Sindh environmental authority directs DHA to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment

[Naveed Yaseen]

Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has directed the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to conduct a detailed (EIA), before continuing development work on the proposed Gizri flyover project.

These directives were issued to DHA by Sepa Director-General Dr Mohammad Ali Shaikh in his decision on the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report, submitted by DHA.

Citing reasons for a detailed EIA, Dr Shaikh stated that the length of the proposed flyover was 1.66 kilometre (5461 ft) and the width was 15 meters (49.2 ft), and it would cover most of portion of the existing market on main Gizri Road (Khayaban-e-Hafiz).

“This would result in the gathering of smoke, hydrocarbons, noise and other emissions from the vehicles plying on this portion of Khayaban-e-Hafiz, which is located in a busy commercial and residential area,” he remarked.

Dr Shaikh observed in his letter that smoke and other emissions from vehicular traffic would create health hazards for the people living and working in the vicinity, in addition to adversely effecting ambient air quality in the area due to poor dispersion of pollutants. He stressed the need to study this environmental aspect of the project in further detail.

It may be recalled that the project had been initiated by the DHA without applying for mandatory approval from the Sepa.

Citing environmental concerns, some citizens filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the project, on which the court restrained the concerned authorities in April 2008 from carrying on further construction of flyover, beyond Total Petrol Pump on main Khayaban-e-Hafiz, till the next date of hearing.

Subsequently, in June 2008, DHA filed the IEE report with the Sepa. After careful review of the IEE report, the Sepa came to the conclusion that the proponent need to submit the detailed EIA report, which also has provision for awarding an opportunity to all the stakeholders to voice their concerns through a public hearing.

It may be noted that several local residents have been showing their concerns relating to the adverse environmental effects of the project and have requested to conduct a detailed EIA, in accordance with the provisions of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 and IEE/EIA Regulations 2000.

Some of them have also filed a Constitutional Petition (C.P. No. D-756/2008: Salma Iqbal Chundrigar and others vs Federation of Pakistan and others), which is presently pending adjudication before the SHC, wherein they have pleaded for their right to be heard regarding the environmental impact of this project.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=133582