Obigarm-Nurobod road project

Overview
Project Summary Document
Environmental and Social Documentation
Procurement
Complaints

Project ID 49650

Status Repaying

Location

Tajikistan

Business Sector

Transport

Notice Type

Public

Project timeline

Exploratory
Passed Concept Review
Passed Structure Review
Passed Final Review
Board Approved
Signed
Implementing
Completed

Project ID 49650

Status Repaying

Location

Tajikistan

Business Sector

Transport

Notice Type

Public

Environmental Category

Approval Date

11 Dec 2019

Disclosure date

10 Sep 2019

As per section 1.4.2 (iii) of the Directive on Access to Information: "For Projects approved by Bank management where the Board of Directors has delegated the approval authority, the PSD shall be disclosed at the start of the relevant no-objection notification period to a member country of the Bank in accordance with Article 13 (iii) of the Agreement Establishing the EBRD."

Translated versions of this PSD: Russian | Tajik

Project Description

Financing for the construction of a 75 km long detour of the existing section of M41 road between the towns of Obigarm and Nurobod (the "Project"), which is planned to be inundated by the end of 2023. The M41 road is Tajikistan's primary east i west road, which connects Dushanbe with the border to Kyrgyz Republic and onwards to Kazakhstan and China. The road is part of the CAREC corridor programme which seeks to expand economic cooperation among the region's neighboring countries and is actively supported by bilateral and multilateral development institutions.

The Project financing is split among three IFIs: (i) a 30 km Section 1 to be financed by a grant from the ADB and a loan from OPEC Fund for International Development ("OFID"), (ii) a 44 km Section 2 to be financed by the EBRD (the "Bank") loan, and (iii) a 760 m automotive bridge construction across the Rogun HPP Reservoir, Section 3, to be financed by an AIIB loan.

Project Objectives

The Project will target one of the key barriers to economic and social development in the country i efficient and reliable functioning of transport corridors. The Project's principal objectives are: (i) the promotion of regional trade via the development of reliable and safe road corridors, (ii) the development of sustainable mechanisms for roads maintenance, and (ii) road safety improvements and improvement of environmental and social operation standards.

Transition Impact

Good

The expected transition impact of the Project is:

Resilient. The Project will facilitate building necessary institutional capacity and procedures for sustainable and efficient infrastructure asset management in Tajikistan, as well as supporting increased budget allocation for road maintenance operations.
Inclusive. The Project will substantially increase access to economic opportunities of local populations in areas with low or no access points at all. In addition, the Ministry of Transport (the "MoT") will adopt significant improvements in human resource policy in line with the Project's Gender Action Plan.

Client Information

TAJIKISTAN SOVEREIGN

The MoT is the Project implementing agency, which has the overall responsibility for the organisation and management of the transport sector in Tajikistan.

EBRD Finance Summary

USD 150,000,000.00

A sovereign loan of up to US$ 150 million to the Republic of Tajikistan.

Total Project Cost

USD 402,000,000.00

Environmental and Social Summary

The Project is categorised A under EBRD's Environmental and Social Policy (2014). An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) disclosure package, including the ESIA for the whole alignment (and temporary bridge), Environmental and Social Management Plan (“ESMP”), Non-Technical Summary, Social and Gender Impact Assessment, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (“SEP”), Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (“LARP”) and Environmental and Social Action Plan (“ESAP”) was disclosed on the EBRD website on the 12th July 2019.

The national Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) procedures are being addressed in liaison with the Competent Authorities and are expected to be completed prior to the Board consideration of the Project. Public hearings undertaken to date have not resulted in any new stakeholder concerns.

In 1984 the project alignment was approved with a small number of micro-realignments made since the original design to avoid a cemetery and address safety issues. Apart from the Rogun dam, the cumulative impact assessment did not identify any other major projects planned or in progress within the influence area of the project.

Recent consultations along the alignment with the affected communities, local district authorities found that people were supportive of the Project and route but had concerns regarding road safety, crossing points and compensation. In response, additional road safety design measures have been incorporated following a road safety audit completed in November 2018, including requirements for reduced speed limits in villages, pedestrian and animal crossing points, access roads and additional warning signs. As part of the Traffic Management Plan, the Contractor will also consult with local residents to establish processes and locations for safe livestock crossing within the proposed access roads. A further Road Safety Audit will be undertaken in consultation with the Ministry of Transport and will include engagement with local road traffic police.

The Environmental and Social Due Diligence (“ESDD”) completed by the Bank and its independent consultants confirmed that the Project has been structured to meet the EBRD’s Performance Requirements (2014). Findings from ESDD did however indicate that the capacity of the Project Implementation Unit for Roads Rehabilitation (“PIURR”) requires strengthening to ensure that the project will be implemented in line with the Banks PR’s. To address this, the Bank will be providing Technical Cooperation (“TC”) support to the PIU and also require that an Environmental and Social Management system, monitoring and reporting systems to be established.

