Engagement of dedicated safeguard specialists could help strengthen safeguard implementation capacity. A project management and construction supervision
consultant served as focal point for safeguards. No major issues in safeguards were identified.
ADB safeguard policy requirement of paying affected persons before construction should be incorporated in project land acquisition and resettlement plans (LARPs) to ensure its implementation. This is especially important for the disbursement of small amounts. ADB projects teams should also learn from good practices in implementing ADB safeguard policies in other projects in Pakistan that involve multiple agencies—both federal and provincial.
Timely completion of projects requires careful consideration in the project implementation timelines of all factors that could hinder work progress; where these factors cannot be anticipated, timely adjustments and response measures should be undertaken. This project suffered from several challenges like (i) design reviews due to unforeseen soil strata, (ii) security constraints, (iii) lack of skilled labor, (iv) difficult terrain in one road section, and (v) unprecedented rain fall in the project area, etc. some of which are common to infrastructure projects.
Small-scale infrastructure can have an added value. The construction of livestock shelters and wells increased agricultural production and reduced livestock losses for many households. The results of this activity inspired other BNGs to build disaster-resilient infrastructure using their own resources. During the project completion review fieldwork missions, local residents expressed gratitude and gave positive feedback on the benefits they received.
To improve the project’s environmental performance, the design should ensure (a) early mobilization of environment specialists and consultants; and (b) clarity on safeguards requirements among the project staff, consultants, and contractors from commencement to closure. Some subproject works commenced without the required ADB-cleared initial environmental examination (IEE) reports, in response to which, a corrective action plan was agreed between ADB and the executing agency.
Adequate due diligence and consultation with government agencies and related stakeholders throughout the project cycle will help ensure appropriate project planning, preparation, design, and implementation and avoid unnecessary scope changes that reduce the overall process efficiency.
New technologies can enhance safeguards. The adoption of new technologies such as metallic return conductors, gas-insulated substations, and high-voltage direct current transmission systems has minimized the project’s environmental and social impacts. Specifically, it has reduced the project’s land requirements, with completed infrastructure expected to contribute positively to the welfare of communities in the beneficiary states.
Independent technical studies are useful in addressing project-related grievances. The executing agency, in collaboration with ADB, determined that specific studies, including noise and vibration studies, had to be completed before proposing solutions to address the concerns of the complainants. While the proposed RAP was not accepted by the complainants, the technical studies proved useful in establishing the deficiencies of the IEE and could be built upon in addressing issues of similar nature.
Projects should provide room for any kind of response from affected people, businesses, and other entities. The risk of delayed LAR was envisaged at project preparation, and mitigation measures were developed and implemented. Still, unexpected requests or demands were raised by project-affected people and businesses, leading to 51 complaints filed on issues such as compensation standards, physical quantity of demolition, and compensation amount.