Program Safeguard

• REPORTS (Social, Environmental, Gender)

• Environmental Safeguard
• Environmental Management Plan
• Environment Assessment Framework
• Social Safeguard
• Resettlement & Rehabilitation
• Resettlement Plan
• Resettlement Framework

Environmental Safeguard
Tranche 1 is classified category B for environment. Tranche 2 is expected to be classified category B (to be confirmed during implementation). Three initial environmental examinations were prepared in accordance with ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and government laws. Environmental benefits include (i) more and better drinking water and reduced waterborne disease in Guwahati, (ii) reduced contamination of soil and waterways and emissions of harmful gases from improved solid waste management in Dibrugarh, and (iii) reduced waterborne disease and flooding from improved drainage in Dibrugarh. Consultant support will ensure that the PMU and the PIUs have adequate capacity to manage environmental impacts. The subprojects are likely to cause minor-to-moderate environmental disruption during construction. The GDD will be fully responsible for implementing the mitigating measures specified in the initial environmental examinations, which, along with environmental management plans, will be updated during detailed design and incorporated into bidding and contract documents. Environmental reporting to ADB will be semiannual. An environmental assessment and review framework was prepared to guide the preparation of subprojects in Tranche 2.
Social Safeguard
Tranche 1 is classified category B for involuntary resettlement and category C for indigenous peoples. Tranche 2 is potentially category A for involuntary resettlement and indicatively category C for indigenous peoples (to be confirmed during implementation). For Tranche 1 subprojects, three draft resettlement plans were prepared in consultation with affected people, in accordance with the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement, and disclosed. Tranche 1 requires minor land acquisition with no significant resettlement impacts anticipated. The resettlement plans will be implemented by the PIUs and monitored by the PMU. Adequate international and national consultancy inputs will be provided by the design and supervision consultant, Project management consultant, and NGO and through the loan and TA to support the resettlement plan, implementation, and monitoring. Capacity will be built for managing the resettlement impacts and social risks of the investment Program. As these subprojects are in urban sector, no impact on indigenous people is expected. A resettlement framework and indigenous peoples planning framework were prepared to guide the preparation of subprojects in Tranche 2.