Naba Bhattacharjee

Shillong-Dawki double lane road construction is a reality today. NH-40 starting from Shillong and ending at Dawki shall provide vital link to Bangladesh, one of the South – East Asian country India share a land boundary with. A number of international and local agencies, NGOs/organizations and individuals have been were responsible through their active involvement and expertise in different aspect and stages of the planning and study period reports which enabled the projects to be sanctioned by JICA.

This study was undertaken by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) responsible for technical cooperation component of Japan’s bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) program. JICA is very particular before sanctioning any project. In this regard decision of funding was finally approved after appraisal of all respective studies, like EIA, SIA, IPP etc from 2016-2017. PADECO Japan was nominated by JICA to undertake all above studies before deciding on funding while Naba Bhattacharjee, renowned environment safeguard and EIA specialist was the advisor to the EIA, SIA, RAP studies, both for this project and the Dhubri – Phulbari bridge over Brahmaputra. He engaged the services of local Meghalaya based domain experts & resources for undertaking SIA, EIA and preparation of IPP and indigenous organizations like NEEDS, Tyrnai Foundation and individuals like, Eudora Warjri, Lasubon Nongkynrih, Allan Wahlang, Nayanika Rynjah, Gilbert Marak were among the dozen local entities who were involved in the appraisal stage with EIS. The engineering and structural DPR with alignment etc was prepared by TRANSYS India.

Project Background

This road project was taken up by JICA on the request of Government of India to Japan to include as a priority project to enhance connectivity for Meghalaya to neighbouring country Bangladesh and countries beyond, resulting in increased trade and economic development over the longer term through standard connectivity.

True to Japanese tradition of not compromising on quality and transparency, JICA‟s guidelines for Environment and Social Considerations (ESCs) were also applied for this project. ESC adheres to host country’s laws, standards, policies and plans. Accordingly, a detailed pre-feasibility study of this particular project was undertaken before deciding on finalizing the loan. Accordingly, an Indigenous People Plan (IPP) including a social, economic and environment assessment was undertaken during 2016–2017. This exercise was to evaluate the project’s potential, positive and adverse effects if any on the indigenous people, and to examine project alternatives where unfavourable effects may be significant. Simultaneously the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study with Resettlement Action Plan for project affected people was also undertaken. Although EIA study was not mandatory, JICA conducted the study together with forest analysis as part of the pre-feasibility report for its internal evaluation.

Two interesting aspects of the pre-feasibility studies was related by Naba Bhattacharjee, which clearly highlight the level of Japanese commitment and emphasis on details and reaching to the root of an issue before considering a project. This becomes evident while approaching the issue of Monoliths (Mawbynna or Menhirs) present on the alignment of Shillong-Dawki road. Realizing their traditional importance as memorial stones, having innate relationship with Khasi-Pnar culture, it was decided that the eight sets of monoliths should remain untouched. The pre-feasibility study was delayed by over three months as a detailed study was commissioned for consultations with traditional heads by experts engaged from Japan where similar relics of importance are found. Realigning the traverse was decided as shifting those entails intricate and long drawn process of approvals and rituals. In case of Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge, there were reports of possible river dolphin habitat and activity in the particular stretch of Brahmaputra, several years before. As dolphin population was on the decline, an entire surveillance infrastructure including 24×7 monitoring was set up under the guidance of dolphin experts from Assam. It was only after over four months of observation when no dolphins were sighted that it was decided to go ahead with the feasibility study. He also added that the present Power etc minister of Meghalaya, A.T. Mondal, representing Phulbari constituency also played an important role in providing logistical inputs, landing on Meghalaya side and guidance during the entire duration of feasibility study of the bridge project.

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