseline, the EPC contractor shall collect the full set of data including night time noise levels during pre-construction phase before construction as per the monitoring requirements in the Environment Monitoring Plan (Table 78 in section 9.2.1) using an accredited laboratory under the direction of the TA funded Environment Consultant. IFC/World Bank’s EHS Рuidelines will be followed for the monitoring.

Table 37: Baseline Noise Monitoring data collected in Feb 2019 Noise Parameters LAeq (dbA) Day time-GoI

regulations (dB)26 Day time-World Bank EHS (dB)


48.4 55 55


50.8 55 55

Location 3: Udankudi 57.3 75 (Industrial) 70 (Industrial) Location 4: Kaoothupalayam 56.8 75 (Industrial) 70 (Industrial) Location 5: Poruppumuttupatti 51.4 55 55 Location 6: Samarajapalayam 49.3 55 55 Location 7: Pothirapatti 52.1 55 55 Location 8: Alagapuaram 46.4 55 55 Location 9: Kamapatti 48.0 55 55 Location 10: Therkupommayapuram

54.2 55 55

* dB(A) Leq denotes the time weighted average of the level of sound in decibels on scale A which is relatable to human hearing. Source: PPTA consultants test reports

4.2.3 Baseline Surface Water Quality 112. As per the proposed alignment, some channels are within a few hundreds of meters from the RoW. To develop project baseline information for the current prevailing surface water quality at several subproject areas, a preliminary set of environment data was collected at select locations. Based on the primary data collected by PPTA consultants as shown in

26 http://cpcb.nic.in/who-guidelines-for-noise-quality

http://cpcb.nic.in/who-guidelines-for-noise-quality

55

Table 36, for most Locations BOD/COD is high, TDS also normally high for areas where construction activity is high (Locations 2, 3, 7 and 9) whereas parameters are more or less in higher range. 113. To correlate the above primary results for the 10 locations, some secondary data of cities that are situated near these subprojects was also collected which shows that the surface water quality parameters also exceed GoI guidelines (There are no corresponding IFC/World Bank EHS guidelines for surface water). To develop a reliable project baseline, the EPC contractor shall collect the full set of data during pre-construction phase (RoW within 500m to any waterbody) 27 as per the monitoring requirements in Table 78 using an accredited laboratory under the direction of the TA funded Environment Consultant.

Table 38: Baseline Surface Water Quality collected in February 201928 AQ Parameters pH * BOD,

COD in mg/l *

TDS in mg/l *

DO in mg/l *

NH3

-N * NO2+ NO3

mg/l *

Total P in mg/l *

SO4

** in mg/l

Total and Faecal Coliforms mPN/100 ml**

Remarks


7.22 4.0/20 180 5.5 1.2 0.20/ 0.90

0.8 20 40/23


8.45 550/1140 1280

1.0 4.8 1.05/ 6.20

3.65 240 170/50

Location 3: Udankudi

9.16 15/54 9840

3.9 1.20

0.30/ 15.4

1.55 1120

30/<2

Location 4: Kaoothupalayam

6.92 12/64 182 4.0 6.0 0.24/ 2.0

1.05 14 30/23

Location 5: Poruppumuttupatti

7.51 18.0/62.0 210 3.8 10.2

0.65/ 1.3

1.8 18.0 70/50

Location 6: Samarajapalayam

6.8 10.0/40.0 240 4.2 2.4 0.92/1.1 1.9 26.0 21/17

Location 7: Pothirapatti

7.55 10.0/40.0 920 4.2 1.4 0.20/2.80

1.05 100 90/30

Location 8: Alagapuaram

7.20 4.0/18.0 240 5.8 1.0 0.20/ 0.68

0.28 42.0 <2/<2

Location 9: Kamapatti

7.68 14.0/62.0 1100

3.8 1.6 0.62/3.80

2.65 155 34/13

Location 10: Therkupommayapuram

7.28 32.0/110.0

430 3.0 2.4 0.85/2.4 2.8 46.0 22/14

Data from Secondary Sources Erode (about 32 km from Virudhunagar-Coimbatore line& Substation

7.84 BOD= 430 COD= 18

297 mg/l

6.08

0.99

0.24 <0/005 mg/l

15 mg/l

168 MPN/100 ml

TNPCB 2011-12 under MINARS program

27 Included in Environment Monitoring Plan in Section 9.2.1. 28 Based on one spot collection of water (one per site) in February which is a mild season (mixed dry

and wet season)

56

AQ Parameters pH * BOD, COD in mg/l *

TDS in mg/l *

DO in mg/l *

NH3

-N * NO2+ NO3

mg/l *

Total P in mg/l *

SO4

** in mg/l

Total and Faecal Coliforms mPN/100 ml**

Remarks

Vaigai River (about 50 km from Virudhnagar and 35 km from Kamuthi)

7.49 BOD= 7 6.2 1.15 TNPCB 2011-12 under MINARS program

Madurai about 40 km from Kamuthi

6.8 BOD=3.7 0 4 (<50000 MPN/100 ml)

CPCB ENVIS data 2016

GoI regulations (B-D-E outdoor$)

6.5-8.5

BOD=3 (B)

2100 (E)

5 (B)

Nil 50 (C) Nil 1000 (E)

Nil Nil

World Bank EHS# - - - - - - - - - - Red figures means exceedence from GOI/IFC/EHS guidelines # No corresponding standard for surface water for IFC/WHO guidelines– only drinking water standards (See Annexure A6.2). * Test Method IS 3025 ** Test Method: APHA $ As per Surface Water Quality Standard (as per IS: 2296 1982) Classification, the lake shall be classified as B, C, D Classes as described below: Class A – Drinking water without conventional treatment but after disinfection. Class B –Water for outdoor bathing. Class C – Drinking water with conventional treatment followed by disinfection. Class D – Water for fish culture and wild life propagation. Class E – Water for irrigation, industrial cooling and controlled waste disposal. Source: PPTA consultants test reports

4.3 Ecological Resources 114. Based on satellite data pertaining to October-December 2015, the forest cover of the state is 26,281 square kilometres wСicС is 20.21% of tСe State’s РeoРrapСic area. In terms of forest canopy density classes, the state has 3,672 sq.km. under very dense, 10,979 sq.km. under moderately dense and 11,630 sq.km. under open forest (India State of Forest Report, 2017, Tamil Nadu). In addition, the state also has about 3,912 hectares of area under teak plantation. 98. The state has five national parks with 82,751 hectares of area– Guindy National Park, Chennai; Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and National Park; Indira Gandhi National Park, Anamalai; Mudumalai National Park, The Nilgiris; Mukkurthi National Park, The Nilgiris; Fifteen wild life sanctuaries, and Fifteen bird sanctuaries with 17,666 hectares of area and two conservation reserves with 488 hectares of area as of 2014. There is no ecologically/environmentally sensitive national park or forest land in the project area. However of 765 kV Virudhunagar-Comibatore line, there is Kullur Sandai Reservoir, an IBA about 8km east to the line (Reference Annexure 8), although it is not be directly in the footprint. The bird triggered the IBA is Spot-billed Pelican wСicС is Not TСreatened as IUCN’s Red List. 4.3.1 Forest 115. Tamil Nadu has pockets of tropical evergreen forest, mangroves along Coromandel Coast, and substantial areas under plain forests in Pudukottai and Trichy districts. On account

57

of the variation in climatic, edaphic and physiographic factors, the forests of Tamil Nadu provide a wide spectrum of variability in terms of structure. Over the past four decades the forest cover in the state has shown significant increase. Watershed protection, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration are often mentioned as justification for forest conservation. Many studies highlighted that these environmental services provide greater value than timber and non-timber forest products obtained from forests. 116. Based on satellite data pertaining to October-December 2015, the forest cover of the state is 26,281 sq.km wСicС is 20.21% of tСe State’s РeoРrapСic area. In terms of forest canopy density classes, the state has 3,672 sq.km. under very dense, 10,979 sq.km. under moderately dense and 11,630 sq. km. under open forest (India State of Forest Report, 2017, Tamil Nadu). 117. Forest Cover within and Outside Recorded Forest Area: Recorded forest area of the state is 22.877 sq.km. wСicС is 17.59% of tСe state’s РeoРrapСic area. TСe reserved protected and unclassed forests are 88.70%, 7.79%, 3.51% respectively of the recorded Forest Area. Figure 15 shows the forest cover map of Tamil nadu. However, as the digitized boundary of the recorded forest area from the state covers 21,870 sq.km, the analysis of forest cover within and outside the area is depicted in Table 39 below:

Table 39: Forest Cover within and outside Recorded Forest Area

Forest Cover within Recorded Forest Area (Area in Sq. km)

Very Dense Forest (VDF) 3,386 Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) 8,544 Open Forests (OF) 5,651 Total 17,581 Forest Cover Outside Recorded Forest Area

Very Dense Forest (VDF) 286 Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) 2,435 Open Forests (OF) 5,979 Total 8,700 Total Forest cover 26,281 Tree Cover 4,671 Total Forest and Tree Cover 30,952 Of state’s GeoРrapСical area 23.80% Of India’s Forest and Tree Cover 3.86% Per Capita Forest and Tree cover 0.04 ha

Source: India State of Forest Report 2017: Forest and Tree Resources in States and Union Territories

118. In addition to forest cover, the total extent of tree cover (which comprises of trees outside forests that are less than 1 hectare in area) in Tamil Nadu in 2013 was 46,716 sq.km, which accounted for almost 3.86% of total geographical area of the State. The extent of tree cover in 2005 was estimated at 5,621 sq.km, which implies more than 13% decline in tree cover over the period 2005 to 2013. Table 40 gives district wise forest cover statistics.

58

Source: FSI (2017).

Figure 15: Forest Cover Map of Tamil Nadu

Table 40: District Wise Forest Cover (area in sq.km)

District Geographic Area

Very Dense

Mod. Dense Forest

Open Forest

Total % of GA

Change *

Scrub

Ariyalur 1,940 0 43 337 380 19.59

53 4

Chennai 175 0 7 7 14 8.00 -2 0 Coimbatore 4,732 364 669 942 1,975 41.7

4 -3 1

Cuddalore 3,703 0 48 334 382 10.32

-34 18

Dharmapuri 4,497 271 842 585 1,698 37.76

16 13

Dindigul 6,036 256 771 849 1,876 31.08

6 34

Erode 5,760 408 1,127 772 2,307 40.05

9 32

Kancheepuram 4,483 0 72 238 310 6.92 15 34 Kanniyakumari 1,684 146 554 294 994 59.0

3 -13 1

59

District Geographic Area

Very Dense

Mod. Dense Forest

Open Forest

Total % of GA

Change *

Scrub

Karur 2.904 3 42 83 128 4.41 8 7 Krishnagiri 5,129 95 843 611 1,549 30.2

0 -38 24

Madurai 3,710 40 231 290 561 15.12

12 32

Nagapattinam 2,569 0 33 112 145 5.64 -22 0 Namakkal 3,420 84 284 212 518 16.9

6 4 20

Perambalur 1,756 10 65 69 144 8.20 13 19 Pudukkottai 4,644 1 93 268 362 7.80 -23 8 Ramanathapuram

4,104 0 25 239 264 6.43 5 1

Salem 6,237 199 759 525 1,483 28.32

46 31

Sivaganga 4,233 0 44 300 344 8.13 35 3 Thanjavur 3,411 0 249 107 356 10.4

4 -22 0

The Nilgiris 2,565 496 596 627 1,719 67.02

-144 4

Theni 2,868 185 470 522 1,177 41.04

36 29

Thiruvallur 3,394 11 48 228 287 8.46 43 50 Thiruvarur 2,274 0 38 47 85 3.74 -11 0 Thoothukkudi 4,745 0 29 243 272 5.73 24 38 Tiruchirappalli 4,509 55 226 202 483 10.7

1 30 31

Tirunelveli 6,693 441 564 295 1,300 19.42

4 23

Tiruppur 5,187 50 246 509 805 15.52

34 8

Tiruvannamalai 6,188 234 595 483 1,312 21.20

20 67

Vellore 6,075 203 935 675 1,813 29.84

-28 76

Viluppuram 7,194 80 300 466 846 11.76

0 44

Virudhunagar 4,241 40 131 159 330 7.78 0 5 Total 130,060 3,672 10,97

9 11,630

26,281

20.21

73 657

* Change compared to update 2015 assessment Source: India State of Forest Report 2017: Forest and Tree Resources in States and Union Territories

119. TСe ‘very dense’ cateРory of forests is mostly found in districts tСat already Сave a relatively high total forest cover (above 1,000 sq.km of total forest cover, in general). Erode district has the highest cover under very dense and moderately dense forests (408 and 1,127 sq.km, respectively, in 2015), and Coimbatore district has the highest cover under open forests (942 sq. km). The Nilgiris has the highest percentage of forest cover to total district geographical area (67.02%), followed by Kanniyakumari (59.03%), Coimbatore (41.74%), Theni (41.04%) and Erode (40.05%). There was a 3% increase in total forest cover between 2005 and 2013 in Tamil Nadu; a 11% increase in very dense forests, a 4% increase in moderately dense forests, and a 1% increase in open forests over that time period.

60

120. Reserved, protected and un-classed are the three major legal classes of forests in India. A legal notification in a government gazette under the Indian Forest Act; 1,927 creates or defines the boundaries of ‘reserved’ and ‘protected’ forests in India and accords them with a certain degree of protection. These forests by definition are owned by the government. The rest of the forest areas recorded in government land records as forests are called un-classed forests. In reserved forests, most activities like hunting, grazing etc. are prohibited unless allowed. In protected forests, most activities are allowed unless prohibited. 121. The district-wise extent of reserved and protected forests in Tamil Nadu is presented in Figure 16. Reserved forests form a higher proportion of total forests in each district compared to protected and un-classed forests. Erode and Vellore districts both have reserved forests in excess of 2,000 sq.km. The total extent of reserved forests in Tamil Nadu in 2013-14 is 19,459 sq.km, of protected forests is 2,152 sq.km, and un-classed forests is 1,266 sq.km, giving a total forest area of 22,877 sq.km. Thus, reserved forests account for approximately 85% of total forest area. Compared to 2004-05 levels, reserved, protected and un-classed forests decreased marginally by 0.7% in 2013-14 the higher declines in protected and un-classed forests (by about 3% each) contributed to this overall decline in total forest area in 2013-14 compared to 2004-05.

Source: DEAR (2013-14)

Figure 16: District-Wise Extent of Reserved and Protected Forests in Tamil Nadu in 2013-14 (in Square Kilometres)

4.3.2 Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries 122. Tamil Nadu has two biosphere reserves, one in the Nilgiris and the other in the Gulf of Mannar29, which is also a marine national park. A Tiger Reserve has also been established in the State by combining the Kalakad and Mundanthural Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tirunelveli district. In addition, a modern Zoological Park, complete with open moat enclosures, was established in Vandalur (near Chennai) over an area of 602 hectares of reserved forests. Table 41 gives details of the wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and national parks in Tamil Nadu, along with a list of major animals founds in each of them. Several species of mammals are found in Tamil Nadu as shown in Figure 17.

29 As noted in Annexure 8.

61

Table 41: Wildlife Sanctuaries, Bird Sanctuaries and National Parks in Tamil Nadu S. No.

Name District in which Located

Area in ha Year Decl.

Major Animals Found

Wildlife Sanctuaries 1. Mudumalai

Wildlife Sanctuary Nilgiris 21,776.00 1940 Elephant, Gaur, Sambar,

Chital, Panther, Tiger, Birds, Reptiles

2. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Coimbatore 84,149.00 1976 Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar

3. Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary

Tirunelveli 58,207.58 1962 Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Langurs, Slender Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Wild Dog

4. Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary

Tirunelveli 22,358.00 1976 Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Panther, Tiger

5. Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary

Virudhunagar 48,520.00 1988 Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque

6. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

Nagapattinam 1,726.00 1967 Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Wild Boar, Flamingoes, variety of birds such as Teals, Gulls

7. Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary

Thoothukudi 1,641.00 1987 Black buck, Spotted deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose, Hares

8. Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary

Kanyakumari 40,239.55 2007 Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Slender Loris, Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Bird, jackal, Nilgiri Tahr

9. Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Erode 141,160.94

2011 Elephant, birds etc.

10. Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Theni& Madurai

26,910.82 2009 Elephant, birds etc.

11. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary Block A & Block B

Thanjavur&Tiruva rur

12,407.27 2013 Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Wild Boar, Flamingoes, variety of birds such as Teals, Gulls

12. Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary

Dindigul&Theni

60,895.48 2013 Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Giant Squirrel, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Tiger, Leopard/Panther, Birds, Reptiles, Elephant

13. Gangaikondan Spotted Deer Sanctuary

Tirunelveli 288.40 2013 Spotted Deer

14. Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary

Krishnagiri&Dhar mapuri

50,433.48 2014 Grizzled Giant Squirrels, Panthers, Elephants, Dhole, Sloth Bear etc.

15. Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary

Tirunelveli 35,673.33 2015 India Gaur, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Indian Elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque etc.

62

S. No.



Major Animals Found

Total 606,386.85

Bird Sanctuaries 16. Vedanthangal

Birds Sanctuary Kancheepuram

30.00 1998 Cormorants, egrets, gray heron, spoon billed stork, migratory birds like garguney, teals, shovallers

17. Karikili Birds Sanctuary

Kancheepuram

61.21 1989 Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, spoon billed stork,

18. Pulicat Lake Birds Sanctuary

Tiruvallur 15,367.00 1980 Flamingoes, ducks, osprey, avocet, cormorants, herons, spoon bills, gulls and other migratory birds

19. Vettangudi Birds Sanctuary

Sivagangai 38.40 1977 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans

20. Kanjirankulam Birds Sanctuary

Ramanathapuram

104.00 1989 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans

21. Chitrangudi Birds Sanctuary

Ramanathapuram

47.63 1989 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans

22. Udayamarthandpuram Birds Sanctuary

Tiruvarur 45.28 1998 Little cormorant, darter, spoon bill, Indian Reef Heron, Grey heron, white necked stork

23. Vaduvoor Birds Sanctuary

Tiruvarur 128.10 1999 Cormorants, egrets, ibis, herons and many variety of birds

24. Koonthankulam- Kadankulam Birds Sanctuary

Tirunelveli 129.00 1994 Grey pelican, painted stork, white Ibis, jackal, rat snake

25. Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary

Ariyalur 453.71 1999 Egrets, pelican, grey heron, white ibis, spoon bill

26. Vellode Birds Sanctuary

Erode 77.18 2000 Spoon bill, teals, pintail ducks, darter

27. Melaselvanur- Kilaselvanur Birds Sanctuary

Ramanathapuram

593.08 1998 Grey pelican, painted stork

28. Theerthangal Bird Sanctuary

Ramanathapuram

29.29 2010 White-breasted kingfisher, spot-billed pelican, brahminy kite

29. Sakkarakottai Tank Birds Sanctuary

Ramanathapuram

230.49 2012 Spot-billed pelican, egret, common myna, grey heron, little cormorant, black kite, etc.

30. Oussudu Lake Birds Sanctuary

Villupuram 331.79 2015 Spot-billed pelican, egret, common myna, grey heron, little cormorant, black kite, etc.

Total 17,666.16 National Parks 31. Mudumalai

National Park Nilgiris 10,323.00 2005 Elephant, Gaur, Sambar,

Chital, Tiger, Birds, and reptiles

32. Indira Gandhi National Park

Coimbatore 11,710.00 1989 Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar

63

S. No.



Major Animals Found

33. Mukurthi National Park

Nilgiris 7,846.00 2001 Nilgiri Tahr, Jackal, Otter, Jungle cat, Sambar, Barking deer.

34. Guindy National Park

Chennai 270.57 1978 Black Buck, Chital, Jackal, Pangolin and variety of birds

35. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (21 Islands) and biosphere reserve30

Ramanathapuram &Thoothukudi

52,602.00 1986 Characteristic tropical flora & fauna of coral reefs, Dugong, Turtles, Dolphins and Balanoglossus

Total 82,751.57 Conservation Reserves 36. Thiruppudaimarut

hur Birds Conservation Reserve

Tirunelveli 2.84 2005 Birds

37 Suchindrum-Theroor-Managudi Conservation Reserve

Kaninyakumari

484.77 2015 Birds

Total 487.61 Source: Tamil Nadu Forest Department (personal communication through ENVIS Centre, Chennai).

30 As per Annexure 8.

64

Figure 17: Protected Area map of Tamil Nadu

4.3.3 Wetlands 123. In 2011, Tamil Nadu had a wetlands area of 884,240 ha and an additional 18,294 haof wetlands less than 2.25 ha, giving a total wetlands area of 902,534 ha (SAC, 2011). Figure 18

65

shows the area of different types of wetlands present in Tamil Nadu as a percentage of total wetland area of the State in 2011. Inland wetland types including lakes, ponds, tanks, rivers, streams, reservoirs, barrages, waterlogged areas (man- made and natural) and riverine wetlands account for roughly 86% of total wetland area. On the other hand, coastal wetland types including lagoons, creeks, sandy beaches, intertidal mud flats, salt marshes, mangroves, coral reefs, salt pans and aquaculture ponds account for 14% of total wetland area. Lakes, ponds and tanks alone account for 63% of total wetland area, and rivers and streams account for roughly 15% of total wetland area. Total wetland area (i.e. area of wetlands less than and greater than 2.25 hectares) was approximately 7% of total geographical area of Tamil Nadu in 2011. 124. Figure 18 shows the extent of total wetland area in the districts of Tamil Nadu. Kancheepuram district has the largest wetlands area and Chennai district, the smallest. Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts, however, have the highest percentage of wetlands area to total district geographical area (about 18% each), whereas Coimbatore and Nilgiris have the smallest percentage of wetlands area to total geographical area (about 1% each). In general, districts with relatively higher wetland areas also have a higher percentage of wetland area to total district geographical area, and vice versa.

Source: SAC (2011).

Figure 18: District-Wise Wetlands Area (in ‘000 Ha) and Percentage of Wetlands Area to District Geographical Area in 2011

125. Table 42 lists the important wetlands in Tamil Nadu. These are important sites of biodiversity as a variety of flora and fauna inhabit them, notably mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, waterfowl, fish and other mammals.

Table 42: Important Wetlands of Tamil Nadu

No. Name Wetland Type Area (ha) Key Vegetation

Key Fauna Threats

1 Pichavaram Mangroves

Mangroves 570.75 Mangroves, Seeweeds and sea grasses

Resident and migrator waterfowl

-

2 Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Lagoon, intertidal mud flats, mangroves and salt pans

32,010 Forest trees, insectivorous plants, grasses, mangroves, shrubs

Commercially important shellfish and fish; land and sea mammals; resident and migratory

-

66

No. Name Wetland Type Area (ha) Key Vegetation

Key Fauna Threats

birds 3 Pulicat Lake Natural lake 5,324 (in

TN) Algae and phytoplankton

Resident and migratory waterfowl

Siltation

4 Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and biosphere reserve31

Islands - Coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, littoral and swamp forests

Chank and pearl fisheries; marine fish and mammals

Degradation of coral reefs

5 Madurai Tanks Tanks/ponds 2,064.97 Wild rice and other monocots, weeds, reeds, shrubs, trees

Waterfowl; resident peacocks

-

6 Sathanur Reservoir

Reservoir 2,203.81 Forest trees in surrounding areas

Birds, fish; mammals in surrounding forests

Deforestation in the catchment area and siltation

7 Kallur Santhai Reservoir

Reservoir 741.3 - - -

8 Koothakulam and nearby tanks

Tanks/ponds 105.05 - Migratory birds

-

Source: SAC (2011).

Wetland 126. Tamil Nadu is situated on the South-Eastern coast of India. It has a coastal length of approximately 1,076 km, which accounts for more than 13% of India’s total coastline (DADF, 2014). Tamil Nadu has the second largest coastline in comparison to other coastal States located on the Indian mainland. Its coast stretches from Thiruvallur district in the north to Kanniyakumari district in the south along the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. There are 13 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu (see Figure 19) with Ramanathapuram having the longest coastal length (237 km) and Chennai having the shortest (19 km). The Tamil Nadu coast comprises of the Coromandel coast between Chennai and Point Calimere (357 km in length), Palk Bay (294 km), Gulf of Mannar (365 km) and the West coast between Kanniyakumari and Neerody (60 km).

31 As noted in Annexure 8.

67

Source: DoE (2006).

Figure 19: District-Wise Coastal Length of Tamil Nadu (in Kilometres) 127. Tamil Nadu is endowed with a variety of coastal and marine ecosystems, which are ecologically sensitive regions of extraordinary biological productivity and high accessibility. They include mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, sand beaches and dunes, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries and marine waters. Coastal ecosystems provide a host of services that are of vital importance to human well-being, health, livelihoods and survival. Some of these services include the provision of food, water and raw materials (‘provisioninР services’), coastal protection and carbon sequestration (‘reРulatinР services’), recreation and spiritual fulfilment (‘tourism and cultural services’), and the provision of genetic diversity and nursery services (‘Сabitat services’). The area under key coastal ecosystems in Tamil Nadu is given in Table 43. In particular, the Tamil Nadu coast is home to the ecologically important sites given in Table 44.

Table 43: Area under Coastal Ecosystems in Tamil Nadu (in Square Kilometres) Coastal Ecosystems Area Estuaries 179 Mudflats 223 Mangroves 65 Salt Marshes 138 Coral Reefs 70 Sand beaches and dunes 579 Seagrass Beds (Gulf of Mannar) 86 Total 1,340 Source: ISRO (2012); Seagrass Beds. Note- estuaries include creeks and lagoons.

Table 44: Ecologically Important Sites in Tamil Nadu

S. No. Site Ecological Importance

District Area (km2)

1. Pulicat Lake Lagoon Thiruvallur 252.04 2. Pichavaram Mangroves Cuddalore 10.61 3. Vedaranyam, Muthupet Mangroves Nagapattinam 24.53 4. Gulf of Mannar (21 Coral Reefs, Ramanathapuram 63.22 Islands) Seagrass Beds Source: IOM (2008).

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128. Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India that is situated on the Coromandel coast. The mixing of freshwater with sea water makes this wetland ecosystem an ideal habitat for marine fauna including exotic migratory birds such as the flamingo and pelican and several species of fish. The rich flora and fauna diversity of the lagoon supports active commercial fisheries (shrimp, crab and finfish) and is also an important tourist destination. 129. Pichavaram is known for its mangrove forest that is located between two estuaries; the Vellar estuary in the north and the Coleroon estuary in the south. The extent of mangrove area in Pichavaram is 8.79 sq.km, mangroves with scrub cover an area of 1.82 sq.km and tidal flats account for 1.44 sq.km (IOM, 2008). The Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem contains a wealth of biological diversity including aquatic flora such as seaweeds, seagrasses and certain types of rare mangrove species like Avicennia and Rhizophora, and aquatic fauna such as oysters, commercially important crustaceans and fin-fish, Olive Ridley turtles, otters and a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl and other birds. The Pichavaram mangroves support commercial fisheries (shrimps, crabs and mullets mainly) and it is also a tourist attraction owing to the unique natural beauty of the mangroves themselves as well as the two rivers and their backwaters that offer abundant scope for boating and water sports. 130. Vedaranyam is an important coastal wetland in Tamil Nadu and it is also one of the six major Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. It comprises of a range of coastal ecosystems including mangroves and salt marshes spread over 24.53 sq.km each, reserved forests covering an area of 19.58 sq.km, and tidal flats and salt pans spanning an area of 97.95 and 37.70 sq.km respectively (IOM, 2008). Several thousand migratory birds and waterfowl visit this site each year (including flamingos, herons, storks, kites, eagles etc.) and it is also home to rare reptile and mammal species including the Blackbuck. 131. The Muthupet mangrove wetland that is part of the larger Vedaranyam swamp is located at the Southern most end of the Cauvery delta. The Muthupet lagoon has an area of 13.32 sq.km. The density of Muthupet mangroves is very high, but its mangrove species diversity is low when compared to the mangroves of Pichavaram since 95% of the total mangrove population is dominated by a single species namely, Avicennia Marina (ICMAM, 2005). Several species of seagrasses and seaweeds are found in the lagoon. The aquatic fauna comprises of commercially important finfish, shrimps and crabs. Birds such as herons and egrets have also been spotted in the area. Other than the fishing activity that takes place in the lagoon, the saltpans are used to produce salts for the manufacture of industrial chemicals. 132. The Gulf of Mannar is a large shallow bay in the Indian Ocean that lies along the south-eastern tip of Tamil Nadu extending from Rameswaram in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve was set up in 1989 jointly by the Government of India and the GoTN of the reserve. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a protected area, which is part of the Biosphere Reserve that extends from Rameswaram to Tuticorin. It consists of 21 small islands varying in size from about 0.5 ha to 125 ha and adjacent coral reefs spread over an area of 560 sq.km. It is one of the world’s richest regions of marine biodiversity containing diverse ecosystems such as estuaries, mudflats, beaches, salt marshes, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses and algal communities. Several species of mangroves, corals, seagrasses and seaweed are found in this biosphere that support numerous species of crustaceans, molluscs, finfish and ornamental fish in addition to marine mammals like whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles and Dugong dugong, as well as seabirds and sea snakes. The Gulf of Mannar is famous for its chank and pearl fisheries – there are about 10 pearl banks in the region. It supports the finfish, shellfish and aquaculture industries. It is also rich in mineral resources. Public access to the islands in this region is prohibited and tourism is restricted to glass-bottomed boat rides to protect marine life.

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4.4 Economic Development

4.4.1 Economy 133. Error! Reference source not found. shows key features of Tamil Nadu and the profile of six districts (including data for Tamil Nadu state) where subprojects will be implemented and Tamil Nadu.

Table 45: Key Features of Tamil Nadu

Geographical Area 130,058 sq.km*1 Number of Districts (2011) 32*2 Number of Blocks (2011) 411*3 Indicator/Parameter Thoothuku

di Virudhunagar

Madurai Ramanathapuram

Total population 1,750,176 1,942,288 3,038,252 1,353,445 % of rural population 49.90% 49.53% 39.22% 69.66% % of urban population 50.10% 50.47% 60.78% 30.34% % of SC population 19.88% 20.59% 13.46% 18.40% % of ST population 0.28% 0.12% 0.37% 0.08% Sex ratio 1023 1007 990 983 Literacy rate 86.16 80.15 83.45 80.72 Male literacy rate 91.14 87.71 89.72 87.81 Female literacy rate 81.33 72.69 77.16 73.52 Life expectancy at birth (Male) NA NA 65.4 68.9 Life expectancy at birth (Female)

NA NA 68.9 71.2

Infant Mortality Rate (2013-14)

12.5 13.0 16.13 13.0

Maternal Mortality Rate 105.8 125.09 120.0 49.0 % of HHs covered with drinking water supply

54.14% 6.92% NA NA

% of HHs with toilet facilities (2014)

56.67% NA 52.16% 56.46%

Per capita income during 2011-12 at constant prices (In INR)

74,933 87,361 67,258 44,707

% of BPL HHs (2013-14) 18.33% 42.48% 31.49% 31.27% Worker participation rate 42.74 NA 44.59 44.55 Worker participation rate (Male)

58.23 NA 59.14 57.53

Indicator/Parameter Thoothukudi

Virudhunagar

Madurai Ramanathapuram

Worker participation rate (Female)

27.61 NA 29.89 31.34

Total worker (Main and marginal)

748,095 950,158 1,354,632 602,977

% of cultivator 6.49% 6.02% 6.84% 29.0% % of agriculture laborer’s 26.82% 21.96% 27.52% 10.0% % workers in HH industry 3.06% 3.71% 3.49% 4.0% % of other workers 63.64% 68.30% 62.14% 57.0% Total cultivated area (In hectares)

200,377 120,940 89,250 284,428

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Average size of agriculture land holdings

1.19 0.93 0.57 0.72

Total forest area (In hectares) 10,770 Nil 26,583 4,488 Electricity generation from thermal (In million unit)

5,547.59 Nil Nil NA

Electricity generation from wind mill (In million unit)

329.41 Nil Nil NA

Number of working factories (Registered)

1,036 3,420 1,252 NA

Number of small scale industries

1,346 2,776 8,645 NA

Number of medium & large industries

NA 40 NA 12

Indicator/Parameter Dindigul Tiruppur Tamil Nadu Total population 2,159,775 2,479,052 72,147,030 % of rural population 62.59 38.64 51.60 % of urban population 37.41 61.36 48.40 % of SC population 20.95 15.97 20.01 % of ST population 0.37 0.22 1.10 Sex ratio 998 989 996 Literacy rate 76.26 78.68 80.09 Male literacy rate 84.23 85.49 86.77 Female literacy rate 68.33 71.82 73.44 Life expectancy at birth (Male) 65.89 67.0 64.97 Life expectancy at birth (Female)

69.16 69.2 68.85

Infant Mortality Rate (2013-14)

13.0 7.3 21.0

Maternal Mortality Rate 43.17 74.0 68.0 % of HHs covered with drinking water supply

80.68% NA NA

% of HHs with toilet facilities (2014)

59.30 68.17 48.29*

Per capita income during 2011-12 at constant prices (In INR)

56,376 88,549 63,996

% of BPL HHs (2013-14) 28.95 33.95 NA Worker participation rate (Total)

51.17 NA 45.6

Worker participation rate (Male)

61.56 65.72 59.3

Worker participation rate (Female)

40.76 36.05 31.8

Total worker (Main and marginal)

1,105,155 1,266,137 32,884,681

% of cultivator 14.97 10.73 12.92 % of agriculture laborer’s 42.34 19.46 29.21 % workers in HH industry 2.79 3.24 4.15 Indicator/Parameter Dindigul Tiruppur Tamil Nadu % of other workers 39.90 66.58 53.72 Total cultivated area (In hectares)

NA 211,070 NA

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Average size of agriculture land holdings

1.07 NA NA

Total forest area (In hectares) 138,923 NA NA Electricity generation from thermal (In million unit)

Nil NA NA

Electricity generation from wind mill (In million unit)

444.62 NA NA

Number of working factories (Registered)

714 NA NA

Number of small scale industries

3,880 NA NA

Number of medium & large scale industries

NA NA NA

* The data is for the year 2011 Sources: District Statistical Hand Books (2016-17); District Human Development Reports (2017), State Planning Commission, Tamil Nadu; District Census Handbook, Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu *1 Department of Statistics and Economics: TN at a Glance 2010 *2 GoTN official website http://www.tn.gov.in/district_statistics.html *3 Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department http://www.tnrd.gov.in/databases/Blocks.pdf

4.4.2 Employment and Livelihood 134. According to the recent National Sample Survey (NSS) 2009-10 report on Employment and Unemployment, the work force in the State has grown to 31.882 million in 2009-10 creating an additional employment of 29.02 lakh since 1999-2000 with a compounding growth rate of 0.96% annum. The gendered demographic dividend by way of increased women labour force participation could create a multiplier effect in the economy. 135. Tamil Nadu has been very successful in reducing poverty. According to the Tendulkar methodology, which is being followed by the Union Planning Commission, State’s poverty has fallen to 18.3% in 2009-10 (tentative estimate) from 28.9% in 2005-05. In absolute terms as many as 6 million persons in Tamil Nadu have been brought above poverty line whereas about 13 million persons are still languishing in poverty. 4.4.3 Mining Activities 136. Tamil Nadu is a mineral rich state and the leading major minerals produced in the state are lignite, natural gas (ut.), limestone, petroleum (crude) and magnesite. The state had a significant share in the country’s production of certain minerals in 2013-14 including lime kankar (100%), dunite (98.5%), garnet (abrasive – 77.6%, graphite (r.o.m. –60.6%), lignite (60.1%), fireclay (22.9%) and vermiculite (21.6%) (MoM, 2014-15). As of 2013-14, there were 354 reporting mines in Tamil Nadu. The State’s index of mineral production during 2013-14 was 120.87, up from the previous year’s value of 117.28 (base 2004-05=100). The value of mineral production in Tamil Nadu in 2013-14 was Rs. 6,464.93 crores, which represented an increase in value by 4.73% compared to the previous year. Out of 3,318 mines that reported mineral production (excluding minor minerals, petroleum (crude), natural gas and atomic minerals) in India in 2014-15, 272 are located in Tamil Nadu. As of 31st March 2013, 924 mining leases were granted in Tamil Nadu out of an all-India total of 11,104 (PIB-MoM1). Table 46 gives details of important mineral deposits in Tamil Nadu in 2014-15 and the districts in which they occur.

Table 46: Important Mineral Deposits in Tamil Nadu in 2014-15 S. No. Minerals

Found Reserves (Million Tonnes)

Production (Tonnes)

Districts in which they occur

1 Bauxite 25 86,800 Yercaud, Kodaikanal, Kolli Hill Ranges and

http://www.tnrd.gov.in/databases/Blocks.pdf

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S. No. Minerals Found

Reserves (Million Tonnes)

Production (Tonnes)

Districts in which they occur

Nilgiris District. 2 Crude Oil - 235,077 Nagappattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur,

Ramanathapuram and Cuddalore Districts. 3 Fire Clay 110 300,588 Ariyalur, Perambalur, Cuddalore,

Tiruchirappalli and Kanchipuram Districts. 4 Garnet 28.35 680,160 Occurs as placer deposits along the coastal

tracts. 5 Granite 559.44 79,169 m3 Krishnagiri, Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Erode,

Salem, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai Districts. 6 Granite

(multi- colour)

- 364,328 m3 Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Karur, Pudukottai, Madurai, Salem, Namakkal, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Vellore Districts.

