ESIA & Planning Summary - Keraniganj Road Project

Urban Development Project

Integrated Road Network for South Dhaka Connectivity

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the 21.60 km strategic road upgrade in Keraniganj. Facilitating the Dhaka-Mawa-Padma Bridge corridor and supporting regional industrialization.

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Project Zone

Keraniganj Upazila

Road Hierarchy

Upazila & Village Roads

Total Cost (Est.)

BDT 1.02M / km

Key Driver

Regional Connectivity

Padma Bridge Link

Pangaon Port

Jhilmil Project

BSIC Estate

Spatial Context

Project Roads

Major Highways

Strategic Urban Context

The project is not isolated; it is a critical component of the Greater Dhaka structural plan. The ESIA identifies these roads as vital connectors for emerging economic zones.

Regional Integration

Directly facilitates the Dhaka-Munshiganj alternative link. Connects the Dhaka-Mawa Highway (Padma Bridge approach) to local growth centers, reducing dependency on the central capital corridor.

Land Use Transformation

Supports access to key developments:

RAJUK Jhilmil Residential Project
BSIC Industrial City
Pangaon Inner Container Port
Dhaka Central Jail Precinct

Induced Growth Management

The report predicts significant induced urbanization and land price appreciation. Planning recommendation includes zoning enforcement to manage "ribbon development" along the improved 21.6km corridor.

Alignment & Scope

Road Segment	Planning Function	Length
Dhaka Mawa - Tegharia - Shaper Bazar via Mollar Hat	Connector Betka-Mawa Link	5.50 km
Jinjira - Konda - Banagram via Mirerbagh & Beyara Bazar	Access Residential/Mixed	4.08 km
Ruhitpur GC - Baluartech to Dhaka Mawa Highway	Feeder Agricultural/Trade	6.03 km
Dhaka Mawa - Khejurbagh School Road	Access Institutional	2.00 km
Chunkuthia - Abdullahpur via Gaista	Connector Central Jail Link	4.00 km

Infrastructure Composition

Major emphasis on upgrading Upazila roads (72%) to support heavy traffic flow from industrial zones.

Planning & Environmental Impacts

Balancing infrastructure growth with environmental preservation and social stability.

Induced Urbanization

High Impact

Rapid land conversion from agricultural to commercial/residential uses along the corridor.

Mitigation Strategy: Strict adherence to Upazila Master Plan; avoiding ribbon development sprawl.

Displacement (ROW)

Social

Removal of illegal occupants and boundary walls within the existing Right of Way.

Mitigation Strategy: Full Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) & Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

Drainage & Flood

Climate

Risk of waterlogging due to road embankments acting as barriers in floodplains.

Mitigation Strategy: Sufficient cross-drainage structures (140m bridges/culverts); Embankments >50yr flood level.

Green Cover Loss

Ecology

Felling of approx. 19,800 mature roadside trees required for widening.

Mitigation Strategy: Mandatory 1:5 Replanting Ratio (5 saplings for every 1 tree cut).

Community Safety

Social

Higher vehicle speeds increasing accident risks near schools (e.g., Khejurbagh).

Mitigation Strategy: Traffic calming measures, speed bumps, and dedicated pedestrian crossings.

Construction Nuisance

Temporary

Dust, noise, and vibration affecting nearby settlements during the build phase.

Mitigation Strategy: Strict work hours (no night work near homes), water spraying, and dust barriers.

Urban Planner's Verdict

This project is technically sound and socially viable. It transcends a simple road upgrade to become a strategic urban artery supporting the decentralization of Dhaka. While environmental impacts are manageable via the ESMP, the primary challenge lies in managing the induced land-use changes to prevent unplanned urban sprawl.

Orange-B DoE Category

RAP Required

1:5 Replanting

GRM Active