Due to the location and the topography of the road alignment, various challenges in terms of occupational and community health and safety include the ability to react and respond to emergency situations in remote areas. Foreseeable emergency situations will be identified by the contractor and adequate resources made available, as required in the ESAP.

No protected areas are situated within the zone of influence of the project and limited impacts on biodiversity are expected due to the road being developed within an existing alignment and landscape that has been subject to human pressures for many years, particularly livestock grazing. A Biodiversity Management Plan (“BMP”) will however be prepared and implemented during the construction phase to require site practices to ensure habitats are not unnecessarily affected by the works and support general awareness raising.

Climate and seismic risks to the Project were reviewed under separate dedicated assessments which proposed mitigation measures including some structural and non-structural improvements. A Climate Resilience Construction Management Plan will be required to provide appropriate design measures such as increasing drainage capacity for extreme weather events, materials specification and mechanisms for the management of climate resilience risk.

The Project will include a TC focused on work with communities to develop local road safety partnerships, include a gender-sensitive and child focused road safety awareness campaign for roadside villages and schools, plus identify potential economic opportunities for women in road safety and maintenance. In addition gender equality and non-discrimination in the design, management and/or monitoring are to be implemented and monitored. A Gender Action Plan for the Project has also been agreed to also promote women’s economic participation in the Project.

It is expected that 157 households will be affected by land acquisition or economic displacement across the whole alignment. A Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) has been prepared for each section and consultations with affected people have already started. Information about the Project, LARP and a Project Information Brochure detailing the Project-specific entitlements, government decree on the cut-off date and Grievance Redress Mechanism (“GRM”) have been provided. Grievance Redress Committees have been established at the Jamoat/village level in 17 villages with a Focal Person appointed at each village, and all include a female member.

It is estimated that approximately 1,100 construction workers will be engaged in activities across the alignment and a minimum of 50% of the workforce will be locally recruited where appropriate. Seven construction camps are anticipated to be required and locations will be selected to minimise impacts and will be subject to an environment and social assessment for each site. Accommodation and welfare facilities for workers will be designed to meet requirements of IFC/EBRD Worker Accommodation Guidance Note. Additional measures to address influx management and avoid potential conflict between the workforce and the local community, including Gender Based Violence, will be put in place. These include requirements for contractors to sign a Code of Conduct, the need for a Labour and Working Conditions Management Plan and an Occupational and Community Health and Safety Plan.

The the temporary bridge will be inundated by November 2025, so the permanent bridge at Darband will need to be constructed before this date. A supplementary ESIA will be provided when the detailed design is available.

Within the EBRD section there are 44.5km of access roads spread across the alignment which have been subject to a separate environmental and social assessment that will be made publicly available.

A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (“SEP”) has been prepared to identify key stakeholders and define communication channels and plans regarding the Project. In 2018 and 2019 a series of public consultation meetings were carried out along the alignment and included women only focus groups. The PIURR has an operational grievance mechanism already in place to address issues related to resettlement, E&S issues and information disclosure.

The ESIA includes a detailed Environmental and Social Management Plan for the Project, defining the mitigation measures to be applied on the contract by the PIURR and its contractors. In addition the Environmental and Social Action Plan includes additional requirements with respect to: the implementation of a Contractor Environmental and Social Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Plan in line with the PRs including training of workers; undertake Social, Community and Health reviews and maintain a social risk register for the Project; adopt a Design Change Management procedure; develop a Human Resources policy and procedures including a Code of Conduct; implementation of the grievance mechanism; develop a labour risk management and monitoring plan; implement a Gender Action Plan; implementation of the LARP, BMP and SEP.

A lenders' technical advisor will undertake quarterly audits of the Project during construction to assess performance in accordance with the Banks PRs and will report to the Lenders.

Technical Cooperation

The following technical cooperation (the "TC") assignments are envisaged as part of this project:

Pre-loan signing

Assessment of climate change risks to the Project (€100,848 financed from Donor funded TC (Czech Republic Technical Cooperation Fund)).
Technical road project advisor (€ 37,125 financed by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund ("SSF")).
Assessment of the suitability of using drone technology for the Project as well as the road sector in Tajikistan (€ 70,500 financed by the SSF).

Post-loan signing

Project Implementation Support to assist the Client with the i) Project procurement, tendering and supervision of civil works, implementation and (b) environmental compliance. The estimated cost of the assignment is up to US$ 350,000 to be financed by the SSF.
Regulatory Improvement Support to assist the Client with the Bank's transition agenda with a focus on the establishment of an executive type Road Agency. The Agency will need to implement a systems and network knowledge database for efficient management, and also establish regional representations to oversee contractors, co-ordinate planning and monitoring. The estimated cost of the assignment is up to US$ 500,000 to be financed by the SSF.
Lender's Monitoring to assist the Bank to monitor implementation of the works under the EBRD funded contracts. The estimated cost of the assignment is up to US$ 350,000 to be financed by the SSF.