7 Graphite 7.91 71,594 Sivagangai and Madurai Districts 8 Gypsum 27.31 1,200 Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore,

Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli Districts. 9 Ilmenite 108.02 - Occurs as placer deposits along the coastal

tracts. 10 Iron ore 482 - Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and

Tiruvannamalai Districts 11 Lignite 32892.92 24.20 MT Cuddalore District. 12 Limestone 199243 19.26 MT Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai,

Dindigul, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar Districts.

13 Magnesite 40.5 177,753 Salem, Namakkal, Karur and Tiruppur Districts.

14 Natural Gas

- 1,190.65 Million m3

Nagappattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and Cuddalore Districts.

15 Quartz & Feldspar

9.48 Q – 23,571 F – 85,548

Erode, Salem, Coimbatore, Karur, Namakkal, Dindigul and Madurai Districts.

16 Rutile 8.76 - Occurs as placer deposits along the coastal tracts.

17 Silica Sand

171 125,461 Distributed in Coastal areas in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts.

18 Zircon 0.2 - Occurs as placer deposits along the coastal tracts.

Source: Department of Geology and Mining, GoTN (personal communication through ENVIS Centre, Chennai). See http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=124170.

4.4.4 Industries 137. Industrial activity in Tamil Nadu has traditionally been among the top in India. Five main industrial complexes having chemical, petro-chemical and other industries in Tamil Nadu are: Manali/Ennore, Ranipet, Cuddalore, Mettur and Tuticorin. 138. Figure 20 shows the index of industrial production in Tamil Nadu and all India during 2006-07 to 2013-14 (based on base year 2004-05). Over the past four years the trend and rate of on industrial production have been similar in Tamil Nadu and India.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx

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Figure 20: Index of Industrial Production in Tamil Nadu and India (Base Year=

2004-05) 139. More than 3,000 industrial units in Tamil Nadu have been classified under the highly polluting or 'red' category. The total effluent generated is about 0.6 million litres per day. Of which, large industries generate more than 0.5 million litres (85%). About 400 units discharge directly into the rivers. Key features and environmental challenges posed by some of the important industries are discussed below. Cement 140. In the non-metallic mineral segment, Tamil Nadu is the third largest producer of cement in India with its share of 14.08% of annual installed capacity and 11.65% of cement production of the nation (in 2011-12). Tamil Nadu has 16 major plants and 4 mini plants, with an annual installed capacity of 34.38 million tons. In 2008-09, the industry as a whole consumed 35 million tonnes of fly-ash and 7.5 million tonnes of slag. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry a continuous increase in the production of blended cement is expected to reduce the problem of waste disposal, improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. Recently the cement industry has started consuming 75% of the fly ash recycled in the country, a hazardous waste posing problems of disposal by thermal power plants. Similarly, the cement industry has also helped in providing a clean environment by consuming blast furnace slag, which also poses a problem of disposal. Thermal Power Plants 141. Thermal power plants are among the most pollution intensive industries. There are nineteen coal based thermal power stations in the state. Table 47 shows the level and intensity of emissions from the power plants owned by TANGEDCO. Wide divergence exists among these plants, indicating significant potential for efficiency improvements.

Table 47: Thermal Power Plant Emissions in Tamil Nadu

Emissions Ennore Mettur North Chennai

Tuticorin

CO2 Emission per day (Tons) 4,282 26,242 32,879 18,792 CO2 Emission (Kg / KWH) 1.22333 0.759317 0.74861 0.745714 Source: TANGEDCO (personal communication through ENVIS Centre, Chennai).

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Leather 142. Presently, Tamil Nadu accounts for 70% of tanning capacity of India and meets 6% of global leather requirement. The state has over 9,000 registered small and medium firms in the leather sector, about 70 large scale firms and about 40 composite firms. Most of them are concentrated in a handful of locations dominated by the Palar river basin in Vellore district and the Cauvery river basin. Spatially, the industry is marked by distinct agglomerations near river basins—a feature that adds to the negative externalities associated with environmentally damaging effects of effluents generated by the industry. 143. Nearly 800 tanneries are located in Vellore, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Trichy, Dindigul and Erode districts. The effluents have caused serious problems in the Palar basin. Loss of Ecology Authority, GoI analysed the impact of tannery pollution on agricultural land and identified about thirty-six thousand individuals for paying compensation to the tune of Rs. 35 crore by the tanneries. Textiles 144. Textile mills in Tamil Nadu are predominantly spinning oriented and provide mass employment. Of 3466 large, medium and small spinning mills in India, 2019 mills (58.2%) are located in Tamil Nadu and provide employment to 2.67 lakh persons Tamil Nadu is also a major knitwear centre in India with more than 9,000 small scale units, contributing to 56% of knitwear exports from India. 145. There are large numbers of textile bleaching and dyeing processing units in Tiruppur, Erode, Karur and Namakkal districts which discharged their effluents into Noyyal, Amaravathy, and other water bodies. In view of continuous action taken by the TNPCB and on strict Court directives, these units have provided Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), consisting of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant with Reject Management System (RMS). The RO permeate is reused in the process, salt recovered and final rejects into Solar Evaporation Pan. Now none of the units are permitted to operate without above ZLD System. 146. Due to the continuous discharge of effluents by the processing units for over a decade, the level of pollution has increased in the Tirupur area resulting in environmental degradation. From the year 2003 onwards, based on the High Court directives, out of 754 units in Tiruppur, 437 units are treating the effluent in 18 CETPs with ZLD system and 91 units are having individual ETP with ZLD system. Remaining 226 units are under closure. Paper 147. The Government of Tamil Nadu established the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) in 1979. The TNPL has emerged as the largest paper mill in India in a single location and the second largest in terms of paper production in the country. To convert some of the waste materials namely, lime sludge and fly ash generated in the process of manufacture of paper into high grade cement, the TNPL is operating a 600 tons per day cement plant. Sugar 148. Within the food and beverages subgroup, the state contributed to 11% of total sugar production in the country. Bagasse, molasses and press mud are the three by products of sugar industry which cause industrial pollution. The by-product bagasse is used as fuel to generate steam and power for operation of the mill. In the Tamil Nadu cooperative sector, 3 co-generation plants are functioning with an installed capacity of 7.50 MW each. According to the recent industrial policy initiative, it has been decided to set up co-generation plants in 12 sugar mills with a capacity of 183 MW to reduce the power and steam consumption in sugar manufacturing process and also to increase the quantity of power for export to State Grid. To

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meet with the requirement of 5% blending with petrol, 8 ethanol plants having production capacity of 96 million litres per annum were established in Tamil Nadu. Automobiles 149. Tamil Nadu accounts for 35% of the total auto component production in India. The industry has now attained a turnover of Rs. 165,000 Crores (34 billion USD) and an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore with an estimated share of 25% in the Indian automotive Industry and its contribution to the State's Gross State Domestic Product is 7-8%. Over of Rs. 35,000 Crores of investment is in pipeline. The industry is providing direct and indirect employment to 1.31 Crore people. Automobile industry is highly energy intensive and a major contributor to GHG emissions across its entire value chain from production to consumption. Tamil Nadu has major automobile units like Ford, Hyundai, Ashok Leyland, BMW, Hindustan Motors, Renault etc. 4.4.5 Infrastructure facilities Power Generation in Tamil Nadu 150. Power is one of the key inputs for the overall economic development of any economy. Tamil Nadu ranks sixth in per capita electricity consumption among the major states. The TNEB ranks third in operation size, gauged by generation capacity and volume of energy sold and size of the consumers. The installed power generation capacity (from conventional sources) of the state was 7,924 MW in 2001-02 (end of Ninth Plan). It increased to 10098 MW at the end of the Tenth Plan (i.e., 2006-07) and to 13231 MW in 2014-15. The total generation capacity of renewable energy was 8,470 MW in 2014-15, representing 39 per cent of the grid capacity (see Figure 21). 151. Tamil Nadu purchases power from central sector projects and independent power producers (its own power generation and power purchases forms the gross power availability in the state). The gross power availability increased from 41,764 MU in 2000-01 to 77,218 MU in 2011-12. a significant feature of power generation in Tamil Nadu has been continuously increasing share of electricity produced from renewable sources, especially through wind energy.

Figure 21: Power Generation and Consumption in Tamil Nadu

Note: The left-hand side vertical axis shows generation, consumption, purchase and power from renewable sources in MU; the right hand side vertical axis shows the GSDP in crores of Rupees. Source: Srivastava et al. (2014).

Ports and Harbours 152. Physical Infrastructure – Ports. Tamil Nadu has three major ports, at Chennai, Ennore and V O Chidambaranar; it has 15 minor ports. In 2012-13 (April to November), the total traffic

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handled at Chennai, Ennore and V O Chidambaranar (formerly Tuticorin) ports was 35.58 million tonne, 10.75 million tonne, and 18.46 million tonnes respectively. Together, the three ports accounted for about 18.0 percent of the total traffic handled at all major ports across the country. Between, 2005-06 and 2011-12, the major-port traffic increased at an average rate of 5.0%. The Chennai port handles, mainly, container cargo while the Ennore and V O Chidambaranar ports handle coal, ores and other bulk minerals. All major ports and only six minor ports handled cargo traffic in 2011-12 and 2012-13 (see Table 48).

Table 48: Ports in Tamil Nadu and Total Cargo Handled in 2011-12 and 2012-13 Cargo Handled ('000 tonnes) No. Name of the Port 2012-13 2011-12

A. Major Ports: 1. Chennai 53,404 55,707 2. Tuticorin 28,260 28,105 3. Ennore Port Limited 17,885 14,956

B. Minor Ports: 4. Cuddalore 246 230 5. Nagapattinam 372 630 6. Ennore Minor Port 29 46 7. PY-3 Oil Field - 59 8. Thirukkadaiyur 274 235 9. Kattupalli 12 10 Source: MoS (2012-13).

153. The cargo traffic in Tamil Nadu ports has been increasing over the past decade or so and that the major ports handle more than 99% of the total traffic. Total quantity of cargo handled by all Tamil Nadu ports in 2012-13 was almost 90 per cent higher than the same in 2001-02. The potential environmental impacts of port and harbour development are coastal erosion and accretion and coastal pollution due to shipping activities. Roads 154. Tamil Nadu has 28 National Highways running through it. The State is also an important terminus in the Golden Quadrilateral road link of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The district centres are linked through 187 State Highways. Tamil Nadu is one of the first State in India to have 100% metalled road connectivity even in the rural areas. The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), formerly, Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation was established in September 1975 and provides road transport services within the State. To upgrade road infrastructure, the State Government is implementing a World Bank-funded project at a cost of around US$500 million. The State had a road density of 147.89 km per 100 sq.km of area, as of March 2011. Railways 155. Tamil Nadu‟s railway network falls under tСe jurisdiction of tСe SoutСern Railways, which covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and a small part of Andhra Pradesh. It has six divisions, four of which are in Tamil Nadu; they are Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Salem. Coimbatore is also a key railway junction. As of 2010-11, Tamil Nadu had a 4,062 km rail network with 536 railway stations. Chennai also has a well-established suburban railway network that connects it to the suburbs and the neighbouring cities. The Mass-Rapid-Transit System (MRTS) is an elevated line of the suburban railway in Chennai; it runs from the Chennai beach to the Velachery suburb, covering distance of 25 km and has 21 stations. It is owned by the Southern Railways. Airports 156. Tamil Nadu has international airports at Chennai and Trichy; it has domestic airports at Chennai, Coimbatore, Tuticorin, Salem and Madurai. The Chennai International Airport was

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the first in the country to get ISO 9001-2000 certification. In 2012-13 (April to September), the Chennai Airport recorded passenger traffic of 6.35 million and Trichy Airport reported 424,401 passengers. In 2012-13 (April to September), the Chennai Airport and Trichy Airport handled 59,013 and 3,893 flights, respectively. construction work has been completed on a new passenger terminal at the Chennai International Airport. The terminal will have a capacity of 10 million passengers. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) facility for customs clearance is available at the Chennai Airport, and a new integrated terminal building has been constructed at Madurai Airport.

Table 49: Distance from various Airports in the area Airport Distance from 1. Chennai (not in project aea) 351 km from nearest project components 2 Trichy (not in project area) 146 km from nearest project components 3. Coimbatore 53 km from Coimbatore substation 4. Tuticorin 20 km from Ottapidaram substation 5. Salem (not in project area) 90 km from Coimbatore 6. Madurai 20 km from Virudhunagar Coimbatore line

Telecommunications. 157. Tamil Nadu had a tele-density of 109.644 per cent as compared to an All-India average of 73.34 percent, as of December 2012. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Tamil Nadu had nearly 73.28 million Wifi subscribers and 3.13 million wire-line subscribers, as of December 2012. As of December 2011, the State had 1.6 million broadband subscribers and as of January 2013, the State had 11,895 post offices. The Bharti-Singtel submarine cable link between Chennai and Singapore has a bandwidth of 8.4 terabits per second; a second submarine cable of 5.12 terabits per second bandwidth has been commissioned by Tata Communications Limited (formerly, VSNL) between Chennai and Singapore. 4.4.6 Land Use 158. Tamil Nadu has a total geographical area of 13.006 million hectares, 36.17% of which was put to agricultural use, 16.6% of which was used for non-agricultural purposes, fallow lands (current and other) made up 21.74%, forests accounted for 16.3% and the remaining 8.9% of total land area was distributed between barren and unculturable lands, culturable waste lands, miscellaneous tree crops and permanent pastures and other grazing lands in 2013-14 (See Table 50).

Table 50: Land Use Pattern in Tamil Nadu Land Use Types Area (in 000’Сa) Percentage Total Geographic Area 13,006 Reporting Area for Land utilization 13,033 100 Forests 2,125 16.3 Not available for land cultivation 2,678 20.55 Permanent Pastures and other grazing lands

110 0.84

Land under Misc. tree crops and groves 245 1.88 Culturable waste land 328 2.52 Fallow land other than current fallows 1,718 13.18 Current Fallows 1,115 8.56 Net Area Sown 4,714 36.17

Source: Land use Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, 2013-14 India State of Forest Report 2017: Forest and Tree Resources in States and Union Territories

159. Total geographical area of the districts of Tamil Nadu is shown in Figure 22. Villupuram

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has the largest geographical area in the State (5.54% of total land area in Tamil Nadu) and Chennai accounts for the smallest (0.13% of total) in 2013-14. In 2007, Ariyalur district split from Perambalur district and 52% of land area of the latter made up the former. In 2009, Tiruppur district split from the districts of Erode and Coimbatore, and 30 and 37% of these districts’ land area respectively was allocated to Tiruppur. Other minor changes in land area between 2003-04 and 2013-14 include a 1 percent decline in land area of Tirunelveli district that was allocated to Thoothukudi district.

Source: DEAR (2003-04); DoES (2013-14).

Figure 22: District-Wise Total Geographical Area in Tamil Nadu (in ‘000 Hectares) 160. In Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Erode and the Nilgiris, the highest percentage of district area comprised of forest area in 2013-14. Land area that was kept fallow in the current year (current fallows) and land area that has been kept fallow for a period of over a year but less than five years (other fallows) accounted for the highest percentage of total district land area in Tiruppur, Karur, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai and Tirunelveli in 2013-14 (Figure 23).

Source: DoES (2013-14).

Figure 23: Type of area 161. Figure 24 shows land use classification in the districts of Tamil Nadu in 2013-14. In a majority of the districts, the highest percentage of district land area is used for agricultural

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purposes (including the cultivation of tree crops) and the smallest percentage of area makes up permanent pastures and other grazing lands, barren and unculturable land and culturable waste land. In Chennai and Kancheepuram districts the majority of land area is used for non- agricultural purposes including land occupied by industry, buildings, roads and railways, canals etc.

Figure 24: District-Wise Land Use Classification in 2013-14 (in Percentage of Total

District Area)

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4.4.7 Agriculture 162. Agriculture and allied sectors account for nearly 62% of the total employment of the state. In Tamil Nadu, the soil is generally suitable for agriculture in Palar, Varahanadhi, Ponnaiyar, Agniar, Pambar, Kottakkaraiyar, Gundar, Kallar and Vaigai basins.

Table 51: Productivity Position of Tamil Nadu at National Level

Crop Position of Tamil Nadu at National Level

Yield in Tamil Nadu (Kg/ha)

All India Average Yield (Kg/ha)

Maize 1 6,549 2,509 Cumbu 1 2,613 1,154 Groundnut 1 2,509 1,486 Total Oilseeds 1 2,230 968 Rice 2 3,918 2,404 Coarse Cereals 2 3,759 1,596 Sugarcane (MT) 2 103 71 Coconut 2 9,238 6,721 Jowar 3 1,558 780 Food grains 3 3,090 2,056 Sunflower 4 1,089 697 Redgram 4 957 656 Cotton 5 442 432 (Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2016 released by Government of India, 4thAdvance Estimate) 163. Agriculture is highly dependent on monsoon rains and the river water in Tamil Nadu. Agricultural crops such as paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane are predominantly cultivated following good agricultural practices. 164. The prime inevitable factors influencing successful Agriculture in Tamil Nadu are irrigation, onset of South West and North East monsoons, sufficient storage in 15 major reservoirs which receive inflows mainly during South West Monsoon and sufficient ground water. However, the Cauvery system of irrigation is the major determinant of food grain production especially paddy in the Cauvery delta zone. 165. During 2017-18, the excess rainfall during North East monsoon contributed to significant area coverage under principal crops. Paddy has been cultivated in an area of 18.551 Lakh Ha (42%), Millets in 9.166 Lakh Ha (21%), Pulses in 8.783 Lakh Ha (20% ), Cotton in 1.838 Lakh Ha (4%), Sugarcane in 1.880 Lakh Ha (4%) and Oilseeds in 3.998 Lakh Ha (9%). 4.4.8 Livestock

166. The 19th Livestock Census 2012 has reported the total livestock population of 22.72 million. 4.4.9 Fisheries 167. Tamil Nadu is endowed with rich coastal biodiversity and abundant endemic fish species and thus it has one of the largest fisheries in India. Tamil Nadu has a continental shelf area of 41 thousand square kilometres. It has 34 fish landing centres, 254 fish landing points, 11 fishing ports (including the Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Pazhayar, Poompuhar, Mallipattinam, Thoothukudi, Chinnamuttom, Colochel, Muttom and Thengapattinam fishing harbours), 608 marine fishing villages and a fisher folk population of 9.23 lakh persons (Fisheries Department, GoTN1).

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168. Marine fish production has been gradually increasing over the past decade or so in Tamil Nadu, except for the period 2004-06, when fish production fell (see ). The average annual marine fish production over the past 14 years has been about 380 tonnes, which accounts for approximately 12.5% of total annual marine fish production in India. Tamil Nadu’s annual percentage contribution to total fish production has been more or less steady over the years. It was the fifth largest marine fish producer in the country in 2013-14 (DADF, 2014).

Source: DADF (2014).

Figure 25: Fish Production in Tamil Nadu from 2000-01 to 2013-14 (in ‘000 Tonnes and as a % of Total All-India Production)

169. Over this past decade, marine fish production has fallen in Cuddalore, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram and the same has increased in all other coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Despite its fall in marine fish production over time, Ramanathapuram continues to be the highest producer among all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu in 2012-13, followed by Nagapattiman (including Thanjavur and Thiruvarur) that is the second highest producer of marine fish. Between them they contributed roughly 40% to total fish production of the State in 2012-13. Marine fish production increased by over 75% in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Villupuram and Kanniyakumari between 2003-04 and 2012-13. The quantity of fish production is the lowest in Tirunelveli and Thiruvallur, each contributing about 2% to the State total in 2012-13. 4.4.10 Tourism Facilities Eco-Tourism 170. Eco-tourism is a form of travel that involves preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world’s natural and cultural environments. It is intended to be low-impact (on the environment), and a small-scale alternative to commercial tourism. It focuses on socially- responsible travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It also focuses on environmental sustainability by offering tourists insights into the impact of human beings on the environment and by fostering greater appreciation of our natural habitats. 171. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has identified a number of eco-tourism destinations in Tamil Nadu that are depicted in Figure 26. They include national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries that have been described above.

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Source: TN Forest Department (http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ecotourism/ecotourism_home.html)

Figure 26: Eco-Tourism Destinations in Tamil Nadu

172. Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist destination with millions of visitors flocking to its historic temples, beaches, hill stations, forests/ sanctuaries and for its festivals of music, dance, art and culture each year. Coastal destinations of Tamil Nadu are popular for their wide sandy beaches (e.g. Chennai, Mamallapuram, Kanniyakumari), temples and places of pilgrimage (e.g. Kancheepuram, Thanjavur) and places of natural beauty (e.g. Pichavaram). In 2012, the coastal destinations of Tamil Nadu received almost 83 million visitors, of which 80 million were domestic tourists and the remaining, foreign tourists. Roughly 44 per cent of all domestic tourists to Tamil Nadu visited coastal destinations and 60% of all foreign tourists visiting Tamil Nadu arrived in coastal destinations. 44% of all tourists (both domestic and foreign) to Tamil Nadu arrived at coastal destinations during 2012. Chennai, Rameswaram and Tiruchendur

http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ecotourism/ecotourism_home.html

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were the top three coastal destinations in Tamil Nadu with more than 10 million tourist arrivals in each of these destinations in 2012. Total tourist arrivals to Tamil Nadu (including arrivals to coastal destinations) have increased significantly by over 660% between 2001 and 2012. This increasing trend is likely to continue in the future, which implies a considerable amount of pressure on the coastal environment. 173. The major beach tourist locations in Tamil Nadu include Chennai (Marina Beach, Besant Nagar Beach and beaches along the East Coast Road), Mamallapuram, Mudaliar Kuppam, Marakkanam, Cuddalore, Velankanni, Sirzhali, Kodiyakkarai, Vedaranyam, Mannargudi, Tranquebar, Poompuhar, Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Thiruchendur, Thondi, Devipattinam and Manapadu. 4.5 Social and Cultural Resources

4.5.1 Population and Community 174. As per the 2018 Statistic data 32 , Tamil Nadu with a population of 76.67 million represents 5.83% of India’s total population (1,316 million). It is tСe most urbanized state in India, and has a population density of 586 persons/sq.km, significantly higher than the Indian average of 400 persons/sq.km. 175. The capital of the State constituting of the Chennai Metropolitan area extends over 1,189 sq.km and its population is estimated to be about 8.8 million now. It constitutes more than 25% of the Tamil Nadu State urban population and more than 12% of the Tamil Nadu State total population. The population of the metropolitan area will be about 1.26 crore by 2026. The decadal growth rate for the period 2001-2011 has been 15.6%, which has increased from 11.7% estimated for the period 1991-2000. A comparison of the basic and essential demographic statistics of Tamil Nadu with that of the All India is presented in Table 52. 176. Tamil Nadu has also done well in terms of human development indicators. It ranks fourth in terms of literacy rate and female literacy in 2011 and third in infant mortality rate (among the large Indian states). It also ranks fourth in life expectancy at birth. Tamil Nadu has improved its Human Development Index from 0.359 in 1983 to 0.633 in 2011-12 and has also improved its rank among the large Indian states from 11 in 1983 to 4 in 2011-12 (Mukherjee et al., 2014).

Table 52: Vital Statistics – Comparison of Tamil Nadu with India Details Tamil Nadu India

Rural Urban Rural Urban Geographic Area (km2) 130,058 32,87,469 Population (2011; million) 37.22 34.92 833.74 377.10 Decadal Growth Rate, 2001-2011 (%)

15.60 17.70

Sex Ratio (per 1000 males) 993 1000 949 929 Total Fertility Rate (births per woman) (2009)

1.8 1.7 2.9 2.0

Life Expectancy at Birth (years) (2002-2006)

64.5 69.6 62.1 68.8

Average Land Holding Size (ha) 1970-71: 2010-11:

1.45 0.80

2.28 1.16

Percentage of Population below Poverty Line (2009-10)

21.2 12.8 33.8 20.9

Source: Census (2011a); NABARD (2014); GoI (2012).

32 Central Statistics Office

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4.5.2 Education Facilities 177. Tamil Nadu has a literacy rate of 80.3% according to the provisional data of Census 2011; the male literacy rate is 86.8% and the female literacy rate is 73.9%. Tamil Nadu is on the States that had to Total Literacy Campaign, the Post-Literacy Mission and the Continuing Education Programme (CEP). In the State Budget 2012-13, an amount of US$ 3.03 billion has been allocated to School Education Department. As of 2011-12, the State had 34,871 primary schools, 9,969 middle schools and 10,827 and higher secondary schools. In 2011-12, students‟ strenРtС in tСe State was about 3.17 million in primary scСools, 2.15 million in middle schools and 6.14 million in high and higher secondary schools. Private participation is being encouraged in technical and vocational education. 4.5.3 Health Facilities 178. The State has a three-tier health system, comprising of Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Health Units, Community Health Centres and Sub-Centres. As of March 2011, the State had 30 District Hospitals, 231 Sub Divisional Hospitals, 385 Mobile Medical Units, 1,204 Primary Health Centres, 8,706 Sub-Centres and 385 Community Health Centres. 4.6 Climate Change in Tamil Nadu 4.6.1 Land Degradation due to Climate Change 179. The ratio of precipitation (P) to potential evapotranspiration (PE) provides a simple method of estimating the moisture status of a region. If the ratio is less than one, it would imply that the moisture content of the soil is not sufficient to cope with the needs of evapotranspiration, reflecting dry climate of the region. On the other hand, regions with the P/PE ratio greater than one represent humid climate. Gore et al. (2011) calculated two sets of P/PE values using data from different meteorological stations across Indian states for the periods 1901-1950 and 1941-1990. The changes in P/PE values over the two periods have been examined for understanding the implications of climate change for different moisture conservation zones and associated impact on land. 180. shows the estimated moisture index for Tamil Nadu. The districts Madurai and Salem (dry sub-humid region) show increase in the ratio P/PE with significant increase at Salem. The district Coimbatore (semi-arid region) and district Thanjavur (dry sub-humid region) show decrease in the ratio P/PE with significant decrease at Coimbatore. The study concludes that in semi-arid regions Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram show land degradation. Thanjavur shows land degradation among the dry sub-humid regions. Out of 18 identified land degraded districts in the semi- arid and dry sub-humid regions, the most significantly degraded parts of the country include Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

Table 53: Climate Change and Moisture Index – Tamil Nadu Semi-Arid (P/PE = 0.21-0.50) Dry Sub-Humid (P/PE = 0.51-0.65) District 1901-1950 1941-1990 District 1901-1950 1941-1990 Coimbatore 0.53 0.38 Madurai 0.51 0.52 Tiruchirappalli 0.42 0.41 Salem 0.49 0.54 Tirunelveli 0.45 0.44 Thanjavur 0.53 0.51 Dharmapuri - 0.50 Ramanathapuram 0.50 0.46 Source: Gore et al. (2011).

4.6.2 Climate Change – Sea Level Rise 181. Over the period 1891 to 2007, Tamil Nadu was hit by as many as 91 cyclonic storms. Table 54 shows the decadal break-up of the frequency of cyclonic storms crossing the northern and southern coasts of Tamil Nadu. The season-wise frequency of cyclonic storms crossing the northern and southern coasts of Tamil Nadu are shown in Table 55. The North-

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East monsoon period (October to December) brings maximum number of cyclones to both northern and southern coasts.

Table 54: Frequency of Cyclonic Storms in Tamil Nadu Period Tamil Nadu North Tamil Nadu South

1891-1900 3 0 1901-10 4 1 1911-20 4 1 1921-30 9 2 1931-40 12 0 1941-50 10 1 1951-60 8 1 1961-70 10 2 1971-80 3 3 1981-90 2 2

1991-2000 9 3 2001-07 1 0

Total (1891-2007) 75 16 2007-2017 * 4 2 2018-onwards * 0 1 (Gaza)

Source: IMD (2008). * Data from IMD database (2018). However data in above format is not currently available at IMD website in 2019.

Table 55: Season-wise Frequency of Cyclonic Storms in Tamil Nadu

No. of Cyclonic Storms (1891-2007) Season Tamil Nadu North Tamil Nadu South

CWP 2 (2.67) 1 (6.67) HWP 9 (12) 1 (6.67) SWM 0 (0) 0 (6) NEM 64 (85.33) 13 (86.67) Total 75 (100) 15 (100)

Note: Figures in parentheses are percentages; CWP → Cold weather period (January – February); HWP → Hot weather period (March – May); SWM → South-west monsoon (June – September); NEM → North-east monsoon (October – December). Source: IMD (2008). Cyclonic disturbance during 2007-2018 happened mostly during June-September and October-December. However data in above format is not currently available at IMD website in 2019.

182. Out of the 91 cyclonic storms that hit Tamil Nadu between the years 1891 to 2007, 30 were severe cyclonic storms. There have been 8 severe cyclonic storms having the highest intensity during their crossing from sea to land in the past 30 years in Tamil Nadu (IMD, 2011). Based on this, the annual probability of occurrence of severe cyclonic storms in Tamil Nadu is estimated as 27%, which is considerably large and only slightly lower than that of one other Indian State (i.e. Andhra Pradesh with an annual probability of 30%). Moreover, the widespread destruction to ecosystems, property, infrastructure and loss of human lives due to the 2004 Tsunami demonstrates the vulnerability of the Tamil Nadu coast to natural disasters and extreme weather events. 183. Sea level rise as a result of anthropogenic climate change is likely to have the following impacts on the coast of Tamil Nadu: inundation, flooding and storm damage; wetland loss; beach erosion; saltwater intrusion and rising water tables impeding drainage. 184. Based on data over the period 1916 to 2008 it has been estimated that the sea level

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is rising at an average rate of 0.32 mm/year along the Chennai coast. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects a sea level rise of about 0.5 metres in the Bay of Bengal by 2100 from a 2006 base level and 0.6 m by 2100 (IPCC, 2013). This prediction was based on a scenario of moderate emissions and relatively ambitious reductions. It assumes that with effective climate policies and strong afforestation programs, carbon dioxide emissions will increase only slightly before declining post 2040. 185. The Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change, on its part, estimates that temperatures will rise between 1°C and 3.1°C in 2010-2100, resulting in sea levels rising between 0.1 m to 0.7 m by 2100. 186. More information on risk related to climate change related impacts to the project is available in the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment report prepared for the project in January 2019. 4.6.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Sector 187. Electricity generation from eight TNEB power plants – Ennore Thermal Power Station, Tuticorin Thermal Power Station, Mettur Thermal Power Station, North Chennai Thermal Power Station, Basin Bridge Gas Thermal Power Station, Kuttalam Gas Thermal Power Station, Valuthur Gas Thermal Power Station, and Thirumakottai Gas Thermal Power Station; Neyveli Lignite Corporation; captive power plants and independent power producers has been considered in estimating the GHG emissions. Total GHG emissions from electricity generation were estimated as 51.4 million tons of CO2eq for the year 2009-10. 188. Considering roadways and railways as main constituents of GHG emissions from the transport sector, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) (2012) estimated the total emissions for 2009-10 as 20.9 million tons of CO2eq, with the roadways contributing to almost 90 per cent of these emissions. The emissions from the aviation and navigation sector have not been included in the transport sector emissions due to difficulty in attribution. At the residential level, greenhouse gas emissions are mainly due to cooking and lighting fuels consumed namely kerosene and LPG. Total GHG emissions attributed to this sector for 2009-10 stands at 5.5 million tons of CO2eq. Overall, the total GHG emissions from the energy sector are estimated as 84.72 million tons of CO2eq. Figure 27 shows the distribution of GHG emissions from the energy sector.

Source: CII (2012).

Figure 27: GHG Emissions from Energy Sector in Tamil Nadu

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4.7 Sites of Cultural, Archaeological and Historical Significance 189. The state has a rich heritage and is addressed as “TСe Cradle of Dravidian Culture”. The monuments are evidence of the skills and excellence of the artisans of former times. Tamil Nadu temples have towering gopurams and are adorned with rock-cut inscriptions which is a fine characteristic of ancient architecture. The project location does not affect any monument of cultural or historical importance. 190. Cities/towns of Tamil Nadu such as Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Tirunelveli and Madurai are gems of cultural heritage and history. Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple is an iconic structure, with neat detailing in its carving and the right scheme of color. 191. MaСabalipuram’s Shore Temples, especially its Rathas attracts hundreds of travellers. The Great Living Cholas Temples, the finest specimens of Dravidian Architecture, hold the front seat in Tamilnadu’s heritage and history scenario.

https://www.indianholiday.com/mahabalipuram/

https://www.indianholiday.com/kanchipuram/

https://www.indianholiday.com/thirunelveli/

https://www.indianholiday.com/madurai/

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5.0 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

192. The project under consideration has several potential impacts associated with it. The risk assessment of such impacts for this project was done for not only the workers and the eventual employees but also for the local people and the surrounding environment as well. These impacts are identified from the nature of the fieldwork, the occupations and activities related to the project site, by consulting the experts, and through public consultations. Based on the environmental baseline data and environmental screening, impact assessment for the project (substations, transmission lines and LILO lines) was carried out. 5.1 Impact assessment methodology 193. Potential environmental and social impacts were identified based onsite visits, interviews with APs, stakeholder engagement, environmental sampling, collection of relevant and available secondary data, review of relevant project documents such as the feasibility study, survey reports, etc. The significance of potential impacts was assessed using the criteria and methodology described below. 5.1.1 Impact Magnitude 194. The potential impacts have been categorized as major, moderate, minor or nominal, based on consideration of parameters such as: (i) duration of the impact; (ii) spatial extent of the impact; (iii) reversibility; (iv) likelihood; and (v) legal standards and established professional criteria. The magnitude of potential impacts has been identified according to the categories outlined below.

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Table 56: Parameters for Determining Magnitude

Parameter Major Moderate Minor Minimal

Duration Long-term (more than 15 years)

Medium-term Lifespan of the project (5 to 15 years)

Limited to construction period

Temporary with no detectable potential impact

Spatial extent

Widespread far beyond project boundaries

Beyond immediate project components, site boundaries or local area

Within project boundary

Specific location within project component or site boundaries, with no detectable potential impact

Reversibility

Potential impact is effectively permanent, requiring considerable intervention to return to baseline

Potential impact requires a year or so for recovering with some interventions to return to baseline

Baseline returns naturally or with limited intervention within a few months

Baseline remains almost constant

Legal standards and established professional criteria

Breaches national standards and/or international guidelines/ obligations

Complies with limits given in national standards but breaches international lender guidelines in one or more parameters

Meets minimum national standard limits or international guidelines

Not applicable

Likelihood of occurrence

Occurs under typical operating or construction conditions (Certain)

Occurs under worst case (negative impact) or best case (positive impact) operating conditions (Likely)

Occurs under abnormal, exceptional or emergency conditions (Occasional)

Unlikely to occur

5.1.2 Sensitivity of Receptor 195. The sensitivity of an environmental receptor (a parameter that may be affected by the project) has been determined based on review of the local population (including proximity/numbers/vulnerability) and presence of features at the project sites or the surrounding area. Criteria for determining receptor sensitivity are given in Table 57.

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Table 57: Criteria for Determining Sensitivity

Sensitivity Determination

Definition

Very High • Vulnerable receptor with no capacity to absorb proposed

changes or minimal opportunities for mitigation.

High • Vulnerable receptor with little or no capacity to absorb

proposed changes or limited opportunities for mitigation.

Medium • Vulnerable receptor with some capacity to absorb proposed

changes or moderate opportunities for mitigation

Low • Vulnerable receptor with good capacity to absorb proposed

changes and/or good opportunities for mitigation

5.1.3 Assigning Significance 196. Following the assessment of magnitude, and the quality and sensitivity of the receiving environment or potential receptor has been determined; the significance of each potential impact is established using the impact significance matrix shown in Table 57.

Table 58: Significance of Impact Criteria

Magnitude of Impact Sensitivity of Receptors

Very High High Medium Low

Major Critical Major Moderate Minor

Moderate Major Major Moderate Minor

Minor Moderate Moderate Minor Minimal

Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal

5.1.4 Impact Matrix 197. Potential environmental impacts during the pre-construction, construction, and operation phases of the project are presented in a matrix form in Tables 58 below. Detailed environmental impacts and mitigations are discussed in the following sections from 5.2 to 5.5.

Table 59: Impact Matrix

Issues Potential Impacts Sensitivity Magnitude Significance Prior

to Mitigation

1. Pre-construction Stage

Physical-Chemical Environment and Water Resources Ambient air quality

Vehicular emissions; dust from land clearing, and material stockyards may affect ambient air quality

Medium33 (Mostly in

rural area)

Minor Minor Adverse

Ambient noise Noise level may increase due to mobilization of vehicles and unloading of materials.

