Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (Concept Stage) - Road Asset Management and Safety Project - P129015

 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: ISDSC1428 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 22-Oct-2012 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Mauritius Project ID: P129015 Project Name: Road Asset Management and Safety Project (P129015) Task Team Richard Martin Humphreys Leader: Estimated 03-Jun-2013 Estimated 26-Nov-2013 Appraisal Date: Board Date: Managing Unit: AFTTR Lending Specific Investment Loan Instrument: Sector: General transportation sector (20%), Rural and Inter-Urban Roads and Highways (80%) Theme: Infrastructure services for private sector development (70%), Other human development (15%), Other public sector governance (15%) Financing (In USD Million) Financing Source Amount Borrower 75.00 Public Disclosure Copy International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 75.00 Total 150.00 Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a No Repeater project? B. Project Objectives The project development objective has been provisionally identified as the following: to reduce transport costs and improve maintenance on the primary and secondary road network in two pilot regions over a 7 year period, whilst strengthening the managementof road safety in Mauritius. This is expected to be realized by the following components: (a) the piloting of output and performance based road contracts for a seven year period in two pilot regions of Mauritius; (b) the improvement of the management of road safety; (c) the strengthening of the institutional framework for transport; (d) institutional assistance and implementation support. C. Project Description The Road Development Authority (RDA) is a relatively new corporate body, established by Act No.  6 (Road Development Authority Act) of 1998, and operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping (Public Infrastructure Division). The RDA is formally responsible for the provision and maintenance of all primary roads, classified under the Public Disclosure Copy Roads Act as motorways and main roads, including all bridges and other structures. The RDA is primarily a technical organisation headed by professional engineers and supported by administrative personnel. It was proposed to be established with a defined organizational structure comprising 696 positions. However, to date only 417 of the positions have been filled due to a lack of financial resources. Whilst the majority of the unfilled posts are for skilled and semi skilled workers, there are also some vacant technical positions due to the relative scarcity of technical officers and inspectors of works. The Road Act defines the following activities as being the responsibility of the RDA for the roads classified under the Roads Act as Motorways (55 km) and Main Roads A & B (1019 km): • Maintenance works - to preserve the assets of the road network by maintaining the level of service of the motorways and main roads in terms of riding quality, comfort and safety to acceptable standards through regular interventions of a routine or periodic nature such as cleaning or upgrading of drains, culverts and bridges, patching of potholes, resurfacing works, repair and extension of footpaths, road marking and cleaning, replacing and upgrading road furniture and addressing water accumulation problems. • Upgrading works - to improve or raise the level of service of existing roads in terms of capacity, riding quality, comfort and safety to an acceptable standard, through intensive repair, improvement, rehabilitation, strengthening and /or reconstruction works. There are two divisions at the RDA assigned with Maintenance of the existing network. The country is divided into four regions with two regions under the responsibility of a Divisional Manager. The RDA currently employs a maintenance workforce consisting currently of 294 people, of which 155 are unskilled workers, 85 skilled workers, 34 from the Inspectorate Cadre and the remainder from the Technical cadre. Routine maintenance such as patching, repairs, cleaning etc. is currently carried out Public Disclosure Copy in house by direct labour. Periodic maintenance such as provision of overlays, major repair works, construction of footpaths and drains etc. and road safety measures are carried out under traditional input based contracts by Contractors appointed on a yearly basis by the RDA through competitive bidding. Inspection, scheduling of works, supervision and project management are undertaken by the staff of the Maintenance Divisions. However, the maintenance divisions are grossly understaffed with the result that routine maintenance is not undertaken with the required regularity. This dearth of maintenance is clearly visible on the network, with blocked weep-holes and gullies, overgrown grass, uncured drains, damaged guardrails and handrails, dirty road furniture etc. Entrusting the routine works such as cleaning of drains, furniture etc. to the private contractors, at the district level, has proven simply extremely expensive. The typical contracts are basically rates contracts and the prices of those items of work which are not usually in major roadworks are often exaggerated. The RDA have, as an alternative, thought of employing small contractors/one man contractor under traditional method, or input-based maintenance contracts. However, it is feared that, as the Authority would have to specify the works and techniques to be used and carry out the supervision and quality control etc., and the relative scarcity of engineering and inspectorate staff at the RDA would not allow maintenance works carried out this way to be effective, or efficient. Therefore, if direct labour cannot be employed because of con straints it is essential to explore other means of improving the  management of the assets. The RDA therefore wish to procure Consultants to support the organization in the development of Public Disclosure Copy good asset management practices, and produce an appropriate Asset Man agement Strategy (AMS) with incorporated risk allocation, defined levels of service, and a forward work program. It is essential that the AMS, and the associated procurement plan (probably comprising a mix of output- based and input-based interventions) is fully reflective of the context. D. