The Bangladesh Railways, with financing from the Asian Development Bank, is initiating a project to construct a rail-line and upgrade 11 stations along the 72-kilometer Akhaura - Laksam section of the Dhaka - Chittagong railway corridor. More than a quarter of Bangladesh's 142 million people live along this railway corridor. Project activities will result in the displacement and relocation of communities living near project sites in addition to associated environmental impacts. A Resettlement Plan has been prepared detailing compensation, assistance and other measures for those affected.

Location: Akhaura -Laksam section of the Dhaka - Chittagong railway corridor

Resources needed: 303 hectares of land to be acquired, some privately owned and occupied by informal settlers.

Project Number: 46168-001

Risk Category: Involuntary Resettlement A, Environment B. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) assesses a project according to three safeguard policies- Involuntary Resettlement, Environment and Indigenous Peoples. Category A is assigned to a project if it is likely to involve involuntary resettlement. Category B is assigned to a project if it is likely to have adverse environmental impacts.

APPLICABLE SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Based on bank documents, the following environmental and social standards are triggered:

Involuntary Resettlement-this safeguard is triggered a total of 2,180 households/units (titled and non-titled included) for a total population of 10,408 will be physically and economically impacted by the project. A total of 1358 households will have to relocate their homesteads and business structures. The project will also affect common property resources such as community schools, mosques, club house and physical cultural resources for example, mazar sharif (shrine) and moth (age-old temple).

Environment- this safeguard is triggered because of anticipated environmental impacts during construction related to dust, noise, public health, the temporary restriction of access particularly near community areas and related safety issues, sourcing and transport of construction materials, embankment construction, the removal of trees within the right-of-way, the generation of waste from the reconstruction of existing stations and construction camps, and the siltation and contamination of rivers and streams from the bridge construction works.

OUR RISK ASSESSMENT

Based on available project information, the following human rights may be impacted:

The Right to Housing and Property: A total of 2,180 households/units (titled and non-titled) for a total population of 10,408 will be physically and economically impacted by the project. Additionally, a total 701 title owners will lose their land, 1358 households will have to relocate their homesteads or business structure: these include 390 title-holders households, 676 informal settlers households and 321 tenants. Bank documents note that 95% of households stated that they would like to remain in their present location and continue their current occupations.

The Right to a Livelihood: Bank documents state that 317 households will be losing 10% or more of their income from land. 524 households will have to relocate their business and 721 employees will also lose their jobs due to associated impacts. In addition, 715 households will lose access to land, trees and fish ponds and other common resources. Bank documents also note that a majority of those losing businesses live near urban areas close to stations. As a majority of informal settlers earn an income higher than the average for the region, the Bank does not consider them vulnerable.

The Right to a Healthy Environment: Potential harmful impacts identified in bank documents include negative impacts to air and noise quality during construction activities such as earthworks construction, site clearing, station demolition, dry materials stockpiling, operation of batch plants and hauling of materials. Local communities are likely to face the most significant direct impact as a result of road dust from the construction of rail lines and the upgrading of station access roads. Surface water at project sites may be polluted by fecal runoff, erosion, spilled lubricants, fuels and other contamination from construction works. Impacts during operation are related to increase in noise levels as a result of train traffic.

Loan 3169-BAN: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project
Ordinary capital resources US$ 400.00 million

Loan 3170-BAN: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project
Concessional ordinary capital resources / Asian Development Fund US$ 105.00 million

Loan: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project
European Investment Bank US$ 175.00 million

TA 8731-BAN: Capacity Development of Bangladesh Railway for Project Implementation
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 600,000.00

Nordic Development Fund US$ 400,000.00

Loan: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project
Export-Import Bank of Korea US$ 192.00 million

Project Contacts

Responsible ADB Officer Islam, Mohammad Nazrul
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Bangladesh Resident Mission

Executing Agencies
Bangladesh Railway
16 Abdul Gani Road
Bangladesh Railway, Rail Bhaban,
Dhaka, Bangladesh

No project contact information available at the time of disclosure.

Project-Level Grievance Mechanism

A two tier Grievance Redress Committee has been set up to deal with complaints stemming from the implementation of the Resettlement Plan. Committees will comprise representatives from the Bangladesh Railways, local government institutions, the implementing non-government organization engaged for the implementation of the resettlement plan and representatives of the affected persons. The implementing non-government organization will assist households losing lands or structures to find and secure alternative spaces to rent or buy.

Accountability Mechanism of ADB
The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main