Low Minor Minimal Adverse

Land and Agricultural Resources Land acquisition and land use

Would be partially impacted Low Minor Minimal Adverse

Crop production During the pre-construction period, site clearance work will be done accordingly. Site

Medium Moderate Moderate Adverse

33 Due to increased dust on crops can affect crop production.

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to Mitigation clearance will impact the crop production.

Soil

During the pre-construction period, site clearance work will be done accordingly34. Site clearance will impact the fertile top soils that are enriched with nutrients


H&S risks during site clearance

Ensure proper Health and safety for workers involved for tower base (approx. 40x40 m) base.


Potential for change finds (physical cultural resources)

Proper chance find procedures will also be implemented in case of a chance find.


Socioeconomic Resources Employment opportunities

Temporary opportunities at this stage

Medium Minor Minor Beneficial

2. Construction Stage

Physical-Chemical Environment and Water Resources Ambient air quality

Suspended particulate matter from excavation works and land clearing including vehicular emissions may affect workers and community

Low Moderate Minor Adverse

Ambient noise Mobilization of heavy equipment and machineries, use of construction vehicles, transport of materials, and construction activities may increase ambient noise level. Exposure to high level ambient noise may cause anxiety and disturbance to workers and community.


Quality of surface water

The surface water quality may get affected in the construction phase where the tower footings are within 500m of the water body. The construction of labor shed, oil spills, stock yard and site preparation activities may generate disposals into adjacent water bodies which might be affected.


34 Ensure proper Health and safety for workers involved for tower base (approx.. 40x40 m) base. Proper chance find procedures will also be implemented in case of a chance find.

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to Mitigation Waste Construction wastes like metal

scraps and wooden packing material, and polythene may create a disturbance to the surrounding land, settlements, and the communities; Domestic wastes from labor camp.


Land and Agricultural Resources Topography The excavation and erection

of tower, fill and cut for leveling the tower erection place will change the topography.


Land use Would be partially impacted as agricultural land may be permanently lost due to the tower footings


Crop production May be moderately affected due to crop loss at the tower footings and in the clearing for RoW


Soil During construction, top soil at the tower footings may be eroded during excavation. The construction of buildings and sheds, movement of traffic, widening and improvement of existing earth road, etc. will disturb the soil.


Terrestrial Resources (Flora and Fauna) Terrestrial vegetation

Vegetation clearing may be required at the substations, tower footings and RoW


Birds Noise and lights from construction and labor sheds might disturb the birds in the area.

Medium Minor Minor Adverse

Socioeconomic Resources Compensation for crop damage

Standing crops at the tower footings and RoW may be damaged. Permanent loss of land at the tower footings.


Employment opportunity

Both technical and non-technical laborers will be required.

Medium Moderate Moderate Beneficial

Human health and safety

The safety and health of the public may be impacted due to the hazards created during the construction period, e.g. movement of


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to Mitigation heavy equipment, vehicles, and machineries. Besides, during construction work there is a probability of accidental risk for laborers and for local people by falling down of wires. Proper Tools and plant to be used by Contractor.

Temporary Outage of Electricity

May be impacted by construction activities


Traffic Traffic disturbance from vehicles for transporting construction materials.


Regional and national development

May create development opportunities in anticipation of stable power supply.


3. Operation Stage

Physical-Chemical Environment and Water Resources Climate Change Fugitive emission of SF6 Low Minor Minimal Adverse

Ambient noise

Noise in the form of buzzing or humming can often be heard around transformers or high voltage power lines producing corona.


Land and Agricultural Resources

Soil

The soils of the project area could be disturbed due to maintenance activities and transformer oil spill.


Terrestrial Resources (Flora and Fauna)

Terrestrial vegetation

Restriction of vegetation height below the transmission line

Medium Minimal Minimal Adverse

Birds Flyway paths of avian species may be affected by the transmission towers.

Medium Minimal Minimal35 Adverse

Socioeconomic Resources Human health and safety

Occupational and community safety risks- both worker and community

Medium Minor Moderate Adverse

Regional and national development

Availability of a stable and reliable power supply may improve productivity and national development.


35 The nearest IBA is 8 km approx. from the line. The birds are NT or LC classification.

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5.2 Environmental Problems Associated with Project Location and Design 198. Potential adverse environmental impacts associated with transmission lines have been avoided or minimised through careful route selection. The alignment is sited away from major settlements, whenever possible, to account for future urban expansion. Forest areas have been avoided; and flexible tower placement, tower design for placing conductor at height and selecting alignment that minimises cutting of trees. Alignment in this project has avoided geologically unstable areas, which can also pose foundation related problems. Land acquisition is required for placing transmission towers on private land. If flexible tower placement is used then the EA/IA must ensure the IEE/EMP is updated as needed if any design changes such as tower locations occurred. 199. However, any damage to the crops during the construction phase of the project will be compensated by TANTRANSCO as per its national, state, corporate and ADB’s policy. Associated impacts on agricultural land will be restricted to the construction phase and will be temporary in nature. After construction, agricultural land within the transmission corridors can be used again for farming purpose of crops less than 3 m in height. 200. The design of equipment must be able to withstand strong seismic events as well as strong cyclone winds since they are likely to become more frequent in the future with the climate change. Distance from Sensitive Receptors 201. The distance from various receptors is given in Table 60 below:

Table 60: Approximate distance of subprojects from sensitive receptors

# From ( km)- To ( km)

Location Name- Village

Primary School

Secondary School

Temple Primary Clinic (PHC)

Main Hospital

Distance of village from line36

Metal Access Path To The Location

T1.1

765 kV Double Circuit Line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore

1 0 km-04 km

Valaya Patti 1 km Chinaya Puram 3 km

1 km Malayapatti

V.Nagar 20 km

1 to 2 km

0 km

2 04 km-09 km

Patham Pudur 1 km Chinaya Puram 2 km

1 km 3 km V.Nagar 18 km

1 km 0 km

3 09 km-20 km

Thathan Patti 1 km 1 km 1 km Alagapuri 3 km

V.Nagar 7 km

1 km 0 km

4 20 km-30 km

M.Puliam Kulam 1 km 1 km 1 km Vellur 5 km

V.Nagar 12 km

2 km 0 km

5 30 km-40 km

Lala Puram 1 km Kaligudu 5 km

1 km Vellur 2 km

V.Nagar 15 km

1 km 0 km

6 40 km-55 km

Gopala Puram 1.5 km Senga Padai 3 km

1.5 km T.Puru Patti 1 km

Trimangalam 10 km

1.5 km 0 km

7 55 km-65 km

Ammapatti 1 km 1 km 1 km Sathan Kudi 11 km

Trimangalam 10 km

2 km 0 km

36 Nearest residential property in the village

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Primary School

Secondary School


Main Hospital



8 65 km-58 km

Vagaikulam 1 km T.Mangalam 17 km

1 km 1 km T.Mangalam 17 km

1.5 km 0 km

9 75 km-85 km

Kovilamkulam 1.5 km Karmathur 3 km

1.5 km Salempatti 3 km

Madurai 25 km

1.5 Km 0 km

10 85 km-95 km

Vokovil Patti 1 km Vikkara Mangalam 1 km

1 km Vikkra Magalam 1 km

Vikkara Mangalam 1 km

5 km 0 km

11 95 km-105 km

Meenakshi Puram 1 km Mattparai 1 km

Mattparai 1 km

Vadipatti 7 km

1 km 0 km

12 105 km-115 km

Malaya Ggoundan Patti

1 km Nilakottai 10 km

1 km Ammayakkanur 3 km

Nilakottai 1 km 0 km

13 115 km-125 km

Pudhu Kkottai 1.5 km Kamupilai Chetram 2 km

1.5 km Jambuthirai Kkottai 2 km

Nilakottai 10 km

1.5 km 0 km

14 125 km-135 km

Veerakkal 1 km V.Kuttam Patti 1 km

1 km Alamarthu Patti 10 km

Dindigul 14 km

1 km 0 km

15 135 km-150 km

G.Nadu Patti 1.5 km Sulliryumbu 1 km

1.5 km Pudukottai 5 km

Vada Sandur 10 km

1.5 km 0 km

16 150 km-165 km

Aathamappan Patti 1 km Idaya Kottai 4 km

1 km Idaya Kottai

Oddan Chatram 18 km

1 km 0 km

17 165 km-185 km

Kilan Gundai 1 km Mulanur 6 km

1 km Mulanur 6 km

S.Dharampuram 30 km

1.5 km 0 km

18 185 km-205 km

Dhuram Badi 1 km Mulanur 8 km

1 km Mulanur 6 km

S.Dharampuram 30 km

1 km 0 km

19 205 km-225 km

Padiyandi Palayam 1 km Kangayam 4 km

1 km Viranam Palayam 3 km

Kangayam 15 km

1 km 0 km

20 225 km-245 km

Savadi Palayam 1.5 km Ganapati Playam 2 km

1.5 km Savadi Palayam 1.5 km

Kangayam 15 km

7.5 km 0 km

21 225 km -260 km

Kodumanal 1.5 km Uthukuli 8 km

1.5 km Uthikuli 8 km

Kangayam 20 km

4.5 km 0 km

22 260 km-275 km

Sirukkianji 1.5 km Uthukuli 4 km

1.5 km Kashi Palayam 2 km

Erode 40 km

2.5 km 0 km

96



Primary School

Secondary School


Main Hospital



23 275 km-285 km

Uthukuli 2 km Uthukuli 2 km

2 km Uthikuli 2 km

Erode 45 km

1.5 km 0 km

24 285 km-300 km

Kavutham Palayam 1.5 km Kunnatur 8 km

1.5 km Kunnatur8 km

Trippur 25 km

1 km 0 km

T1.2

400 kV Double Circuit Line Virudhunagar – Kayathar

1 0 km-0 km

Malaipatti 1 km 1 km 1 km 1 km V.Nagar 20 km

6 km 1 km

2 00 km-5 km

Kotur 1 km 5 km 1 km Malaipatti 5 km

V.Nagar 25 km

3 km 1 km

3 5 km-15 km

Sirukkuiam 1.5 km Verarpatti 8 km

1.5 km Sattur 11 km

Sattur 11 km

1.5 km 1.5 km

4 15 km-25 km

Neeravi Patti 2 km Sattur 7 km

2 km Sattur 7 km

Sattur 11 km

1km 2 km

5 25 km-35 km

Pothireddia Patti 2 km Sattur 9 km

2 km Sattur 9 km

Sattur 9 km

2 km 2 km

6 35 km-45 km

Lingam Patti 1 km Kovilpatti 6 km

1 km Kovilpatti 6 km

Kovilpatti 6 km

2 km 1 km

7 45 km-60 km

Ketchila Puram 1 km Kovilpatti 10 km


Kovilpatti 10 km

1 km 1 km

8 60 km-70 km

Uthupatti 1 km Kovilpatti 15 km


Kovilpatti 15 km

5 km 1 km

9 70 km-75 km

Sivaganana Puram 1 km Villiseri 4 km

1 km Villiseri 4 km

Kovilpatti 20 km

4 km 1 km

10 75 km-80 km

Ayyana Ruthu 3 km 3 km 3 km Kayathar 8 km

Kovilpatti 30 km

9 km 3 km

T2.1

400 kV DC TL From Ottapidaram To 400 Kv SS Udangudi

1 0-5 km S Veerapandian 1.5 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 5 km 12 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 2 5-10 km Siluvaipuram 1.5 km 3 km 1.5 km 3 km 15 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 3 10-12 km Kutiampuli 1.5 km 3 km 1.5 km 3 km 15 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 4 12-15 km Sivaganapuram 2 km 5 km 2 km 1 km 20 km 2 km 2 km 5 15-17 km Servaikaran Madan 2 km 4 km 2 km 4 km 20 km 2 km 2 km 6 17-20 km Sakammalpuram 2 km 3 km 2 km 2 km 22 km 2 km 2 km 7 20-25 km Sapadi 2 km 5 km 2 km 7 km 27 km 2 km 2 km 8 25-35 km Agaram 2 km 2 km 2 km 10 km 20 km 2 km 2 km 9 35-40 km Ramachandrapura

m 1.5 km 3 km 1.5 km 8 km 30 km 1.5 km 1.5 km

10 40-50 km Narasanvillai 1 km 2 km 1 km 2 km 30 km 1 km 1 km 11 50-55 km Nagakaniyapuram 1.5 km 5 km 1.5 km 3 km 13 km 15 km 1.5 km 12 55-60 km Thalavapuran 1.5 km 3 km 1.5 km 3 km 20 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 13 60-65 km N Muthiyapuram 1.5 km 6 km 1.5 km 3 km 15 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 14 65-70 km Kallamozhi 1.5 km 9 km 1.5 km 5 km 9 km 1.5 km 1.5 km T2.2

400 kV DC-TL from Ottapidaram To Kamuthi

1 5-10 km Chandiragiri 1 km 4 km 1 km 10 km 28 km 1.5 km 1 km

97



Primary School

Secondary School


Main Hospital



2 10-20 km Poosanoor 1 km 12 km 1 km 12 km 40 km 2 km 1 km 3 20-30 km O Lakshmi Narayan

Puram 1 km 8 km 1 km 8 km 8 km 1 km 1 km

4 30-40 km Muthiyapuram 1 km 12 km 1 km 12 km 12 km 1 km 1 km 5 40-50 km Pondampuli 1 km 4 km 1 km 4 km 30 km 1 km 1 km 6 50-60 km Sathurnayakkanpatt

i 1 km 3 km 1 km 5 km 5 km 1 km 1 km

7 60-65 km Thoppadaipatti 1 km 12 km 1 km 12 km 12 km 1 km 1 km 8 65-70 km Nerinjipatti 1 km 3 km 1 km 3 km 18 km 1 km 1 km 9 70-75 km Idaiyankulam 1 km 10 km 1 km 6 km 10 km 1 km 1 km T2.3

230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram- SIPCOT & Kavanoor

1 0-2 Saminathan 2 km 4.5 km 2 km 4.5 km 16 km 1 km 0 km 2 2-4 Laxmipuram 1 km 6 km 1 km 6 km 14 km 1 km 2 km 3 4-7 South Sinthalakattai 1 km 3 km 1 km 7 km 20 km 1.5 km 0 km 4 7-10 South Sinthalakattai 5 km 7 km 4 km 10 km 20 km 2.5 km 0 km 5 10-12 South Sinthalakattai 7 km 7 km 6 km 12 km 18 km 1.5 km 0 km 6 12-15 Kumarapur 2 km 5 km 2 km 10 km 20 km 1 km 0 km T2.4

230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram SIPCOT & Savasapuram

1 0-2 Saminathan 2 km 4.5 km 2 km 4.5 km 16 km 1 km 1 km 2 2-4 Sillanathan 1 km 6 km 1 km 6.5 km 14 km 2.5 km 1 km 3 4-6 Venkatachalpuram 1 km 4 km 1 km 4 km 13 km 1 km 1 km 4 6-8 Valasamutharam 1 km 4 km 1 km 4 km 13 km 1.5 km 1 km T2.5

110 kV DC LILO Ottapidaram-Eppothumvendran

1 0-1 Silanathan 1 km 6 km 1 km 6 km 14 km 3 km 1 km 2 1-2 Silanathan 1 km 6 km 1 km 7 km 14 km 2.5 km 1 km 3 2-3 Silanathan 1 km 6 km 1 km 8 km 14 km 1.5 km 2 km 4 3-4 Silanathan 1 km 6 km 1 km 9 km 14 km 1 km 2 km T2.6

110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-Vijayapuri

1 0-5 Saminathan 2 km 4.5 km 2 km 4.5 km 16 km 1 km 0 km 2 5-10 Ottapidaram 2.5 km 2.5 km 2.5 km 2.5 km 22 km 1.5 km 1 km 3 10-15 Keelamudiman 7.5 km 7.5 km 7.5 km 7.5 km 22 km 2.5 km 1 km 4 15-20 Pasuvanthanai 2.5 km 2.5 km 2.5 km 2.5 km 27 km 1.5 km 1 km 5 20-25 Kamanayakkampatt

i 2 km 2 km 2 km 2 km 35 km 1 km 2 km

6 25-30 Vijayapuri 1 km 1 km 1 km 1 km 40 km 1 km 0 km T2.7

110 Kv TL LILO Ottapidaram-TTN Auto& TSIPCOT Feeder

1 0-2 Saminathan 2 km 4.5 km 2 km 4.5 km 16 km 1 km 0 km 2 2-4 Saminathan 4 km 6.5 km 4 km 6.5 km 14 km 1.5 km 3 km 3 4-6 Kumargiri 2 km 4 km 2 km 10 km 12 km 1.5 km 2 km

98



Primary School

Secondary School


Main Hospital



4 6-8 South Veerapandiyan Puram

1.5 km 1.5 km 1.5 km 10 km 12 km 1 km 0 km


3.5 km 3.5 km 3.5 km 10 km 12 km 1 km 0 km

5.3 Environmental Impacts Associated with Pre-Construction Stage 5.3.1 Impact on Environmental Resources Impact on Air Quality 202. Exhaust from vehicles usually operating for earthwork within the area may contribute to impairment of ambient air quality. Fugitive dust emissions from the material stockyards may also affect ambient air quality. Regular maintenance of vehicles may improve combustion efficiency of engines. Water can be sprayed to unpaved roads and stockyards can be covered to contain dust or generation of suspended particulates. Area allocated as stockyard for construction materials will be enclosed to minimize dispersion of dusts and located atleast 500 m from any residential properties. Impact on Noise Level 203. Noise level may increase due to mobilization of vehicles and unloading of materials. Sources of noise are from activities of settlements living close to the transmission line route which are not an impact of the project as residential settlements are atleast 1 km away. Contractor and suppliers of construction materials should strictly implement noise control regulations stipulated by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules 2000) for all construction vehicles and equipment as applicable to residential areas (day time 55 dB/ night time 45 dB) in accordance with the IFC/WB EHS standards. 5.3.2 Land Resourses Acquisition of Cultivable and Non-cultivable Lands 204. There may be some permanent loss of agricultural/horticultural productivity due to reduction in land availability due to acquisition of land for tower bases and substations which will have to be dealt with according to resettlement plan for the project. However, wherever only temporary loss of productivity happens, the following measures will have to be taken prior to the project activities: • Avoid harvesting season wherever possible for the project activities, • Ensure existing irrigation facilities are maintained in working condition, • Protect /preserve topsoil and reinstate after construction is completed, • Repair /reinstate damaged bunds after construction is completed, and • Provide compensation for temporary loss in agricultural production. 205. Total land requirement for subprojects is given in Table 61.

Table 61: Total land required for subprojects

99

S. Substation Operating voltages (kV)

Total Land Area

Private Land

Government Land (Waste Lands/Water Bodies etc.)

Forest Land

S1 Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA) 765/400 230 Acres 230 Acres 0 S2 Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) +

(2x200MVA) 400/230/110 60.61 Acres 60.61 Acres

(transferred from Ind Bharat

Company to TANTRANS

CO)

0

T1. Transmission lines associated with

Virudhunagar substation

Route Length (km)

1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore

242 1772 hectares

1380 hectares

392 hectares

0

1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Kayathar

72 354 hectares

234 hectares

120 hectares

0

1.3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappangundu (proposed) line

5 25 hectares 13 hectares 12 Hectare 0

T2. Transmission lines associated with

Ottapidaram substation

Route Length (km)

2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi

68 334 hectares

170 hectares

164 hectares

0

2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram – Kamuthi

71 349 hectares

263 hectares

86 hectares 0

2.3 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line

10 36 hectares 24 hectares 12 hectares 0





2.6 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri


2.7 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto - T-off Sipcot line


Total Land Requirements (Lines and Towers)

2,998 hectares

2,168 hectares

830 hectares

0

S3 New bays at associated substations

Quantity

3.1 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation

2 70 Acres 0 70 Acres (TANTRAN

SCO)

0

100

S. Substation Operating voltages (kV)

Total Land Area

Private Land

Government Land (Waste Lands/Water Bodies etc.)

Forest Land

3.2 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation

2 91 Acres 0 91 Acres (TANTRAN

SCO)

0

3.3 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation

1 5 Acres 0 5 Acres (TANTRAS

CO)

0

Impacts on Temporary Use of Land 206. The mobilisation of construction equipment and construction materials will require space for storage and parking of construction vehicles and equipment, construction material storage yards, disposal sites, and labour camps for human resource to avoid environmental impacts and public inconvenience. These locations must comply with the local laws and regulations and need approval from authorities to utilise these facilities (access roads, telecommunication). It is important that selection of temporary lands is at least 500m away, depending on practicability as per local site conditions from highly populated areas, water bodies, natural flow paths, agricultural lands, important ecological habitats and residential areas. Removal of trees and green cover vegetation should be minimised during preparation of facilities. 5.4 Environmental Problems Associated with Construction Stage 207. The project activities during construction phase will involve clearing of trees along the route alignment wherever required, excavation for installation of towers, erection of towers, civil works related to transmission line and line stringing. For substations, it will involve excavation for building and equipment foundations, civil works and erection of equipment. During the operation phase, most of the construction phase impacts will get stabilised and the impacts will be restricted only to the operation and maintenance of the project. 208. The potential impacts on the environment from various activities of the project can be categorised as follows:

• Impact on Environmental Resources o Impact on Air Quality o Impact on Noise Levels o Impact on Surface Water Quality o Impact from Waste

• Impact on Land Resources o Impact on Topography o Impact on Climate o Impact on aesthetics of land scape o Impact on Soil and Geology

• Impact on Ecological Resources o Terrestrial Ecology o Birds o Aquatic Ecology

• Impact on Socioeconomic Resources o Health and Safety o Development o Cultural sites o Traffic and Transport

101

209. The impacts of the project activities on various environmental attributes are discussed in subsequent sections. 5.4.1 Impact on Environmental Resources 210. As per tСe SafeРuard Requirements 1: Environment in Appendix 1 of ADB’s SPS 2009 “DurinР the design, construction, and operation of the project the borrower/client will apply pollution prevention and control technologies and practices consistent with international good practice, as reflected in internationally recoРnized standards sucС as tСe World Bank Group’s Environment, HealtС and Safety Guidelines37. These standards contain performance levels and measures that are normally acceptable and applicable to projects. When host country regulations differ from these levels and measures, the borrower/client will achieve whichever is more stringent. If less stringent levels or measures are appropriate in view of specific project circumstances, the borrower/client will provide full and detailed justification for any proposed alternatives that are consistent with the requirements presented in this document”. Accordingly, Annexure 6 lists relevant IFC standards for the project. Impact on Air Quality 211. During the construction phase, the activity would involve excavation, movement of vehicles carrying the construction materials along the haul roads. At majority of tower locations, movement by vehicle is not possible from approach road to construction site and the material has to be head loaded. All these activities would give rise to emission of dust particles thereby affecting air quality marginally at the site. The impact will be transitory in nature and therefore is assessed as of low significance. Covering of stockpiles, minimising double handling and drop loads as well as sprinkling of water during excavation will reduce the dust emission to a great extent. There is no movement of loose soil at base of transmission tower, however, if any loose soil is removed from substation site, it will be done using covered trucks to reduce dust. Impact on Noise Levels 212. The proposed areas are in relatively rural locations. Generation of noise pollution will occur, due to construction of the tower foundations, but these will be sporadic and temporary activities over the landscape. Most of the access roads along the alignment are motor able that will be used by project vehicles. The major work of the construction is only allowed to be carried out during the day time. Apart from vehicles bringing in materials to the nearest road, construction works for the transmission line will not require powered equipment as no piling is estimated for tower foundation. As such, noise emissions will be minor. As the predominant land use along most part of the alignment is agricultural/forest land, there will be few residential areas exposed to noise generated during the construction phase and the noise produced during the construction period will have negligible impact on residents. 213. Noise impacts should not exceed the levels presented in the Table 62 below or result in a maximum increase in background levels of 3 dB at the nearest receptor location off-site.

Table 62: Noise Parameters

Receptor One Hour LAeq (dBA)

Daytime Night-time

Residential; institutional; educational

55 45

Industrial; commercial 70 70 As per IFC/World Bank and GoI Guidelines mentioned in Annexure 6.

214. Following measures will help to keep noise and vibration in acceptable level during construction phase:

37 World Bank Group, 2007. Environmental, Health, and Safety General Guidelines. Washington, DC

102

• Contractor shall limit working time for activities that create noise within normal day hours of the

public except for construction site near public sensitive receptors. Construction related activities closer to sensitive receptors have to be scheduled in coordination with the relevant authorities and community.

• Noisy equipment such as generators should be sited away from residential areas. • Contractor and suppliers of construction materials should strictly implement noise control

regulations stipulated by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules 2000) for all construction vehicles and equipment as applicable to residential areas (55 dB/45 dB) in accordance with the IFC/WB EHS standards (Same).

• At substation sites, contractor shall equip their heavy construction equipment and plants with exhaust silencers to limit the engine noise so as not to exceed 70 dB (compacters/rollers, loaders and cranes) and regularly maintain all construction vehicles and machinery that should meet the GoI or IFC Noise Standards.

Impact on Surface Water Quality 215. The construction and operation of the transmission lines will not have major impacts on the surface and ground water quality in the area. Contamination of water bodies may result due to construction of access road to the substation site, spilling of construction materials and surface runoff from the construction site joining the waterbody. There may be increase in the turbidity levels temporarily where the proposed tower power cable alignment is crossing small village pond (waterbody) and if the surface runoff during construction meets the river. This can be avoided by careful selection of the tower site and the temporary access roads so that the surface runoff does not meet the river. 216. Proposed activities can create temporary impacts to the existing drainage system in the area including irrigation canals, natural flow paths and also earth and line drains in the agricultural fields. Thus, incorporation of following measures will minimise anticipated impact due to obstruction of natural flow paths and existing drainage: • Provisions of temporary drainage facilities and routing ponds to the particular locations if

existing drains are obstructed due to construction activities. • Maintenance of all drainage paths by avoiding blockages at all times. • Contractor should minimise excavation of beds of any streams, irrigation systems, and other

water resources available in the project area. • Stagnant water should be cleared by the contractor. 217. Care shall be taken to locate the temporary day-time construction worker sheds 500m away from waterbody. Drinking water facilities38, enclosed sanitary facilities (with soak pit) and drainage in the temporary sheds of construction workers should be provided to avoid the surface water pollution. Provision of washing39 and toilet facilities in numbers and facility should be made obligatory. Impact on Hydrology and Water Resources 218. Water needs during construction of the project would be limited to sanitary water and minimal amounts of water for construction (such as spraying for dust prevention). There would be a negligible impact on water resources considering the abundant water resource in Tamil Nadu. Impact from Waste

38 Drinking water must meet national DW standards (should be tested/certificates available). 39 Toilet connected to septic tanks, washing facilities of hot and cold water, male and female, separate

area for preparation of food away from toilet area, provision of gas for cooking etc. Numbers to be decided by EPC contractors based on number of workers.

103

Solid Scrap Waste Disposal 219. Solid scrap waste at the location of the tower erection site will mostly include metal scraps and wooden packing material. Waste will be minimised and recycled wherever possible. Final wastes will be collected and disposed off to recyclers in compliance with applicable GoI/GoTN regulations and rules by the contractor. Sanitary Waste Disposal at Construction Sites and Labour Camps

220. EPC contractor will design a solid waste disposal procedure to enhance sanitation of workers who stay in rented houses. Avoid unacceptable solid waste disposal practices such as open dumping of solid waste and poor sanitation facilities will lead to pollution of surrounding environment, contamination of water bodies and increase adverse impact to the aquatic; terrestrial lives and general public inhabited in the area. Surroundings of garbage storage sits and material storage yards provide favourable habitats for vectors of diseases such as mosquitoes, rats and flies. 221. The following measures are needed to protect and enhance the quality of environment during the construction stage: • A better way to overcome garbage disposal as mentioned above is by reducing reliance on

huge labour camps, thus the selection of majority of skilled and unskilled workers from the project influence area will be a proper measure in this regard.

• Provision of solid waste disposal, sanitation and sewage facilities at all substation sites for the construction/labour camps to avoid or minimise health hazards and environmental pollution.

• The contractor will handle and manage waste generated from the construction/labour camps without contamination to natural environment and disposed to licensed, engineered sanitary landfill and it will reduce risk to general public who stay close to substation sites. Also, the contractor should be responsible for enhancing the quality of the environment.

• Supply of hot and cold water should be provided to the urinals, toilets and wash rooms of the workers’ accommodation at substation sites.

• TСe contractor sСould provide РarbaРe bins in all workers’ accommodation and construction sites, for dumping wastes regularly in a hygienic manner under the supervision of Public Health Inspector (PHI) in the area.

Liquid Waste Disposal40 222. There will be no oil or chemical waste generated during the construction of transmission line, hence no mitigation is required. For substations, the transformer oil is the main constituent of the liquid stored. The transformer oil shall be stored as per IS-1866/200041 and IEC-60422/199842 codes and any waste oil shall be disposed as per Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling, Trans-boundary Movement) Rules 2009 and any waste oil removed from transformer will be sold to government approved recycler and will not be disposed off in the ground or any rivulet/stream as per EMP. 223. Environmental impacts identified during construction are limited in magnitude and are temporary. The scale of the works is relatively minor and the project areas proximity to the work force means that very small construction camps comprising 4-5 persons are required for transmission lines whereas for substation sites, there will be larger labour camps comprising of upto 20-25 persons. 224. Fuel and other lubricants43 will need to be stored at the construction sites. Best industry practice will be required to ensure that accidental spills and discharge to the soil and aquatic

40 World/IFC EHS guidelines shall be followed.. 41 Code of Practice for Electrical Maintenance and supervision of mineral insulating oil in equipment. 42 Supervision and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment. 43 On bunded impermeable surface with 110% volume.

104

environments are prevented. Any fuel (including drums and tanks, if any) should be placed at least 50 m away from waterways and no equipment is to be refueled within this distance44. 225. Only trained personnel will handle fuel and lubricants. In addition, machinery should be properly maintained and waste engine oil and oil filters from any construction machinery must be disposed of to meet tСe best industry practice. TСis will be tСe EPC contractor’s responsibility. 226. At the completion of work, the contractor will be required to rehabilitate and clean up all work sites. This includes repairing damage to pavements, roads, and drainage systems. All waste is to be removed from the sites and recycled or disposed off to licensed, engineered, sanitary landfill. The contractor and the TANTRANSCO will be responsible for implementing this requirement. Hazardous Waste Disposal 227. Transformer oil that is used in substations is covered in previous section. Generation of oil/hazardous waste is not expected during transmission line construction. 5.4.2 Impact on Physical Resources

Impact on Topography 228. During the construction of the transmission line and substation, the topography will change due to excavation and erection of tower, fill and cut for levelling the tower erection place. The most prominent impact on the surface topography will be due to the removing of the trees at the tower erection site if required, and along the RoW. This will lead to change in the surface features only. The impact will be irreversible as the present features along the RoW will be changed due to presence of the transmission line. Table 63 provides the RoW for different voltages types under standard conditions as per handbook of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003 (with amendments made in 2004) and MoEFCC guidelines 5.5.2014. The maximum width of RoW corridor is calculated on the basis of tower design, span and wind speed, maximum sag of conductor and its swing plus other requirement of electric safety.

Table 63: Transmission Voltage (kV) Width of Right of Way (in Meters) Transmission Voltage (kV) Width of Right of way (Meter) 11 kV 7 33 kV 15 66 kV 18 132 kV 27 220 kV 35 400 kV S/C* 52 400 kV D/C* 46 +/- 500 kV HVDC 52 765 kV S/C with delta configuration 64 765 kV 67 +/- 800 kV HVDC 69 1200 kV 89

* As amended as per F. No.*-44/2011-FC (Pt) circular dated 24 Jan 2012 and MoEFCC guidelines dated 5.5.2014 229. Cutting and filling of topsoil will be done at substation sites; however, the total muck generated will be used entirely inside the substation land. Impact on Land Use and Crop Production 230. Permanent and temporary loss of agricultural land will occur due to tower location in the

44 Refueling only in designated locations on impermeable surface etc. Proper drip trays etc. need to be

provided.

105

agricultural field and loss of crop for access routes. The land use would be partially impacted as agricultural land may be permanently lost due to the tower footings. The crop production may be moderately affected due to crop loss at the tower footings and in the clearing for RoW. As per standard Tamil Nadu policy, land will be acquired for each tower erection45, besides private land required for substations. As far as possible, the prime agricultural land will be avoided and construction will be done after crop harvesting. The impacts on land use and crop production are discussed in the Resettlement Plan in details. Impact on Soil and Geology 231. Project activities including excavation, cut and removal of trees and green cover vegetation will enhance the soil erosion during the rainy season. Removal of trees and green cover vegetation will reduce infiltration rate of rainwater. The impact on soils will be due to the soil erosion at the tower construction sites along the access routes. The excavation activity and land clearance in the erosion prone areas have to be minimised while conducting the site selection for towers. Revetment and stabilisation of tower construction sites will be done after completion of construction activity. Also increased acceleration of surface runoff will damage the topsoil. The impacts associated with excessive erosion and other civil works can be avoided or minimised by following mitigation measures: • Minimise removal of trees and green cover vegetation. • Minimise obstruction or destruction to natural drainage pattern of the surrounding area. Proper

treatment of clearing and filling areas against flow acceleration. • Turfing work should be taken prior to rainy season around the foundations. • Contractors should follow proper muck disposal plan for sharp/deep slope areas. • Top soil (2-3 cm from the top of the soil), which is removed during construction from the

cultivated lands must be stored separately for future utilisation of cultivated lands near tower leg locations.

Impact on aesthetics of landscape 232. The transmission lines and substations do not look aesthetic with the scenic landscape of the area as these cause visual pollution in tourist areas. Therefore, TANTRANSCO has undertaken extensive route surveys to ensure to minimise the disturbance of the transmission lines to the area. 5.4.3 Impact on Ecological Resources 233. Since the substation is constructed in vacant government/private land and transmission line is routed away from urban/rural areas and mostly through barren/agricultural land having scattered population, there is no displacement of people or animals. In transmission line construction, there is no dynamic equipment and moving machinery causing noise pollution, water and air pollution. There is no ecologically/environmentally sensitive national park or forest land in the project area. However of 765 kV Virudhunagar-Coimbatore line, there is Kullur Sandai Reservoir an IBA about 8 km (Reference Annexure 8), although it is not be directly in the footprint. The bird triggered the IBA is Spot-billed Pelican which is Not TСreatened as IUCN’s Red List. Effect on Flora and Fauna 234. Some private trees will need to be removed from the project area for the RoW. However, since there are no forest areas/trees to be cut, no prior permission from competent authorities of Forest Department (GoTN) is required. According to the site assessments, none of the declared environmentally sensitive areas is located within the route alignment. As per forest department records, none of the flora and fauna that are rare, endangered, endemic or threatened are present in the project affected area. The route alignments and site selection have been done only after informal consultations with local forest authorities.

45 Date of the agreement between per MOP scheme and TN Government order dated 22-11-2017

106

235. However, noise, vibration and emission from construction vehicles, equipment will occur during pre-construction and construction stages in temporary manner. The impacts related to above activities can be mitigated through following measures:46 • Strict attention on worker force regarding disturbance to surrounding habitats, flora and fauna

including stiff penalties for prohibited activities such as hunting of animals and fishing in water bodies,

• Selection of approved locations for material storage yards and labour camps away from the environmental sensitive areas, and

• Prevent entering of construction waste (cement particles, rock, rubbles and waste water) and sanitary waste to the surrounding water bodies.

5.4.4 Impact on Terrestrial Ecology 236. There is no sensitive ecological area / protected forest area such as national wildlife park, wildlife sanctuary, IBAs or any bird sanctuary crossing the proposed route alignment. The removal of herbaceous vegetation from the soil and loosening of the top soil generally causes soil erosion and reduction in soil moisture and vegetation for the birds. However, such impacts would be primarily confined to the project site during initial periods of the construction phase and would be minimised through adoption of mitigation measures like paving and surface treatment and water sprinkling. 237. Any subproject component is not passing by or located near the reserve forest or protected forest area, national park, IBA of subproject area are listed in Table 64 and Table 65. Table 41 (appended earlier) gives the details about national parks and sanctuary.

Table 64: Distance from WLS and National Parks for all Subprojects # From (km)-

To (km) Location (GPS Coordinates

Nearest Aerial Distance

Wildlife Sanctuary Buffer Zone

T1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore

1 0km-04km Valayapatti 243km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

2 04-09km Patham pudur 237km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

3 09-20km Thathampatti 225km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

4 20km-30km M.duliam kulam 215km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

5 30km-40km Lalapuram 205km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

6 40km-55km Gobalapuram 195km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

7 55km-65km Ammapatti 185km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

8 65km-75km Vagai kulam 183km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

9 75km-85km Kovilankulam 195km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

10 85km-95km V.kovilpatti 172km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

11 95km-105km Meenakshi puram 148km Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

46 The compliance to the above shall be resonsibility on the contractor as per contract provisions. Any violations reported

by the public shall be dealt as per provisions of the law.

