According to AIIB, the objective of the proposed project is to improve the reliability, capacity and security of the power transmission network in the State of Assam.

The project aims to strengthen Assam's electricity transmission system by (a) constructing transmission substations and laying transmission lines with the associated infrastructure; (b) upgrading existing substations, transmission lines and existing ground wire to optical power ground wire; and (c) providing technical assistance to support project implementation.

The strengthening program of the transmission system of Assam has been divided into 2 phases, this project constitutes phase 2 of the program. It will construct or upgrade approximately 14 Extra High Voltage (EHV) grid substations along with associated transmission lines and provide technical assistance to support project implementation.

About the Implementing Authority:

Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited (AEGCL), State of Assam's sole transmission utility, is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the transmission system. AEGCL currently operates 82 substations, which includes 1 no. of 400 kV, 14 no. of 220 kV, and 67 no. of 132 kV substations with 9,630 megavolt-ampere (MVA) capacity, and its transmission network comprises 5,395.486 circuit kilometers (km) of transmission lines of various voltage classes.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

The project has been assigned as Category "B" in accordance with the ESP on the basis that the project environmental and social (E&S) risks and impacts are site-specific, temporary and can be mitigated through standard E&S management practices.

An Environmental and Social Management Planning Framework (ESMPF) has been prepared based on requirements provided by the Bank. The ESMPF, including the model Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for selected subprojects, a generic Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), a Resettlement Planning Framework (RPF), Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework for Scheduled Tribes, Gender Action Plan (GAP), and Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment were reviewed and revised incorporating AIIB's inputs.

Consultations concerning the ESMPF, model ESIA and generic ESMP have been conducted. The consultations will continue during preparation of subproject specific ESIAs and project implementation.

The English versions of the ESMPF and ESIA and Assamese versions of the executive summaries of the ESMPF are disclosed on
AEGCL's website and will also be disclosed on AIIB's website, with hard copies made available in the project area.

Subprojects specific ESIAs and ESMPs will be prepared following the framework procedures provided in the ESMPF. These ESIAs and ESMPs will set out the measures to mitigate the subproject's E&S risks and impacts in a manner consistent with AIIB's ESP and ESSs. Compliance with the ESMPF will be made a covenant of the loan agreement.

AEGCL will supervise and monitor that civil works contractors apply the ESMP and comply with applicable labor laws and regulations, including adopting and enforcing the codes of conduct for workers to mitigate potential labor-related issues (including guidelines for resolution of Gender Based Violence).

• New substations, related transmission lines, and facilities will be sited to avoid environmentally sensitive and/or protected areas through the subprojects selection criteria. Anticipated impacts will occur in the construction stage, e.g., dust, noise and interruption to local traffic and local business and residents. These environmental impacts can be largely managed and controlled through properly designed site-specific mitigation measures and adequate implementation during construction.
• The proposed substations, which are already identified and finalized, will be mostly located on government land or AEGCL's own land.
• The acquisition of land is not foreseen for the transmission line component in the project. Design and construction of substations and transmission lines will be undertaken to minimize negative social impacts in compliance with the ESMP, which addresses land acquisition, adverse effect on agriculture and/or livelihoods, associated construction disturbances and other risks (including gender-based violence).
• If permanent or temporary land acquisition is required in certain cases, it will be carried out by negotiating with the landowners in the presence of district revenue officers as per the guidelines mentioned in the RPF, following national laws: 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013', National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2007 Provision in the Electricity Act, 2003 read with relevant provisions of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and AIIB's ESP.
• Safety risks to community members and third parties also exist. There are hazards associated with excavations and mobilization of equipment and materials, and risks of falling into pits or being struck by heavy equipment. These hazards and risks are identified in the ESMP and the project is committed to applying standard industry mitigation measures. 

Indicative financing plan: USD 186 million (AIIB), USD 47 million (State Government of Assam)

BORROWER

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.aiib.org/en/contact/information-request/index.html

Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

Under the current program, a functioning project-level multi-tier GRM was developed in accordance with the requirements of the ESP, which will continue to be applied for this project. Locally appropriate public consultations and disclosure processes will be conducted timely to disseminate information about the GRM for new subprojects under the Phase II program including the information of Bank's Project-affected People's Mechanism (PPM). Communities and individuals who believe that they are adversely affected by the project will be able to submit complaints to the project-level GRM for their resolution. In addition to the above GRM for addressing complaints from the local community, commensurate mechanism will be made available at the contractor level for worker's grievance.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AIIB

The AIIB has established the Accountability Mechanism for Project-Affected People (PPM). The PPM provides Òan opportunity for an independent and impartial review of submissions from Project-affected people who believe they have been or are likely to be adversely affected by AIIBÕs failure to implement the ESP in situations when their concerns cannot be addressed satisfactorily through Project level GRMs or AIIB Management processes.Ó Two or more project-affected people can file a complaint. Under the current AIIB policy, when the bank co-finances a project with another development bank, it may apply the other bank's standards. You can refer to the Project Summary Information document to find out which standards apply. You can learn more about the PPM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.aiib.org/en/about-aiib/who-we-are/project-affected-peoples-mechanism/how-we-assist-you/index.html

The complaint submission form can be accessed in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Chinese, English, Tagalog, Hindi, Nepali, Russian, Turkish, or Urdu. The submission form can be found at: https://www.aiib.org/en/about-aiib/who-we-are/project-affected-peoples-mechanism/submission/index.html