Company Contact Information

Mr Nurali Arabzoda, Executive Director
piurr@bk.ru
+992 372 22-2079
Projects Implementation Unit for Roads Rehabilitation 14 Ayni Street Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734012

Transition impact

ETI Score:75

PSD last updated

18 Nov 2019

Business opportunities

For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.

For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement: Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
Email: procurement@ebrd.com

General enquiries

EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com

Public Information Policy (PIP)

The PIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations. Please visit the Public Information Policy page below to find out how to request a Public Sector Board Report.
Text of the PIP

Project ID 49650

Status Repaying

Location

Tajikistan

Business Sector

Transport

Environmental Category

Disclosure date

12 Jul 2019

Project description

Improving the East-West Road Corridor is a priority for Tajikistan, enabling the country to serve as an important transit route in the Central Asian region. The remaining phase of the Corridor aims to construct a 75 km alternative alignment (the “Project road”) for the existing M41 highway connecting the northeast region of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic between Obigarm and Nurobod, which will be inundated by the reservoir of the Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP). The Project road will be financed by the Government of Tajikistan with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The project road is divided into three sections: (1) the Obigarm- Tagikamar section is about 30 km long and includes 2 tunnels of 1.6 km and 1.7 km and local access roads of circa 30 km (Section 1); (ii) the Tagikamar-Nurobod is about 44 km long and includes 1 tunnel of 2.6 km, 1 long temporary bridge and local access roads of circa 40 km (Section 2); and (iii) section 3 includes a long permanent bridge that is about 760 m long and its approaches. These sections correspond to three contract packages that will be procured separately.

EBRD will finance section 2. Projects Implementation Unit for Roads Rehabilitation (PIURR) under MoT will implement the Project.

The project will support increasing efficiency of the Regulator and road financing (“Well-Governed”) and Economic Inclusion (“Inclusive”).

ESIA disclosure package

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (Russian and English)
2. Social and Gender Impact Assessment (Russian and English)
3. Non-technical summary (Tajik, Russian and English)
4. Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Tajik, Russian and English)
5. Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (Russian and English)
6. Environmental and Social Action Plan (Russian and English)

Download zip files of the package using the links below

Full ESIA availability

Full ESIA documentation is available locally at:

1. Jamoat Obi-Garm ( Ms. Shirinzoda Salima, Chairman of Obi-Garm Jammoat; tel: +922 93 4475860)
2. Jamoat Khakimi (Mr. Roziqov Mirzokhalil, Chairman of Khakimi Jamoat ; tel: +992 900029610)
3. Jamoat Mudjikharf (Mr. Roziev Zinatullo, Chairman of Mudjikharf Jamoat; tel: +992 985515257)
4. Nurobod city (Mr. Bobiev Qumiddin, Chairman of Darband Jamoat; tel: +992 918855438)

And

EBRD Resident Office in Tajikistan, 34 Rudaki avenue, TCell building 12th floor, 734025, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel: +992 48 7011325

Enquiries

Environmental or social enquiries

Mr. Eraj Mirzoev, Deputy Executive Director,
Project Implementation Unit for Roads Rehabilitation
Ministry of Transport Client
14 Ayni Street, 4th floor, Dushanbe;
tel. (992 37) 222 20 79
e-mail: piurr@bk.ru ; eraj_piu@mail.ru

This document was prepared at an early stage of project development, before consideration by the EBRD Board of Directors. Details of a project may change following disclosure.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and ESIA summaries are produced by project sponsors, and the EBRD makes them available without any comment or implied endorsement. Any views expressed or statements made in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment or the ESIA Summary do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the EBRD.

Last updated 25 June 2014

Selected procurement notices related to this project may be shown below. Further procurement opportunities related to this and other projects, if available, maybe be viewed in the EBRD Procurement Portal.

The EBRD's Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), Access to Information policy (AIP) and Project Accountability Policy (PAP) enable sound and sustainable development in its projects. The Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) deals with complaints about environmental, social and disclosure matters related to the Bank’s investments.

No complaints about this project have been made so far.

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Obigarm-Nurobod road project

Project timeline

Translated versions of this PSD: Russian | Tajik

Project Description

Project Objectives

Transition Impact

Client Information

EBRD Finance Summary

Total Project Cost

Environmental and Social Summary

Technical Cooperation

Company Contact Information

Transition impact

PSD last updated

Business opportunities

General enquiries

Public Information Policy (PIP)

ESIA disclosure package

Full ESIA availability

Enquiries