107

# From (km)- To (km)

Location (GPS Coordinates



12 105km-115km

Malaya-goundan patti 138km

Topship -Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Pollachi) -

13 115km-125km Podhukkottai 130km


14 125km-135km Veerakkal 123km


15 135km-150km G.Nadupatti 150km


16 150km-165km athamappanpatti 112km


17 165km-185km Kilangundal 90km


18 185km-205km Dhurambadi 70km


19 205-225km Padiyaandi palayam 80km


20 225km-245km Savadipalayam 91km


21 245km-260km Kodumanal 95km


22 260km-275km Sirukalanji 90km


23 275km-285km uthukuli 80km


24 285km-300km

kavutham palayam 100km


T1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar – None T2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram – Udangudi – None T2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram – Kamuthi – None T2.3 230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram- SIPCOT & Kavanoor 1 0-2 Saminathan 55 km Vallanad Deer Park - 2 2-4 Laxmipuram 60 km Vallanad Deer Park - 3 4-7 Sinthalakuttai 64 km Vallanad Deer Park - 4 7-10 Sinthalakuttai 67 km Vallanad Deer Park - 5 10-12 Sinthalakuttai 69 km Vallanad Deer Park - 6 12-15 Kumarapuram 72 km Vallanad Deer Park - T2.4 230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram SIPCOT & Savasapuram 7 0-2 Saminathan 55 km Vallanad Deer Park - 8 2-4 Sillanathan 57 km Vallanad Deer Park - 9 4-6 Sillanathan 59 km Vallanad Deer Park - 10 6-9 Venkatachalpura

m 62 km Vallanad Deer Park

- 11 9-11 Valasamutharam 63 km Vallanad Deer Park - T2.5 110 kV DC LILO Ottapidaram-Eppothumvedran* 12 0-1 Saminathan 7 km Corporation Park (Chalikulam Reserve

Forest). No WLS in 10 kms - 13 1-2 Saminathan 6 km Corporation Park (Chalikulam Reserve

Forest). No WLS in 10 kms - 14 2-3 Sillanathan 5 km Corporation Park (Chalikulam Reserve

Forest). No WLS in 10 kms -

108


Location (GPS Coordinates



15 3-4 Sillanathan 4 km - T2.6 110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-Vijayapuri 16 0-5 Saminathan 55 km Vallanad Deer Park - 17 5-10 Ottapidaram 50 km Vallanad Deer Park - 18 10-15 Keelamudiman 45 km Vallanad Deer Park - 19 15-20 Pasuvanthanai 40 km Vallanad Deer Park - 20 20-25 Kumanayakkamp

atti 35 km Vallanad Deer Park -

21 25-30 Vijayapuri 30 km Vallanad Deer Park - T2.7 110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram TTN Auto & TSIPCOT Feeder 22 0-4 Saminathan 55 km Vallanad Deer Park - 23 4-6 Kumar Giri 52 km Vallanad Deer Park - 24 6-8 South

Veerapandiyan Puram

50 km Vallanad Deer Park -


50 km Vallanad Deer Park -

* No bird diverter required.

238. For selecting the route alignment, any wildlife travel routes have been avoided as far as possible during the walkover surveys. Due diligence has been conducted on the environmental sensitive areas. The subproject sites are away from all eco sensitive zone. As evident from Table and Table 60, all subprojects including transmission lines will not negatively impact the flora and fauna of the area. Annexure 7 includes specific details regarding Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park within the districts. Annexure 8 lists all Important Birds Areas and their distances from each subproject. Migratory Birds 239. Most important impact of tower line placement is mostly related to migratory birds colliding with the conductors which are usually at the varying heights from 50m to 25 m. Many bird populations miРrate lonР distances alonР a flyway. TСe most common pattern involves flyinР nortС in tСe sprinР to breed in the temperate or Arctic summer and returning in the fall to wintering grounds in warmer regions to the south. Normally the migratory birds fly at higher altitudes but sometimes perch temporarily on locations enroute on their way to breeding points in flyways. The following section discussed in detail of the various flyways used by the birds and their distances from project impact areas. 240. The Central Asian Flyway (CAF), Central Asian-Indian Flyway, or Central Asian-South Asian Flyway is a flyway covering a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean and the associated island chains as shown in Figure 28. The CAF comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds, most of which extend from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding wintering grounds in West Asia, India, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory. India is notable among CAF countries, with an extensive series of important bird areas and protected areas including bird sanctuaries, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in wetlands that provide convenient stopover and wintering areas for migratory birds using the Central Asian Flyway.

109

Figure 28: Central Asian Flyway Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Asian_Flyway#/media/File:Central_Asian_Flyway_Map.png (Source: Environmental Impact Assessment of The National Large Solar Telescope Project and It’s Ecological Impact In Merak Area CES Technical Report 123, February 2011).

241. There are 3 flying routes across India along which immigrant birds come to Sri Lanka. These are – the western route, the eastern route and the Andaman Island route. 242. The pattern of migration shows movements of the birds from the Siberian region crossing the Trans Himalayas and even the mightiest greater Himalaya. Many cranes sp. as red crowned crane, bar headed goose and the high souring raptors do cross these high ranges to enter India and finally leave towards Africa during the winters. The Siberian birds do also enter the country through the north eastern Himalayan ranges. This route traverses through the Western Ghats and southern parts of India before leading the birds to Africa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Asian_Flyway#/media/File:Central_Asian_Flyway_Map.png

110

Figure 29: The migratory routes through India (not to scale)

(Source: Environmental Impact Assessment of The National Large Solar Telescope Project and It’s Ecological Impact In Merak Area CES Technical Report 123, February 2011)

243. There are also the birds which enter India from the north western side and from the Mexican region. Some birds do migrate along the eastern and the western coasts of the country to Africa and Sri Lanka. According to the geographical location in the Indian Continent, Sri Lanka is situated at the extreme southern point beyond the south of India. Hence, for the migrant birds that travel south from India, Sri Lanka is the final destination.

Figure 30: Flight Paths via Indian Continent to Sri Lankan breeding areas

Source: http://walkwithjith.com/htm/itineraries_Migration.htm

244. From the northern and north-western parts of the world along the western coastal line of India, then towards the extreme south of India, which is Commorin point. Then they fly across this coast and arrive in Sri Lanka mostly across this coastal line between Mannar and Kaluthara. The migrant

http://walkwithjith.com/htm/itineraries_Migration.htm

111

birds take this route initially from Europe, West Asia including western Siberia, & from the western regions of Himalaya including Kashmir. 245. From the northern and north-eastern parts of the world, along the Eastern coast line of India, towards the south. Passing the coastline between Calimere point and Rameswaram, which is further south these migratory birds arrive in Sri Lanka from India, from East Asia which includes eastern Siberia and Mongolia, from the Eastern regions of Himalaya including Tibet, these migratory birds fly along this route initially 246. Table shows the distances of each of the Important Bird Areas from the project area as well as details the transmission line 765 kV Virudhunagar-Coimbatore, there is Kullur Sandai Reservoir, an IBA about 8km to the east of the line (Reference Annexure 8), although it is not be directly in the footprint, and it lies in project impact area (PIA). Figure 31 shows the distance and how the route has been proposed to avoid the reservoir (Broken Red and Black line above whereas the Black dash and blue line have been avoided). The bird triggered the IBA is Spot-billed Pelican which is Not TСreatened as IUCN’s Red List. TСe miРratory route in India is not along the line. However, during the detailed design, the EPC contractor shall take proper approvals from relevant authorities and discuss with public or NGO forums regarding the final alignment. 247. The key risk to the bird population is collision with transmission lines erected near the bird flypaths. Large, less manoeuvrable birds are more vulnerable to collisions with power lines. Impacts mostly related to collision of birds with transmission line will be reduced by installation of line markers, the bird diverter where the transmission line passes through migratory flight path in the area to increase line visibility to birds. The EPC contractor and TANTRANSCO will undertake installation of suitable measures described above with the aim of achieving no net loss to biodiversity. TANTRANSCO and Contractor shall decide jointly on the locations to install them during the detailed design. Even though the line will not fall into the flight route, the EPC contractor shall, under the guidance of the TANTRANSCO, install suitable bird diverters/spheres to avoid collision of birds47 with the proposed line. Details are provided in Annexure 8. Figure 32 depicts the project locations with respect to IBAs in the project area.

47 There are no endangered species of birds listed in the IBA as shown in Table 65.

112

Table 65: Indian Continental IBAs and distances from Subproject locations No. IBA Northing Easting Altitude m Area ha Nearest Location Aerial Distance 1 Naduvattam 11.32 N 76.57 E 1500-0 m 3538 Coimbatore 94 km 2 Big Tank (Peria Kanmai) and Sakkarakotai

Kanmai 9.37 N 78.57 E 0 m 2541 Kamuthi, Virudhunagar 64 km

3 Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 8.67 N 78.17 E 0-6 m 623 Udangudi 82 km 4 Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary 9.52 N 77.42 E 200-1200 m 48520 Virudhunagar 65 km 5 Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National

Park 10.42 N 76.97 E 350-2500 m 98700 Coimbatore 104 km

6 Veeranam Lake 11.25 N 79.54 E 72-0 m 3885 Coimbatore 234 km 7 Vandivoorand Kunnathur Tanks (Madurai) 9.92 N 78.15 E 0 m 287 Kamuthi 50 km 8 Pulicat Lake 13.67 N 80.18 E 0-10 m 60000 Coimbatore 384 km 9 Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary 10.30 N 79.85 E 0-3 m 37733 Coimbatore 280 km 10 Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary 9.33 N 78.48 E 15-0 m 152 Kamuthi, Virudhunagar 54 km 11 Silent Valley National Park 11.13 N 76.43 E 658-2383 m 8952 Coimbatore 104 km 12 Kullur Sandai Reservoir 9.56 N 78.01 E 80-0 m 1362 Kamuthi Approx. 8* 13 Kuntangulam Bird Sanctuary 8.47 N 77.73 E 0-0 m 129 Udangudi 34 km * Bird diverters will be installed by EPC contractor under directions of TANTRANSCO at suitable locations on lines that lie on migratory birds path. Item 12-

Kullur Sandai Reservoir (8-10 km away IBA from the transmission network), the species IUCN red lists are as below. The 765 kV Line route that been deviated to avoid the reservoir passes 8-10 km from the line as attached in Figure 31.

No. Bird Species IUCN Redlist

Classification

Information available on Ringing sites, breeding sites as per “Indian Bird Migration Atlas” #

1. Spot-billed Pelicans NT Details of any other ringing sites not available currently.

2. Little Grebe LC Details of any other ringing sites not available currently.

3. Common Coot LC The ringing sites are in Northern and central part of India (Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh) in India while

their native resident range is entire India.

4. Northern Shoveler LC The ringing sites are in Northern and central part of India (Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya

Pradesh) to central-eastern (Odisha) in India while their non-breeding range is mostly entire south and south

east asia

5. Gadwall LC The ringing sites are in Northern part of India and their non-breeding range is mostly northern (Bharatpur,

Rajasthan) to central-eastern (Chilka Lake, Odisha) in India. None them are in Tamil Nadu.

6. Indian Spot-billed

Duck

LC Bharatpur in Rajasthan is tonly ringing site in India where it is native resident of entire India and south east

Asian region.

7. Little Cormorant LC Details of any other ringing sites not available currently

8. Indian Cormorant LC The ringing sites are in Northern (Bharatpur, Rajasthan)part of India and it is a native resident range is also in

Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and small parts of Central India.

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9. Painted Stork NT Details of any other ringing sites not available currently

10. Little Egret LC Details of any other ringing sites not available currently

11. Greater Flamingo LC The ringing sites are in Point Calimere in Tamil Nadu, Andrapradeh, Orissa, Karntaka, Gujarat, Rajasthan,

Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh) to central-eastern (Odisha) in India while their breeding range is

mostly northern, western, central part of India and east coast of Tamil nadu. NT: Near Threatened, LC: Least Concern. None of them are VU and CR and normally ADB mandates only monitoring for VU and CR species.

114

Figure 31: Location of Kullur Sandai Reservoir and the proposed route aligment - Broken Red and Black line above whereas the Black dash and

blue line have been avoided. Arrow shows the proposed distance (approx. 8 km)

115

Figure 32: Locations of IBAs and the sub-project levels

Letter in Red are Project locations and tСe IBA’s in purple are tСe locations of IBAs in tСe area.

116

Removal of Trees 248. The project may require some fruit/non-fruit trees to be removed during the construction activities. Table 66 gives the list of trees to be felled for subprojects. The initial construction works along the alignment involving land clearance, cutting, filling, and levelling may cause loss of vegetation. This will be an irreversible impact. Care has been taken to avoid the thick plantations/vegetation as far as possible and tower locations are selected mostly in plain cultivable fields where the vegetation is thin. This will minimise tree losses. Compensation will be paid to tree owners in the private areas as per Compensation plan and GoTN rules. There is no replacement of these fruit/non-fruit private trees. 249. Where the forest area is unavoidable along the route alignment, the compensatory afforestation will be required for forest areas for which clearance will be obtained from the appropriate authority of the forest department; and for fruit and non-fruit trees in the fields, the amount for compensation for fields will be paid directly to the farmers. 250. According to CAMPA Letter No. 23870/FR-10/2009-5 Dated:29.3.2010 to Environment & Forests (Fr.10) Department, Secretariat, Chennai 9. to Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ref: letter No.13-1/2009- CAMPA dated 30.11.2009 regarding activity wise conversion of forest lands, NPV collected by Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and compensatory afforestation charges collected. 251. Raising Compensatory Afforestation. The proposed scheme for raising Compensatory Afforestation over an extent of 241.52 ha. of non-forest land taken over from the User Agencies, was agreed to for Rs.60.38 lakhs with pro-rata of Rs.25000/- per ha. For the first year towards the fulfilment of the most important' condition of afforesting compensatory land. The compensatory land handed over to the Forest Department are mostly marginal and difficult sites. Therefore, they require application of intensive inputs and sustained protection to make them successful. It is proposed to plant tall seedlings to achieve good survival and also provide fencing/watch and ward wherever found necessary. Community Organizations Village Forest Committees. nearby may also be involved in protection wherever feasible. The Chairman impressed upon including planting of Ficus Trees and avoiding Monoculture. The Principal Secretary to Government, Environment and Forest Department suggested that the local and native species may be planted. The Member Secretary indicated that a mixture of native species such as Neem, Pungam, lIuppai, Naval are proposed to be planted. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests informed that native species of the locality found silviculturally suitable by the local Officers' will be' planted. Monitoring of these works will be undertaken by the CAMPA cell besides the established Monitoring System followed in the Forest Department. 252. Demarcation of Forest Boundaries by constructing cairns: Considering the importance of boundary pillars in protecting the forest areas from encroachment, the Committee decided to agree to the Scheme for construction of 3000 cairns at a total Cost of Rs. 36.00 lakhs @ Rs. 1200/- each. The Chairman wanted the areas covered under compensatory afforestation may also be demarcated with boundary pillars as these small areas are prone to encroachment. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests informed that boundary pillars in such areas will be erected as a part of the plantation work.

117

Table 66: Total Number of Trees to be felled for subprojects


Details Private Land Village Panchyat land

Forest Land

Government (Non-forested) land

Total number of fruit trees to be felled

Total number of Non-fruit trees to be felled

Total number of forest trees to be felled




T1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore 1 0.km-4km Babool 12

1

2 Neem 5 3 Palm 3 4 04-09km Neem 4 1 5 Palm 2 1 6 Babool 5 3 7 9km-20km Neem 2 8 Palm 2 9 Babool 2 6

10 20km-30km Neem 2 11 Palm 2 12 Babool 2 4 13 30km-40km Neem 2 14 Palm 2 15 Babool 2 4 16 40km-55km Neem 2 17 Palm 3 18 Babool 1 4 19 55km-65km Neem 2 20 Palm 2 21 Babool 6 22 65km-75km Neem 3 23 Palm 3 24 Babool 25 coconut 2 5 26 75km-85km Neem 3 27 Palm 2 28 coconut 2 29 Babool 2 6 30 85km-95km Neem 7 3 31 emali 3 2 32 coconut 10 9 33 Babool 10 6 34 95km-

105km Neem 15 5

35 coconut 36 Babool 10 37 105km-

115km Neem 2

38 Babool 1 3 39 coconut 2 40 emali 2

118



Forest Land








41 115km-125km

Neem 3 2

42 emali 3 2 43 coconut 5 44 Babool 2 45 125km-

135km Neem 4

46 coconut 6 47 Babool 3 6 48 135km-

150km Neem 5 5

49 coconut 10 50 kikal 5 51 150km-

165km Neem 3 2

52 emali 53 coconut 10 1 54 kikal 5 5 55 Palm 3 3 56 165km-

185km Neem 5 5

57 Palm 5 5 58 coconut 5 59 Babool 60 kikal 10 5 61 185km-

205km Neem 6 4

62 Palm 3 63 coconut 5 64 kikal 10 10 65 205km-

225km coconut 35 5

66 Palm 15 5 67 Neem 15 5 68 Babool 10 10 69 225km-

245km Neem 7 3

70 Palm 6 4 71 Babool/kik

ar 10 5

72 coconut 5 73 245km-

260km Neem 8 2

74 Palm 7 3 75 coconut 10

119



Forest Land








76 Babool/kikar

77 260km-275km

coconut 5

78 Neem 4 1 79 Palm 3 2 80 Babool/kik

ar 10 5

81 275km-285km

Neem 3 2

82 Palm 3 2 83 coconut 5 84 Babool/kik

ar 10 10

85 285km-300km

Neem 6 4

86 coconut 5 87 Palm 6 4 88 Babool/kik

ar 3 2

89 90 At ss Neem 70 91 coconut 50 92 Palm 35

T1.2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Kayathar 93 0-km Neem 5 94 Palm 1 2 95 Babool 0 15 96 0-5Km Neem 3 2 97 Palm 1 4 98 Babool 5 10 99 5-15Km Neem 4 1

100 Palm 8 2 101 Babool 5 15 102 15-25Km Neem 8 2 103 Palm 8 2 104 Babool 5 15

104A 25-35Km Neem 8 2 105 Palm 3 2 106 Babool 5 15 107 35-45Km Neem 10 5 108 Palm 6 4 109 Babool 10 15 110 45-60Km Neem 12 3 111 Palm 6 4

120



Forest Land








112 Babool 5 15 113 60-70Km Neem 5 5 114 Palm 6 4 115 Babool 5 15 116 70-75Km Neem 3 2 117 Palm 2 3 118 Babool 5 5 119 75-80Km Neem 4 1 120 Palm 3 2 121 Babool 5 10 122 emali 2 3

T2.1 400 kV DC TL from Ottapidaram to 400 kV SS Udangudi 5-10km Neem 2 3 Palm tree 2 2 Babool 6 10 10-12km Neem 2 Palm tree 2 Babool 10 10 12-15km Neem 2 Palm tree 2 2 Coconut

tree 4 2

Emali 2 15-17km Coconut

tree 2 1

Palm tree 3 2 Emali 1 2 Neem 2 2 Babool 5 5 17-20km Neem 2 Coconut

tree 2

Palm tree 2 2 Emali 1 2 Babool 10 10 20-25km Coconut

tree 4 2

Palm tree 5 2 Neem 5 2 Babool 10 10 25-35km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 2 2 Coconut

tree 2

Babool 10 10

121



Forest Land








35-40km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 2 2 Emali 2 2 Babool 10 10 Coconut

tree 2 2

40-50km Palm tree 4 2 Neem 3 2 Coconut

tree 4 2

Babool 15 10 50-55km Palm tree 3 2 Neem 4 1 Babool 10 10 55-60km Neem 3 2 Palm tree 2 1 Coconut

tree 2 1

Emali 2 2 Babool 5 15 60-65km Coconut

tree 5

Neem 2 2 Emali 2 2 Palm tree 2 2 Babool 5 10 65-70km Palm tree 2 2 Neem 2 2 Coconut

tree 2

Babool 5 10 T2.2 400kv DC-TL from Ottapidaram to Kamuthi

5-10km Neem 3 10-20km Neem 2 Palm tree 3 Babool 1 5 20-30km Neem 2 Palm tree 4 Babool 18 6 30-40km Neem 3 Palm tree 3 Babool 5 9 40-50km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 2 3

Babool 5 6

122



Forest Land








50-60km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 2 2 Babool 6 10 60-65km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 3 3 Babool 5 10 65-70km Neem 2 2 Palm tree 1 2 Babool 5 5 70-75km Neem 4 2 Palm tree 2 2 Babool 5 5 T2.3 230KV TL LILO Ottapidaram- SIPCOT & Kavanoor 16 0-2 Neem 1

Babool 2 Palm tree 1

17 2-4 Babool 2 Neem 1

18 4-7 Babool 3 Neem 1 Palm tree 1

19 7-10 Babool 3 Palm tree 1 Neem 1

20 10-12 Neem 1 Babool 1 Palm tree 1

21 12-15 Babool 2 Neem 1

T2.4 230 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram SIPCOT & Savasapuram 22 0-2 English

Babool 4

23 2-4 Shrubs 1 English

Babool 3

Neem 1 24 4-6 Neem 1

Babool 4 Palm tree 1



123



Forest Land








T2.5 110KV DC LILO Ottapidaram-Eppothumvendram 1 0-1 English

Babool 2

Neem 1 2 1-2 English

Babool 3

3 2-3 English Babool

4

4 3-4 English Babool

3

T2.6 110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram-Vijayapuri 10 0-5 Neem 4

Babool 10 Emali 1

11 5-10 Neem 3 Babool 11


13 15-20 Palm tree 1 Neem 4 Babool 10

14 20-25 Palm tree 1 Neem 2 Babool 7

15 25-30 Neem 3 Babool 8 Palm tree 1 Emali 3

T2.7 110 kV TL LILO Ottapidaram TTN Auto & TSIPCOT Feeder 5 0-2 Palm tree 1 Neem 1 Babool 4 6 2-4 Palm tree 1 Neem 1 Babool 4 7 4-6 Neem 1 Palm tree 1 Babool 6 8 6-8 Babool 6 Neem 2 Palm tree 2 9 8-10 Palm tree Neem 1 Babool 4

124



Forest Land








Total of all Trees*

1012 643

* Total no. of trees (fruit and non-fruit) to be felled or trimmed depending on tower placement. Effect on Local Road Network 253. Transformers, tower material, substation equipment, iron bars,and concrete materials will be transported through the provincial and local road network to the project site. Transporting of large quantities of materials using heavy vehicles could exceed the carrying capacity of the road. This would lead to physical damages to local road network. Thus, it will be necessary to obtain consent from Public Works Department (PWD) or National Highway Authority to use local/national highway roads prior to transportation. Also, the contractor should properly maintain all road sections, which will be utilised for the construction related activities. Speed limits should be posted and adhered to by construction vehicles. Aggregates (e.g., sand, gravel, rock) that are transported by trucks should be covered to avoid nuisance to road users. 254. The access road to the substation land from the nearest road head will be constructed. For transmission line, no road is likely to be constructed and existing village roads, footpaths have to be used as no movement of mechanised machinery will be done. The tower line material will be transported up to the nearest road head and thereby taken to tower site manually. The local community cannot encroach along the transmission line routes, as encroachment of any forestland is punishable by law. Disposal of Debris 255. As a result of construction related activities, top soil and debris will be generated during the construction stage of which some may be left over for disposal. Improper disposal of the debris will have an impact on the surrounding ecology, public health and scenic beauty. The following measures will minimise the impacts associated with disposal of debris: • Spoil materials (soil, sand, rock etc.) generated from construction activities shall be used

wherever possible for site levelling, back–filling, etc. • Preparation of a Disposal Management Plan for the project and selection of the solid waste

and hazardous waste disposal site to engineered landfill. Prior approval should be obtained for such engineered sanitary land fill sites from relevant local authorities. For topsoil, the EPC contractor must exclude locations, which are closer to residential, commercial and public sensitive areas. Inert spoil (any waste concrete, if any) from the site will be disposed of as per directions of the local statutory body in the area.

• The excess spoil should be properly disposed of to a suitably approved site marked by the concerned authorities such as Forest, Roads, or Panchayats (local community) by the contractor as per contract provisions. It should not interfere with the drainage pattern of the area, any water bodies, agricultural lands, marshlands and down slope or any environmental sensitive areas.

125

Wildlife 256. The primary project area - route alignments and site selection have been done with the help of satellite imagery and ensuring there are no known paths of migration of wildlife. There will be no impact on any secondary area as the route alignments are planned so that they cross mostly agricultural fields and all forest land is avoided. 257. The subprojects are located much further aerially away from any wildlife sanctuary and national parks listed in Annexure 7. The transmission lines will traverse at a sufficient distance from any reserved forest area and will not negatively impact the flora and fauna of the area. Impact on Aquatic Ecology 258. The proposed transmission lines would cross over the rivers and small streams which are usually perennial in nature. No significant impacts on aquatic ecology of the river are envisaged, as there will be careful selection of the construction time and tower sites near the water body and rivers, to avoid surface water pollution and disturbance to the aquatic fauna of the area during the monsoon period. 259. If any footings are located near any waterbody, the EPC contractor shall ensure the waterbody is not contaminated from waste-water/muck or construction material run off from the digging and erection for Reinforced cement concrete (RCC) base tower footings. The contractor shall construct silt traps, erect barriers to avoid such contamination of the water body that may be used for ecological support by birds, animals and humans alike in the area. 5.4.5 Impact on Socioeconomic Resources Health and Safety 260. Health and safety impacts will be in terms of risk of accidents due to working execution at considerable heights above the ground during tower erection and cable stringing. Accidents may be caused due to electro-cutting, lightning, fires and explosions. To avoid this, houses will not be allowed within the RoW of the project. During the design, the transmission line and substation equipment will be rated to ensure Electromagnetic Field (EMF) is within the permissible limits specified in the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The EPC contractor shall provide necessary training regarding safety aspects to its personnel working at the line as well as provide personal protective equipment like safety gloves, helmet, mufflers, etc. during the construction period and during the maintenance work. First aid facilities will fully equip and be made available with the labour gangs and ambulance/doctors on call from nearby towns when necessary. Workers are covered by a statutory workmen compensation as per GoI laws by the contractor. 261. Project activities may create accidental damage to general public and the construction workers. Therefore, contractors should take necessary action to enhance personal and public safety during construction through following measures: • Prepare health and safety risk assessment, and develop a health and safety plan which

will conform to EHS guidelines. • Organise awareness programs relevant to personal safety of the workers and general

public in the area during erection and stringing of transmission lines during construction. • Installation of warning signs on particular locations such as transverse points of road

network near the overhead transmission lines. • Provide protective safety belts, footwear, helmets, goggles, eye-shields and clothes to

126

workers, depending on their duty. • Arrangement of fully equipped first aid unit and transport facilities to take injured people to

the hospitals. • Workers should be covered by the statutory Workmen Compensation as per GoI laws by

the contractor. • To minimize the risk of public and worker injury appropriate GoI regulations on

Occupational, Safety, and Community Health must be applied or the IFC/World Bank EHS Guidelines (2007) that govern the safe and orderly operation of civil works should be followed.

• Prevent public access to the transmission tower during construction or substation property with effective fencing, and clear signage indicating the dangers of the different facilities. The public should be kept clear of all equipment maintenance areas.

• Proper fire safety equipment must be available at any fuel or oil storage site to avoid any explosion or fatal exposure to any workers/staff during construction.

Employment Opportunities 262. Construction of transmission lines will generate local employment, as a number of unskilled labours (men/women) will be required at the time of construction activities. Local employment during this period will increase socio-economic standards of the residents of the project area. Temporary Outage of the Electricity 263. Temporary disconnection of power supplies will occur during the construction activities. Thus, the general public and commercial/industrial places, which are located in project-affected area, will face inconvenience for short periods of time. Thus, the following measures will have to be taken: • Advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption, and • Restore the utilities immediately to overcome public inconvenience. Cultural sites 264. There are no important archaeological, historical or cultural sites along the route alignment, hence no impact on these sites is envisaged. In case archaeological features are discovered during excavation/construction works, chance find procedure as per GoI’s regulations (Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 (as modified upto September 1949) and The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972) shall apply and will be observed by contractors. Traffic and Transport 265. During the construction phase, traffic disturbance needs to be minimised by avoiding high-density areas, using proper traffic signs, ensuring proper access roads and avoiding road blockage. The EPC contractor shall prepare a traffic management plan before the start of construction. 266. A standing committee, Power Telecom Co-ordination Committee (PTCC), has been constituted by GoI to plan and implement the mitigating measures for the induced voltage, which may occur nearby telecom circuits and suggest necessary protection measures to be adopted. The committee suggests measures like rerouting of the telecom circuits, conversion of overhead telecom circuits into cables etc. to minimize the interference. It is mandatory for TANTRANSCO to seek clearance prior to construction from telecom authorities and wherever necessary from aviation authorities that are likely to be affected by the construction of overhead transmission lines. The exact cost to mitigate the impacts of induction in neighbouring telecom circuits would

127

vary from case to case. In general, the system is planned and executed in such a way that required clearance is maintained between transmission lines and the railways, civil aviation and defence installations as per mandatory provisions. If the transmission lines pass nearby any proposed or existing airport, it is mandatory to maintain a specific distance and the towers beyond specified height are painted in alternate orange and white stripes for easy visibility and warning lights are placed on the top of these towers. 267. If any line passes existing major power lines, stringing wire across the alignment involves significant health and safety risk. This EPC contractor and the EA shall ensure proper precautions are used in accordance to World Bank EHS Power transmission guidelines that list the distances from operational powerlines. Similarly the road, river and railway crossings require use of proper props to ensure conductor does not injure passing traffic, community living in the vicinity as well damage to the conductor during erection and stringling. Development 268. During construction, there will be opportunities for local people to engage in small-scale and temporary business opportunities of selling food, temporary accommodation, etc. due to the presence of workers. 5.5 Environmental Impacts Associated with Operations and Maintenance Stage 269. Once transmission lines and sub-stations are fully erected, fencing, and danger signs must be installed at each that clearly identify and warn of the dangers of climbing onto an operational substation or operational tower line. A signage that meets the IEEE48 standards will need to be placed on all overhead power lines warning of the electrical hazards. The EPC contractor will also need to advise the community about the location and associated dangers of the same. 5.5.1 Transmission lines 270. During operation phase, the corridor along the alignment will be chopped of vegetation and lopping of trees will be done for maintenance purpose. This will also reduce the chances of fires due to electric sparks. Noise Generation 271. During the operation phase of the project, there may be corona noise from the conductors which will be felt only up to 15 to 30 m area, hence the ambient noise level will meet the GoI standard for residential areas (55 dB(A) during daytime and 45 dB(A) during night time)49 as no houses exist alongside this Right of way area. 272. Nuisance to the community around the substation site can occur during the project construction and operations stage. Although, there are no villages in their vicinity of 100 m, TANTRANSCO may provide appropriate noise barriers if required and deemed essential. Electromagnetic Interference to nearby radio equipment: Possible exposure to electromagnetic interference could occur during these activities. Design of transmission line should comply with the limits of electromagnetic interference from overhead power lines in accordance with best international practises.

48 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 49 IFC/World Bank EHS guidelines also have the same threshold as per above GoI standards as shown in Annexure 6.

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EMF (electromagnetic field) 273. Overhead lines produce both electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields are created by differences in voltage. The strength of the electric field is measured in kilovolts per meter (kV/m). Any electrical wire that is charged will produce an associated electric field. This field exists even when there is no current flowing. The higher the voltage, the stronger the electric field at a given distance from the wire. Magnetic fields are created when electric current flows; the greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field. Electric fields are strongest close to a charge or charged conductor, and their strength rapidly diminishes with distance from it. Magnetic fields arise from the motion of electric charges. The strength of the magnetic field is measured in micro tesla, µT. 274. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers the maximum permissible exposure level for the general public to electric fields is 5 kV/M, except on transmission line rights-of-way (servitude), where the limit is 10 kV/M. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, the maximum EF strength of the line with the voltage below 420 kV is 5 kV/m, and the MF for 765 kV line is far below the 200 µT limit. 275. World Health Organization (June 2007) recommends using exposure guidelines published by ICNIRP. The ICNIRP (2010) has set the limits at 50 HZ for the public exposure as: (1) electric field strength (kV per meter) is 5 kV/m, and (2) magnetic field strength (micro tesla) is 200 µT (equivalent to 160 A/m); while for the occupational exposure as: (1) electric field strength is 10 kV/m and (2) magnetic field strength is 1000 µT. 276. Based on the literature review,50 the maximum electrical field generated by the 400 kV double circuit line is estimated at 5 kV/m, around the distance of 11 m from axis of line, equivalent to the 5 kV/m safe limit for public specified by ICNIRP. The maximum magnetic field generated by the proposed new lines is estimated to be 81.942 µT at the nearest distance from the line, below the 200 µT limit specified by ICNIRP. Thus, any resident living underneath or very close to the proposed transmission lines are not expected to be exposed to an environment above EMF limits. 277. Health concerns over exposure to EMF are often raised when a new transmission line or substation is proposed. However, in spite of all the studies that have been carried out over the past 30 years, there is still no persuasive evidence that the fields pose any health risks. Rehabilitation of existing power lines is unlikely to increase EMF, but new lines may induce EMF. The transmission and LILO lines will traverse at least 1-2 km away from some populated areas. The design of the transmission line shall ensure that EMF from the line is within threshold described in the Technical Specification of the bidding documents. 278. Power grid India has constructed several 765 kV lines same as this project line design. Based on their examination, all values are within the limits at the edge of RoW. The IEEE defined limits are as below: “TСe maximum permissible exposure level for tСe Рeneral public to electric fields is 5 kV/M, except on transmission line rights-of-way (servitude), where the limit is 10 kV/M. (See Figure 33). The EPC contractor shall ensure the design to be compliant with above mentioned international standards and the EMF along the transmission line will be complaint with international standards. This will minimize the community based health risks associated with 765 kV and 400 kV transmission lines.

50 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields (http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc35.htm)

published by WHO 1984.

http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc35.htm

129

130

Figure 33: Distances from Line for EMF measurements

Bird Diverters and Markers 279. As discussed in Construction section, the EPC contractor shall install line markers if the transmission line passes through migratory flight path in the area to increase line visibility51 to birds, even though project footprints are to the west of the IBA, which is to the west of the Eastern Route. The EPC contractor shall check and confirm appropriate marker locations before operations commence and thereafter the O&M contractor or TANTRANSCO shall undertake routine inspection. If the accidents are reported by local public, TANTRANSCO shall assess bird distribution in that particular area and will implement a bird carcass52 collection and monitoring program. 5.5.2 Substations Electric Shock 280. This may lead to death or injury to the workers and public in the area. This can be minimised or avoided by:

• Security fences around substation. • Establishment of warning signs. • Careful design using appropriate measures such as effective earthing at towers to

51 Budget provisions have been made installation of bird divertors and spheres at locations deemed fit by TANTRANSCO and Contractor. 52 Any action on this will be decided once detailed design is complete and it is not mandatory to conduct such a program until advised by Department of Wildlife etc.

