India: Maharashtra State Road Improvement Project

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Maharashtra''s economic growth has generated significant passenger and freight traffic demand. There were 31.4 million registered vehicles in Maharashtra in 2018, having increased at a compound annual growth rate of 9% since 2001. Traffic volumes are expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 5%. Road transport is critical to accessibility, mobility, and connectivity of rural communities in Maharashtra, particularly for accessing markets, employment opportunities, and services beyond the agriculture sector. The core development problem is that roads connecting rural areas and urban centers are congested, unsafe, and of poor quality. This problem is caused by the inadequate carrying capacity of the state highway and major district road network; deteriorating road assets; and poor planning and implementation for road safety. Nearly 80% of state highways and major district roads in Maharashtra are either single-lane or intermediate-lane standard, while 68% of state highways are in average to very poor condition, highlighting the need for better road asset maintenance planning. Data indicates that road safety has recently worsened: in 2017, Maharashtra reported 35,853 road accidents (7.7% of India's total), including 12,264 fatalities (8.3% of India's total). This project will help the government address the need for (i) increased road capacity; (ii) improved road asset management planning; and (iii) better road safety, especially for women and other vulnerable groups.

This project aims to upgrade 450 km of priority roads that form part of the core road network - 11 state highways and 2 major district roads to benefit 7 districts in Maharashtra. Roads were prioritized systematically using criteria that include (i) population served; (ii) connectivity to national highways, other state highways and interstate roads, sea ports, airports, and major rail hubs; (iii) connectivity to industrial areas, enterprise clusters, and agricultural areas; (iv) existing traffic volumes; (v) existing road width; (vi) economic internal rate of return; and (vii) land, environment, and social impacts. The state roads selected will improve accessibility and safety in districts with relatively lower HDI scores (Amravati, Osmanabad, Washim, Yavatmal), as well as areas with heavy reliance on the agriculture sector for employment.

State highways and major district roads of the core road network upgraded and maintained

Capacity in road safety and maintenance increased

All road works will follow existing alignments, except for a few improvements in road geometry in some portions. No significant, irreversible environmental impacts are anticipated. Two roads, State Highway 204 (Barshi Solapur) and State Highway 68A (Korti Awati portion) pass through portions of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary. The biodiversity assessment established that the sanctuary is not a critical habitat for, nor will the road improvement impact, the endangered birds. Mitigation measures were proposed in the initial environmental examination (IEE) for the observed movement of wildlife, such as black bucks and other small mammals along these roads. No other roads pass through or are near any protected or environmentally sensitive areas.

Anticipated environmental impacts from the project entail typical road construction-related issues, such as acquisition of forest land; removal of trees; generation of dust, noise, exhaust, and waste from construction and worker camps; water contamination; occupational health and safety issues; slope failures; erosion; and siltation. There will be minimal noise and air pollution as a result of increased traffic volumes, and levels will not exceed the National Ambient Air Quality and International Finance Corporation standards. Vibration during construction and implementation is also unlikely to negatively affect sensitive receptors along the road.

The MPWD prepared an IEE in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), which was disclosed on ADB website. Mitigation measures to address environmental impacts have been included in the road-specific environmental management plans, which are part of the bid documents.

The project will entail only limited involuntary resettlement because of minor land acquisition and some encroachment in built-up areas. Works will be restricted to rights-of-way already owned by the executing agency, except in Pusad, Yavatmal district, where 216 square meters of barren land will be required for geometric improvements to the road design.

The MPWD has prepared a resettlement plan for each of the nine project roads based on full census surveys using detailed design specifications. The resettlement plans adequately assess the scope of involuntary resettlement, and the proposed mitigation measures are commensurate with the known risks and impacts. According to the surveys, 380 households (1,772 persons) will experience impacts on land, structures, and/or livelihoods. This includes one titled landowner and 379 nontitled households, which mostly own kiosks that will be shifted back, but remain in situ. The most sensitive subproject is in Yavatmal District, where 40 nontitled households (190 persons) will experience loss of greater than 10% of productive assets. Compensation rates at replacement cost, shifting assistance, income-restoration assistance, and support for vulnerable groups are provided in the resettlement plans.