KARACHI, Aug 11: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency has asked a gas field developer to make alterations in their gas transmission pipelines plan ensuring no harm is caused to cultural heritage and there is no adverse impact on biological resources, said sources in Sepa.

It was learnt that after a review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report about exploratory activities in the Kandhra gas field, near Kandhra Goth in Sukkur, and in line with the recommendations made by experts, Sepa had decided to approve the project subject to the compliance of some conditions.

The project activities include drilling of exploratory wells, central processing plant and construction of flow line and transmission line for the transportation of treated gas to the Sukkur Thermal Power Plant through a 14-inch diameter line, about 25 kilometres long.

The proponent of the project will now have to consider laying the pipeline along the Sukkur Bypass bridge instead of the proposed Lansdowne bridge, which is a cultural heritage site and close to another cultural heritage place, Satiyoon jo Aastan, a centuries-old worship place still visited by the Hindu community.The bridge built during the British era is in the area which has been declared an Indus Dolphin protected area, the source said, adding that a new alignment of the transmission line was needed as the one proposed earlier had chances of harming the Blind Dolphin in the Indus.

Dr Mohammad Ali, director-general of Sepa, said the proponents, who were apprised of the sensitivity of the proposed transmission lines in the context of cultural heritage at their meetings with experts and environmental officials, had agreed to redesign the transmission line passage.

According to other clauses of the NOC being issued by Sepa, the proponents would ensure that the employment opportunities requiring unskilled work would go to the local people, while in skilled jobs priority be given to locals if they fulfilled the conditions.

Locals will be informed and explained well in advance about the drilling of each well. Compensation should be given to locals in case of loss of agricultural land, crop property, etc, in accordance with the rates agreed upon.

The right of way (ROW) of the pipeline should be so aligned that it does not damage the irrigation water system in the area, while all precautions should be incorporated in the design to prevent any contamination caused by the pipeline leakage or rupture.

Clearing of vegetation along the ROW of the pipeline should be minimised. Trees should not be felled during any field development work.

The approval is being accorded only for drilling of exploratory wells, installation and operation of central processing facility and laying of a gas transmission line near Kandhra Goth, Sukkur, and the proponent will submit separate IEE /EIA for any expansion or enhanced activity in the concession block.

Wildlife experts will accompany the working teams to ensure that all mitigation measures are taken for the protection of wildlife species in the project area.

Sewage generated from campsites should be treated in septic tanks and soak pits. These should be constructed at a minimum distance of 300 metres from any permanent or seasonal water source. Septic tanks and soak pits should not be located in the area where high groundwater table exists.

An effective solid-waste management system will be developed which would cater to collection, transfer, recycling and final disposal of waste to a designated landfill site. The plan must address onsite segregation of solid the waste to promote its reuse and recycling.

Local groundwater resources should not be exploited in the area where significant draw down of aquifer is encountered. The available capacity of aquifer and its pattern of replenishments should be observed. Groundwater shall not be diverted so as to cause water depletion in the surrounding wells used by the locals. Soil erosion and disturbance to natural drainage will be avoided during transportation.

The approval would stand void in case the proponents failed to comply with the conditions set along the NOC, the source said.