OBJECTIVE

To improve the reliability and capacity of power transmission network in Southern Chattogram and Kaliakoir region of Bangladesh. 

DESCRIPTION

This project envisages the construction of four transmission lines with total length of approximately 181 km, four Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substations and two bay extensions, to develop grid interfacing infrastructure in several parts of Chattogram and Gazipur region. Project components are as follows:  

Southern Chattogram Region: 

• 230kV double circuit transmission line (initially charged at 132 kV) from Anowara to Cox's Bazar (North) 
• 132kV double circuit transmission line from Cox's Bazar (North) to Teknaf 
• 230/132/33kV indoor GIS substation at Anowara 
• 132/33kV indoor GIS substation at Teknaf 
• 132/33kV indoor GIS substation at Cox's Bazar (North)  
• 132kV four circuit Line-In-Line-Out (LILO) at Cox’s Bazar (North) substation  

Kaliakoir, Gazipur Region: 

• 230kV double circuit transmission line from Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City to Kaliakoir 
• 230/33kV indoor GIS substation at Hi-Tech City 
• Two 230kV GIS bay extensions at Kaliakoir Substation 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

The Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), including Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Environmental and Social Exclusion List applies to this Project. ESS 1 (Environmental and Social Assessment and Management) and ESS 2 (Involuntary Resettlement) are applicable to the project activities. Category A has been preliminarily assigned due to the anticipated significant environmental and social impacts.  

The proposed project activities have no significant adverse impacts on environment except the involvement of 9.19 km line passing through the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary. Though all possible measures have been taken during route selection, the involvement of the wildlife sanctuary could not be avoided due to substations locations. However, considering there is an existing overhead line and ADB-financed railway line project under construction adjacent to the proposed line, the potentially incremental impacts on ecosystem are mostly predictable according to the previous anthropogenic activities. Best available technology and best management practices are built-in to the project design. Any potential environmental impacts during project construction and maintenance phases will be assessed in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and mitigated through the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan following the national regulations and AIIB’s ESP and ESSs.

A Resettlement Plan (RP) is prepared to manage economic displacement of 233 households whose lands will be acquired for the construction of 3 substations. Due diligence was done on the land for the 4th substation which will be on government land (Hi-Tech City) and confirms no legacy issues. Other management plans prepared to address other social concerns include Labor Management Plan, Gender-based Violence Prevention Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan. An implementation NGO will be engaged to assist PGCB, and an external monitor will be engaged to validate progress and recommend measures for improvement. 

Public consultations have been carried out with project-affected households and key project stakeholders and will be continued during project implementation. A multi-tier grievance redress mechanism will be constituted for the project in line with the prescriptions of the Project-affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) Policy of the Bank, building on the existing complaint mechanisms.