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minimise electric shocks/hazards. Oil Spillage 281. Contamination of water on land/near bodies of water by the transformer oil can occur during operation due to leakage or accident. Substation transformers are normally located within bunded and secure and impervious areas with a storage capacity of 110% spare oil. Also, proper drainage facilities will be constructed during the construction stage to avoid overflow or contamination with natural flow paths especially during the rainy season. Proper fire safety equipment must be available at any fuel or oil storage site to avoid any explosion or fatal exposure to any workers/substation staff during maintenance. TANTRANSCO will maintain account of the oil usage, using technical methods and procedures for oil monitoring mechanism, and will have mitigation plan for any oil spillage. Storage of bulk fuel should be on bunded and covered concrete pads away from the public and worker camp. Fuel storage areas and tanks must be clearly marked, protected and lighted. Contractors should be required to have an emergency plan to handle fuel and oil spillage. As required by law, TANTRANSCO has procedures for disposal of waste oil to approved recyclers. Sulphur Hexa fluoride (SF6) Leakage53 282. SF6 is a non-toxic greenhouse gas used as a dielectric in circuit breakers, switch gear, and other electrical equipment. Very high-grade sealing system and erection methodology is followed to keep the loss of SF6 within 0.1% every year. SF6 handling is part of each contract technical specifications, and required design and routine test are done after manufacturing of the circuit breaker and gas insulated switchgear. SF6 handling system for evacuation and storage is always used for the maintenance of the circuit breaker and gas insulated switchgear. SF6 leakage records will be maintained in each substation. This allows tracking of any release of SF6 to the atmosphere. SF6 emergency response plan should be prepared. 5.5.3 Cumulative Impact Assessment 283. TСe IFC Performance Standard 1 defines tСe broader Project area to include “… areas potentially impacted by cumulative impacts from further planned development of the Project, any existing project or condition, and other project-related developments that are realistically defined at tСe time tСe Social and Environmental Assessment is undertaken.” 284. As per ADB’s SPS, cumulative impacts meaninР impacts from furtСer planned development of the project, other sources of similar impacts in the geographical area, any existing project or condition, and other project-related developments that are realistically defined at the time” 285. The cumulative impacts can be accumulative, interactive, and in-combination/additive as per the cumulative effects. This Chapter considers the additively cumulative impacts that would result from the concurrent or planned future third-party activities to affect the same resources and/or receptors as the proposed project. 5.5.3.1 Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA)

286. CIA is the process of analysing the potential impacts and risks of proposed development in the context of the potential effects of other human activities and natural environmental and social external drivers over time, and proposing concrete measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate such cumulative impacts and risk to the extent possible. Cumulative impacts are those that result

53 Level of SF6 leakage are covered by IEEE C37.122

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from the successive, incremental, and/or combined effects of an action, project, or activity when added to other existing, planned, and/or reasonably anticipated future ones. 287. The main objectives of tСis CIA study are to assess tСat wСetСer tСe proposed project’s cumulative environmental impacts will negatively impact on the environment or not. Approach

288. This assessment follows the approach outlined by the IFC Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management: Guidance for the Private Sector in Emerging Markets (2013). The overall approach is summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 34: CIA Approach

Source: IFC Good Practice on Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management, 2013

289. Figure 1 illustrates the CIA has an iterative six-step process: scoping (Steps 1 and 2), Valued Environmental Components (VECs) baseline determination (Step 3), assessment of the contribution of the development under evaluation to the predicted cumulative impacts (Step 4), evaluation of the significance of predicted cumulative impacts to the viability or sustainability of the affected VECs (Step 5), and design and implementation of mitigation measures to manage tСe development’s contribution to tСe cumulative impacts and risks (Step 6).

Methodology

290. As transmission system projects do not have significant accumulative or interactive impacts, this CIA has focused on potential cumulative effects on VECs adversely impacted by significant Project impacts from in-combination projects only. Other VECs have been scoped out from this assessment on the grounds that the Project will not significantly contribute to those cumulative effects. 291. Two simplified steps are followed to ensure the proper assessment of cumulative impacts. Step 1. Determination of VECs and the extent of cumulative impacts a. Identify potentially significant cumulative impacts associated with the proposed project; and b. Establish the geographic scope and time scale of the assessment; Step 2. Assessment of cumulative impacts a. Determine the magnitude and significance of cumulative impacts; and

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b. Mitigate the significant cumulative impacts. 292. Per tСe IFC’s Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management, the focus of the CIA should be on VECs and not traditional receptors. The Handbook states, “Because it is unrealistic to tСink tСat every environmental and social aspect that can be subject to cumulative impacts can be appropriately factored into a CIA, it is good practice to focus tСe assessment and manaРement strateРies on VECs.” 293. VECs are defined as “environmental attributes that are considered to be important in assessing risks; they may be: physical features, habitats, wildlife populations (e.g., biodiversity); ecosystem services; natural processes (e.g., water and nutrient cycles, microclimate); social conditions (e.Р., СealtС, economics), or cultural aspects (e.Р., traditional spiritual ceremonies).“ 294. Using this definition and considering the proposed project will improve the transmission system capacity and stability through linking the thermal power and renewable power, the ambient air quality to be affected by thermal power and ecosystem services to be affected by wind farms are considered to be VECs. The scope of assessment will cover all the coal-fired power plants and wind farms to be connected to the proposed project. However, the assessment has a number of limitations, for instance, uncertainty associated with other anticipated developments; and absence of strategic regional, sectoral, or integrated resource planning schemes. Hence, the analysis methods of CIA are restricted to carrying capacity analysis for thermal power, more specifically coal-fired power plants, as well as overlay mapping for wind farms. 295. Carrying capacity analysis identifies thresholds (as constraints on development). Carrying capacity in the environmental context is defined as the threshold of stress below which populations and ecosystem functions can be sustained. It can reflect the true measure of cumulative effects against threshold; Addresses effects in system context; and Addresses time Factors. The constraints of carry capacity analysis are rarely can measure capacity directly; may be multiple thresholds and requisite regional data are often absent. 296. Overlay mapping incorporates location information into cumulative effects analysis and identify areas where effects will be greatest. Map overlays can address spatial pattern and proximity of effects, has effective visual presentation, and can optimize development options. However, the constraints also exist, e.g. limited to effects based on location; not explicitly address indirect effects; and difficult to address magnitude of impacts. 5.5.3.2 Development Context

297. Table 67 lists the detailed information of the power plant.

Table 67: Planned Thermal Power Plants to be connected to the system

No. Project Location Status 1. 2X800 MW Uppur

Supercritical Thermal power plant

90 32’9’’N 780 54’47’’E

The plant is approved for construction with Environmental Clearance NO J-1312/01/2012-IA.II (T) dated 18.05.2016

2. 2x800 MW Super Critical Coal based Udangudi Thermal Power Plant

80 25’20.50”N to 80 26’49.26”N and 780 03’05.85”E to 780 04’13.07”E

However the MoEF, kept the proposal in abeyance and de-listed till the coal linkage or environmental clearance for Mandakini Block is obtained, vide MoEF Reference: J-13012/19/2008-IA.II dt. 28.05.2010.

134

3. 1x525 MW (Phase-I) Imported Coal Based TPP

80 45’05”N to 80 45’34”N and 780 09’12”E to 780 09’49”E

Environmental clearance has been issued with No. J-13012/23/2010-IA.II (T) dated Nov 03, 2010 from MoEFCC.

298. The schematic diagram of the power plants to be connected are as below in Figure 2.

135

Figure 35: Connectivity Diagram

136

137

5.5.3.3 Air Pollution from the Coal-fired Power Plants

2X800 MW Uppur Supercritical Thermal power plant

299. 2X800 MW Uppur Supercritical Thermal power plant, Tehsil Tiruvadanai TN by TNEB, scСeduled for commercial operation from 2022, witС GPS Coordinate: 90 32’9’’ N 780 54’47’’ E, and Environmental Clearance (NO J-1312/01/2012-IA.II (T) dated 18.05.2016 from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change). Total size is 912 acres inclusive of 275 acres Green Belt, 138 acres of Ash Disposal area. Photographs

Uppur TPP: Construction Equipment of EPC contractor for Boiler Plant and Generator

Uppur TPP: Location for Boiler and Plant

Air

300. Environmental Impact Assessment is deemed sufficient to fit the GoI norm for Category A projects. The plant is approved for construction with conditions attached in Environmental Clearance document. Updation of power evacuation scheme is required in the EIA. 301. Air dispersion modelling by AEROMOD has been conducted to assess impact on air emissions from stacks due to numerous merchant power plants. High Efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) shall be installed to ensure that particulate emission does not exceed 30 mg/Nm3. Adequate dust extraction system such as cyclones/bag filters and water spray system in dusty areas such as in coal handling and ash handling points, transfer areas and other vulnerable dusty areas provided along with an environment friendly sludge disposal system. Stack is proposed to the height of 275 m for an effective dispersion of the pollutants. NOC obtained from Airport Authority of India for construction of 275 m height chimney. 302. New Emission Standards vide Notification No. S.O. 3305 (E) dated 01 Jan.2017 are as below,

• Particulate Matter- 30 mg/Nm3 • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) -100 mg/Nm3 • Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) -100 mg/Nm3 • Mercury (Hg) 0.03 mg/Nm3

303. AEROMOD View model uses GLCs predictions. Isopleths of predicted GLCs are shown. The Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) was monitored during July – September 2012. There are no existing/proposed industries in 10 km radius study area. The 24hrs maximum base line concentration for PM10, SO2 and NOx was 66.6 μР/m3, 15.4 μР/m3 and 18.9 μР/m3 respectively. TСe 24 Сrs maximum incremental concentration of PM10, SO2 and NOx would be 0.8 μР/m3,

138

35.32 μР/m3 and 14.6 μР/m3 respectively. Final GLCs of all these will be within the prescribed AAQ limits (below).

2x800 MW Super Critical Coal based Udangudi Thermal Power Plant

304. 2x800 MW Udangadi Super Critical Imported Coal Based Thermal Power Plant at village Udangudi, in Thiruchendur Taluk, in Thoothukudi district, in Tamil Nadu. The land requirement will be 939 acres. The plant will be located within the co-ordinates 8025’20.50” N to 8026’49.26” N and 78003’05.85” E to 78004’13.07”E. 305. M/s. Bhagavathi Ana Labs Ltd. Hyderabad approached MoEFCC for Environmental Clearance with the domestic (from Mandakini Coal Block) and imported coal (from Indonesia) in the ratio 30:70. The Experts Appraisal Committee of EIA of Thermal and Coal Mine Projects discussed the proposal in the meeting held on 01.05.2010 and recommended the project for Environmental Clearance. However the MoEF, kept the proposal in abeyance and de-listed till the coal linkage or environmental clearance for Mandakini Block is obtained, vide MoEF Reference: J-13012/19/2008-IA.II dt. 28.05.2010. Air

306. The proposed project is a coal-based supercritical Thermal Power Plant comprising of two units capable of generating 2x800 MW. The important air pollutants generated from thermal power plant are Particulate Matter (PM), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX). 307. 275m stack height is proposed for adequate dispersion of SO2. Air quality modeling has been carried out using Industrial Source Complex AERMOD View Model. The model considered the sources and receptors in undulated terrain as well as plain terrain and combination of both. Particulate matter will be controlled by providing highly efficient (99.89%) electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) to limit outlet concentration to 50 mg/Nm3. Emission of NOx will be controlled through low NOx burners. The modelling result shows the level of SPM in this study area is 132 Micro gram/m3. The increase in quantity after the project is 4 Microgram/m3. The permissible limit is 200 Microgram/Cub-in as per TNPCB standards.

139

1x525 MW (Phase-I) Imported Coal Based TPP

308. 1x525 MW (Phase-I) Imported Coal Based TPP at Tuticorin Port Area, District Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu by M/s. SEPC Power Private Ltd. The coordinates of the proposed site are at Latitude 80 45’05” N to 8 0 45’34” N and LonРitude 78009’12” E to 78009’49” E respectively. Land requirement will be 90.96 acres for the plant. Land for Ash Dyke will be 100 acres at a distance of 20 km from the plant site. Green Belt consisting of three tiers of plantations of native species around plant comprising of 39 acres of land shall be raised. Tree density shall not be less than 2,500 per ha with survival rate not less than 75%. 309. Environmental clearance has been issued with No. J-13012/23/2010-IA.II (T) dated 3rd Nov, 2010 from MoEFCC. Prior environmental clearance for the power plant was obtained vide MOEF letter J-13011/22/95-IA.II (T), dated 17.5.1996 and its amendments dated 10.12.1996 and 01.01.1997 respectively. Environmental clearance for proposed coal jetty and associated foreshore facilities was accorded by MoEFCC vide J-16011/4/97-IA.III, dated 6.8.1997. Since the EIA report is not in public domain, the emissions are not available. 5.5.3.4 Cumulative Impacts on Air

310. In Tamil Nadu air pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the major contributors and in a few other areas with a high concentration of industries and thermal power plants. Vehicular emissions are of particular concern since these are ground level sources and thus have the maximum impact on the general population. 311. In Tamil Nadu, the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) network is carried out in sixteen locations which encompasses Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thoothukudi and Salem. The direct impact of growth in various causal factors/ pressures is the increase in the emission loads of various pollutants, which has led to deterioration of air quality. The following are the major results of the Annual Average Concentrations of Air Pollutants, 2015-16 for select cities/towns of Tamil Nadu.

• In Chennai, the RSPM is 91 in residential area and 49 in industrial area, SO2 is 12 & 13 respectively while NO2 is 19 & 14 micrograms per cubic meter respectively.

• In Coimbatore, the RSPM is 47 in residential area and 45 in industrial area, SO2 is 4 & 4 respectively while NO2 is 23 & 25 micrograms per cubic meter respectively.

• In Thoothukudi, the RSPM is 91 in residential area and 190 in mixed area, SO2 is 14 & 20 respectively while NO2 is 15 & 24 micrograms per cubic meter respectively.

• In Madurai, the RSPM is 53 in residential area and 63 in industrial area, SO2 is 21 & 23 respectively while NO2 is 10 & 15 micrograms per cubic meter respectively.

• In Salem, the RSPM is 53 in mixed area, SO2 is 27, while NO2 is 8 micrograms per cubic meter.

• In Trichy, the RSPM is 126 in commercial area, SO2 is 21, while NO2 is 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

312. Information from Manali Industrial area: There are 14 major industries located in the Ennore-Manali areas. The industries at Manali and Ennore are mostly chemical based, manufacturing petro-chemicals, fertilizers, pharamaceuticals, paints etc. There are two power plants at Ennore, namely, Ennore Thermal Power Plant with a production capacity of 200 MW and North Chennai Thermal Power Plant with a production capacity of 600 MW. In the study –“Assimilative capacity–based emission load management in a critically polluted industrial cluster

140

by Smaranika Panda and S.M. SСiva NaРendra (09 Nov 2017)”, tСe approacС adopted was to quantify the assimilative capacity (i.e., the maximum emission an area can take without violating the permissible pollutant standards) of a major industrial cluster (Manali, India) and to assess the effectiveness of adopted air pollution control measures at the region. Results indicated that 22.8 tonnes/day of SO2, 7.8 tonnes/day of NO2, and 7.1 tonnes/day of PM10 were emitted from the industries of Manali. The estimated assimilative capacities for SO2, NO2, and PM10 were found to be 16.05, 17.36, and 19.78 tonnes/day, respectively. It was observed that the current SO2 emissions were exceeding the estimated safe load by 6.7 tonnes/day, whereas PM10 and NO2 were within the safe limits. Seasonal analysis of assimilative capacity showed that post-monsoon had the lowest load-carrying capacity, followed by winter, summer, and monsoon seasons, and the allowable SO2 emissions during post-monsoon and winter seasons were found to be 35% and 26% lower, respectively, when compared with monsoon season. 313. Given the above scenarios, it is a fair assumption that the carrying capacity of air pollutants, specifically, RSPM is being exceeded in urban cities due to pollution, SO2 is being exceeded the due to sulphur from stack emissions while the NO2 emissions are basically under control at all locations. 314. A potential indirect cumulative impact associated with the transmission line is increasing emissions from coal fired power generation, such as those facilities listed in Table 1. Operation of the coal power plant may contribute cumulatively adverse impacts to air quality. These effects could add to the ongoing air impacts in the project area in Tamil Nadu. None of the reasonably foreseeable future projects individually or cumulatively are expected to contribute to significant air emission impacts because the projects would be in attainment for all GoI standards. Those power plants must adhere to GoI legislation for the protection of ambient air quality (especially for PM is considered as degraded airshed, the stringent emission standard 30mg/NM3 will be applied), cumulative impacts of air quality would have low significance initially, but as more power plants come on-stream, the significance would be medium. The MoEFCC shall ensure the all cumulative impacts within the carrying capacity of air pollutants. 315. However, considering the proposed project will have positive long-term residual impacts on greenhouse gas emissions as they will facilitate further development and connection of renewable energy sources, the proposed project will balance the dependence on fossil fuels with consequent reduction in greenhouse emissions. 5.5.3.5 Cumulative Impacts on Avian Species from Wind Farms

316. Present and proposed wind energy projects will be connected to the system. The CIA examines the potential cumulative effects on avian species, among existing and proposed wind energy projects. In order to better understand cumulative impacts on avian species, it is helpful to understand locations of the various proposed and approved wind farms and interaction with Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Figure 3 shows the windfarms overlaying mapping with Kullur Sandai Reservoir IBA which is the nearest IBA in tСe project’s area of influence. Trichy

Sl.

No.

Applicant Connectivity Sought (MW)

Start Date Connectivity transmission system

Agreed in follow up meeting of 21st connectivity/LTA of SR constituents 1 Gamesa RenewablePvt. 200 March 2019 Gamesa Renewable – Trichy

141

Ltd (200 MW) (revised) S/s230 kV S/c line along with line bays at both ends

Proposed in Agenda for 22nd connectivity/LTA of SR constituents 2 Viralipatti

RenewablePvt. Ltd.-(Wind)

200 30th

Sept,2018

Viralipatti Renewable Pvt. Ltd.– Trichy 230 kV S/c line along withthe associated bays at Trichy &generation switchyard.

Proposed in Agenda for 22nd connectivity/LTA of SR constituents 1 Saunshi Renewable

Energy Pvt. Ltd.- (Wind)

200 31st

Mar,2019

Saunshi Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. – Trichy S/s (New) 230 kV S/c line along with the associatedbays at Trichy S/s (New) &generation switchyard.

Tirunelveli

Sl. No Applicant Connectivity Sought (MW)

Start Date Connectivity transmission system

Agreed in follow up meeting of 21st connectivity/LTA of SR constituents 1. Wind World (India)

Ltd.(300 MW) 300 31st

March,2020 (Revised)

Wind World (India) – TirunelveliPS

(New) 230kV S/c line (with high

capacity conductor suitable to carry

at least 300 MW at nominal voltage)

along with line bays at both ends

2. Aspan Infrastructure Ltd. (200 MW)

200 March 2020 (tentative)

Aspan Infrastructure –

TirunelveliPS(New) 230kV S/c line


3. Clean Wind Power Bhavnagar Pvt. Ltd. (100 MW)


Clean Wind Power Bhavnagar –Tirunelveli PS(New) 230kV S/c line


4. Anantapur Windfarms Pvt. Ltd. (200 MW)


Anantapur Windfarms –



5. Clean Wind Power Tuticorin Pvt. Ltd. (100 MW)


Clean Wind Power Tuticorin –Tirunelveli PS(New) 230kV S/c line


6. Sitac Kabini Renewables Pvt. Ltd. (250 MW)


Sitac Kabini Renewables –Tirunelveli PS(New) 230kV S/c line


7. Kurnool Wind Farms Pvt. Ltd. (200 MW)


Kurnool Wind Farms –



Proposed in Agenda for 22nd connectivity/LTA of SR constituents 8. Mytrah Energy

(India) Private Ltd (Maniyachi Wind Farm)

200 31st Mar, 2020 Mytrah Energy (India)

PrivateLtd(Maniyachi Wind Farm) –

Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV S/c line

along with the associated bays at

Tirunelveli PS (New) & generation

switchyard.

9. Praptha Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd.

250 30th Mar, 2018 Praptha Renewable Energy Pvt.Ltd.

– Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV S/c

142

(Thoothukudi Wind Farm)

line along with the associated bays at


switchyard.

10. Saffron Ecopower Venture Pvt. Ltd.- (Wind)

250 30th Sept, 2018 Saffron Ecopower Venture Pvt.Ltd.




switchyard.

11. Green Infra Renewable Energy Ltd.-(Wind)

250 15th

March,201

8

Green Infra Renewable EnergyLtd.




switchyard.

12. Greenmint PowerPvt. Ltd.-(Wind)

400 31st

March,201

9

Greenmint Power Pvt. Ltd.–Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV D/c line



switchyard.

13. Ecoren Anemoi Winds Pvt. Ltd.- (Wind)

250 14th

March,201

9

Ecoren Anemoi Winds Pvt. Ltd. –Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV S/c line



switchyard.

14. Green Infra WindEnergy Ltd.

250 30th Sept, 2018 Green Infra Wind Energy Ltd.–Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV S/c line



switchyard.

15. Sitac Starcap buildwell Private ltd-(Wind)

600 31st Mar, 2019 Sitac Starcap buildwell Private ltd–

Tirunelveli PS (New) 230 kV D/c line

(with high capacity conductor

suitable to carry at least 600 MW at

nominal voltage) along with the

associated bays at Tirunelveli PS

(New) & generation switchyard.

16. Clean Wind Power (Tuticorin) Pvt. Ltd

300 31st Mar, 2019 Clean Wind Power (Tuticorin)

Pvt.Ltd – Tirunelveli PS (New) 230

kV S/c line (with high capacity

conductor suitable to carry at

least300 MW at nominal voltage)



switchyard

143

Figure 36: Wind Power Projects Along Ckic Project Overlaying with Kullur IBA

317. All of the foreseeable wind farms are allocated at least 20km away from any IBAs. Wind turbine impacts are expected to vary with distance from the current wind farm focus. The impacts on birds will increase close to the turbines; consequently, other additional wind farms are expected to act in isolation with respect to breeding birds. However, for migratory species, cumulative impact may occur among raptors that migrate long distance, through additional mortality of barrier effect. This would consequently reduce their population. There is a potential for cumulative impacts to be significant if all the proposed wind farms become operational hence more research is required to understand the uncertainties. However, these cumulative impacts are not expected to be significant, though, due to the isolated nature of these impacts. Hence, the Project is not expected to have a measurable effect on populations of migratory birds and breeding birds.

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5.5.3.6 Mitigations

318. At this stage mitigation of cumulative impacts can be limited to recommending long term monitoring before construction and during the operational phase of wind farms. Mitigating potential effects at the source is the best way to reduce the potential for cumulative environmental change. For instance, those connected to the system, TANTRANSCO will request annual monitoring report to collect information of bird collisions. This can be done by Site Security during their regular patrol. The Staff can be provided with an environmental checklist that details what to look out for. 5.5.3.7 Conclusion

319. This study represents the first attempt to estimate the cumulative effects of transmission system in Tamil Nadu. Emphasis should be placed on the fact that for this study, assessment has been done qualitatively based on expert knowledge, and observations and available literature. There is little information regarding critical issues e.g. on numbers, trends, life history traits and movements that can be incorporated in the CIA. 320. From the current assessment, it is considered that the proposed project would not result in a significant or unacceptable level of cumulative impacts when connected with other thermal power plants and wind farms. However, any potential significant cumulative impact would be confined at a local scale. 321. As an additional value added, the proposed interconnector will increase transmission capacity and promote the uptake of renewable energy sources, such as wind, by improving access to the end market, which will have cumulative long-term beneficial greenhouse gas and climate change effects.

5.6 Possible Hazards 322. Potential hazard points based on hazard classification and the type of hazard occurrences from the hazard points are listed in Table 68.

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Table 68: Potential Hazards Associated with the Project

Potential hazard Project

Activities Consequence/Frequency Mitigations Consequence/Frequency

Construction stage

• Trips and falls • Cuts and

bruises

Mobilizing machines, equipment and vehicles for site clearance activities

Moderate/Medium • Arranging toolbox meeting before going out for work

• Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment

• A thorough lorry driver selection process via interviews, checking whether they have the proper licenses and from past experiences

• Training of traffic rules and regulation, including maintaining vehicle speed limit for different categories of road after the selection process is complete

• Limiting movement of vehicles after sunset and before sunrise

• Regular health and safety training to all construction workers and lorry drivers, including the proper use of PPEs.

Minor/Low

• Accidents (burns, electric shocks etc.)

• Injuries from falls and slips

• Inhalation of dust

• Cuts and bruises

Construction of structures and its foundation, cutting, welding, painting works, drilling work, etc.

Moderate/Medium • Arranging toolbox meeting before going out for work (during each construction activities.). Provide each worker with a safety checklist and safety permit (based on their work) before starting work.

• Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, machineries and especially, safety harness.

• Maintain a registry for any faulty equipment found; inform site contractors and they should replace those immediately.

• No work should be done until the faulty machineries are replaced and tested.

Minor/Low

146



• Regular health and safety training and fire fighting drills to all construction workers, including the proper use of PPEs during work.

• Enclosing the area with yellow barricade tape and restricting outside access to local people during the whole construction process.

• Spraying water on dust to minimize its spread via wind; put stockpile at a designated place and cover them with Galvanized Iron (GI) sheet; put up GI sheet fencing around the construction site.

• Equipment, machineries and electric wires should be checked for current and voltage ratings. When using an extension cable, its wire rating should match with the equipment wire rating.

• Recording of any unusual activities and issuance of fines or suspensions if any rules are broken

• Work load should be managed effectively. Workers should be given proper rest.

• Maintenance of an accident registry book

• Falling of heavy objects/debris from height

• Tipping off heavy solid objects during erection.

Erection of heavy structures

Moderate/Medium • Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, machineries, vehicles and especially, safety straps of pulleys.

• Maintain safe vehicle speed limit at the construction site.

• Maintain a registry for any faulty equipment found; inform site contractors

Minor/Low

147



• Mechanical failure of lorries/cranes may lead to accidents

and have them replace those immediately.

• No work should be done until the faulty machineries are replaced and tested.

• Regular health and safety training and fire fighting drills to all construction workers, including the proper use of PPEs during work.

• Recording of any unusual activities and issuance of fines or suspensions if any rules are broken.

• Work load should be managed effectively. Workers should be given proper rest.

• Maintenance of an accident registry book.

• Monthly health check-up of workers for any sickness or illness. Provide treatment/consultation accordingly. In serious cases of injuries or sickness, an ambulance should be on standby for transporting them to nearby hospital.

• Accidents • Injuries from

falls and slips (e.g. broken bones, fractures, traumas, etc.)

• Fatalities

Work at heights Major/Low • Only trained worker can work at height. • Regular inspection and maintenance of

equipment, safety harness and machineries.

• Maintain a registry for any faulty equipment/safety harness found; inform site contractors and have them replace those immediately.

• No work should be done until the faulty machineries/safety harness are replaced and tested.

• Regular health and safety to all construction workers working at height,

Moderate/Rare

148


Activities Consequence/Frequency Mitigations Consequence/Frequency including the proper use of PPEs/safety harness during work.

• Recording of any unusual activities and issuance of fines or suspensions if any rules are broken.

• Maintenance of an accident registry book.

• Monthly health check-up of workers for any sickness or illness. Provide treatment/consultation accordingly. In serious cases of injuries or sickness, an ambulance should be on standby for transporting them to nearby hospital.

• Noise generation

• Accident • Emission from

vehicles • Spread of dust

and minute particles due to vehicle movement.

Vehicle movement

Moderate/High • Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, machineries and vehicles.

• Maintain safe vehicle speed limit at the construction site.

• Noise emission should be controlled. • Regular spraying of water (at least twice

a day) at earthen road networks should be done at the construction site.

Minor/Low

Operation stage

• Fire due to resulting arc flash/arc blast

• Other electric hazard due to unprotected cables

• Slips and trips from unorganized/lose

• Stepping up voltage via transformer

• Switchyard to transmit electricity to national grid

Major/Low • Installation and monitoring of fire defence and fighting systems.

• Checking the insulation of the wire, alonР witС tСe wire’s voltaРe and electric ratings. Change wires if ratings do not match with the power supply or if the insulation is damaged

• Proper earthlings should be made to avoid electric shocks.

Minor/Rare

149


Activities Consequence/Frequency Mitigations Consequence/Frequency cables lying in the floor

• Open wires should be passed through a plastic pipe to avoid exposing them with outside contact.

• Switch off power before doing any electrical work. Inform supervisor and respected officers before starting any electrical work (Lockout/Tag Out) 54 . Inform them again after the electrical works are done.

• De-energizing of equipment, machineries and transformers before doing maintenance work.

• Maintenance workers should regularly maintain a risk evaluation form, starting which equipment is being maintained/repaired, their voltage and current capacity and the appropriate PPE for the job.

• The risk evaluation form should be assessed and cleared by the supervisor before staring any maintenance work.

• All power transformers and transmission should be fitted with lightning arrester to protect from lightning strikes.

• Switchyards should be fitted with circuit breaker in case of short circuit or during an unusual surge of electrical current.

• When working with exposed live wire/machines, the maintenance worker

54 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (2013). OSH Answers Fact Sheets – Lockout/Tag out. Retrieved from

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/lockout.html

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/lockout.html

150


Activities Consequence/Frequency Mitigations Consequence/Frequency should maintain distance of 6 meters from the live exposed part55.

• Maintenance worker must avoid bringing any conductive material whilst any maintenance works. Any conductive materials, such as metal key-chains, coins, watches etc. should be removed.

• Maintain a safe distance from the RoW. Don’t raise any construction under the RoW.

• Any cranes or vehicles passing through a high voltage overhead transmission line should have a minimum 1 meter distance from the overhead transmission line.

• Place “electrical Сazard” or “СiРС voltaРe” siРns on all switchboards and power transformers.

• Restrict access to power transmission area, switchyards and control area to power plant officials and maintenance workers only.

• Raising awareness on occupational hazards. Arrange monthly health and safety training, electrical safety training and fire fighting drills to all officers and plant workers, including the proper use of PPEs during work

• Monthly health check-up of officers and workers for any sickness or illness. Provide treatment/consultation

55 Parmar, J (2012). Electrical Engineer Portal. Electrical Safety Standards for LV/MV/HV (Part-2). Retrieved from http://electrical-engineering-

portal.com/electrical-safety-standards-for-lvmvhv-part-2#16

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/electrical-safety-standards-for-lvmvhv-part-2#16

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/electrical-safety-standards-for-lvmvhv-part-2#16

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Activities Consequence/Frequency Mitigations Consequence/Frequency accordingly. In serious cases of injuries or sickness, an ambulance should be on standby for transporting them to nearby hospital

• Maintain safety precaution measure in case of an accident such as, maintaining fully equipped first aid, on-site medical center, doctors, nurses, ambulance services etc.

• Loss of electricity

• Possible physical harm

Sabotage of equipment

Moderate/Medium • Increased on-site security measures • Maintaining entry-exit registry of

workers and/or visitors

Minor/Low

152

6.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 6.1 TANTRANSCO’s Approach for Route Selection 323. Preliminary route selection for transmission lines shall be done by TANTRANSCO based on walk over surveys, usage of tools such as the revenue papers, satellite imagery and 1:50,000 topographical maps of the area from Survey of India. It shall strive to move towards using modern tools like Geographical Information System (GIS)/Global Positioning System (GPS) for a precision in route alignment with the larger picture in view while finalizing the route. i. During route alignment, all possible efforts shall be made to avoid forest areas or to keep it to

the barest minimum. Whenever it becomes unavoidable due to the geography of the terrain or heavy cost involved in avoiding it, different alternative options shall be considered to minimize the requirement of forest area. The selected route shall be easily accessible in dry, rainy and winter seasons for maintenance purposes.

ii. At the planning stage itself, one of the factors that govern the establishment of the transmission

line is the infringement of populated/forest/cultivated area and scarce land. Wherever such infringements are substantial, different alternative options are to be considered.

6.1.1 Methodology for Selection of Route: Environmental View 324. Route selection among alternatives considers environmental parameters, availability of logistics support during construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines and specific geographical condition to construct the lines along most feasible routes that were identified are based on the relevant topographic maps and walkover surveys. 325. For selection of the optimum route/site, the following points are taken into consideration by TANTRANSCO:

i. The transmission line avoids CRZ I area, environmentally sensitive areas, eco sensitive zones, forests, sanctuaries national parks, biosphere reserves.

ii. The transmission line route impacts minimally on natural resources to accomplish this, route selection of transmission line is undertaken in close consultation with representation of the state Forest, Environment, and Revenue Departments. Site-specific alterations are made to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and settlements at execution stage.

iii. The proposed transmission line bypasses human habitation by a safe distance. iv. No monuments of cultural, archaeological or historical significance are affected. v. The proposed transmission line does not adversely impact any local community assets such

as playground, hospitals, schools, places of worship etc. vi. The proposed route of transmission line does not create any threat to the survival of any

community with special reference to tribal community. vii. Avoidance of mining protected and reserved forest, archaeological and other sensitive areas

unstable ground feature, marshy low-lying areas, river beds and earth slip zones. viii. Minimizing number of crossing of major rivers/railway lines, national and state highways,

overhead EHV power line, number of towers and communication lines. ix. Routing is kept away from large habitations, densely populated areas, animal / bird

sanctuaries, and utility pipelines to the extent possible and avoid areas reserved for planned and future development.

x. Restricted areas such as civil and military installations and airfields have been avoided. xi. As a principle, all project components are generally sited atleast 50m away from settlements,

whenever possible, to account for future expansion, and water bodies. xii. To minimize adverse impacts on coastal areas, natural habitats, human habitations efforts

will be made to locate majority of substations/towers on barren, waste, or fallow agricultural lands.

153

326. In addition, TANTRANSCO shall follow the principle of avoidance of any forestland unless it is inescapable and in such instances, it shall obtain prior clearance from competent authorities. It shall abide by the relevant guidelines of state and central government, including the directions of the Supreme Court from time to time.

6.2 Alternatives for Subproject Components 6.2.1 Transmission Lines 327. In order to achieve this, TANTRANSCO has undertaken route selection for transmission lines in close consultation with representatives from Revenue, Departments of Forest and the local community. Although under the national law, TANTRANSCO has the RoW, yet it considers alternative alignments during site selection, with minor alterations to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and settlements at the implementation stage. i. Alternative routes shall be studied in detail using a set of techno-economical, environmental,

ecological and social impact parameters to arrive at the most optimally suitable alignment that is technically feasible, economically viable, socially just and environmentally safe.

ii. A maximum width of RoW for transmission lines and minimum clearances between conductors (depending on specific voltage) and trees to be adhered in route selection.

iii. TANTRANSCO shall attempt at reducing the number of trees affected and width of the RoW etc. through adoption of appropriate technological option like construction of narrow base towers, towers with extension, compact towers, multi-circuits, and monopole towers and/or innovating upon standard procedures. Specially designed high towers shall be used for reducing impact on trees, orchards wildlife and crossing wetlands, riverbeds.

iv. Tower sites shall be located as far as technically feasible and permitted by the safety parameters mandatory under Indian Electricity Act Rules 77 and 80 regarding clearances from ground and buildings respectively (See Annexure 1).

v. All efforts to minimize the involvement of trees falling in RoW shall be made. TANTRANSCO shall minimize number of trees required to be felled even if their costs have been paid. Pruning of trees will be done wherever required instead of heavy lopping or felling.

vi. To minimize damage to the environment TANTRANSCO shall use manual stringing in forest areas and on slopes wherever possible.

vii. Transmission line design shall comply with the limits of electromagnetic interference from overhead power lines.

viii. Visible pathways along the transmission line alignment shall be maintained for patrolling and maintenance purposes.

ix. For aviation safety, in addition to putting visible signs along the conductors and on the towers, the route alignment would be shared with the nearest airport or nearest office of the Airports Authority.

x. In addition, care is also taken to avoid/minimise protected parks/forests, bird sanctuaries and any other ecologically sensitive area rich in wild life.

xi. Ensure all proposed transmission line routes conform to CRZ of GoI.

6.2.2 GIS Substations 328. For the selection of appropriate site for substation, the following points are taken into consideration: i) Site selection should consider seismicity and geography of the local area; the area should not

be prone to landslide or be unstable. ii) Construction activities do not adversely affect the population living near the proposed

substations and does not create any threat to the survival of any community with special reference to tribal community etc.

iii) The location of substation does not affect any monument of cultural or historical importance. iv) No resettlement of households by the substation site, no loss of livelihoods, siting of

transformers away from schools, hospitals and other sensitive receptors, with due consultation

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with the community and local government units concerned. v) Transformers and other equipment specifications compliant with GoI rules/regulations and

International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) standards shall be followed. vi) Construction techniques and machinery selection shall be made with a view to minimize

ground disturbance. vii) While planning for substations, drainage lines shall also be marked and studied to avoid

seepage/leakages and pollution of water sources and springs etc. viii) Substation location/design to ensure that noise will not be a nuisance to neighbouring

properties. Provision of noise barriers near substation sites, if needed, will be made. ix) Substation design will comply with the limits of electromagnetic interference within floor area.

Security fences will be erected around substations. Warning signs shall be displayed. x) TANTRANSCO shall adopt good practices and shall always strive for a high standard of

house-keeping for its substations and ancillary facilities. xi) TANTRANSCO shall incorporate the best technical practices to deal with environmental

issues in its working. xii) Design of substations shall be made so as to include modern fire control systems/firewalls. Provision

of fire fighting equipment would be made to be located close to transformers, switchgears etc.

