Environmental impact assessment for the proposed 20-storey Rehendhi 5 building, Male’

Abstract

The project is proposed by AMIN Construction Pvt. Ltd. on contractor-finance basis to develop a 20-storey Rehendhi 5 building primarily for mixed use commercial and residential purpose with a basement car part and commercial podiums on ground and first floors, a total of 85 apartments from 2nd floor to 18th floor. Each floor will have 2 – 3 bedroom 5 units. A rooftop for outdoor uses will be developed at the top level of the building. The building will occupy 687m2. The building is proposed to be developed in Block 363. The EIA has been prepared as per the EIA Regulations 2012 developed directly under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act and identifies that development of such buildings exceeding 31m in height and with basements or over 10 storeys with greater than 5ft foundation require an EIA to be undertaken and approved by EPA before commencement of construction. In order to understand existing environmental conditions of the proposed project area, assessments have been undertaken including ambient noise levels, traffic volume and movement, groundwater quality, vegetation, physical condition of the surrounding buildings and roads were undertaken. The highest noise levels recorded were from Ameenee Magu, northern side of the proposed project area having 55dB and 56dB. The existing traffic flow is around the Block 363 with heavy traffic on Ameenee Magu. The highest traffic recorded was from motorcycle having an hourly flow of 102 motorcycles. There is no vegetation present in the proposed plot. The area is currently used for parking damaged vehicles and a car park. The adjacent buildings by the proposed plot include Rehendhi 1, Rehendhi 2, Rehendhi 3 and Rehendhi 6. Of these buildings, Rehendhi 1 and Rehendhi 2 now have residents and Rehendhi 3 has been recently completed and Rehendhi 6 is under construction. Other notable buildings in close proximity to the project area include, the Male’ Square, 3 storey block in Imaaduddin School and TVM building (single storey). Of these buildings, some minor cracks are observed on TVM building in the corner. No major physical damages of are observed in these buildings located in the vicinity of the project site. There are no significant environmental impacts from the proposed project, however, some of the environmental impacts from development activities such as dewatering, construction activities, operation of construction machinery, construction waste generating environmental impacts such as noise, dust and pollution are believed to occur. Social impacts such as traffic congestion, disturbance to nearby school operation have been predicted. During operation period of the project, household waste and traffic are believed to increase. As part of the proposed project, a number of mitigation measures have been proposed in the EIA Report including using corrugated sheets supported by iron beams as a safety measure for protecting the excavated area for foundation, dewatering will be undertaken upon approval from EPA, while preparing the site ready for construction, measures such as installation of safety and dust protection nets, appropriate signage will be placed to make aware people on the development. Also, important mitigation measures that will be implemented include complete elimination of waste disposal during construction and operation stages of the development into the project boundaries. Although during construction of the project, negative environmental impacts from construction activities have been envisaged, with appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures, these impacts will be reduced to a considerable level. Also, with positive socioeconomic outlook of the project and considering the overall importance of housing in Male’, it is concluded that the project is an important development.