185. The ‘with project’ scenario includes the widening of road section to two lane carriageway with paved shoulders configurations of the existing road section of Chengalpattu – Kanchipuram section of SH-58 and Military Road (Kanchipuram bypass) in Tamil Nadu. The ‘with project’
scenario has been assessed to be economically viable and will alleviate the existing conditions. It would thereby, contribute to the development goals envisaged by State Government, and enhance the growth potential of the state through Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor as well as the region.
186. To avoid the large-scale acquisition of land and properties, the project envisages the widening of existing road to two-lane with paved shoulders configuration and mostly along the existing alignment to minimize the loss of properties and livelihood of the PAPs.
(ii) ‘Without Project’ Scenario
187. In the case of ‘without project’ scenario the existing road with narrow carriageway width will be considered as it is. Considering the present traffic volume and potential for growth in near future, the capacity of the present road is insufficient for handling expected traffic volume and calls for immediate improvements.
188. The existing road section has poor riding condition, drainage, and geometry. Poor drainage is seriously impacting and deteriorating the road surface. The poor road conditions, population growth, increase in traffic volumes and the economic development along the project corridor would further exacerbate the already critical situation. The existing unsafe conditions and the adverse environmental consequences, in terms of the environmental quality along the roads, would continue to worsen in the absence of the proposed improvements.
189. Therefore, the no-action alternative is neither a reasonable nor a prudent course of action for the proposed project, as it would amount to failure to initiate any further improvements and impede economic development. Keeping in view the site conditions and the scope of development of the area, the ‘With-’ and ‘Without project’ scenarios have been compared as shown in Table 30. By looking at the table it can be concluded that “With project” scenario with positive/beneficial impacts will vastly improve the environment and enhance social and economic development of the region compared to the “Without project” scenario, which will further deteriorate the present environmental setup and quality of life. Hence the “With project” scenario with minor reversible impacts is an acceptable option than the “Without project” scenario. The implementation of the
project therefore will be definitely advantageous to achieve the holistic development of the economy and progress of the State.
Table 30: Comparison of Positive and Negative Impacts of ‘With’ and ‘Without’ Project Scenario
With Project Without Project
Impacts Impacts
+ve -ve +ve -ve
Environmental Aspects
• With the improvement of road surface and slope protection measures, the traffic congestion due to obstructed movement of vehicles will be minimized and thus wastage of fuel emissions from the vehicles will be reduced.
• Providing better level of service in terms of improved riding quality and smooth traffic flow.
• Reduce in air pollutants emission
• Minor change in topography is expected due to construction of embankments.
• Minor changes in land use pattern.
Nil • Increase in travel time.
• Increase case of landslide and soil erosion.
• Increase in fuel consumptions.
• Increase in dust pollution and vehicular emission.
• Land degradation, dust pollution and damage to pastureland, contamination in water bodies due to vehicles travelling along multiple tracks on the open ground.
• Reduced transportation costs. • Increase in air pollution due to vehicular traffic.
• Increase in noise pollution due to vehicular traffic during construction work.
• Short term increase in dust due to earth work during construction at micro-level.
Nil • Project road will further deteriorate.
• Possible increase in air pollutants due to poor road conditions and increased traffic
• All industrial corridor access reliability. • Removal of vegetative cover along the road due to loss of trees.
• Impacts of flora and fauna.
• Diversion of area of revenue land.
• Plantation of trees as part of compensatory afforestation
• Aged trees will removed with due period
• Reduction in erosion of elevated embankments. Nil Nil • Increase in erosions due to poor conditions of protection works
• Creation of sedimentation problems in water bodies.
• The widened and paved road will reduce impacts due to multiple tracking on soil and vegetation along the road.
• Nil Nil • Increased adverse impacts on soil erosion
and loss of vegetation cover.
Socio-economic Aspects
With Project Without Project
Impacts Impacts
+ve -ve +ve -ve
• Increased access to markets. • Loss to properties and livelihood. Nil • Increased vehicle operation cost.
• Access to new employment centers. Nil Nil • Reduced employment/ economic
opportunities.
• Employment to local workers during the execution of the project.
Nil Nil • Arrest of possible significant enhancement and economic development of the region.
• Better access to part of the district as the project road is a lifeline of industrial area of the district.
• Will reduce accident rate.
• Tourism will flourish
• Better access to health care centres and other social services.
• Improved quality of life.
Nil Nil • Increase in accident rate.
• Overall economy of the State will be affected.
• Deep impact to human health in case of emergency.
• Strengthening of local economies. Nil Nil • In absence of the project, it is extremely difficult to generate funds for such a massive improvement of the road infrastructure from its own resources.
• Reduction in travel time and development of the important places in the districts of Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu State.
Increase in speed may lead to accidents in congested areas.
Nil • Hamper the development of the area.
190. Based on analysis of “with” and “without” project scenario presented in Table 30, “with”
project scenario, with its minor adverse impacts is more acceptable than the “without” project scenario. The potential benefits of the proposed road improvements are substantial and far-reaching both in terms of the geographical spread and time. Hence, it is clear that the implementation of the project with the environmental management plan for mitigation of adverse environmental impacts will contribute to the development of economy and progress for its people of the vicinity as well as environmental improvements.