6.2.3 Reasons for the final selection

329. As far as the transmission lines are concerned, alternative route analysis was conducted based on satellite data and walkover surveys by Anna University, TANTRANSCO and consultants between July-October 2018. Following the preliminary route survey, social safeguards surveys were conducted to assess the potential impact on loss of land, crops, trees and other assets. However, there will be no permanent land acquisition for the transmission line components. All the losses will be compensated as per the Tamil Nadu government compensation norms. 330. Keeping the above in mind, various alignments of each transmission lines were considered. All alternatives were studied by TANTRANSCO officials before being proposed to ADB for funding to arrive at the most optimum route which can be taken up for detailed survey and assessment of environmental and social impacts. Annexure 2 gives the site analysis for the grid substations and Annexure 3 gives route analysis of the transmission line alignments for the proposed subprojects. Annexure 4 gives the inventory along the proposed transmission lines. Table 69 below gives the summary of the final evaluation of each substation site / transmission line alignment selection. 331. Considering the reasons listed above, the proposed substation sites were deemed the best suitable. The alternatives (as shown in Annexure 2) for each substation site were studied by the TANTRANSCO officials before being proposed to ADB for funding to arrive at most optimum site. These are grid substations and all equipment except transformers and reactors if any, shall be housed in the switchyard. Their distance from various receptors shall be maintained as per Indian Electricity Act (Rules 77 and 80). TANTRANSCO is in the process of collecting additional information and has taken up substation sites for detailed survey. These selected options mostly involve no population at the site, lesser cultivated area and minimum acquisition problems and therefore selected for detailed survey as final sites. 332. Considering the selection criteria listed earlier, three transmission line alignments for each subproject were considered. As such these three alternatives (as shown in Annexure 3) were studied by the TANTRANSCO officials before being proposed to ADB for funding to arrive at most optimum route which will be taken up for detailed survey and assessment of environmental and social impacts. The proposed transmission line routes were deemed the best suitable as these involved lesser populated areas, uncultivated areas and minimum RoW problems, hence selected for detailed surveys. These line routes have been selected with least impacts on trees cultivable land and habitation. Wherever possible, the alignments have been proposed with towers with extra heights to reduce the impacts on land underneath while maintaining the mandatory clearance as per Indian Electricity Act (Rules 77 and 80). The proposed alignments pose minimum disturbance to any reserve forests or any Important Bird Area, Sanctuary and National parks in the state.

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Table 69: Final alternatives selection Final Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation

Final Route Length (km)

Name of district

Name of Villages Final Alternative Chosen*

Distance in km (please provide names) Reserve forest and Name

CRZ 1 boundary

Any wetland, or important bird area & name

Hilly area and name Large Water tanks and name

Any proposed airport/seaport & name

T1.1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore

241.9 Dindugul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tiruppur

Agrahara kathankanni, Ambilikai, Ammapatti, Anaipalayam, Appakkarai, Appayampatti, Chettipatti, Chitragalnattam, Endappuli, Erramalampatti, Erumakkarampalayam, Ganapathipalayam, Genjampatti, Gurunathanaickenur, Ichipalayam, Jambuduraikottai, Jawadupatti, Jivalsaragu, K.Pudukottai, Kadaiyur, Kalanaperi, Kalligudi, Kallimandayam, Kandai, Kandiankoil, Kariyampatti, Kasavanampatti, Kasirediipatti, Kathanganni, Kavuthampalayam, Kedaiyurumbu, Kilavaneri, Koilvirarpatti, Kolathupalayam (TP), Koovanthu, Kothapulli, Kottainattam, Kottaiyur, Kullichettipatti, Kumaralingapuram, Kunampatti, Kunnathur, Kuruvakudi, Malayagoundanpatti, Mandavadi, Mangarai, Mannarkottai, Maruluthu, Misalur, Mudalipalayam, Musuvanuthu, Nadakottai, Naduvakottai, Nakkaluthu, Nallampalayam, Nariyuthu, Nattarmangalam, Odaipatty, Orutattu (Ammainakickanur TP), Pachchaimalaiyankottai, Pallavarayanpalaym, Pandiyur, Pannikkundu, Paruthiyur, Pattampudur, Pavali (CT), Pillaiyarnatham, Ponnivadi, Poosaripatti, Poruppumethupatti, Pottikampatti, Pudupatti (Anaiyur), Puliankulam (Madavanaickanur), Puliyangulam, Puliyurnatham, Punganthurai, Puthurpallapalayam, Reddipalayam, Sadaichipatti, Sammandampalayam, Sankarandampalayam, Sathangudi, Sengalipalayam, Sengappadai, Silukkuvarpatti, Silvarpatti, Sindiapatti, Sirupatti, Sivamalai, Sulakkarai (CT), Sullerumbu, T.Pudupatti (Tirumangalam), Tennamanallur, Thathampatti, Thidian, Thimmanatham, Thovar R.F, Uthappanayakkanur, Uthiyur, Uthukuli (TP), Vadachinnaripalayam, Vadamalikurichi, Vadugapalayam, Vagaikulam, Vaipputtanpatti, Valandur, Valayapatti, Vattamalai, Veriyapur, Virakkal, Viralimayanpatti, Virveedu

Route D Uttapanayakkanur Reserved Forest near to Ayyankovilpatti village = 25m Uttapanayakkanur Reserved Forest near to Vadipatti village = 301m Jambuduraikottai Reserved Forest near to Puduchatram village = 240m Devarmalai Reserved Forest near to Pudur village = 4m

Nil 765 kV Virudhunagar-Comibatore line, there is there is Kullur Sandai Reservoir, an IBA about 8 km (Reference Annexure 8), although it is not be directly in the footprint,

Uttapanayakkanur Reserved Forest near to Ayyankovilpatti village = 25m Uttapanayakkanur Reserved Forest near to Vadipatti village = 301m Jambuduraikottai Reserved Forest near to Puduchatram village = 240m Devarmalai Reserved Forest near to Pudur village = 4m

Vadamalikkurichi, Poruppumettupatti, Ayyampatti, Kuppanapalaiyam, Melankkaraippalayam

Nil

T12 400 kV double circuit line

72.07 Thoothukkudi, Virudhuna

Kottaiyur, Kundalakkuttu, Sirukulam, Mel madai, Nenmeni, Pottireddipatti, Ovanayakkanpatti, Subramaniyapuram, Nallamiuttanpatti, Kanjampatti,

Route C Kurumalai Reserved Forest - 1.32 km

Nil NA Kurumalai Reserved Forest - 1.32 km

Pottireddipatti

Nil

156

Final Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation


Name of district



CRZ 1 boundary




Virudhunagar - Kayathar

gar Lingampatti, Tittangulam (CT), Pandavarmangalam (CT), Kilalipatti, Manthithoppu (CT), Uttuppatti, Idaiseval, Sivagnanapuram, Akhilandapuram, Kayattar (TP), Pannikkulam, Rajapudukudi

T1.3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappagundu (proposed) line

5.13 Virudhunagar

Kottaiyur, Mannarkottai, Kothiparai Route A Nil Nil NA Nil Nil Nil

T2.1 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi

68 Thoothukkudi

Ammanpuram, Angamangalam, Aniyaparanallur, Arumuganeri (TP), Chettimallanpatti, Dalvaypuram, Ellainayakkanpatti, Jambulingapuram, Kil Tiruchchendur (TP), Kilpadagai Kasba, Mangalakkurichi, Mavidupannai, Mel Tiruchchendur, Mulaikkarai, Nallur, Ottapidaram, Perungulam (TP), Pudiyamputhur (Part), Ramanthapuram, Ramaswamipuram, Sevalai, Srimulakkarai, Swaminatham, Tentirupperai (Puravur), Thenthiruperai (Kurukatur), Thenthriuperai (Rajapathi), Timmarajapuram, Udangudi (TP), Umarikottai, Varttakareddipatti

Route A Krudiraimoliteri Reserved Forest - 1.98 km Vallanad Reserved Forest - 5.51 km Reserved Forest along the Tambraparani River (Observed during Field Surey)- 84m

Nil NA Krudiraimoliteri Reserved Forest - 1.98 km Vallanad Reserved Forest - 5.51 km

Nattankulam Alagappapuram Nainapuram

Tuticorin Domestic Airport is to be upgraded to International Airport

T2.2 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi

71.05 Thoothukkudi

Ottappidaram, S.Kumarapuram, Candragiri, Mullur, Martandampatti, Ayan Sengalpadai, Kottanatham, Kuralaiyampatti, Vilathikulam (TP), Sundarapatchiapuram, P.Muthuramaligapuram, Timmanathapuram, Keelkudi, Kallakkari, Purasalur, Mudalnadu, Kamuthi (TP), Sengappadai

Route B Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 3.58 km

Nil NA Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 3.58 km

Kammapatti Nil

T2.3 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line

9.9 Thoothukkudi

Melmaruthur, Valasamuthram, Sindalakottai, Ottapidaram

Route A Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 4.5 km


Nil Nil

T2.4 230 kV 5.58 Thoothukk Valasamuthram, Route A Chalikulam Reserved Nil NA Chalikulam Reserved Nil Nil

157

Final Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation


Name of district



CRZ 1 boundary




double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line

udi Sindalakottai, Ottapidaram Forest - 4.4 km Forest - 4.4 km

T2.5 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram – Eppothumvendran

3.56 Thoothukkudi

Sindalakottai, Ottapidaram Route A Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 4.5 km


Nil Nil

T2.6 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram - Vijayapuri

34.43 Thoothukkudi

Sivandippatti, Kodukkamparai, Duraiyur, Kamanaickenpatti, Achchangulam, Tottampatti, Irachchi, Athikinar, Passuvandanai, Minakshipuram, Kumara Ettaiyapuram, K.Dalavaipuram, Vellaram, Duraiswamipuram, Panchalamkurichchi, Ottappidaram

Route B Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 1.15 km Kurumalai Reserved Forest -5.2Km

Nil NA Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 1.15 km. Kurumalai Reserved Forest -5.2Km

Nil Nil

T2.7 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTNAuto - T-off Sipcot line

10.27 Thoothukkudi

Ottapidaram, Pudiyamputhur (p), Swaminatham, Therkuveerapandiyapuram

Route A Chalikulam Reserved Forest - 4.5 km


Nil Nil

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7.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 7.1 Information Disclosure 333. TANTRANSCO will submit to ADB the following documents for disclosure in ADB’s website:

(i) final IEE; (ii) a new or updated IEE and corrective action plan prepared during project design and

implementation, if any; and (iii) the environmental monitoring reports.

334. After finalization of IEE, TANTRANSCO will provide relevant environmental information, including information from the above documents in a timely manner, in an accessible place and in a form and local language(s) understandable to affected people and other stakeholders in accordance with the ADB SPS 2009 and Access to Information Policy (AIP) 2018. For illiterate people, other suitable communication methods will be used. 335. IEE results will also be communicated to the local community before commencement of construction through posting on the website of TANTRANSCO, as well as providing a mechanism for the receipt of comments. 7.2 Consultation and Participation 336. During the project formulation stage, TANTRANSCO conducted a project scoping exercise and walkover survey of the proposed system. Accordingly, during public consultation sessions, considerable dialogue had been held between TANTRANSCO representatives, individuals, and groups from the community to make them aware of the proposed project. Stakeholder meeting with forest and revenue department officials was also conducted. 337. The project-affected community residing beside the proposed transmission line has already gained a reasonable knowledge about the potential grievances, which may arise in the future. The community was also informed about the Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM), to be followed by TANTRANSCO for making complaints, including the place and the responsible person to contact in this regard. 338. TANTRANSCO and the consultant team have carried out meaningful consultations with APs and other concerned stakeholders, including civil society, and facilitated their informed participation. This consultation process, which began at the project preparation stage, will be carried out by TANTRANSCO on an on-going basis throughout the project cycle. 339. Any periodic consultations undertaken by the TANTRANSCO during the course of construction (i) will provide timely disclosure of relevant information that is understandable and readily accessible to groups and individuals, especially women; (ii) will be undertaken in an atmosphere free of intimidation or coercion; (iii) will be gender inclusive and responsive, and tailored to the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; and (iv) shall enable the incorporation of all relevant views of APs and other stakeholders into decision making, such as project design, mitigation measures, the sharing of development benefits and opportunities, and implementation issues. This periodic consultation process will be documented and reflected in each periodic environmental monitoring report. 7.3 Consultation Details 340. Public consultations were conducted in the project-affected area up to October 2018. The community aired their opinions freely on the project, its impact, and suggestions for mitigating adverse impacts. People participated in voluntary public consultation sessions to express their views about the proposed project. Table 71 indicates a summary of Environmental public consultations conducted during the field survey. The detailed list of public consultations is in Annexure 9. The transcript of these discussions will help TANTRANSCO and the EPC contractor in conducting a proper needs assessment to ensure that the issues raised by people are addressed appropriately.

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Consultation Findings 341. Incorporation of environmental concerns of APs through public consultation will help avoid or minimise conflict situations and enable them to provide meaningful inputs into the project design and implementation process. Consultations and group discussions were carried out along the project sites by the project safeguard consultants between June-November 2018. Discussions were carried out in almost all villages in them56 vicinity of the alignment of transmission lines and at proposed substation sites. Annexure 9 lists the sample public consultations during the field survey of the team. 342. As part of the environment and social assessment, approximately 56 public consultations at 669 households have been surveyed where the heads of the households were interviewed to collect the data on sample basis on the socio-economic baseline. Additionally, social and environmental experts from the consultant team carried out various informal consultations during the site assessment with concerned village heads and local people at various villages. The summary of people’s perception of tСe project durinР tСe consultation is presented in Table A9.13 in Annexure 9. Tables A9.1-12 (in Annexure 9) lists villages where the consultations were held and their photographs respectively at project sites.

Table 70: Locations and Participants (Public Consultations)

# Name of the Transmission Lines

Number of Public Consulta

tions

Total Male

Participants

Total Female Participants #

Participants

(Grand Total)

1 765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Coimbatore. (Consultation at 765 kV Virudhunagar Substation added here)

21 144 14 158

2 400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar (Consultation near existing Kayathar station added here)

5 32 0 32

3 400 kV double circuit line in and out at Virudhunagar for Kamuthi to Thappangundu (proposed) line

Included in Virudhunagar-Coimbatore line because it is a LILO having only 5 km length

4 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram – Udangudi (consultation near Ottapidaram 400 kV Substation included here)

10 56 4 60

5 400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram – Kamuthi (consultation near existing Kamuthi substation included here)

8 47 8 55

6 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line

4 26 0 26

7 230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line

1 5 0 5

8 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram – Eppothumvendran

2 16 0 16

9 110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram – Vijayapuri (consultation near existing Vijayapuri substation included here)

5 38 2 40

10

110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto - T-off Sipcot line

0 0 0 0

Total 56 364 28 392 # Focus discussion group discussion had 93 women participants on social cum gender issues

56 The village boundaries extend throughout the project area (and beneath the line) and is different than residential

properties that are within 1-2 kms.

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Table 71: Summary of Environmental Public Consultation

57 TANTRANSCO will respond to any perception, complaints, compensation queries once detailed design is complete and APs are shortlisted. PPTA team of surveyors had no

direct role in responding to the people of how the project will alleviate their issues. 58 There is an existing transmission line connected to the Industrial Park where Starlite Factory was located. The project includes a LILO to that line. The Starlite Factory

has been closed down by the Supreme Court and is not operating due to environment, strike and manpower issues.

No. Name of the Component/ subproject

Name of the Village

Distance from Project Location

Issues raised by the participants Action Taken57

Substation S1

Virudhunagar (2x1500MVA)

Vallaipatti 1-2 km • Local people would like to get regular information regarding the project for awareness and transparency.

• HT line should cross only from the waste land side. Tower should install only on the government land not on the private land.

• Availability of jobs/works during the implementation of project. Maximum compensation is requested. Safety is a major concern and site is at least 1 -2 km distance from the village.

• Informed them that TANTRANSCO and EPC Contractor will ensure awareness and transparency as per norms.

• TANTRANSCO and EPC Contractor shall conduct a detailed design and shall ensure their request.

• TANTRANSCO shall take fulfil obligations as per TN state regulations for compensation/jobs etc.

S2 Ottapidaram (2x500MVA) + (2x200MVA)

Manarkottai village, Saminathan

2 km • People have not heard about the project and have no interest in the project.

• Fully depend on rain water-no irrigation facility - only 15-20 borewell in the village.

• No ecologically protected area present. • Current environmental condition is not good due to

Sterlite chemical factory.58 • Agriculture, Agriculture labour, Non-agriculture

labour, MGNREGA especially for females. Carpenters, driver is the main occupation in the area. Average land holding size-3-5 acre.

• No NGO working in the village, gram panchayat

• Informed the participants of the project.

• Informed them that transmission line has no chemical components that can leak or pollute on major scale. Power transmission line does not impact baseline during operations but only in minor footprints every 350 m only during construction. It is a consultation and TANTRANCO can decide on course of action only after

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actively working in the village. • No critical issue by the local people regarding the

project. But other factories specially 'Sterlite' people have environmental issues due to the leakage of gas in the recent past.

• There are number of thermal power and chemical factories in the area that spread air pollution. Especially from thermal power plants in the recent past the local people had to face difficulties due to the gas leak from the chemical factory during the protest 12 people lost their lives in police proceedings. There is still a lot of stress in public on that account in the area.

detailed design depending on whose land will be used.

Transmission lines associated with Virudhunagar substation T1.1

765 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar - Coimbatore

Kavutham Palayam, Sirukalanji, Padiyaandi, Palayam, G.Nadupatti, Pudhukkittat, V.Kovilpatti, Vagaikulam, S.Gobalapuram, Lalapuram, Valayapatt

1-2 km each

• Not aware about the project. No major objection regarding the HT line as already HT line existing in the village.

• Land is not irrigated fully depend on rain for water, wells are used as irrigation after collection of rain water through pump set.

• National park or protected forest are not near the village. More than 150km from the village - Anamalai tiger reserve polachi in Coimbatore district. No ecologically sensitive site nearby.

• The main crops - cotton, groundnuts, green gram, sun flower, maize, bajra.

• The local people demand to avoid the proposed project, land is highly cultivable and good for paddy cultivation which is the main source of livelihood.



T1.2

400 kV double circuit line Virudhunagar – Kayathar and 400 kV bays at Kayathar substation

Ayyanaruthu, Malaipatti, Sirukkulam, Lingampatti, Sivangvinanpuram

1-2 km each

• Not aware of the project, but local people have not any objection due to existing sub-station and power wind mill established 5 to 10 year before. This area is a hub of power generation.


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Transmission lines associated with Ottapidaram substation T2.1

400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Udangudi

1-5 km • People have no information about the project, project is not beneficial for local people. Banana cultivation may be disturbed due to tower and high-tension line.

• The land is not irrigated, no source of irrigation except borewell.

• Farming/ agriculture labour/ non-agriculture labour-60%, land use cultivation, only kharif crops, average land holding 5-10 acre.

• Local people not aware of the proposed project local people want work/job opportunity in the project, people are ready to support the project without any objection.

• Informed the participants of the project


T2.2

400 kV double circuit line Ottapidaram - Kamuthi and 400 kV bays at Kamuthi substation

Chandiragiri O Lakshminarayan puram Muthiya Puram Nerinjipatti

1-2 km • Local people want no more towers and high-tension lines as already many high-tension lines existing in the village. They are not aware about the project.

• No irrigation facility, fully dependant on rain. • Farming, agriculture labour and non-agriculture

labour 80% land use for cultivation, kharif is only crops, average land holding is 3-10 acre.

• Already towers existing surrounding the village so local people demanding basic development instead of the proposed project, a bridge demanded on the river to link and easy travelling for the village.


T2.3

230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Kavanoor line

Saminathan Kumarpuram Sinthalakattai

1-2 km Sinthalakattai village • Common man not aware about the proposed project

and not interested in the proposed project. • The land is not irrigated fully depends on rain. • Vallanad Deer Park about 50 km away. • Air pollution is common problem due to thermal

power plant. Dust is also a common problem in the area due to power plants etc.

• Farmers, drivers, construction workers work at local plants and factories

• No NGO in the village.

• Informed the participants of the

project • TANTRANSCO shall take fulfil

obligations as per TN state regulations for compensation/jobs etc.

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• Air Pollution dust is major issue raised by the local people.

• There are already many towers in the village and therefore people are not interested in the proposed project. They felt there is no employment opportunity in the project for local people of this area.

T2.4

230 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Sipcot - Savasapuram line T2.7: 110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for TTN Auto - T-off Sipcot line

Valasamuthiram

1-2 km • People are not aware of the project. • Project is good for the nation but not good for the

local people value of land reduced by tower and line. • Conditional support, government should save the

common man from harm. There are already lines crossing and if a job is given to any one from the affected family then they will cooperate with this project.

• Informed the participants of the project


T2.5

110 kV double circuit line in and out at Ottapidaram for Ottapidaram - Eppothumvendran

Sillanathan 1-5 km • The thoughts of people on the proposed project are positive but they have issues regarding transmission line and towers.

• Land is not fully irrigated and entirely depends on rain.

• Current environmental condition is not good due to several industries in local area.

• Main economic activities- agriculture, agriculture labour, construction labour, average land holding 2-5 acres, only single crops in a year.

• No NGO/CBO in the village, Gram panchayat functioning actively SHG formed and working by the women.

• Value of land will be reduced by the tower and transmission line and no construction or development work will be possible in the future.

• The land for cultivation is very limited farming will be affected by the tower and HT line there are many


• Power transmission line does not impact baseline during operations but only in minor footprints every 350 m only during construction.

• It is a consultation and TANTRANCO can decide on course of action only after detailed design depending on whose land will be used the concerns were mainly related to land acquisition and these are addressed in the RP.

• TANTRANSCO shall take fulfil

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lines already existing in the village. obligations as per TN state regulations for compensation/jobs etc.

T2.6

110 kV single circuit line Ottapidaram – Vijayapuri and 110 kV bay provisions at Vijayapuri substation

Vijayapuri Keelamudiman Kamanayakkam Patti Ottapidaram

1-2 km • Not aware about the project but were mostly unhappy with the proposed project.

• Very few land near the village as irrigated by pump sets, total 20 pump set in the village.

• Vallanad Deer park about 55 km. • Due to thermal power plant and chemical factories

air pollution noticed. • Agriculture, Agriculture labour, non-agriculture

labour, private service, small business, tailoring, only one crop in a year during rainy season, average land holding 3-5 acre.

• No NGO working in the area local gram panchayat actively working, SHG formed but not doing any economic activities.

• People are not feeling good due to the installation of tower and HT line. Land value reduced due to tower, farming disturbed by the tower in the field.

• Nowadays the environment is a big issue in this area, recently there was a lot of protest due to leakage of gas in the Sterlite aluminium chemical factory near Tuticorin. In which 12 people died in the police proceeding. People of the area are afraid of the issue.


• TANTRANSCO and EPC Contractor shall conduct a detailed design and shall ensure deer park is not adversely affected.

• Informed them that transmission line has no chemical components that can leak or pollute on major scale.

Consultations with Stakeholder Departments

Madurai • Forest officials confirmed that once detailed route is finalised and TANTRANSCO intimates them of the final alignment, they will review and confirm if any forests are in the proposed alignment and if any corrective actions are required.

• TANTRANSCO and EPC Contractor shall conduct a detailed design and shall ensure any reserved forest area is not adversely affected.

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8.0 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM 8.1 The Grievance Redress Mechanism 343. ADB procedures require TANTRANSCO to establish a project specific Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) having suitable grievance redress procedure to receive and facilitate resolution of affected peoples’ concerns, complaints, and Рrievances. TANTRANSCO is yet to establish a GRM having suitable grievance redress procedure for the project Aps. TСe GRM would address APs’ concerns and complaints promptly, using an understandable and transparent process that is gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to the APs at no cost. 344. Grievance can be received at TANTRANSCO in any forms through verbal, telephone or written as deemed necessary by the APs. The GRM will be time-bound to receive and resolve the APs’ Рrievances and complaints, if any, on tСe delivery of their entitlements, in particular, and project impacts on them, in general. The grievance mechanism will be developed by forming a Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) at two levels (i) General Construction Circle (GCC)59, Madurai responsible for major role during implementation in redressing grievance (ii) TANTRANSCO headquarters (HQ) in Chennai for the higher level decisions to be provided to the GCC in case of sensitive and unresolved issues. The first level of GRM will be at GCC Madurai. GRM. GRM is not limited to GCC. The affected people have recourse to complain to EA Head office, government officials and courts. 345. Care will always be taken to prevent grievances rather than going through a redress process. TANTRANSCO will ensure that the APs and the line agencies that participate in project activities understand the role and functions of GRM of the project in resolving problems and grievances pertaining to land selection for tower base, environmental impacts that relate to air, noise, soil or water pollution in the area, Right of Way and compensation issues related to losses. 8.2 Formation of GRC 346. The GRC will be established at two levels. The persons who will serve as committee members will be oriented on the environmental compliances, occupation health and safety rules as well as the compensation rules and process. They will be trained in handling grievances and resolving disputes. The grievance committee will be put together prior to implementation of the Project and throughout project implementation period. The main responsibilities of the GRC will be as follow: • The GRC will examine all kinds of disputes or grievances arising out of implementation of

Environment Management Plan, the Compensation Plan and resolve such disputes and grievances in a most transparent manner.

• GRC will not deal with matters pending in the courts of law. • Only authorized members will be allowed to participate in the GRC meetings. • Decision of the GRC will be communicated to the aggrieved APs through writing and in person to

the AP as required. 347. Communities will be informed about the GRC through the outreach mechanism of the executing agency. The GRCs will be formally notified and established at the project sites, and will function as open forums for hearing complaints and exploring quick resolutions to resolving conflicts. A suitable outreach program would be carried out for local residents to be aware of the presence of such GRM such as notices in the local urban body offices; project sign board providing names and contact details of persons with whom complaints could be lodged, etc. Ideally, the local residents would be encouraged to discuss their grievances with the contractors.

59 The EA/ IA has set up General Construction Circles to undertake project implementation in different geographical areas headed by a Chief Engineer. The project implementation including field level supervision is undertaken by the respective GCC. This project comes under the responsibility of GCC Madurai.

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8.2.1 GRC at GCC, Madurai 348. Most of the Project components will fall within the GCC, Madurai region and therefore, the first level GRC will be created at the GCC Madurai. Some portion of the 765 kV line falls within the GCC, Coimbatore. However, the GCC, Madurai office will coordinate with the GCC Coimbatore for grievance redress activities. Following will be the members of GRC: • Superintendent Engineer, GCC, Madurai (Head of the GRC). • Superintendent Engineer, GCC, Coimbatore (for the portion of 765 kV line passing through GCC,

Coimbatore). • Executive Engineer, GCC, Madurai as Project Manager. • Executive Engineer, GCC, Coimbatore as Project Manager (for the portion of 765 kV line passing

through GCC, Coimbatore). • Deputy Financial Controller GCC - Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore. • Representatives from the concerned district officials. • Representative from the Contractor at site. • Representative from the Affected Persons. • Woman representative from the Affected Persons. 8.2.2 GRC at TANTRANSCO Headquarters 349. The central GRC at HQ level will be established at the corporate office of TANTRANSCO in Chennai. Following will be the members of corporate level GRC. • Joint Managing Director • Director, Transmission Projects. • Director Finance and Financial Controller HQ. • Chief Engineer, Transmission for substations. • Chief Engineer Civil (for Transmission Lines). • Superintendent Engineer, Transmission (Central) designated for safeguards at HQ. 8.3 Grievance Redress Process 350. There will be many minor grievances which may not be related to land or compensation rather these are related to day-to-day construction related complaints such as prior notice to harvest crop, environmental issues such as dust, water, flooding, restoration of right of way post construction etc. which will be sorted and resolved informally by the contractor and field team of TANTRANSCO through necessary dialogue and these will not require the intervention of GRC. However, minor grievance will be recorded. Only major grievance which are not redressed instantly on ground will be referred to the GRC. The members of the GRC at both levels will be available during the office hours to address concerns and grievances. The complaints and grievances from the APs will be addressed through the process described below in listed in Table 72.

Table 72: Grievance Redress Process Steps Process STEP 1: Project Team and AP

Informal Grievance resolution: These are related to day-to-day construction related complaints such as prior notice to harvest crop, environmental issues such as dust, water, flooding, restoration of right of way post construction etc. which will be sorted and resolved informally by the contractor and field team of TANTRANSCO through necessary dialogue and these will not require the intervention of GRC.

Step 2: GRC at GCC- Madurai)

The aggrieved APs to formally lodge the grievances at GRC in GCC, Madurai. The aggrieved APs will lodge the complaint if there is failure of negotiation at project site level. The GRC member will review the complaint and prepare a Case File for GRC hearing and resolution. A formal hearing will be held with the GRC at a date fixed (no more than 10 days after lodgement) by the GRC member in consultation with aggrieved APs.

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Steps Process On the date of hearing, the aggrieved AP will meet with the GRC at the GCC, Madurai office. The GRC members will note down the statements of the complainant and then if needed investigate the claim further if it cannot be resolved at the meeting. The decisions will be issued by the head of the GRC and signed by other members of the GRC. The case record will be communicated to the complainant AP by the GCC, Madurai. The grievance redress at this stage shall be completed within 4 weeks

Step 2: GRC at TANTRANSCO, Headquarters

If any aggrieved AP is unsatisfied with the GRC decision at GCC Madurai or in case GCC Madurai is unable to provide a resolution at their level in case of any higher sensitive cases, then next option will be to lodge grievances to the GRC at TANTRANSCO, HQ within 2 weeks. The GRC, Madurai will compile the documents of the complainants and must produce documents supporting his/her claim to the HQ GRC. The GRC at HQ will review the GRC hearing records by GCC, Madurai and convey its decisions to the GRC, Madurai within 4 weeks after receiving the complaint. Following which GRC, Madurai will convey the decisions to aggrieved APs. The responsibility of GRC at TANTRANSCO HQ is to take higher level decisions or approval related to sensitive cases and when negotiation with APs fails at GCC Madurai level.

351. During implementation, if unanticipated environmental and resettlement impacts occurred, TANTRANSCO will prepare an updated IEE/RP to address and mitigate the issues. Corrective Action Plan (CAP) will be prepared for any non-compliance. All complaint-related documentation such as minutes of the meetings and decisions will be summarized and become part of the environmental and social monitoring reports submitted to ADB. 352. Environmental Рrievances will be Сandled in accordance to tСe project’s GRM. Open and transparent dialogue will be maintained with project APs as and when needed, in compliance with ADB’s SPS 2009. TСis GRM will provide an effective approacС for resolution of complaints and issues of the affected person/community and include procedures of taking/recording complaints, handling on-the-spot resolution of minor problems, taking care of complainants and provisions of responses to distressed stakeholders, etc. paying particular attention to the impacts on vulnerable groups. 353. TСe Рrievance mecСanism sСould not impede access to tСe country’s judicial or administrative remedies. APs can approach the court of law at any time and independent of tСe Project’s Рrievance redress process. TСe GRM will not deal witС matters pendinР in a court of law. ADB’s accountability mechanism will also be informed to the Affected People by TANTRANSCO. 354. The flow chart showing the GRM is presented in Figure 37.

8.3.1 GRC Record Keeping 355. Records of all grievances received, including contact details of the complainants, dates of the complaints received, nature of grievances, agreed corrective actions and when these actions were implemented, and the final outcome will be recorded and kept in the project office at GCC, Madurai. The number of grievances recorded and resolved and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed at the GCC, Madurai Office. All complaint-related documentation such as minutes of the meetings and decisions will be summarized and become part of the environmental and social monitoring reports submitted to ADB. 356. A summary of this information will be included in the semi-annual safeguard monitoring reports which will be submitted to ADB. All GRC meeting deliberations and decisions will be recorded and will be available for public reference. All costs incurred in GRC meetings, consultations,

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communication and reporting/information dissemination will be borne by TANTRANSCO. ADB’s accountability mechanism will also be informed to the Affected People by TANTRANSCO.

Figure 37: Process of Grievance Redressal Mechanism

(*) Affected Persons can approach the court of law at time during the grievance redressal process. (**) For Health and Safety issues including danger of fatality, grievances must be addressed immediately.

STEP 1: Project team and

Affected Persons*

STEP 3: GRC at

TANTRANSCO

Head Quarters

Grievance

Addressed

STEP 2: GCC

Madurai

Court of Law

Not Addressed

EPC Contractor/ Project

Head

Grievance

Addressed

Grievance

Addressed

Not Addressed

Minor Grievances

Major Grievances**

Addressed

Addressed

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9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 9.1 Mitigation 9.1.1 Critical Environmental Review Criteria

Loss of irreplaceable resources 357. The transmission projects will not involve large-scale excavation and mostly agricultural land will be lost to the extent of area covered under each tower foundation. The rest of the area under the tower will continue to be used by the landowner after construction. The EMP includes compensation for the loss by minimising the impact of loss of vegetation as per existing rules of GoTN and MoEFCC. There is no forest or biodiversity involved in the route alignment finalised by TANTRANSCO under the technical assistance by Anna University which was verified using satellite imagery. About 1655 fruit/non-fruit private trees will be lost (some of them may be trimmed as per individual tower location). The net “Biodiversity Loss” will be minor due to project implementation. Accelerated use of resources for short-term gains 358. The project will not use any natural resources occurring in the area that is used by local communities during construction, operation, and maintenance phases. Water shall be sourced from water tankers purchased by the contractor. Construction materials such as tower parts and cement shall come from factories while the excavated soil shall be used for backfilling and revetment to restore the surface. Thus, the project shall not cause any accelerated use of resources for short-term gains. Endangering of species 359. No endangered species of flora and fauna reported in IUCN Red List have been found/reported in the project area as well as in the affected forest thus there will be no possibility of endangering/causing extinction of any species. The minimum distance from the nearest Important Bird Area is 8.5 km (details are provided in Annexure 8). Promoting undesirable rural-to urban migration 360. The project will not cause any submergence or loss of land holdings that normally trigger involuntary migration. It also does not involve acquisition to the extent of any person becoming landless. Hence, there is no possibility of causing rural to urban migration. Increase in affluent/poor income gap 361. The project will increase the availability and reliability of power in state. It is well known that power is a key input to the economic development of any area. Past experience indicates that economic development leads to generation of more jobs which in turn should raise the living standards of poor. Thus, the project is expected to contribute in reduction of affluent/poor income gap by providing opportunities for employment and rural based economic activities. 9.1.2 Emergency Response, Disaster Management, Health and Safety Emergency Preparedness and Response 362. An emergency response plan to take actions on accidents and emergencies, including environmental and public health emergencies associated with hazardous material spills and similar events will be prepared, and submitted to the TANTRANSCO for review and appraisal. A fully equipped first-aid box in each construction site will be provided. EPC Contractor shall maintain contact with local hospitals and hotline connectivity should be available during construction in case of any accidents happen. 363. A site-specific emergency response plan will be prepared. This will define protocols to be followed in the event of emergencies or disasters in order to limit the impact on the employees and

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the local community. The plan will address both on-site and off-site emergency situations due to the operation of the project. The plan will disclose potential disasters and potential risks during construction and operations to the local community as well as the plan of action on emergency protocol in the event of any such eventuality. This will also include awareness programs for the EPC contractor personnel, local community and TANTRANSCO staff. 364. A training and rehearsal of the emergency response by emergency team members and personnel on site will be done regularly. Disaster Management 365. Tamil Nadu State has a Disaster Management Cell working under the Department of Revenue. The project components will be designed to take note of designing related issues identified in the climate change risk assessment performed separately for the project. Disaster resilient features60 will be built into new and expanded substations/bays. The substation and transmission lines will have sound seismic design to withstand earthquakes, cyclonic storms, improved flood control and precipitation resistant features for all the proposed facilities. Health and Safety Issues Management 366. TANTRANSCO will follow national and international 61 Environment, Health and Safety Procedure for EHV sub-stations and lines in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) period. Power evacuation system has been designed so that each developer is provided with two distinct points for power evacuation. This arrangement provides reliability and any fault at one point can ensure continuity of power. All power producing elements shall be solidly connected to earth to ensure the safety of operating personnel. Some other implications and mitigations from safety point of view are listed in Table 73 below

Table 73: Safety Implication and Mitigation

No. Implication Mitigation

1 Falling object accidents

Proper signs to avoid areas where falling objects can hurt passer-byes, workers, etc.

2 EMF Required horizontal and vertical clearances are provided as per Indian Electricity Act rules. Design parameters of equipment to ensure low EMF.

3 Mechanical Factor of safety in tower structure, conductor and insulator is provided 4 Lightning stroke Each tower is provided with ground wire and earthed. Earthing system for

permissible step and touch potential in substation design. 5 Ground clearance

infringement No construction is permitted. Land is not allowed to be converted to non-agriculture use. However, there is no restriction on movement of people

9.1.3 Training Programs 367. The training program will be managed by TANTRANSCO team comprising of dedicated staff at HQ and the designated Safeguards Consultant and the Health and Safety Consultant62 who will be contracted with TANTRANSCO through TA fund during project implementation. Each training should last 1 day with specific program and should include interactive problem-solving tasks. 368. Trainings on EMP implementation for EPC contractor, Emergency Response systems for all emergency situations, Occupational Health and Safety etc. are proposed to be held as per training program as shown below in Table 74. The costs which are included in the EMP for all the training programs are included in ADB funding for the project.

60 The ability of a system, community, or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to, and recover from

the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions (UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology) Source: Reducing Disaster Risk by Managing Urban Land Use, Guidance Notes for Planners, ADB, 2016

61 World Bank EHS guidelines. 62 Terms of Reference for one Environment Consultant and one Health and Safety Consultant is attached in Annexure 10.

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Table 74: Training programme - summary of training needs

Training topic: Summary of training purpose and content Recipients/ Participants

Frequency or target date

Induction to EMP Overview of EMP including site information, pollution risks and controls, and programmes. Preparation of construction EMP for each site and training on implementation to staff of EPC contractor (s)

All engineers / contractors

At beginning of project

Review of EMP, Refresher training on EMP

Review of EMP including new changes and updates

All engineers / contractors

One year after project start, or more frequently if required

Training on specific pollution risks and controls Emergency case response planning

To identify on-site “potential accident scenario” and how to plan potential emergency response actions.

