Karachi : Sindh Env Protection Agency wants DHA to compensate affected parties

[LahoreEstate]

Amidst claims from area residents and environmentalists that despite health and social concerns, construction of the Gizri flyover was being carried out without consulting the possible affected residences. –File Photo

KARACHI: While according approval to the environmental impact assessment report pertaining to an almost complete flyover project in the Gizri commercial area, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has also bound the executers of the project, the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), to compensate the possible affected parties of the development project, said sources in the environment agency.

Sepa gave the legally required environmental clearance to the much-debated 1.2-kilometre-long under-construction Gizri flyover a couple of days ago.

The EIA for the project was filed in May 2009 and the relevant public hearing was held on June 27, 2009, amidst claims from area residents and environmentalists that despite public concerns, technical and administrative flaws, and environmental, health and social concerns, construction of the flyover along Khayaban-i-Hafiz was being carried out without consulting the possible affected residences before the commencement of the project.

Under Section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, the proponents of a project are required to submit an initial environment examination/environmental impact assessment report to the environmental protection agency concerned for review and approval of possible environmental damage mitigation measures to be ensured by the proponents during its construction and operation.

Under a verdict of the Sindh High Court, too, the DHA was required to fulfill all legal requirements as envisaged under Section 12 of Pepa 1997, as well as the relevant sections of the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency Regulations (Pepra) 2000, a source in Sepa said.

Sepa is also alleged to have failed to conduct detailed and timely environmental impact assessment proceedings. In its decision on the EIA in question, which has been signed by Sepa director-general Naeem A. Mughal, the DHA has been directed to meet a certain set of conditions.

According to a source, Sepa’s clearance letter states that the proponents will have to pay adequate compensation to the owners of the bungalows in view of the ‘depreciation of the value of these bungalows due to the construction of the Gizri flyover.’

Moreover, the agency called for looking into the possibility of change of land use of the affected bungalows from residential to commercial with in-built parking facilities, if needed.

Another condition said that the damage caused to any civil structure of residential properties due to construction of the flyover would be compensated.

DHA concerns on compensation clauses

Confirming that Sepa’s approval letter had been received at the DHA, DHA director (special projects) retired Brig Iftikhar Haider told Dawn that the DHA believed in the supremacy of the country’s environmental laws and ‘maximum efforts’ would be made to ensure compliance of the conditions included in the Sepa NOC issued for the Gizri flyover.

However, he added that the DHA would also approach Sepa for a clarification over the conditions regarding compensations.

‘So far we have neither acquired private property nor encroached upon any portion of bungalow premises or their compulsory open space for the project in question,’ he said, while expressing his reservations over the compensation clauses.

He said that talking about the change of land use of some of the residential units, as postulated by Sepa, was also ‘not feasible,’ as it might involve further environmental and social assessments in view of the possible inconvenience and grievances of residents adjacent to the ‘affected quarters.’

Referring to the legal proceedings, the DHA director said that the authority was at present carrying out only the very essential jobs of the flyover project along Khayaban-i-Hafiz to remove the physical inconveniences caused to road users.

However, the DHA would now expedite the construction process and complete the project at the earliest, retired Brig Haider added. Other conditions of the NOC called for safe and convenient access and exits from Khayaban-e-Hafiz to the residents of bungalows located on either side of the Khayaban where the flyover has been constructed. For the purpose, a dedicated service road shall be constructed, after shifting the utility poles.

All public transport vehicles going to and fro on Khayaban-e-Hafiz and the earlier portion falling in the cantonment area are, without exception, to be diverted onto the constructed flyover, with bus stops at both ends of the flyover. This has been considered necessary to avert a concentration of vehicular emissions under the flyover.

The available space under the deck of the flyover will not be used for any commercial activity, shops, vendors or carts. It will be dedicated for the parking of cars visiting the commercial area. The space in question cannot be used for pick-up or truck stands as well and must be kept clean and free of any encroachment.

Proper illumination under the deck at night and wherever necessary during the day will be ensured by the proponents, while noise barriers should be installed along the flyover where it faces residential areas and flats, for environmental and privacy purposes.

The DHA is also required to monitor the air quality and noise levels around the project area and submit reports on a quarterly basis for a period of two years.

Installation of powerful blowers below the flyover to facilitate circulation of air, especially in the portions where the property line of buildings is close to the flyover, has also been stressed by Sepa, the source said.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn...ties-zj-05