Afghanistan - Information and Communication Technology Sector Development Project : environmental and social management plan

The development objective of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector Development Project is to expand broadband connectivity, mainstream use of mobile applications across the Government, and develop the capacity of the IT sector to facilitate improved delivery of public services across Afghanistan. Negative impacts include: air quality, noise, water quality, dust, waste management, land acquisition plan/framework, toxic /hazardous waste, infrastructure for medical waste, and direct or indirect hazards to public traffic and pedestrians. Mitigation measures include: 1) all work will be carried out in a safe and disciplined manner designed to minimize impacts on neighboring residents and environment; 2) during interior demolition use debris-chutes above the first floor, keep demolition debris in controlled area and spray with water mist to reduce debris dust, keep surrounding environment (side walks, roads) free of debris to minimize dust, and there will be no excessive idling of construction vehicles at sites; 3) during operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical equipment should be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible; 4) the site will establish appropriate erosion and sediment control measures such as e.g. hay bales and/or silt fences to prevent sediment from moving off site and causing excessive turbidity in nearby streams and rivers; 5) waste collection and disposal pathways and sites will be identified for all major waste types expected from demolition and construction activities; 6) mineral construction and demolition wastes will be separated from general refuse, organic, liquid and chemical wastes by on-site sorting and stored in appropriate containers; 7) whenever feasible the contractor will reuse and recycle appropriate and viable materials (except asbestos); 8) before being discharged into receiving waters, effluents from individual wastewater systems must be treated in order to meet the minimal quality criteria set out by national guidelines on effluent quality and wastewater treatment; 9) the containers of hazardous substances should be placed in an leak-proof container to prevent spillage and leaching; and 10) traffic management system and staff training, especially for site access and near-site heavy traffic, and provision of safe passages and crossings for pedestrians where construction traffic interferes.