EIA of Pipeline Terminal for storage and Marketing of Petroleum Products and Marketing of Petroleum Products At Tikri Kalan, Delhi Including Pipeline from Mathura-Jalandhar Pipeline (MJPL)______

CHAPTER – 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the leading navratna oil public sector undertaking is fortune 500 listed companies. More than 9000 km network of crude and product pipelines in India are owned and operated by IOCL, which have state of art, modern operation and maintenance techniques. These pipelines have been accredited with national and international certifications of repute such as ISO 14001, ISO 9002, OISD Safety Award, British Safety Council Award etc.

There has been constant pressure from Delhi Administration for closure of Shakurbasti terminal since 1984 after the major fore incident at adjacent LPG plant. Shakurbasti terminal has no space for expansion and does not meet OISD norms. Fire fighting facilities at this location could not be augmented due to non availability of space for expansion.

Two locations are essential in Delhi considering, the importance, potential and sensitivity of the Delhi Market. The dependency on single location, single input source & mode for Delhi is not considered prudent. Thus two locations with input from more than one Refinery and multiple possible modes are of strategic requirement.

Consequent to the fire at adjoining army Ordinance depot, the Lieutenant Governor Delhi vide letter dtd. 26.6.2001 to the Minister of Urban Development, Govt. of India, New Delhi expressed urgency for shifting of oil depots from Shakurbasti and requested that the oil companies should be given land as per their requirement at Tikri-Kalan, as the same had been earmarked for the purpose of shifting.

In view of the fact that Shakurbasti terminal is situated in inhabited locality and lacks safety requirements as per OISD, it is essential that the same be shifted to an alternate safe location. With the above background, it was decided to relocate the Shakurbasti terminal to Tikri Kalan. Construction of new terminal in Delhi also forms part of approved APT IX Plan by OCC / MOP&NG.

1.2 Scope and Approach to EIA

Although the collection of primary baseline data and doing environmental impact assessment is not required for pipeline project, it is to be appreciated that no EIA can be prepared in isolation, without knowledge of actual environmental conditions in a region. It is, therefore inevitable to frame a picture of current environment in project area of MJPL. This has been accomplished by carrying out a field survey and secondary data collection, based on which the mitigation measures have been suggested and the EIA prepared. The EIA of proposed MJPL project has been carried out as per the following methodology.

  • Collection and review of information pertaining to existing environmental conditions in the areas, supported by field investigation in addition to consultation with IOCL and experts.
  • Evaluation of all potential, significant, adverse, environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with the proposed project.
  • Identification and planning of measures to mitigate potential significant adverse impacts.
  • Preparation of detailed environment management plan to prevent, mitigate or compensate potential significant adverse impact identified.

1.3 Study Area

The EIA considers a study area of 15 km radius around the pumping station and 500 m on either side of the proposed loop line. It also provides information on much broader region in the district with project location as a locus. The location route of pipeline is shown in Figure.

A field survey was carried out at site during October 2007 to January 2008 for obtaining first hand physical information. Secondary information with regard to the demographic profile, habitation, climatic conditions, water resources, land use pattern, cropping pattern, biological indicators, historical importance, industrial development and other environmentally sensitive parameters around the loop line and pumping stations where modification is proposed was collected during this period. The information collected was validated at site.

1.4 Need of Environment Management Plan

As per the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and its amendments in 2006 , an oil pipeline falls within the category of 6(B) new industrial activities requiring a prior environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), GOI. To obtain this clearance, preparing an Environment Management Plan (EMP) from State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), is a prerequisite for pipeline projects.

Since for MJPL project capacity enhancement will require these approvals, it has invited M/s Mantec Consultants Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi to facilitate them in conducting the requisite study and preparing the Environment Management Plan.

1.5 Cost Benefits Analysis for the proposed Project

An economic analysis of cost of transportation of Petroleum products considering other modes of transportation namely, road, rail, sea and pipeline, has been carried out by IOCL as per the Cost Review Committee (OCRC) norms. The analysis indicates that the transportation by pipeline results in a substantial saving in comparison to the transportation by other means.

