Detailed Design and Construction Supervision of Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction

Client: Department of Roads
Funding Agency: JICA
Period: May 2017 to July 2023
Consulting Association: Nippon Koei Co. Ltd-EJEC-NCCE, Japan, GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd, ITECO Nepal
Approx. Value of Services: Yen 64.15 million, US$ 1,428,495 & NRs 368.2 million. GEOCE’s part-NRs 102 M
Professional Staff Input: International (256) and National (469) person months.

Salient Details:

Detail design and construction supervision of Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction to improve connectivity of Tribhuvan Highway with Kathmandu Valley. Basic features of the project include following construction

⦁ A road tunnel (2+688 km length, 2 lanes of 3.5 m width, median width 1.5 m at center and 0.5 m wide space on both sides for drainage facility- total carriageway 9.5 m, grade 3.5%
⦁ An evacuation tunnel parallel to main tunnel with interconnections at regular intervals
⦁ Approach roads (West 0+565 km and East 2+307 km with total 2+872 km, 2 lanes of 3.5 m width, 2 m shoulder on both sides
⦁ Six (6) box culverts
⦁ 1 overpass and 3 underpass bridges
⦁ 1 intersection structures
⦁ Toll facilities (west side 3 booths, 3 lanes each and east side 2 booths, 2 lanes each)
⦁ Control offices (tunnel management offices -West side 390 m2 and east side 300 m2)
⦁ Disposal area development (construction of roadside service station)
⦁ Transmission line 4.14 km.

Project cost: US$ 150 million.

The scope of services comprise of:

⦁ Detailed Design which include basic design of tunnel, engineering surveys and investigations, highway geometric, pavement and drainage, embankment cut and slope protection/retaining structure, intersection, main tunnel, tunnel portal, tunnel facilities inside and outside of tunnel, disposal area development, bridges and structures, road safety facility and miscellaneous works, transmission line, tender drawings, cost estimates.
⦁ Assistance for Procurement of Works
⦁ Construction supervision
⦁ Implementation of EMP, EMoP, RAP
⦁ Technology transfer on tunnel design and construction supervision
⦁ Capacity development for tunnel O & M

Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of Second International Airport, Nijgadh, Bara

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Client: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
Funding Agency: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
Period: November 2016 to March 2018
Consulting Association: GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd
Approx. Value of Services: NRs 5.29 million
Professional Staff Input: National (30) person months

Salient Details

Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study of project development area of Second International Airport area at Nijgadh, Bara, which comprises of 80.45 sq km area (including 75.87 sq. km forest), and 7,500 population living in 1,455 households.

The proposed development of international airport will require clearing about 14 sq km forest area. As per existing study, this area will be adequate for ultimate development of SIA (with 60 Mpax, 2 runways, 174 aircraft stands, 720,000 m2 passenger terminal) and an airport city of 600 ha.  The first phase airport development plan for 6.7 Mpax will include a single runway 3600×45 m, parallel taxiway 3600×23 m, 22 aircraft parking stands, an international terminal 81,000 m2.

The scope of ESIA consisted of desk and field study, data analysis and impact assessment, public hearing at the project site and preparation of report. Major biological impact will be due to clearing 468,590 trees (for 14 sqm area) or 2,450,700 trees clearing for whole area. The development of project will require displacement of 7,500 people, who are mostly those residing in the area occupying government lands since they were brought by the government for tree planation in the area more than 30 years ago. Although these people are unauthorized to occupy government lands, they cannot be forcefully evacuated without any compensation. The study has recommended compensation and rehabilitation management plan based on consultation with stakeholders, suggestions received during the public hearing and comments received on draft ESIA report.  The proposed modality options include cash compensation of the properties, cash compensation of the property along with transportation and hardship allowance, rehabilitation grant-compensation to the people considering length of stay, land to land compensation, resettlement in Janata Awas Karyakram and resettlement within the existing resettlement policy and rules of the government.