Social

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.

Well-defined targets for design and monitoring (DMF) indicators along with formulation of appropriate indicators’ baseline year and target values per year strengthen project design. A statement of percentage growth does not allow for a proper measurement of achievement. For example, the project DMF stated that at least 90% of selected flood protection and irrigation structures reconstructed and made more resilient by 2018”. However, it did not state the baseline and target values of the corresponding indicators and were not measurable.

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 require an in-depth assessment of ownership and use of land. Procurement for the Butwal auto village subprojects (AVS) was severely delayed by land ownership issues. The automobile enterprises were located on land leased from the municipality intended only for establishment of automobile enterprises, but the entrepreneurs used the land for business and residential purposes. These entrepreneurs were skeptical that their existing land uses could continue if they entered into a public-private partnership agreement, and thus protested the AVS.

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.