1.6 Advantages of Pipeline on Environment

In addition to being economical, pipeline transport has many more advantages, over conventional modes of transportation, which are enumerated hereunder:

  • Pipeline is an eco-friendly mode of transportation.
  • Since the existing pipeline is used for capacity enhancement and only small 8 km pipeline will be laid out, therefore impact on environment is negligible.
  • Pipeline is more dependable mode of transportation especially to sensitive and strategic areas.
  • Energy requirement and fuel consumption is less.
  • Transportation losses are much lower as compared to other modes of transport and, therefore, release of material in ambient environment and also the chances of fire are less.
  • It avoids gaseous emission, which is otherwise associated with transportation through road/rail tankers or ships.
  • It avoids noise pollution, which is associated with other modes of transportation.
  • In case of pipeline, the throughput within limits can be increased by merely upgrading the pumps without putting any strain on logistics, whereas more fleet of tankers would be required for other means of transportation.
  • Major portion of pipeline is laid underground and it is not directly affected by natural calamities viz. floods, storms, breaches etc. unlike road/rail/sea transport.
  • Being highly robust and due to experience gathered from their past performance, pipeline transport is extremely favorable.
  • Most of the environmental impacts during construction phase are reversible and the control measures for others during construction as well operation phase are easily implemental.

1.7 Methodology for Environment Impact Assessment

The study was organized to incorporate all relevant critical issues of the proposed project. Study was undertaken to gather relevant information from available sources followed by a visit to the plant and surrounding areas for getting further relevant details of the proposed project and collection of baseline date for various components of environment. EIA was conducted considering baseline status and estimated pollution generation consequent to proposed project. An Environmental Management Plan is prepared giving various measures to be adopted to mitigate the negative impacts.

Various components of environment covered under the study are discussed below:

A Air Environment

Ambient air quality data within 15 km radius were collected. Taking into account micro-meteorological conditions, sampling sites were identified. Five ambient air quality monitoring stations were selected within the study area, one monitoring stations inside the LPG Bottling Plant, Tikri Kalan and four monitoring stations located at buffer zone. The parameters selected for ambient air quality status were Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM), Sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX). All the parameters were monitored on 24 hour cycle. The meteorological parameters were also recorded by installing meteorological station at the plant site to determine the prevailing meteorological conditions during the study period.

B Noise Environment

Noise pollution may cause an adverse effect on human beings and associated environment including land, domestic animals, wild life and natural ecological systems. Hence, noise level surveys were carried out at site and at different locations within the study area of the project. Measurements were taken at plant boundaries, residential places like villages and sensitive areas like schools, hospitals etc.

C Water Environment

Information on water resources (ground water) was collected. The critical parameters of prime importance were selected and analyzed under physical and chemical (inorganic and organic), aspects. Ground water samples were collected from different locations.

D Land Environment

Studies were undertaken to characterize and describe the land environment and various components in terms of land use and cropping patterns, physico-chemical properties of soils etc. Soil samples were collected and analyzed. Plant species for the development of green belt were also studied taking attenuation factors into consideration.

EBiologicalEnvironment

The study was based on physical observation of the species in the project shadow area. The expert team visited the area and collected the data on flora and fauna, forestry and wildlife, as well as the avian scenario.

FSocio-Economic Environment

Compilation and collection of requisite type of data were undertaken, such as, demographic pattern, population density per km2 and economic status, educational facilities, medical facilities, health status transport and communication, entertainment etc. Such data were collected from villages falling within a radius of 15 km.

1.8 Likely Impact on the Environment

The proposed project i.e. Marketing of petroleum products can directly or indirectly affect the environment, so the following dimensions have been studied in detail to analyze the resulting impact on environment as a whole:

-Air Environment

-Noise Environment

-Water Environment

-Land Environment

-Biological Environment

-Socio Environment

The assessment of above impacts have been carried out and discussed in the report.

Mantec Consultants Pvt. Ltd. Conducted the EIA study to assess impact of the proposed project on the environment. Accordingly, various safeguards have been suggested to ensure that the potential impacts are mitigated and conform to the prescribed limits.

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MANTEC CONSULTANTS (P) LTD., NEW DELHI