All Engineers /contractors/Local residents

During the project implementation

Air Quality Monitoring

Ambient Air Quality, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Particulate Matter (PM), Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), GHGs

All Engineers /contractors


Water Conservation Water Monitoring and Management All Engineers /contractors


Waste water and Ambient Water Quality

Discharge to Surface Water, Septic Systems All Engineers /contractors


Hazardous Materials Management (Oil, SF6)

General Hazardous Materials Management, Hazard Assessment, Management Actions



Fire safety Fire, and Explosion Prevention, Control Measures,



Occupational Safety, Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety Emergency Preparedness and Response, Community Involvement and Awareness63



Waste Management General Waste Management, Waste Storage, Transportation, Treatment and Disposal



63 Good practise to do this workshop before construction when EA and contractor complete and/or review the detailed

health and safety risk assessment for the sites.

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Training topic: Summary of training purpose and content Recipients/ Participants

Frequency or target date

Climate change and adaptation (applicable to eligible projects under the Program)

Climate change perspectives due to cyclones, flooding etc. and their impacts during construction and operations



Good engineering and construction practices as mitigation measures

Sound construction practices. All Engineers /contractors


Monitoring and evaluation Participatory M&E of impacts.

Simple methods for recognizing adverse impacts on environment

Local residents, EPC contractor


Project management and implementation

M&E, Implementation assessment the program. All Engineers /contractors

At the beginning of the project

9.1.4 Climate Risks Adaptation Measures 369. Climate change impact. The project has low climate change risk. However, climate change adaptation measures will be adopted and incorporated in the project design. These includes designing the transmission lines to withstand higher wind speeds (i.e. in excess of 157 km /hour) in cyclone prone areas. The adaptations measures will be implemented through proper project management. 370. Power transmission networks are the most vulnerable to cyclonic storms and extreme weather events. Improving the overall condition and efficiency of the power delivery system can improve the resiliency of the system, and help hasten recovery from weather-related outages. Substations are extremely vulnerable to flash flood/cyclonic risks and therefore must be designed to overcome these risks. 371. The following measures will be considered to adapt to extreme weather events and climate variability. • Flood protection/land slide protection will be considered for all towers and substations.

Extreme rainfall events have been observed to be increasing in the recent decades. The design flood/cyclones, storm surges will be based on projected worst-case climate scenarios.

• All transmission lines will be built to withstand strong winds. Resources will be allocated to emergency planning and restoration.

• Hot temperatures will affect overhead transmission lines. A minimum overhead clearance of transmission lines shall be maintained for safety. For proper transmission of power in overhead transmission lines, temperature control and sag monitoring are the two major parameters to be kept in mind.

• Some lines that traverse areas of higher wind incidence need to be designed with more resilience. These lines are about 20% higher costs due to extra design features64.

9.1.5 Environmental Management Plan 64 The additional cost of Wind Zone 4 design of 90km of 765 kV line for adaptation cost is about INR 1.25 Crore /per km (1

core= INR 107) (INR 5.27 Crore/km vs 7 INR. Crore/km) more than Wind zone 2. (Source: TANTRANSCO meetings with ADB team).

173

372. Based on the environmental assessment of the project activities, an Environment Management Plan (EMP) has been developed for the project to mitigate any adverse environmental impacts. 373. The EMP for the project is attached as Table 75 (EMP for transmission lines) and Table 76 (EMP for substations), which identifies feasible and cost-effective measures to be taken to reduce potential significant, adverse, impacts to acceptable levels. Here, proper mitigation measures are proposed for each potential impact, including details on responsible parties for implementation of mitigation measures and supervision. The EMP discusses anticipated impacts, mitigation measures, monitoring requirements and responsible authorities to implement the EMP with respect to the following stages: (i) pre-construction, (ii) construction, and (iii) operation and maintenance. Detailed, site-specific mitigation measures and monitoring plans were developed and will be implemented during the project implementation phase. 374. Proposed mitigation measures will be incorporated into tender documents, construction contracts, and Environmental Management Plans. Both Contractors and TANTRANSCO will implement the measures and their effectiveness will be evaluated on the basis of the results of the environmental monitoring to determine whether to continue them or to make improvements. Detailed, site-specific EMP and mitigation measures and monitoring plans will be developed by the Contractor based on the EMP presented in below.

174

Table 75: Environmental Management Plan (TANTRANSCO Transmission Line Packages) Project Activity Potential

Environmental Impact

Mitigation Action Parameters to be Monitored

Standards/ Measurement/ Frequency

Institutional Responsibility

Implementation Responsibility and Schedule

PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE A Physical Resources Interference with drainage patterns/Irrigation channels

Temporary flooding hazards/loss of agricultural production

Appropriate siting of towers to avoid channel interference. If not avoidable, an expert will review the structural design, specifications and plans for construction of the transmission towers that will be erected close to the banks.

Site location and transmission line alignment selection

Consultation with local authorities and design engineers – Once

TANTRANSCO Detailed alignment survey and design

B Environment Resources Location of transmission towers and transmission line alignment and design

Impact to the existing environment

Construction facilities should be placed at suitable distance (more than approved RoW distance for the line) from water bodies, natural flow paths, important ecological habitats and residential areas

Water and Air Quality GoI and IFC65 Air quality Standards and Water Quality standards

TANTRANSCO Baseline during detailed design and before mobilization

Noise generation exposure to noise, Nuisance to neighbouring

Tower line location/designed to ensure noise will not be a nuisance to neighbouring properties66.

Expected noise emissions based on design, noise levels of the conductor

GoI and IFC Noise control regulations Noise levels to be specified in tender


65 TANTRANSCO shall measure parameters whichever are more stringent as per ADB SPS 2009 guideline. 66 Conform to EHS guidelines for Power Tranmission and Distribution lines.

175

Project Activity Potential Environmental Impact





properties documents Impact on

water bodies / land/ residences

Consideration of site location to avoid water bodies or agricultural land/orchards as much as possible. Careful site selection to avoid existing settlements

Site location, transmission line alignment selection (distance to dwelling, water and/or agricultural land)

Consultation with local authorities and land owners, GoI and IFC water quality standards


Interference with drainage patterns/Irrigation channels


Appropriate siting of towers to avoid channel interference

Site location selection Consultation with local authorities and land owners, GoI and IFC water quality standards


C Ecological Resources Encroachment into precious ecological areas

Loss of precious ecological values/ damage to precious species

Avoid encroachment by careful site and alignment selection and reconnaissance before final siting of facilities.

Floral and faunal habitats loss

Enumeration of flora and fauna at site - Once

GCC, TANTRANSCO

Detailed design

Cutting of Trees Loss of trees along the RoW

The number of trees can be minimized by using flexible tower placement and increasing conductor height. Any wells enroute will also be avoided.

Trees loss Tree Enumeration by EPC and forest department-Once

GCC, TANTRANSCO

Detailed Design and Planning stage

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D Human Environment Involuntary resettlement or land acquisition

Loss of lands and structures

Compensation paid for temporary/ permanent loss of productive land

Public complaints Rates paid as per the Resettlement plan/Frame work for the project – Once

TANTRANSCO Prior to construction phase

Encroachment into farmland

Loss of agricultural productivity

Avoid siting towers on farmland/orchards wherever possible. If flexible tower placement is used then the EA/IA must ensure the IEE/EMP is updated as needed if any design changes such as tower locations occurred. Farmers compensated for any permanent loss of productive fruit trees that need to be trimmed or removed along RoW.

Tower location and transmission line alignment selection Statutory approvals for tree trimming /removal from Horticulture department Implementation of area, crop and tree compensation (based on affected area)

Consultation with local authorities and design engineers - Once

TANTRANSCO Part of detailed alignment survey and design

177






Location of transmission towers and transmission line alignment and design

Disturbance to adjacent lands and the people due to cut and fill operations

Maintain required67 clearance, construction of retaining structures, minimize cut and fill operations adjoining the dwellings

Specifications and compliance with setback distances (“as-built” diaРrams)

Technical specification- Once Measure setback distances to nearest house structures – Once

TANTRANSCO Detailed design

Exposure to EMF68 and other safety related risks, strong seismic events, strong cyclonic winds.

Setback of dwellings to overhead line route designed in accordance with Indian Electricity Act (Rule 77 & 80) and permissible limits specified by ICNIRP for each permitted level of power frequency and its proper supervision at each tower site. Ensure design uses seismic design codes for proper seismic resilience. Also ensure it can withstand cyclone strength winds since they are likely to become more frequent in the future with the climate change.

Tower location and transmission line alignment selection with respect to nearest dwellings. Tower design to include proper design for extreme events – Once

Setback distances to nearest houses, clearance of conductor from ground – Once

TANTRANSCO through equipment design

Part of tower siting survey, detailed alignment survey and design

67According to Central Electricity Authority (Safety Requirements for Operation, Construction and Maintenance of Electric Plants and Electrical Lines) Regulations 2008 68 Conform to EHS guidelines for Power Tranmission and Distribution lines.

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CONSTRUCTION PHASE A Physical Resources Site clearance Soil erosion

and surface runoff

Construction near seasonal rivers, erosion and flood-prone areas should be restricted to the non-rainy season. Provision and maintenance of drains and retention ponds. Treat clearing and filling areas against flow acceleration and construction work should be carefully designed to minimize obstruction or destruction to natural drainage.

Soil erosion Visual inspection (Turbidity and sedimentation) – per public complaint – Once each time

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO

Cost to be borne by contractor & entire Construction period

Removal of disturbance to public utility services-Water supply, sanitation

Public inconvenience

Advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption. Use of well trained and experienced machinery operators to reduce accidental damage to the public utilities – pipelines etc. Restore the utilities

Disruption to other commercial and public activities/public complaints

Visual inspection and consultations. Technical specification – per public complaint – Once each time

GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor through contract provisions


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immediately to overcome public inconvenience.

Surplus earthwork/soil Runoff to cause water pollution, solid waste disposal

Excess fill from tower foundation excavation to be reused on site or disposed of next to roads or around houses, in agreement with the local community or landowners.

Location and amount (m3) of fill disposal Soil disposal locations and volume (m3)

Appropriate fill disposal and dispersal locations –half yearly



B Environment Resources Equipment layout and installation

Noise and vibrations

Selection of construction techniques and machinery69 to minimize ground disturbance.

Construction techniques and machinery

Minimal ground disturbance - Monthly

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC, GCC, TANTRANSCO


Tower construction Loss of soil Cutting and filling for the foundations obtained by creating or improving local drainage system.

Borrow area siting (area of site in m2 and estimated volume in m3)

GoI norms - Quarterly



69 Conform to World Bank EHS guidelines.

180






Construction Waste

Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. Provision of facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. Purchase of perishable construction materials such as paints incrementally to ensure reduced spoilage of unused materials. Use of building materials that have minimal packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. Use of construction materials containing recycled content when possible and in accordance with accepted standards. Facility for waste collection and its storage at site and safe transportation to the disposal sites and

Amenities for Workforce.

GoI norms and IFC standards - Six Monthly



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disposal methods at designated area shall be provided.

Water pollution Minimize construction activities involving significant ground disturbance (i.e. tower foundation land forming) during the monsoon season. Provide drains and retention ponds if required.

Water Quality (pH, BOD/COD, suspended solids, other) during major earthworks with water bodies located in 500m

GoI and IFC water quality standards – whichever is more stringent - Six Monthly


Cost to be borne by contractor & entire Construction period-measurement by third party laboratory.

Provision of facilities for construction workers

Contamination of receptors (land, water, air)

Construction workforce facilities to include proper sanitation (soak pits/septic tanks), water supply and waste disposal facilities. Workforce is not allowed to harvest wood, therefore the EPC contractor to ensure LPG gas cylinders are provided to labour camps.

Amenities for Workforce Presence of proper sanitation, water supply and waste disposal facilities - Visual inspection (Continuous)



Mechanized construction

Impairment of ambient air quality

Regular spraying of water to dust-generating areas. Covering excavated soil/dump during off-work with tarpaulin. Provide temporary enclosure of dust-generating construction area/activities.

Air Quality

GoI and IFC Air Quality Standard - Six Monthly

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC,


182






Noise, vibration and operator safety, efficient operation Noise, vibration, equipment wear and tear

Trucks transporting construction materials that generate dust will be covered. Implement traffic management to minimize vehicular emissions. Sprinkle and cover stockpiles of loose construction materials (e.g., fine aggregates, sand). Avoid use of equipment such as stone crushers at the sites, which produce significant amount of particulate matter. Dust masks should be provided to all personnel. Construction equipment to be well maintained. Provide temporary enclosure of noise-generating activities and equipment; Construction works will be limited to daytime only. Construction techniques and Machinery selection to minimize ground disturbance. Drivers will be instructed to avoid unnecessary use of

Construction techniques and equipment - estimated noise emissions and operating schedules

Technical specifications, safety regulations, GoI and IFC Noise control regulations - Six Monthly

TANTRANSCO

183






horn. Proper maintenance and turning off plant not in use.

C Ecological Resources Site clearance Vegetation Marking of vegetation to be

removed prior to clearance, and strict control on clearing activities to ensure minimal clearance. Ensure proper health and safety measures are implemented during clearing to ensure no accidents70.

Vegetation marking and clearance control (area in m2)

Clearance strictly limited to target vegetation-Once



Trimming/cutting of trees within RoW

Loss of vegetation and deforestation

Trees that can survive cutting should be pruned. No plant species of conservation status along the RoW. Construction works will not be scheduled during harvest time to minimize damage to cash crops. EPC Contractor will be required to clear vegetation only in designated areas. Felled trees and other cleared or pruned vegetation to be disposed off by authorized

Species-specific tree retention as approved by statutory authorities (average and maximum tree height at maturity, in metres) Disposal of cleared vegetation as approved by the statutory

Presence of target species in RoW following vegetation clearance – Once.

GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of forest department


70 Follow EHS safety guideline for community and workers health and safety.

184






agents/forest department. authorities (area cleared in m2)

Wood/ vegetation harvesting, cut and fill operations


Construction workers prohibited from harvesting wood in the project area during their employment. EPC contractor to provide LPG gas cylinder to camps.

Illegal wood/vegetation harvesting (area in m2, number of incidents reported)

Complaints by local people or other evidence of illegal harvesting – Once

GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor through contract provisions.


Effect on fauna Prevent work force from disturbing the flora, fauna including hunting of domestic animals, wildlife and do fishing in water bodies. Proper awareness programme regarding conservation of flora, fauna including ground vegetation to all workers.

Habitat loss Complaints by local people or other evidence of illegal hunting - Once



Avian Collision Possible collision of migrant birds with transmission line

Design of towers and cables to follow international good practice. Install and maintain Flight Diverter where necessary to prevent collision risk on the transmission line.

Installations on transmission lines.

Bird collision survey along the line crossing the flight path or close to any wetlands after stringing – Six monthly



185






D Human Environment Construction schedules for towers

Noise nuisance to neighbouring properties

Minimize construction activities undertaken during the night and local communities informed of the construction schedule.

Timing of construction (noise emissions, dBA)

Construction as per scheduled timings only



Usage of cultivable lands for tower foundations


Avoid faming/harvesting season for field crops wherever possible for the project activities. Ensure existing irrigation facilities are maintained in working condition. Protect /preserve topsoil and reinstate after construction completed. Repair /reinstate damaged bunds etc. after construction completed. Compensation for temporary loss in agricultural production.

Land area of agriculture loss . Usage of existing utilities. Status of facilities (earthwork in m3). Implementation of crop compensation (amount paid, dates, etc.).

Loss of crops-work in post-harvest period but before next crop – Once per site.



Temporary use of land Losses to neighbouring land uses/

Contract clauses specifying careful construction practices.

Contract clauses Design basis and layout.

Incorporating good construction

Contractor through contract

Cost to be borne by contractor &

186






values As much as possible existing access ways will be used. Productive land will be reinstated following completion of construction. Compensation will be paid for loss of production, if any.

Reinstatement of land status (area affected, m2). Implementation of Tree/Crop compensation (amount paid).

management, design engineering practices - Once. Consultation with affected parties immediately after completion of construction and after the first harvest – Once.

provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO.

entire Construction period

In case of chance find of physical cultural recourses and property/archaeological features

Loss/theft of precious archaeological item uncovered in digging at sites.

In case of chance find of physical cultural resources and property/archaeological features.

Chance find GoI’s Treasure and Trove Act. - Continuous

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO.


Transportation and storage of materials

Nuisance to the general public

Transport loading and unloading of construction materials should no cause nuisance to the people by way of noise, vibration and dust.

Water and Air Quality GoI and IFC Emission standards and Water Quality standards whichever is

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of


187






Avoid storage of construction materials beside the road, around water bodies, residential or public sensitive locations. Construction materials should be stored in covered areas to ensure protection from dust, emissions and such materials should be bundled in environment friendly and nuisance free manner.

stringent - Six monthly.

GCC, TANTRANSCO.

Temporary outage of the electricity

Loss of power supply to the local community when distribution lines crossing the new transmission line are switched off

Advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption. Restore the utilities immediately to overcome public inconvenience.

Disruption of power supply to houses and commercial premises.

Regular monitoring during the period of construction - At each public complaint.



Health and safety (H&S)

Occupational H&S

Engage and designated H& officer (engineer) for each site (there are multiple sites) and each work area responsible

Contract clauses (number of incidents and total lost-work days caused by injuries and

TANTRANSCO and IFC EHS Guidelines – Monthly.

Contractor through contract provisions

Cost to be borne by contractor & entire

188






Community H&S

for H&S Manager who must be engaged by the construction supervision contractor prior to the start of construction of the towers assigned by EA for each contract/site. Only permitting trained and certified workers to work with any electrical equipment. First aid box and personal protective equipment, PPE (such as helmet, safety shoes, eye protection glass, ear plugs, waist belt, mask, hand gloves, body protective apron, ear muff and insulating boots, as needed) must be provided to the workers, and ensure their use by workers. Safety signs as needed at the tower sites. Safety barriers and warning signs surrounding the tower construction site. Formulate and implement an emergency risk management plan (by the contractor).

sickness). under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO.

Construction period

189






Capacity Building Improve standards of implementation and monitoring

Training of TANTRANSCO staff.

Training schedules. Number of training program – Yearly.

GCC, TANTRANSCO and TASF Consultant

Cost to be borne by contractor, TA & entire Construction period

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHASE A Physical Resources Soil Erosion at tower base of transmission line

Removal of top soil

Planting of buffer zone re-vegetation species suitable for undulating terrain.

Turbidity of water (Visual Inspection).

Visual inspection (Turbidity and sedimentation) -Quarterly

TANTRANSCO Throughout the operations

B Environmental Resources Noise generation Nuisance to the

community living near the tower line

Remove any encroachments inside the RoW if needed during operations.

Noise level. Noise level (dbA)- Annually.

TANTRANSCO. Operations period-measurement by third party laboratory.

C Ecological Recourses Trimming/cutting of trees within RoW

Fire hazards Trees allowed growing up to a height within the RoW by maintaining required clearance between the top of tree and the conductor as per the regulations. Regular pruning is required.

Species-specific tree retention as approved by statutory authorities (average and maximum tree height at maturity, in metres.

Presence of target species in RoW following vegetation clearance) -Quarterly.

TANTRANSCO, with forest department

Avian Collision Mortality of birds

Maintenance of bird diverters and check of any bird

Maintain installations and check for any bird

Low Collision Mortality

TANTRANSCO Operations

190






mortality during operations carcasses. D Human Environment Maintenance of Transmission line and EMF impact on public living nearby

Exposure to electromagnetic field near the lines

To ensure the clearance. Note that no houses will be directly affected by the TL/LILO lines. Transmission line design to comply with the limits of electromagnetic field as per international standards (State Transmission Lines Standards and Guidelines (USA), ICNIRP71; US National Council on Radiation, the American Conference on Government and Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH)).

Required ground clearance (metres).

Ground clearance, international standards on EMF – Annually


Electric shock Death or injury to the workers and public

Establishment of warning signs. Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimize hazards

Proper maintenance of fences and sign boards. Usage of appropriate earthing/instrumentation (lost work days due to illness and injuries)

Periodic maintenance. Number of programmes and percent of staff/ workers covered


Training for Electric Raising Training of TANTRANSCO Training schedules Number of TANTRANSCO Operations

71 The magnetic field below 400 kV overhead power transmission lines is estimated at a maximum value of 40 micro Tesla (µT). The ICNIRP guidelines present limiting

exposure to EMFs, although it adds that the levels quoted should not be interpreted as distinguisСinР ‘safe’ from ‘unsafe’ EMF levels. TСe ICNIRP Рuideline for tСe general public (up to 24 hours a day) is maximum exposure levels of 1,000 mG or 100 µ T. A study carried out by Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) on POWERGRID lines reveals that the EMF about 1 m above ground near a 400 kV single circuit transmission line range from 3-7.2 µT in the ROW.

191






safety awareness for electrical safety measures

personnel. training program - Annually

EPC – Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractor GCC – General Construction Circle of Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore at TANTRANSCO GoI – Government of India IFC – IFC/World Bank EHS guidelines 2007

192

Table 76: Environmental Management Plan (Substation Packages) Project Activity Potential

Environmental Impact




Implementation Schedule

PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE A Physical Resources Equipment specifications and design parameters

Release of chemicals and harmful gases in receptors (air, water, land)

PCBs, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), including halons not used in transformers, or any other equipment.

Transformers and other equipment specifications compliant with GoI rules/regulations & (International Electro-technical Commission) IEC standards

Exclusion of PCBs, CFCs stated in tender documents - Once.


B Environment Resources Location of land for substations

Impact to the existing environment

Construction facilities should be placed at more than 50 m from water bodies, natural flow paths, important ecological habitats and residential areas

Water and Air Quality GoI and IFC72 Air quality Standards and Water Quality standards


Substation location and design

Noise generation Exposure to noise, Nuisance to neighbouring

Substation location/designed to ensure noise will not be a nuisance to neighbouring properties73.

Expected noise emissions based on substation design, noise levels

GoI and IFC Noise control regulations. Noise levels to be specified in tender


72 TANTRANSCO shall measure parameters whichever are more stringent as per ADB SPS 2009 guideline. 73 Conform to EHS guidelines for Power Tranmission and Distribution lines.

193






properties documents Interference with drainage patterns/Irrigation channels


Appropriate siting of substation boundary foundations to avoid channel interference

Site location selection Consultation with local authorities and land owners, GoI and IFC water quality standards


C Ecological Resources Encroachment into precious ecological areas

Loss of precious ecological values/ damage to precious species

Avoid encroachment by careful site and alignment selection and reconnaissance before final siting of facilities.

Floral and faunal habitats loss

Enumeration of flora and fauna at site - Once


D Human Environment Involuntary resettlement or land acquisition

Loss of lands and structures

Compensation paid for temporary/ permanent loss of productive land

Public complaints Rates paid as per the Resettlement plan/Frame work for the project – Once

TANTRANSCO Prior to construction phase

Location and design of Substation

Disturbance to adjacent lands and the people due to cut and

Maintain required74 clearance, construction of retaining structures, minimize cut and fill

Transformers and specifications and compliance with setback distances (“as-

Technical specification- Once Measure


74 According to Central Electricity Authority (Safety Requirements for Operation, Construction and Maintenance of Electric Plants and Electrical Lines) Regulations

2008

194






fill operations operations adjoining the dwellings

built” diaРrams) setback distances to nearest house structures – Once

Location of substation switchyard and design

Exposure to EMF75 and other safety related risks

Setback of dwellings to substation boundary designed in accordance with Indian Electricity Act (Rule 77 & 80) and permissible limits specified by ICNIRP for each permitted level of power frequency and its proper supervision at substation site.

Substation location with respect to nearest dwellings – Once

Setback distances to nearest houses–Once

TANTRANSCO Part of detailed substation layout and design /drawings

Explosions/Fire Hazards to life Design of substations to include fire control systems/firewalls. Provision of fire fighting equipment to be located close to transformers, switchgear

Substation design compliance with fire prevention and control codes

Tender document to mention detailed specifications – Once

TANTRANSCO Part of detailed substation layout and design /drawings

CONSTRUCTION PHASE A Physical Resources Site clearance Soil erosion

and surface Construction near seasonal rivers, erosion

Soil erosion Visual inspection (Turbidity and

Contractor through

Cost to be borne by contractor & entire

75 Conform to EHS guidelines for Power Tranmission and Distribution system.

195






runoff and flood-prone areas should be restricted to the non-rainy season. Provision and maintenance of drains and retention ponds. Treat clearing and filling areas against flow acceleration and construction work should be carefully designed to minimize obstruction or destruction to natural drainage.

sedimentation) – per public complaint – Once each time

contract provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO

Construction period

Removal of disturbance to public utility services-Water supply, sanitation

Public inconvenience

Advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption. Use of well trained and experienced machinery operators to reduce accidental damage to the public utilities – pipelines etc. Restore the utilities immediately to overcome public inconvenience

Disruption to other commercial and public activities/public complaints

Visual inspection and consultations. Technical specification – per public complaint – Once each time



Equipment layout and installation

SF6 leakage during storage and erection of

Record of all substation switchgear, cylinders located within secure

Switchgear casings and substation bounded area.

As per (International Electro-technical

GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor


196






Switchgear casings Commission) IEC standards - Once per year

through contract provisions

Surplus earthwork/soil Runoff to cause water pollution, solid waste disposal

Excess fill from substation foundation excavation to be reused on site or disposed of next to roads or around houses, in agreement with the local community or landowners.

Soil disposal locations and volume (m3)

Appropriate fill disposal and dispersal locations –half yearly



B Environment Resources Equipment layout and installation

Noise and vibrations

Selection of construction techniques and machinery to minimize ground disturbance.

Construction techniques and machinery

Minimal ground disturbance - Monthly



Substation construction Impairment of ambient air quality

Regular spraying of water to dust-generating areas. Covering excavated soil/dump during off-work with tarpaulin. Provide temporary enclosure of dust-generating construction

Air Quality GoI and IFC air quality standards whichever is stringent – Six Monthly



197






area/activities. Trucks transporting construction materials that generate dust will be covered. Implement traffic management to minimize vehicular emissions. Sprinkle and cover stockpiles of loose construction materials (e.g., fine aggregates, sand). Avoid use of equipment such as stone crushers at the sites, which produce significant amount of particulate matter. Dust masks should be provided to all personnel in areas prone to dust emissions throughout the period of construction.

Loss of soil Cutting and filling for the substation foundations obtained by creating or improving local drainage system.

Borrow area siting (area of site in m2 and estimated volume in m3)

GoI norms -Quarterly

Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC,


198






TANTRANSCO Water pollution Minimize construction

activities involving significant ground disturbance (i.e. substation land forming) during the monsoon season. Provide drains and retention ponds if required.

Water Quality (pH, BOD/COD, suspended solids, others) during major earthworks nearby water bodies

GoI and IFC water quality standards whichever is stringent – Six Monthly



Provision of facilities for construction workers

Contamination of receptors (land, water, air)

Construction workforce facilities to include proper sanitation (soak pits/septic tanks), water supply and waste disposal facilities.

Amenities for Workforce.

Presence of proper sanitation, water supply and waste disposal facilities - Visual inspection (Continuous)


Construction period-measurement by third party laboratory.

Mechanized construction

Noise, vibration and operator safety, efficient operation

Construction equipment to be well maintained. Use of noise reducers in heavy construction equipment. Provide temporary enclosure of noise-generating activities and equipment. Construction works will be limited to daytime only. Avoid prolonged

Construction techniques and equipment - estimated noise emissions and operating schedules

Technical specifications, safety regulations,


Construction period

199






Noise, vibration, equipment wear and tear Generation of construction wastes from the construction materials

exposure to noise (produced by equipment) by workers. Construction techniques and Machinery selection to minimize ground disturbance. Drivers will be instructed to avoid unnecessary use of horn. Proper maintenance and turning off plant not in use. Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. Provision of facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. Purchase of perishable

GoI and IFC Noise limits - Six Monthly GoI norms and IFC Standards - Six Monthly

200






construction materials such as paints incrementally to ensure reduced spoilage of unused materials. Use of building materials that have minimal packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. Use of construction materials containing recycled content when possible and in accordance with accepted standards. Facility for waste collection, separation, and storage at site and safe transportation to the disposal sites and disposal methods at designated area shall be provided.

Construction of roads for accessibility to substations

Increase in airborne dust particles

Existing roads and tracks used for construction and maintenance access to the site wherever possible. All vehicles (e.g., trucks, equipment,

Air quality

GoI and IFC air quality standards whichever is stringent – Six Monthly


Construction period

201






Increased land requirement for temporary accessibility

and other vehicles that support construction works) shall be well maintained and not emit dark or smoky emissions in excess of the limits. Drivers of vehicles used during construction will be under strict instructions to minimize unnecessary trips and minimize idling of engines. Dust suppression facilities (water sprayer) shall be available where earth and cement works are required. Use of access ways restricted to a minimum of single carriageway width.

Access roads, routes (length and width of access roads)

Use of established roads wherever possible. Access restricted to a minimum of single carriageway width-Once

GCC, TANTRANSCO

202






C Ecological Resources Site clearance Vegetation Marking of vegetation to

be removed prior to clearance, and strict control on clearing activities to ensure minimal clearance. Ensure proper health and safety measures are implemented during clearing to ensure no accidents76.

Vegetation marking and clearance control (area in m2)

Clearance strictly limited to target vegetation-Once



Trimming/cutting of trees within RoW


Trees that can survive cutting should be pruned. Felled trees and other cleared or pruned vegetation to be disposed off by authorized agents/forest department.

Species-specific tree retention as approved by statutory authorities (average and maximum tree height at maturity, in metres) Disposal of cleared vegetation as approved by the statutory authorities (area cleared in m2)

Presence of target species in RoW following vegetation clearance – Once

GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of forest department


Wood/ vegetation harvesting, cut and fill operations


Construction workers prohibited from harvesting wood in the

Illegal wood/vegetation harvesting (area in m2, number of incidents

Complaints by local people or other evidence

GCC, GCC, TANTRANSCO and Contractor


76 Follow EHS safety guideline for community and workers health and safety.

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project area during their employment.

reported) of illegal harvesting – Once

through contract provisions.

Effect on fauna Prevent work force from disturbing the flora, fauna including hunting of animals and fishing in water bodies. Proper awareness programme regarding conservation of flora, fauna including ground vegetation to all workers.

Habitat loss Complaints by local people or other evidence of illegal hunting – Once



D Human Environment Construction schedules for substation

Noise nuisance to neighbouring properties

No construction activities undertaken during the night and local communities informed of the construction schedule.

Timing of construction (noise emissions, dBA)

Construction as per scheduled timings only

GCC, TANTRANSC and Contractor through contract provisions


Acquisition of cultivable lands


Avoid faming/harvesting season for field crops wherever possible for the project activities. Ensure existing irrigation facilities are maintained in working condition. Protect/preserve topsoil and reinstate after

Land area of agriculture loss. Usage of existing utilities. Status of facilities (earthwork in m3). Implementation of crop compensation (amount paid, dates, etc.)

Loss of crops-work in post-harvest period but before next crop – Once per site



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construction completed. Repair /reinstate damaged bunds etc. after construction completed. Compensation for temporary loss in agricultural production

Temporary use of land Losses to neighbouring land uses/ values

Contract clauses specifying careful construction practices. As much as possible existing access ways will be used. Productive land will be reinstated following completion of construction. Compensation will be paid for loss of production, if any.

Contract clauses Design basis and layout. Reinstatement of land status (area affected, m2). Implementation of Tree/Crop compensation (amount paid).

Incorporating good construction management, design engineering practices - Once. Consultation with affected parties immediately after completion of construction and after the first harvest – Once.



In case of chance find of physical cultural resources and property/archaeological features

Loss/theft of precious archaeological item uncovered in digging at

In case of chance find of physical cultural recourses and property/archaeological features

Chance find GoI’s Treasure and Trove Act. - Continuous

Contractor through contract provisions under


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sites. supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO

Transportation and storage of materials

Nuisance to the general public

Transport loading and unloading of construction materials should no cause nuisance to the people by way of noise, vibration and dust. Avoid storage of construction materials beside the road, around water bodies, residential or public sensitive locations. Construction materials should be stored in covered areas to ensure protection from dust, emissions and such materials should be bundled in environment friendly and nuisance free manner.

Water and Air Quality GoI and IFC Emission standards and Water Quality standards – which is stringent- Semi-annually



Temporary outage of the electricity

Loss of power supply to the local community when distribution

Advance notice to the public about the time and the duration of the utility disruption. Restore the utilities immediately to overcome public

Disruption of power supply to houses and commercial premises.

Regular monitoring during the period of construction - At each public complaint.



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lines crossing the terminating transmission lines at substations are switched off

inconvenience GCC, TANTRANSCO

Health and safety (H&S)

Occupational H&S

An experienced Health & Safety (H&S) Manager must be engaged by the contractor prior to start of construction. Only permit trained and certified workers to work with any electrical equipment. Safety induction by the H&S Manager should be provided for the workers. Prior to starting work, a tool box meeting should be arranged by the H&S Manager for the workers. First Aid Box and personal protective equipment, PPE (such as safety helmets, safety shoes, eye protection glasses, ear plugs/muffs, waist belts, masks, hand gloves, body protective

Contract clauses (number of incidents and total lost-work days caused by injuries and sickness)

TANTRANSCO and IFC EHS Guidelines – Monthly.



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Community H&S

aprons and insulating boots) must be provided to the workers and ensure their use by the workers. Safety signs, health signs, prohibition signs, warning signs, mandatory signs, emergency escape signs, first-aid signs, information signs, signboards, supplementary signboards, safety collar, symbol, pictogram, illuminated signs, acoustic signals, verbal communication and hand signals must be fitted at the designated sites of the subproject areas. Safety barriers and warning signs surrounding the construction site. Generators should be placed in closed rooms. Formulate and

Complaints Received

TANTRANSCO and ADB Health and safety standards – Monthly.

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implement an emergency risk management plan (by the contractor).

Capacity Building Improve standards of implementation and monitoring

Training of TANTRANSCO staff

Training schedules Number of training program - Yearly

GCC, TANTRANSCO and TASF Consultants

Cost to be borne by contractor, TA & entire Construction period

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHASE A Physical Resources Operation of Switchgear

Leakage of SF6 gas

Record of all substation switchgear located within secure casings

Switchgear casings and substation boundary

Ozone Depleting substances – Monthly

TANTRANSCO Throughout the operation

Training of personnel in storage, recording and operational characteristics of SF6

Substation Half yearly TANTRANSCO Throughout the operations

B Environmental Resources Soil Erosion at substation boundary

Removal of top soil

Planting of buffer zone re-vegetation species suitable for undulating terrain

Turbidity of water (Visual Inspection)

Visual inspection (Turbidity and sedimentation)-Quarterly

TANTRANSCO Throughout the operations

Oil spillage Contamination of land/nearby water bodies

Used mineral oil (replacement of PCB) as transformer oil is considered hazardous wastes and will be handled properly based on relevant regulations

Substation bounding (“as-built” diaРrams)

Hazardous Waste (Management, handling, Trans-boundary Movement) Rules 2009 -

TANTRANSCO Throughout the operation

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and international environmental agreements such as Stockholm Convention and the Basel Convention. Substation transformers located within secure and impervious bundled areas with a storage capacity of at least 110% of the capacity of oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks. Used mineral oil will be stored in plastic drums with proper labelling. Disposal of excess and used mineral oil will follow the accompanying material safety data sheet.

Monthly

C Ecological Recourses Weed/Vegetation Clearance

Fire hazard Regular weeds cleaning inside substations is required.

Growth of weeds inside substation

Weed/vegetation clearance) -Quarterly.


D Human Environment Substation maintenance

Exposure to electromagnetic

Substation design to comply with the limits of

Required noise vibrations levels

Technical specifications –


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interference electromagnetic interference within floor area

on public complaint

Noise generation Nuisance to the community around the site

Provision of noise barriers near substation sites if needed during operations

Noise level Noise level (dbA)- Annually

TANTRANSCO Operations period-measurement by third party laboratory.

Electric shock Occupation Community

Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimize hazards inside substation and awareness raising programmes Safety barriers and warning signs surrounding the substation sites. Generators should be placed in the closed rooms.

Proper maintenance of fences and sign boards Usage of appropriate earthing/instrumentation (lost work days due to illness and injuries)

Periodic maintenance Number of programmes and percent of staff/ workers covered


Training for Electric safety

Raising awareness for electrical safety measures

O&M of substations should be done in time by experienced personnel. Training of TANTRANSCO personnel.

