Lok Sabha Question No. 182 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: National Highway Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 182

ANSWERED ON 10 TH  MARCH, 2016

## NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS

*182.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a number of National Highway projects have been held up/delayed on account of wildlife related clearances/disputes, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  National  Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  has  decided  to  share information of NH projects with Wildlife Institutes of India for developing GIS enabled map for all  highways  passing  through  protected  areas  so  as  to  avoid  face  off  between NHAI and wildlife organisations;
- (c) if  so,  the  detailed  plan  chalked  out  by  the  Government  in  consultation  with  wildlife organisations; and
- (d) the other steps taken or being taken in close coordination with all stakeholders for safe passage of animals as well as development of National Highways?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  182  ANSWERED  ON  10.03.2016  ASKED  BY  ADV.  JOICE GEORGE REGARDING NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS.

(a)  A  few  projects  have  been  delayed  on  account  of  wildlife  related  clearances.  However,  in majority  of  such  projects,  only  part  of  the  length  has  been  impacted.  The  details  of National Highway projects which have been held up/delayed on account of wildlife related clearances/disputes are annexed.

(b)  to  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  Chairman,  NHAI(National  Highway  Authority  of  India)  has  held  a meeting  with  the  Wildlife  organizations  on  19.01.2016,  and  it  has  been  decided  that  such meetings  will  be  held  once  every  quarter.  NHAI  has  proposed  to  share  all  the  relevant information on the stretches passing through wildlife areas with the wildlife organisation, and has  sought  their  expert  advice  in  optimization  of  measures  required  to  be  taken  in  highway projects leading to linear intrusion in wildlife rich areas. NHAI has also requested the wildlife organizations to study the effectiveness of mitigation measures already undertaken by NHAI and to provide designs of cautionary signages and awareness material for installation along wildlife corridors.

(d)  Other  steps  taken  to  ensure  safe  passage  of  animals  as  well  as  development  of  National Highways include:

- Capacity  building  of  officials    through  inclusion  of  the  issue  of  wildlife clearance  and  mitigation  measures  in  relevant  curriculum  of  induction training and in-service training, through the IAHE
- Recently,  10  NHAI  officials  attended  a  3-day  workshop  at  the  Wildlife Institute of India.
- Undertaking assessment of impacts on wildlife areas as a part of Environmental Impact Assessment of projects
- Providing adequate mitigation measures as per the stipulations of Regulatory agencies
- Consultations with the Forest/Wildlife officials before finalizing the DPRs

ANNEXURE REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  182  ANSWERED  ON  10.03.2016  ASKED  BY  ADV.  JOICE  GEORGE REGARDING  NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS

## Details of National Highway projects which have been held up/delayed on account of wildlife related clearances/disputes

|   SL. NO. | STATE/UT/SCHEME/AGENCY   |   NO.OFDELAYED WORKS |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------|
|         1 | Assam                    |                    1 |
|         2 | Bihar                    |                    1 |
|         3 | Telangana                |                    3 |
|         4 | Sikkim                   |                    1 |
|         5 | BRO                      |                    1 |
|         6 | NHAI                     |                   11 |

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