NJC Hydropower Limited EMP for Nyamjangchhu

Hydroelectric Project

CHAPTER-10
CONTROL OF AIR POLLTION
10.1 IMPACTS ON AIR QUALITY
In a water resources project, air pollution occurs mainly during project construction
phase. The major sources of air pollution during construction phase are:
• Fuel combustion in various construction equipment, e.g. crushers, drillers, rock
bolters, diesel generating vehicles, etc.
• Fugitive emissions from crusher
• Impacts due to vehicular movement
a) Pollution due to fuel combustion in various equipment
The operation of various construction equipment requires of combustion of fuel.
Normally, diesel is used in such equipment. The major pollutant, which gets
emitted as a result of diesel combustion, is SO2. The SPM emissions are minimal
due to low ash content. Based on past experience in similar projects, SPM and SO2
are not expected to increase significantly. Thus, in the proposed project, no
significant impact on ambient air quality is expected as a result of operation of
various construction equipment.
b) Emissions from crusher
The operation of the crusher during the construction phase is likely to generate
fugitive emissions, which can move even up to 1 km in predominant wind
direction. During construction phase, one crusher of 60 tph capacity is likely to be
commissioned. During crushing operations, fugitive emissions comprising of the
suspended particulate will be generated. There could be marginal impacts to
settlements close to the sites at which crusher is commissioned. However, based
on past experience, adverse impacts on this account are not anticipated. However,
during finalizing the project layout, it should be ensured that the labour camps,
colonies, etc. are located on the leeward side and outside the impact zone (about
1.5 to 2 km) of the crushers.
c) Impacts due to vehicular movement
During construction phase, there will be increased vehicular movement for
transportation of various construction materials to the project site. Large
quantity of dust is likely to be entrained due to the movement of trucks and
other heavy vehicles. However, such ground level emissions do not travel for
long distances. Thus, no major adverse impacts are anticipated on this account.

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NJC Hydropower Limited EMP for Nyamjangchhu
Hydroelectric Project

10.2 MITIGATION MEASURES

a) Control of Emissions
Minor air quality impacts will be caused by emissions from construction vehicles,
equipment and DG sets, and emissions from transportation traffic. Frequent
truck trips will be required during the construction period for removal of
excavated material and delivery of select concrete and other equipment and
materials. The following measures are recommended to control air pollution:
• The contractor will be responsible for maintaining properly functioning
construction equipment to minimize exhaust.
• Construction equipment and vehicles will be turned off when not used for
extended periods of time.
• Unnecessary idling of construction vehicles to be prohibited.
• Effective traffic management to be undertaken to avoid significant delays
in and around the project area.
• Road damage caused by sub-project activities will be promptly attended
to with proper road repair and maintenance work.
b) Air Pollution control due to DG sets
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued emission limits for
generators upto 800 KW. The same are outlined in Table-10.1, and are
recommended to be followed.
TABLE-10.1
Emission limits for DG sets prescribed by CPCB
Parameter Emission limits (gm/kwhr)
NOx 9.2
HC 1.3
CO 2.5
PM 0.3
Smoke limit* 0.7
Note : * Light absorption coefficient at full load (m-1)

The above standards needs to followed by the contractor operating the DG sets.
The other measures are recommended as below:

• Location of DG sets and other emission generating equipment should be

decided keeping in view the predominant wind direction so that emissions
do not effect nearby residential areas.
• Stack height of DG sets to be kept in accordance with CPCB norms, which
prescribes the minimum height of stack to be provided with each generator
set to be calculated using the following formula:

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NJC Hydropower Limited EMP for Nyamjangchhu
Hydroelectric Project

H = h+0.2x √KVA
H = Total height of stack in metre
h = Height of the building in metres where the generator set is installed
KVA = Total generator capacity of the set in KVA

c) Dust Control
The project authorities will work closely with representatives from the
community living in the vicinity of project area to identify areas of concern and
to mitigate dust-related impacts effectively (e.g., through direct meetings,
utilization of construction management and inspection program, and/or through
the complaint response program). To minimize issues related to the generation
of dust during the construction phase of the project, the following measures
have been identified:
• Identification of construction limits (minimal area required for construction
activities).
• When practical, excavated spoils will be removed as the contractor
proceeds along the length of the activity.
• When necessary, stockpiling of excavated material will be covered or
staged offsite location with muck being delivered as needed during the
course of construction.
• Excessive soil on paved areas will be sprayed (wet) and/or swept and
unpaved areas will be sprayed and/or mulched. The use of petroleum
products or similar products for such activities will be strictly prohibited.
• Contractors will be required to cover stockpiled soils and trucks hauling
soil, sand, and other loose materials (or require trucks to maintain at least
two feet of freeboard).
• Contractor shall ensure that there is effective traffic management at site.
The number of trucks/vehicles to move at various construction sites to be
fixed.
• Dust sweeping - The construction area and vicinity (access roads, and
working areas) shall be swept with water sweepers on a daily basis or as
necessary to ensure there is no visible dust.

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NJC Hydropower Limited EMP for Nyamjangchhu
Hydroelectric Project

10.3 IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

Various management measures needs to be implemented for Control of air
pollution control need to be included in the Tender Document for the Contractor
involved in construction activities. The same shall be monitored on a regular
basis by the project proponents.

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