Training schedules Number of training program - Annually


EPC – Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractor; IFC – IFC/World Bank EHS Guidelines 2007 GCC – General Construction Circle of Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore at TANTRANSCO; GoI – Government of India

211

211

9.2 Monitoring 9.2.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMoP) 375. During the construction and operation phase of this project, the monitoring of the environmental aspects shall be done at the transmission line by the GCC at the Circle. The mitigation measures suggested in the IEE require monitoring of environmental parameters during construction and operational phases of the project. The monitoring of the environmental aspects shall be ensured by the GCC of TANTRANSCO. During the construction phase, the contractor should ensure that activities like handling of earth works clearing work, access road construction, putting proper traffic signals are done properly to have minimum impact. This in turn should be monitored by the Project Head of the individual transmission line/substation project. The GCC will ensure that site engineers and contractors adhere and comply with all measures and procedures identified in the EMP. The GCC at the Circle will supervise the contractor. 376. Activities to be monitored include: all planning, coordination and management activities related to the implementation of safeguard issues; the identification of corrective and preventive actions; records of health and safety matters and training activities; worker and community near misses, minor, lost days, fatal accidents during construction and operation with a target of zero incident; consultations with project APs (as and when needed, particularly during the implementation); feedback, trouble shooting and project related grievances; preparation of progress and monitoring reports as required by the ADB; and verifying the projects overall compliance with safeguard measures and its progress towards achieving the intended loan outcomes. Other environmental good practices include sanitary waste management, noise abatement, maintaining hygienic conditions, maintenance of fire and safety equipment. 377. Table 77 lists environmental monitoring activities during various phases of project cycle:

Table 77: Phase-wise Monitoring # Indicators of MonitorinР Types of MonitorinР/

MetСod of MonitorinР MonitorinР Frequency

Responsibility

I Pre-Construction Phase Monitoring 1 Loss of lands, trees and

structures Compensation paid for temporary/ permanent loss of productive land

Determination of locations before construction activities commence

TANTRANSCO

2 Environmental Parameters Quality

A full set of baseline Air, Water, Noise, soil samplinР

At least one montС before mobilization

Contractor

3 Disturbance to adjacent lands and tСe people due to cut and fill operations

Maintain required77 clearance, construction of retaininР structures, minimize cut and fill operations adjoininР tСe dwellinРs

Determination of locations before construction activities commence

TANTRANSCO

4 Exposure to EMF and otСer safety related risks

DesiРn parameters of equipment, lines etc.

DesiРn staРe TANTRANSCO

II Construction Phase Monitoring 1 Safe transportation of

construction material tСrouРС neiРСborСood and roads

Visual Inspection. Continuous

ReРular durinР construction

Civil works contractors

77 According to Central Electricity Authority (Safety Requirements for Operation, Construction and Maintenance of Electric

Plants and Electrical Lines) Regulations 2008

212

# Indicators of MonitorinР Types of MonitorinР/ MetСod of MonitorinР

MonitorinР Frequency

Responsibility

2 StockpilinР of excavated materials and appropriate disposal, water loРРinР at sites

Visual Inspection ReРular durinР construction

EPC contractors

3 Occupational СealtС and safety, use of safety Рears by workers, community СealtС and safety issues

Use of PPE. Visual Inspection. Record of injury or accidents (Records of all near miss, minor, major and fatal accidents must be made on a daily basis78)

ReРular durinР construction


4 Solid waste seРreРation disposal

Visual Inspection ReРular durinР construction


5 CuttinР/trimminР of trees – private and forests

Continuous ReРular durinР construction


6 Environmental Parameters Quality

Air, Water, Noise, soil samplinР Laboratory testinР & comparison witС baseline of tСe area

Frequency as per Environment monitorinР as per respective EQ parameters


III Operations Phase Monitoring 1 EMF monitorinР (if required). Measurement of EMF Annual GCC,

TANTRANSCO 2 Oil spill and SF6 leakaРe Transformer

maintenance cСeck and SF6 Detector

ReРular GCC, TANTRANSCO

3 Number of orientation and traininРs on safety, facility usaРe to staff

Number of orientation and traininРs conducted

ReРular GCC, TANTRANSCO

4 MonitorinР of OHS and CHS incidents, environment monitorinР reports and impact audits

Preparation of monitorinР reports and Compliance witС EMP

Annual until PCR is issued

GCC, TANTRANSCO

PPE: personal protective equipment, EMP = Environmental Management Plan, GCC =General Construction Circle at Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore, PCR = Project Completion Report

Environmental Parameters to be monitored 378. To ensure that the project will not generate negative impacts to the overall environment quality, monitoring of environmental parameter has to be performed by TANTRANSCO/Contractor as per contract provisions. The monitoring activities of the project include site supervision, verification of permits, monitoring of water quality, soil, noise and air. Monitoring of the quality of water, soil, air and noise during the pre-construction and construction stage is the responsibility of the contractor by the approved government agency. TANTRANSCO will ensure accredited laboratories for testing of environment parameters at project locations. 379. Monitoring Methodology for Measurements: Measurements Air quality, water quality, noise

78 If any major or fatal accient, it must report to ADB within 24-48hr with corrective action plan to ensure it is not repeated.

213

213

and soil quality need to be conducted by the Contractor/TANTRANSCO at the sites as per GoI and IFC guidelines. The measurement of environmental parameters and its periodicity for the project is summarised in Table 78.

214

Table 78: Measurement of Environmental Parameters & Periodicity Environmental component

Project stage

Parameters to be monitored

Location Frequency79

Standards Rate (Rs.) Implementation

Supervision

1.Air Quality

A. Pre-construction stage (The project once assigned to contractor)

PM10, PM2.5, SPM 24hrs along with Meteorological data- temperature Humidity, wind speed, wind direction

Close to proposed tower site near a major town/village/ hamlet and substation site

One time National Air quality standards of CPCB80 and IFC Guidelines

Rs. 6200.00 per hour (minimum charges Rs.15,000/-) + Rs.50.00/km run of the van for 24 hours monitoring

CPCB approved laboratory

Turnkey Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO

B. Construction Stage

PM10, PM2.5, SPM 24hrs along with Meteorological data- temperature Humidity, wind speed, wind direction

Close to under construction tower sites near a major town/village/ hamlet and substation site

Four times/ year

National Air quality standards of CPCB and IFC Guidelines

Rs. 6200.00 per hour (minimum charges Rs.15,000/-) + Rs.50.00/km run of the van for 24 hours monitoring



2.Water Quality

A. Pre-construction stage

pH, BOD, DO, coliform, Oil and grease

RoW sites with water bodies

One time National drinking water standards of CPCB and IFC

Grab Sample -/source/place upto 8


Turnkey Contractor through contract

79 Frequency related to periodic project reporting and project conditions at project locations. 80 Ministry Of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (Central Pollution Control Board) Notification New Delhi, the 24th October, 2016 No. Legal/42(3)/87.

215

Environmental component

Project stage




Supervision

(The project once assigned to contractor)

within 500m Guidelines hers One time – Rs. 960 and Rs. 440 for any additional sample

provisions under supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO


pH, BOD, DO, coliform, Oil and grease

RoW sites with water bodies within 500m

four times/year

National drinking water standards of CPCB and IFC Guidelines

Grab sample -/source/place upto 8 hers One time – Rs. 960 and Rs. 440 for any additional sample



3.Noise/ Vibration/EMF measurement

A. Pre-construction stage (The project once assigned to contractor)

LAeq1hr day and night for 48hr period Occupational exposure and at site boundary/nearest property


One time CPCB standards and IFC Guidelines

Per sample Rs. 7000 (1st time and Rs. 3500 subsequent)




LAeq1hr day and night for 48hr period Occupational exposure and at site boundary/nearest property

Close to under construction tower site near a major

4 times/ year

CPCB standards and IFC Guidelines for Noise and vibrations

Per sample Rs. 7000 (1st time and Rs. 3500 subsequent)


Turnkey Contractor through contract provisions under

216


Project stage




Supervision

town/village/ hamlet and substation site

supervision of GCC, TANTRANSCO

C. Operation Stage

EMF uF Close to erected tower site near a major town/village/ hamlet and substation site

Yearly ICNIRP; US National Council on Radiation for EMF. CPCB standards and IFC Guidelines for Noise and vibrations

Costing for EMF – to be requested for vendor.


O&M contractor through ECC, TANTRANSCO

4. Soil A. Pre-construction stage (The project after assign to contractor

PH, Sulphate (SO3), Chloride, ORP, water Soluble salts EC, Organic Matter, Moisture Content


One time Technical specifications

Grab sampling/sample/place – Rs. 1050 and additional sample Rs. 530.




PH, Sulphate (SO3), Chloride, ORP, water Soluble salts EC, Organic Matter, Moisture Content

Close to under construction tower site near a major town/village/ hamlet and substation

Four times/ year

Technical specifications

Grab sampling/sample/place – Rs. 1050 and additional sample Rs. 530.


Turnkey Contractor through contract provisions under supervision of GCC,

217


Project stage




Supervision

site TANTRANSCO

Abbreviations: PM2.5 - Particulate Matter <2.5µm; PM10 - Particulate Matter <10µm; SPM- Suspended Particulate Matter; EC - Electrical Conductivity; DO - Dissolved Oxygen; BOD - Biological Oxygen Demand; NAAQS - National Ambient Air Quality Standards; NWQS - National Water Quality Standards; TANTRANSCO –Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited; ORP – Oxidation Reduction Potential; CPCB – Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, GoI GCC – General Construction Circle of Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore at TANTRANSCO; Notes: Transport/Accommodation & Sample collection cost, GST are not included Source for Rates: Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (Central Pollution Control Board) Notification New Delhi, the 24th October, 2016. This notification shall come into force w.e.f. 01.07.2016. Nearest Board’s Laboratory: Regional CPCB Laboratory, Bengaluru, 560079

218

Construction Contracts 380. The EPC Contractors will adhere and comply with all measures and procedures identified in the EMP. The EMP and EMoP which are endorsed by the EA will be monitored in accordance to ADB Safeguard Policy 2009 requirements. Mitigation measures related to construction as specified in the EMP will be incorporated into civil works contracts, and their implementation will be primarily the responsibility of civil works contractors. In addition, civil works contractors will be requested to submit monthly progress reports on the implementation of EMP measures to EA. External Monitoring 381. This is Category B for environment, as per ADB’s SPS 2009, tСis project does not require hiring of any external experts81 for monitoring and review. 9.2.2 Performance indicators 382. Performance indicators which will describe the desired outcomes as measurable events to the extent possible, such as performance indicators, targets, or acceptance criteria that can be tracked over defined time periods will be designed and implemented. Once it is in place the performance monitoring shall be done by TANTRANSCO for each component. General project Performance monitoring indicators are mentioned in Table 79.

Table 79: Performance Indicators of Environmental Management prior to Construction. Indicator Measurement Methods Measurement Public Disclosure and consultations

Issues relating to resettlement settled by GCC before start of the construction.

Yes No

Appropriate rounds of public consultation completed periodically.

Yes No

Grievance Redress Mechanism established with contact points and implemented by GCC and TANTRANSCO/Government

Yes No

Bidding documents and contracts consistent with EMP requirements

Bidding documents and contracts incorporating the environmental activities and safeguards listed as loan assurances

Yes No

Bidding documents and contracts incorporating the Environmental mitigation and management provisions of the EMP

Yes No

Contract Awards documents

EMP and Environment Monitoring requirements included in contract documents for construction contractors.

Yes No

Development of Tree compensation for private trees and replantation plans for any forest trees if any included in contracts and reported

Yes No

Hiring of Environmental Consultant for monitoring and supervision

Environment Consultant hired and periodic reporting of ADB Environment Monitoring Reports submitted.

Yes No

Special Protection Areas/Cultural heritage procedure

TANTRANSCO engineers trained in procedures Yes No

EMP financial support Environment Mitigation measures fulfilled by construction contractors according to the budget for the EMP implementation.

Yes No

Environment Monitoring requirements in the project area fulfilled by EPC contractor/GCC as per EMP

Yes No

Sources: PPTA Team

81 External expert who is not involved in day-to-day project implementation or supervision.

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383. The GCC in consultation with the Environment Consultant may define more quantitative indicators jointly with the EPC Construction companies before start of construction. 9.2.3 Reporting 384. Once the loan has become effective, TANTRANSCO will submit separate environmental and social monitoring reports to ADB semi-annually during construction phase and annually during operation phase. The environmental and social monitoring reports will describe implementation progress of environment and resettlement activities and compliance issues. In the event of any unanticipated environmental or resettlement impacts during implementation, TANTRANSCO will submit to ADB a time-bound corrective action plan (CAP) or updated IEE/RP. The environmental and social monitoring reports and the relevant safeguard reports will be posted to ADB website. 385. Mitigation measures related to construction, as specified in the EMP, will be incorporated into civil works contracts, and their implementation will be the primary responsibility of the contractors. In addition, contractors will be required to submit monthly progress reports on the implementation of EMP measures to GCC. The TANTRANSCO will report on progress achieved against the EMP activities and milestones on a half-yearly basis to ADB. Progress reports will include a description of implementable activities and their status; identify the responsible parties involved in their implementation; and provide project management schedules and timeframes for doing so, along with their associated costs. 386. The GCC with the help of Environment Consultant will prepare and submit the environmental monitoring reports to ADB twice a year during the construction stage, and once a year during the operation stage. This report will include the implementation of EMP, the results of environmental monitoring to demonstrate that sound environmental management practices are applied, and the set environmental targets are achieved. The environmental monitoring reports will be submitted by the GCC to the Director Transmission’s office on semi-annual basis during construction and on annual basis during operation. ADB will continue to monitor project compliance with ADB’s safeguard policy and requirements on an on-going basis throughout the duration of the project. 9.2.4 Environmental Management Plan Budget Costs 387. Compliance with the EMP has been prepared based upon optimum and reasonable costs that are derived upon minimisation of mitigation measures on a “least-cost” basis. Without such expenditures, the project might generate significant environmental impacts, causing the biophysical environment in the area to deteriorate and indirectly depressing the economies of local communities. The main benefits of the mitigation plan are (i) ensuring that environmental standards are met during design, construction, and operation of the project; and (ii) providing offsets to negate project impacts especially ecological impacts. 388. From the total project cost of $642 million (including IDC and contingencies), $3.24 million has been included as the Environmental Mitigation (which includes EMP costs) as shown in Table 80. The compliance costs for minimization of mitigation measures for the EMP has been derived based on optimum and “least-cost” basis.

Table 80: Estimated Environmental Costs for Implementation S.Nº Environmental Cost Elements Costs in INR

(million)* A. Design and Pre-Construction Stage 1 Cost of compensatory afforestation (provisional in case needed)

Net Present Value (NPV) of forest land (if any) 1

2. PTCC* of Transmission line 765/400/220/132 kV (525 km@INR50,000/km)

26.25


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S.Nº Environmental Cost Elements Costs in INR (million)*

1 Estimated Cost towards EMP (Contractors cost): - EMP mitigation costs [email protected]% which includes all items listed in

Table 75 and Table 76) - Installation of Bid Diverters/bollards on transmission lines

192

2 EMP implementation Monitoring - Environment monitoring for air, water, noise, soil testing (2 measurements

per year during construction@amount listed in Table Ann 6 for 3 years) for 18 locations

- Public Consultations, Grievance Redress (2 times per year for three years for 18 locations)

6.37

3 Training in Environmental monitoring/Medical camps for workmen and society including check-ups of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) including HIV/AIDS and health awareness program on regular basis

5

Total 230.6 * Fixed charge for Power and Telecommunication Coordination Committee. 9.3 Institutional arrangements 9.3.1 Implementation Plan 389. The proposed project involves construction of the following infrastructure.

Table 81: Project Construction Aspects 1 Number of new substations built 2 2 Number of new transmission lines built

a 765 kV lines 1 b 400 kV lines 3 c 400 kV line-in line-out sections 2 d 230 kV line-in line-out sections 2 e 110 kV new lines 1 f 110 kV line-in line-out sections 2

3 Number of new bays at associated substations a 400 kV bays 4 b 110 kV bay provisions 1

390. For construction of transmission lines, the project will involve survey work, clearances, design and engineering of plant equipment, floating tenders for procurement, civil works related to 765/400/230/110 kV lines and 765/400/230/110kV grid substations testing and commissioning. Total project work is expected to be completed in 48 months. The total project cost including interest during construction (IDC) and contingencies is $642 million. 391. The overall project implementation schedule is detailed in Table 82. 392. Implementation arrangements specify the implementation schedule showing phasing and coordination with overall project implementation; describes institutional or organizational arrangements, namely, who is responsible for carrying out the mitigation and monitoring measures, which must include one or more of the following additional topics to strengthen environmental management capability: technical assistance programs, training programs, procurement of equipment and supplies related to environmental management and monitoring, and organizational changes; and estimates capital and recurrent costs and describes sources of funds for implementing the EMP.

221

Table 82: Overall Project Implementation Schedule

Indicative Activities 2018

(Mth/Qtr) 2019

(Mth/Qtr) 2020

(Mth/Qtr) 2021

(Mth/Qtr) 2022

(Mth/Qtr) 2023

(Mth/Qtr) 2024

(Mth/Qtr)

Project Formulation Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Project preparation and signing Loan effectiveness

A. DMF Output 1: Transmission link from the energy hub in southern CKIC to load centers in northern CKIC

established Activity 1.1 – Bid documents for Virudhunagar substation prepared & issued Activity 1.2 – Bid documents for transmission lines connected to Virudhunagar substation issued Activity 1.3 – Contract for Virudhunagar substation awarded Activity 1.4 – Contracts for transmission lines connected to Virudhunagar substation awarded Activity 1.5 - Virudhunagar substation constructed and commissioned by Activity 1.6 – Transmission lines connected to Virudhunagar substation constructed and commissioned Output 2: A pooling substation for renewable energy established in southern CKIC Activity 2.1 – Bid documents for Ottapidaram substation and transmission lines prepared and issued Activity 2.2 – Contract for Ottapidaram substation and transmission lines awarded Activity 1.3 – Ottapidaram substation constructed and commissioned Activity 1.4 – Transmission lines connected to Ottapidaram substation constructed and commissioned Output 3: Enhanced capacity for improved financial management and gender sensitive workplace Activity 3.1 – Selection of Consultant Activity 3.2 – Fixed Asset registry of TANTRANSCO is made up to date Activity 3.3 – TANTRANSCO adopts Indian Accounting Standards Activity 3.4 – Need Assessment of gender sensitive workplace undertaken Activity 3.6 – Key recommendations of needs assessment

222

Indicative Activities 2018

(Mth/Qtr) 2019

(Mth/Qtr) 2020

(Mth/Qtr) 2021

(Mth/Qtr) 2022

(Mth/Qtr) 2023

(Mth/Qtr) 2024

(Mth/Qtr) implemented

B. Management Activities Procurement plan key activities to procure contract packages Environment management plan key activities Annual and/or midterm review Project completion report

DMF = design and monitoring framework, mth = month, qtr = quarter. Source (s): Asian Development Bank estimates

223

9.3.2 Implementation Arrangements 393. TANTRANSCO is a state power transmission utility (STU) licensed to operate in the state of Tamil Nadu. TANTRANSCO is both the executing agency and implementation agency for the project. Project Management Arrangement 394. The Nodal Officer from the Executing Agency is the Joint Managing Director of TANTRANSCO. Project Management at corporate level is headed by Director Transmission Projects who is assisted by Chief Engineers for Transmission/Civil/Projects (Trichy & Coimbatore) who will be assisted by Project management staff at headquarters for Administration and Finance, Projects Planning and Design, Procurement and contracts, Project Monitoring and reporting. The Project management units at Circle82 will support Project Construction aspects – compensation, procurement and construction, RoW, EPC contractor management, monitoring and reporting are headed by Superintending Engineers of General Construction Circles at Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore. 395. At project level, the General Construction Circle (GCC) Madurai of TANTRANSCO with support from contractor(s) will oversee the Project to comply with the IEE/EMP and the RP (Resettlement Plan). GCC will supervise, monitor, audit, and report to ADB on the implementation of the EMP, environmental monitoring plan (EMoP) and RP on a semi-annual basis during construction period. The EMP and RP have been prepared to describe the anticipated impacts, monitoring requirements, and mitigation measures during the whole project. The EMP and Entitlement Matrix in the RP relevant mitigation measures will be incorporated in contract documents for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor(s). EPC contractor(s) are required to comply with the EMP and entitlement matrix during pre-construction and construction stage. 396. GCC will also be responsible for overall project planning and implementation, including procurement, accounting, quality assurance, social and environmental issues and coordination with concerned agencies. The duties of GCC at field level include: (i) Conduct overall coordination, preparation, planning, and implementation of all field level

activities; (ii) Implement EMP, entitlement matrix in the RP and the environment and social policy guidelines

and good practices at the project site; (iii) Oversight construction contractor(s) on monitoring and implementing mitigation measures

during design, construction and operation phases of the project; (iv) Advise and coordinate to finalize survey and detailed design and update that safeguard

documents following detailed design; (v) Preparation of environmental and social monitoring reports on a semi-annual basis during

construction period. (vi) Ensure the Environment Management Plan (EMP) included in the IEE is implemented. (vii) Ensuring contractors engage an accredited third party laboratory to test environment

parameters. (viii) Assessment and approval of compensation payment for ROW of Transmission lines in

accordance with the Entitlement Matrix of Resettlement / Compensation Plan in coordination with the District Revenue Department.

(ix) Ensure timely reimbursement of compensation payment of ROW made by the contractors and maintain records of compensation payments made.

(x) Engage in grievance redress and ensure the prompt resolution of complaints. (xi) Set up appropriate record keeping system; (xii) Disclose relevant information to the affected people and continue consultations; (xiii) Provide training and awareness on environmental issues to the project staff and EPC

contractor(s); and (xiv) Review and approval of safeguard monitoring reports / gender monitoring report prepared by

82 The EA/IA has set up General Construction Circles to undertake project implementation in different geographical areas

headed by a Chief Engineer. The project implementation including field level supervision is undertaken by the respective GCC. This project comes under the responsibility of GCC Madurai

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the TA consultant. 9.3.3 Project Implementation Organizations: Roles and Responsibilities

397. The GCC has the overall responsibility for project implementation and will undertake field level supervision of project implementation. The consultants to be provided under the TA will assist in monitoring environment, social and H&S aspects. The budget for environment consultant increased to 8 person months and H&S consultant for 3 person months is added to the TA plan and the TORs are included in Annexure 10. 398. For all contracts, contractors will designate one safeguards and one health and safety (H&S) officer to prepare construction EMP and develop H&S plan. The TA funded Environment and H&S consultants can ensure the implementation of this provision in all the contracts. The construction supervision contractor, prior to the start of construction, shall engage a safeguards supervision officer and also designate one H&S officer (engineer) for each site who will report to H&S Manager at contractor’s main office. The R&R for EA/IA/Contractor/ Consultants/Government agencies is responsibility for reach respective organization and dealt with in the RP document. The project level implementation organisations are listed in Table 83.

Table 83: Project Implementation Organizations – Roles and Responsibilities Project Implementation Organizations

Management Roles and Responsibilities

Department of Energy, Tamil Nadu

Overall responsibility for ensuring the project implementation on behalf of Government of Tamil Nadu,

Department of Finance, Tamil Nadu

Providing ADB loan disbursements in timely manner to the Executing Agency. Providing periodic equity injections to the TANTRANSCO to meet its counterpart fund requirement an to restore financial viability of TANTRANSCO.

Executing & Implementing agency: TANTRANSCO Board of Directors

• Overall responsibility for execution of the Investment Program and subprojects; • Periodic review of the project activities to ensure timely implementation of the project in a timely manner. • Ensuring compliance with loan covenants including social and environmental safeguards, financial, economic and others. • Timely approval of bid documents, bid evaluation reports and contract award.

TANTRANSCO Management The Implementing Agency has multiple levels of management who are responsible for the timely implementation of the project. • Joint Managing Director

o Coordinating the communication with Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu with respect to the project.

o Ensuring timely approval of bid documents and bid evaluation reports by TANTRANSCO Board.

o Periodic monitoring of the project implementation activities in coordination with the Director Transmission Projects and Director Finance.

o Ensuring coordination between technical department responsible for project implementation and finance department to ensure timely availability of counterpart funds,

o Ensuring Institutional Capacity Building activities, safeguards training plan and carry out training and workshops under the Output 3 of the Project are

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Project Implementation Organizations


implemented.

The project implementation and management unit consist of the following Management Levels - • Director Transmission Projects

o Timely submission of bid documents and bid evaluation reports to Board Level Tender Committee (BLTC) and Board of Directors of TANTRANSCO.

o Timely administering of the tender, issue of contract award and implementation approvals thereof etc.

o Fortnightly monitoring of the implementation of the project components, environmental management plan implementation and environment monitoring plan along with the respective Chief Engineers Periodic responsible for Substation, Transmission Lines and General Construction Divisions ( Madurai and Coimbatore) including physical visits to the project sites to address any project implementation issues.

o Review grievance redress as per EMP during construction and operations.

o Periodic Reporting to the Board of Directors Joint Managing Director and ADB on project implementation status.

• Director Finance and Financial Controller HQ o Ensuring availability of counterpart funds for the smooth

implementation of the project; o Managing the Advance Account including timely

submission of withdrawal applications based projected project expenses for replenishment of advance account.

o Keeping records of payment made through Advance Account for liquidation of Advance Account and Auditing purposes.

o Keeping records of project related expenses incurred through counterpart funds.

o Engaging Project Auditors to audit all the expenses incurred with respect to the project.

o Final Approval and payment of bills / invoice of the contractor;

o Taking responsibility for implementing Institutional Capacity Building activities related to improving Financial Management Capacity.

o Create separate budgets for environment monitoring, grievance redress and fund remedial measures required as per EMP.

o Financial reporting of the project to the to the Joint Managing Director / Project Steering Committee / Funding Agency.

• Chief Engineer Transmission (for Sub Stations) and Chief Engineer Civil (for Transmission Lines) in TANTRANSCO Headquarters (HQ). o Preparation of working estimate of the project scheme,

land acquisition, technical specification, commercial

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terms, floating and administering of tender, tender negotiation and award of contract and issuance of implementation approvals in coordination with the procurement team responsible for the respective voltage level headed by a Superintending Engineer;

o Approval of desiРn drawinРs, inspection of equipment’s at factory location etc. in coordination with the procurement team;

o Day to day monitoring of project implementation in coordination with the General Construction Circles (GCC), resolving project implementation issues and reporting to the Director on overall project implementation status.

o Hire and review monitoring activities conducted by Environmental Consultant and Health and Safety Consultant under the TA

• Superintending Engineer General Construction Circle (GCC)

- Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore depending on the location of the project component. o Support HQ in preparing the working estimate of the

project scheme for running the tender; o Upon award of tender, overall responsibility of

implementing the transmission projects coming under the jurisdiction of the circle for both transmission substation and transmission lines, supervision of the dedicated Executive Engineer appointed for implementation of 765kV transmission project;

o Handover of project site to the contractor, inspection of equipment’s at tСe factory location, issuinР of dispatcС instructions, day to day monitoring of the project activities, resolving any project site specific issues, fortnightly reporting of project implementation status to the HQ in coordination with the circle Executive Engineers and Asst. Executive Engineers;

o Preparation of all vendor bills with breakdown of all material received in line with the vendor invoice and LOA, verification of the bills with the LOA of the tender including calculating liquidated damages (if any), and final approval of the bills and forwarding for payment to the finance dept. at HQ;

o Assessment and approval of compensation payment for ROW of Transmission lines in coordination with the field Junior Engineer and Revenue Department.

o Ensuring of timely reimbursement of compensation payment of ROW made by the contractors.

o Review and approval of safeguard monitoring reports / gender monitoring report prepared by the Asst. Executive Engineer Civil for the transmission lines;

o Upon completion of the project construction, in coordination with the Protection and Communication Wing (P&C) carry out the testing and commissioning of tСe equipment’s for Сandover to tСe operations

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department; o Handover of all project drawings, manual, project billing

to the System Operations department for project capitalization and system operation.

o Supervise contractors and their compliance with the environmental management plan; prepares and submits semiannual EMRs during construction and annual EMRs during operations to HQ and ADB.

o Monitors compliance with social safeguards, conduct public consultations, grievance redress as per EMP during construction and operations

o Monitor reporting of supervision consultant’s environment supervision officer and health and safety officer for each project.

• Deputy Financial Controller General Construction Circle (GCC) - Madurai / Trichy / Coimbatore o Verification of all bills containing invoices including

verification of detailed breakup of components to confirm to the LOA of the project, payments to be made on account of ROW compensation;

o Forwarding of the bills for payment to the Finance dept. at the HQ upon final approval of the SE GCC;

o Addressing specific queries on the bills, Record keeping and maintaining of the project account at the GCC level including reporting on the financial progress of the project.

o Supervise budgets for EMP mitigation and environment monitoring, grievance redress and fund remedial measures required as per EMP.

ADB • Support implementation including compliance by the executing/implementing agency of its obligations and responsibilities for project implementation in accordance with ADB’s policies and procedures. • Monitor the status of compliance with all loan covenants including safeguards;83 • Timely approval of bid documents, contract award and withdrawal applications • Processing any minor changes to project scope and implementation arrangements during project implementation in a timely manner.

ADB = Asian Development Bank. SOURCE: PAM 2019

83 Review of reports by TA funded consultants to determine if any adverse impacts are observed during construction.

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Figure 38: Project Organization Structure

a) Preparation of technical specification, commercial terms, administering tender, contract award (Procurement), Land Acquisitionb) Approval of project drawings, inspectionc) Project monitoring and reporting

Ministry of Finance(Department of Economic Affairs)

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Executing and Implementing Agency

(TANTRANSCO)

Nodal Officer from Executing AgencyJoint Managing Director

Director Transmission Projects (TANTRANSCO)

Central Level

Project Level

Director Finance(TANTRANSCO)

Chief Engineer Transmission

Chief Engineer Civil

Chief Engineer Projects (Trichy) & Chief Engineer (

Coimbatore)

Superintending Engineer (General Construction Circle -

GCC)Madurai / Trichy / Coimbatore

Project Coordination

Chief Financial Controller

a) Support HQ during procurementb) Overall responsibility of implementing TX line and SSc) Day to day monitoring and reportingd) Preparation and approval of vendor billse) Assessment and approval of ROW compensationf) Review and approval of safeguard monitoring reports / gender monitoring report g) Handover of project to system operation on completion in coordination with P&C

Deputy Financial Controller GCC

a) Verification and approval of vendor billsb) Forwarding of vendor bills for payment to HQc) Record keeping of project account and reporting financial progress

Information flow

Government of Tamil Nadu(Energy Department and

Finance Deparmtent)

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Consultants, Construction Contractors, Equipment Suppliers, and Other Service Providers 399. TANTRANSCO will ensure that contractors engaged for each sub-project are engaged in daily EMP monitoring and implementation. EPC contractors will have primary responsibility for environmental and social management, and workers’ health and safety at sub-project construction sites under their control. They will be required to adhere to all national and state level environmental, health, and safety (EHS) guidelines and implement relevant sub-project environmental and social management measures prior to and during construction. The EPC contractor shall implement an Emergency response system for any medical emergency or any unforeseen circumstances (e.g. earthquake, flooding, etc.) during construction. The same system shall be continued by the Operations and Maintenance operator. 400. Further details on agencies responsible for EMP implementation activities are shown in Table 84.

Table 84: Institutional Roles and Responsibilities for EMP Implementation Activities Activity Responsible Agency

Sub-project Initiation Stage Clearances/approvals from relevant GoI/GoTN agencies- forest, roads, rivers, railways, telecom etc.

GCC, TANTRANSCO

Disclosure of subproject EMP details on TANTRANSCO website

GCC, TANTRANSCO

Grievances Redressal GCC, TANTRANSCO/Sub-Divisional Administration

Updating of EMP mitigation measures based on discussions GCC, TANTRANSCO EMP Implementation Stage Meetings at community/household level with APs GCC, TANTRANSCO Implementation of proposed EMP mitigation measures GCC, TANTRANSCO Consultations with APs during EMP mitigation measures implementation

GCC, TANTRANSCO

Safet Plan, Health and Safety of workers, community etc. H&S Consultant, TANTRANSCO Internal monitoring GCC, TANTRANSCO Training Environment Consultant/ADB ADB = Asian Development Bank; AP = affected persons; EMP = Environmental Management Plan; GCC = General Construction Circle at Madurai/Trichy/Coimbatore.

Asian Development Bank 401. ADB will review the environmental monitoring reports submitted by the executing agency semi-annually during project construction and annually during project operation.

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10.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

402. An environmental impact analysis has been done with various criteria like demographic factors, climate and natural habitat, community and employee health and safety, etc. Based on the analysis, it is found that there is no adverse impact on the migration of habitat, any natural existing land resources and affect in the regular life of people. The environmental impact associated with the transmission line project is limited to the extent of construction phase and its environment and social impacts can be mitigated through a set of recommended measures. 403. Environmental impacts likely to result from the proposed transmission system development are manageable and can be managed cost effectively. Careful mitigation and monitoring, specific selection criteria and review/assessment procedures for subprojects have been specified to ensure that minimal impacts take place. The detailed design would ensure inclusion of any such environmental impacts that could not be specified or identified at this stage are taken into account and mitigated where necessary. 404. Most impacts are expected to occur during the construction phase and are considered to be temporary in nature. The transmission corridor was carefully selected after undergoing an options assessment. This enabled the RoW alignment to bypass any reserve forest area, villages and water supplies and resources. The main project impacts are associated with cutting of fruit/nonfruit trees, forest trees, and waste management (excavation of topsoil). 405. The proposed project will have a number of positive and negative impacts to the existing environment as follows: • The state government will benefit largely from the large volumes for exportable surplus of

power. Local people will benefit due to improvement in quality and reliability of the electricity supply as well as funds that will flow into the area to provide them with better roads, health facilities due to higher allocations from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from generation projects to the district. Improvement in lifestyles of local people shall be the main positive impact of this project.

• The removal of fruit and non-fruit trees for the transmission line and substations will be the

main negative impact to the proposed project area. The compensation for crop and trees shall be made as per GoTN policy. There are no forest areas identified in the proposed route alignment prepared based on Satellite imagery and walkover survey. However, if any forest land is identified during detailed survey by EPC contractor, proper approvals and GOI compensatory afforestation rules will be applied.

• Environment pollution due to cut and fill operations, transportation of construction materials,

disposal of debris, disturbance to the farming activities, nuisance from dust, noise, vehicle fumes, black smoke, vibration as well as silt runoff due to construction activities are the short-term negative impacts due to the proposed project.

406. This project is located in a mostly barren and agricultural area. No wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, ecologically sensitive areas or national protected areas are marked in the project area. No endangered or protected species of flora or fauna are reported at any of the subproject sites. None of the project components will have significant adverse environmental impacts. 407. The transmission corridor was carefully selected after undergoing an options assessment. This enabled the RoW alignment to bypass any reserve forest area, villages and water supplies and resources. The main project impacts are associated with cutting of fruit/nonfruit trees, forest trees, and waste management (excavation of topsoil).

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408. Land acquisition is not required for the project as two new substation sites have been purchased/transferred and under possession of the TANTRANSCO. For Ottapidaram substation lands, which is barren, there will be no need to remove trees for the construction of a new substation. 409. Most impacts are expected to occur during the construction phase and are considered to be temporary in nature. Environmental impacts have been assessed and mitigation measures proposed in the IEE and EMPs to minimize impacts during project construction and operation. Those impacts can be reduced through the use of proper mitigation measures listed in the EMP. The EPC contract will incorporate applicable environmental measures identified in IEE and EMP. 410. TANTRANSCO will adhere to the IEE/EMP and will be responsible for timely implementation to ensure that all activities are in compliance with the applicable national and local policy, legal and administrative framework as well as SPS 2009. During implementation, if unanticipated environmental impacts occurred, TANTRANSCO will prepare a corrective action plan (CAP) or update the IEE/EMP to address and mitigate the issues. Corrective actions will be taken for any unanticipated impacts. 411. Primary data for environmental baseline information of water, air and noise at some selected locations was collected by a fresh survey for development of baseline. The EPC contractor will conduct a detailed baseline data collection at locations selected in consultation with GCC, TANTRANSCO and the Environment Consultant before construction and will be used to monitor changes in the quality of water, air, soil and noise during the construction and operation periods at these sites. TANTRANSCO and the Environment Consultant shall ensure that the various sub-contractors engage accredited third party laboratory to test environment parameters at construction sites decided in consultation with GCC, TANTRASCO and the Environment Consultant. 412. GRM will be implemented by TANTRANSCO to overcome public inconvenience during the proposed project activities. 413. Public consultations have been conducted along the transmission corridor. The results indicate broad support for the project based on perceived economic and social benefits. 414. Based on the environmental assessment and surveys conducted for the project, the potential adverse environmental impacts can be mitigated to an acceptable level by implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the EMP. Provisions have been made in the project to cover the environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements, and their associated costs. 415. The potential impacts, as specified in the IEE for the construction and operation of transmission sub-component as a whole, indicate that the project is expected to be classified as a Category “B” in accordance with ADB’s SPS 2009. Thus, the IEE report has been prepared for the project to address the potential environmental impacts.

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