| Abstract: | This report is an Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed 13 storey building as an extension to the existing Parliament Building. This document has been produced to fulfill the requirements under Article 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (4/93) of the Maldives and has been structured to meet the requirements of the EIA Regulations 2007. EPA circular number EPA (203)-EIA/IU/2010/4 states that building projects exceeding 10 storey’s requires an EIA. The proposed project involves construction of a 13 storey building thus exceeding the 10 storey limit. The existing Parliament Building is situated at a 4635 square meter plot located at the corner of Medhuziyaaraiy Magu and Hakuraa Goalhi in Henveiru district of Male’ with a 2 storey building of area of 1765 square meters . The Secretariat of the People’s Majlis, as the Client, has proposed to develop a
thirteen storey building with a finished height of 45m. The ground floor will be used as a parking area/general administrative use and for and other outlets. The first floor will be used for general use and will house the catering and related sections as well as a lounge for members. The second floor is to be used as a main hall for the parliament meeting with additional area for Management and Administrative use. Floors 3 and 4 will be used as separate office areas for the members. Floors 5 to 11 will mainly house the committee and meeting rooms while the 12th floor will house the gymnasium and other recreational areas. The existing Parliament Building does not have sufficient space for meetings of individual committees and public meetings to be held at the same time when the need arises. This is needed for more efficient running of the Majlis. The new building will house individual sub-committee meeting rooms and will have abundant space for larger meetings should the need arise. Physical environment components such as soil and adjacent building conditions were assessed by structural engineers of Riyan Pvt Ltd and EIA consultant respectively. The social assessment was carried out together with the structure assessment of the adjacent buildings. Visual walk through inspection of buildings in the 30m radius of the project site was conducted to assess the current structural condition of existing structures and identify the potential hazards. Groundwater sample was collected at the plot and tested in-situ using Hanna multi probe water test meter (HI 9828). Noise was measured using Precision Gold Mini Sound Level Meter (N05CC) with a measuring range of 30-150dB and accuracy within ±1.5dB. Social assessments carried out include consultations with responsible persons of all households within a 30m radius of the proposed development property. The identification of uses of
groundwater and also briefing about the nature of the project and possible impacts was included during these consultations. Traffic counts were also made at the junction of Hithaffinivaa Magu and Hakuraa Goalhi. The project is estimated to be completed within 30 months. Demolition work has already been completed and once the environmental clearance is granted by EPA, excavation and foundation casting works will be commenced. The excavation work together with foundation protection measures is estimated to take 35 days. Foundation work (including foam work, arrangement of raft components and dewatering) is estimated to last 28 days. Once the foundation and starter columns are cast, the work on floor slab casting will be commenced (26 days per slab) The raft foundation of 13 storey building is to be laid at 1800mm below the natural ground level. The required bearing pressure for the foundation is 180kN/m2 and the Contractor shall be responsible for all necessary soil testing to ensure that it is within the allowable bearing pressure. Prior to excavation barriers/boarding will be put up at 600mm away from the edge of the proposed construction. Overhead and other visible sign boards will be used to warn off pedestrians and other users. Foundation
protection method proposed by the Engineer is to be using 6mm thick 2.4m long and 1.2m wide steel sheets horizontally between 100mm equal angles (as soldiers) driven at 800 centers. The soldiers will be propped in all feasible directions. This foundation protection process will be continued until all four sides of the excavation are support. The total volume of sand to be excavated from the site is approximately 1228m3. The excavation will be done using a back hoe excavator and all excavated
material will be transported to a disposal area or nearby empty land. De-watering will be continued throughout until casting of the foundation. Two pumps each with the flow rate of 10-12 litres per second will be located at specific locations to pump out the water to the temporary junctions provided by the MWSC. Dewatering will be timed during a period of the year when rain fall is less or there is no rainfall (NE monsoon). This is to avoid rainwater percolating into the soil beneath the foundations of adjacent buildings. If this happens, the water could loosen the soil particles and reduce its shear strength. Traffic load at the junction between Hithaffinivaa Magu and Hakuraa Goalhi was assessed by counting number of vehicles crossing the junction at assumed peak hours. In this regard traffic counts were carried out on the 21st of December 2011 from 8:30-9:30, 12:30-13:30 and 16:30-17:30. Highest number of vehicles was recorded during the 12:30-13:30 peak hour, while 8:30 -9:30 was the lowest There are no national standards for air quality by any relevant authorities such as Ministry of Transport and Communication or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The primary source of pollution that is likely to contribute to air quality is exhaust fumes from transport vehicles (marine and land), engines associated with power generation and other mechanized machinery and heavy equipment such as those associated with the construction industry. Impacts on the human and physical environment from various activities of the construction work have been identified through interviews with the residents within 30m radius of Majlis plot (radius taken from
proposed building corners), field data collection and surveys (traffic counts, noise level and ground water assessment) and based on past experience in similar development projects (experienced engineers who have designed and worked in similar projects). Possible impacts arising from the construction work are categorized into reversible and permanent (irreversible) impacts. The impacts
identified are also described according to their location, extent (magnitude) and characteristics Reversible and irreversible impacts are further categorized by intensity of impacts (negligible, minor, moderate and major) for identifying best possible remedial (mitigation measures) actions to be taken. Air pollution due to the proposed project would arise from the use of concrete machines, machinery used for cutting tiles, grinders, cutting tools (timber saw) and dust from cement work, sand blasting
process in plastering and wall putty application. Construction projects, especially building construction projects often generates significant amount of solid waste. These include packing material, excess or reject material, sand excavated during foundation
works, excess metal, excess electrical wire, conduits, damaged or excess tiles and used timber. There are a number of actions that can be taken to minimize the identified impacts. Mitigation measures are proposed based on discussions and consultations during this EIA with the project engineers and from the past experience of the consultant. Mitigation measures are selected to reduce
or eliminate the severity of any predicted adverse environmental effects and improve the overall social and environmental performance of the project. Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction stage only since no significant operation impacts
are envisaged in such projects apart from maintenance works. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimize dust spread, assess adjacent building condition during dewatering and monitor groundwater shortages. |