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) The output and performance based road contracts - for which civil works will be undertaken for the maintenance and/or upgrading of existing roads - will take place in two pilot regions of Mauritius, which are yet to be selected. Given that all works will take place on existing roads, nature reserves, natural forests, and cultural heritage sites will not be adversely affected. Given that Mauritius is densely populated, and that Rights of Way for roadworks have not been clearly defined/enforced, there will be a need to acquire portions of land along the sides of roads to be expanded as part of the upgrading. Every effort is made to minimize resettlement ( through re-alignment) and it is rare that religious institutions or shrines are affected. If there would be a need to relocate structures of religious or cultural significance, it will be undertaken with the relevant authorities. Any trees that need be removed will be replaced ( at a ratio of 1 to 5) in coordination with the Conservator of Forests. E. Borrowers Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies The RDA has an excellent record of environmental management on road projects. Construction camps are well maintained, construction waste is disposed of properly, and borrow pits , usually located in sugar cane fields to minimize visual impact, are appropriately rehabilitated. The RDA exhibits cultural sensitivity -- on the Quartier Militaire Road, financed under the MIP, a bypass was realigned to avoid the need to remove steps to the river used by pilgrims during the pilgrimage to Grand Bassin. OP 4.12 was triggered for the MIP, and has been implemented in an exemplary Public Disclosure Copy manner by the RDA, the Valuation office, and the MHL. Mauritius has a very strong land acquisition policy, which is protective of citizens' rights. There is even a provision to challenge the legality of acquisition, although no challenges to acquisition emerged in the MIP. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Noreen Beg (AFTN1) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Assessment OP/ Yes Given that projects will be on existing roads, BP 4.01 environmental impacts will be limited and mitigation measures largely confined to sound environmental management and monitoring practices during construction. If the projects under the performance-based road projects are known prior to project appraisal, it will be necessary to prepare EAs/EMPs for these projects. If they are not identified prior to project appraisal, an Environmental and Social  Management Framework should be prepared, and EMPs can then be prepared on a project - specific basis. Public Disclosure Copy Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 No The projects will be for upgrades and maintenance of existing roads, and therefore there will be no impacts on nature reserves or critical or non-critical natural habitats. Forests OP/BP 4.36 No The projects will be for upgrades and maintenance of existing roads, and therefore there will be no impacts on natural forests or forest plantations. Pest Management OP 4.09 No There will be no need for clearing of vegetation, so the use of herbicides and pesticides is not required. Physical Cultural Resources OP/ Yes It may be the case that roadside shrines would BP 4.11 have to be relocated, or portions of the grounds of religious institutions be acquired. This OP is triggered as a precautionary measure. Chance finds procedures will be incorporated into construction contracts. Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No n/a Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP Yes Land will be acquired during upgrading of the 4.12 roads, where expansion of the roads are required. It is usually the case that land acquired is a narrow strip at the edges of properties, requiring that a road or fence be moved back. In Public Disclosure Copy cases where land acquisition renders the remaining plot unsuitable for residential or commercial purposes, compensation will be provided for the entire plot. If the projects under the performance-based road projects are known, it will be necessary to prepare RAPs for these projects prior to project appraisal. If they are not identified prior to project appraisal, a Resettlement Policy Framework should be prepared, and RAPs can then be prepared on a project -specific basis. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No n/a Projects on International No n/a Waterways OP/BP 7.50 Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP No n/a 7.60 III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons.  A. Tentative target date for preparing the PAD Stage ISDS: 15-Apr-2013 B. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS: Public Disclosure Copy If projects under the performance -based road projects are known prior to appraisal, RAPs and EAs/EMPs should be prepared for these projects. If they are not identified prior to appraisal, and ESMF and RPF should be prepared, cleared, and disclosed prior to appraisal. IV. APPROVALS Task Team Leader: Name: Richard Martin Humphreys Approved By: Regional Safeguards Name: Alexandra C. Bezeredi (RSA) Date: 29-Nov-2012 Coordinator: Sector Manager: Name: Supee Teravaninthorn (SM) Date: 07-Nov-2012 Public Disclosure Copy