ABSTRACT
Transport plays an important role in the nation’s economy. After economic
liberalization, development of infrastructure has progressed at a rapid pace in India.
India has a well-developed transport network comprising rail, road, water and air.
The total length of roads in India is over 30 lakh kms including both metalled and
unmettaled roads. In terms of road length, India has one of the most extensive road
networks in the world. The national highways account for less than 2% of the total road
network but carry 40% of the movement of goods and passengers.
India has a coastline of 7,500 km spread over 9 coastal states. It has 2.02 million
sq. km area of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The peninsular coasts of India have the
Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south.
East Coast Road project in Tamil Nadu was initiated during 1988-92 from
Chennai to Kanyakumari. The East Coast Road (ECR) as conceived by the Tamil Nadu
State Highways Department was to link Chennai with Kanyakumari, covering a distance
of 700 kms. It has been implemented in two phases: the first phase being from Chennai to
Cuddalore (about 170 km) and the second phase being a stretch of 375 kms between
Cuddalore and Tuticorin. East Coast Road was originally commissioned in the year 1998,
by joining up and improving small village roads that connected fishing hamlets along the
sea coast of Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 1200 million partly funded by the Asian
Development Bank. East Coast Road from Pondicherry to Nagapattinam has been
upgraded as National Highways (NH 45A) by widening single lane stretches in to double
lane.
In this present study the effects of East Coast Road between Cuddalore and
Tharangambadi on air environment, water environment, noise environment, biotic
environment and socio-economic environment were determined and assessed.
In order to assess the impact on air environment, air samples were collected at
selected places for one year at different seasons and the concentrations of SPM, SO2 and
NOx were estimated. From, the results, it was found that SPM, SO2 and NOx levels were
within the NAAQS (NAAQS 1996 for SPM & NAAQS 2009 for SO2 & NOx). It may be
concluded that the air quality has not deteriorated due to East Coast Road as of now.
Noise measurements were made in four different zones using the “Sound Level
Meter in “A” weightage. From the observed values, L10, L50, L90, Leq, Lmax, Lmin and TNI
were computed. As the noise levels exceeded the standards in all the selected places
along the East Coast Road, it is concluded that East Coast Road has contributed noise
pollution is the major cause for noise pollution.
In order to assess the impact on water environment, surface water and ground
water samples were collected at selected places for one year at different seasons. Majority
of the ground water samples were within the standards. Water quality indices revealed
that many ground water samples were in the category of “moderately polluted”. This
could be due to infiltration of ions from agricultural fields or due to intrusion of sea
water. The East Coast Road did not seem to have any adverse effect on ground water.
Surface water quality was determined at two places, viz., Cuddalore old town
pond and Kollidam river. The Cuddalore old town pond was found to be seriously
polluted. It could be mainly from transport-associated activities in East Coast Road.
Kollidam river was not affected by East Coast Road.
In order to assess the impact on biotic environment, flora and fauna were
identified and quantified at selected places for one year at different seasons. The Biotic
assessment revealed that the widening of road had not affected flora and fauna of this
region.
The impact on socio-economic environment was assessed by random sampling
using Questionnaire survey. The results revealed that the East Coast Road had improved
the quality of life of people living near East Coast Road in terms of education,
employment, life style and income.