In addition to offering solutions for the environment engineering problems, our company also take up social development projects with the motive of benefitting the society in terms of Waste Management, Social Impact Assessment, Resettlement and Rehabilitation and many more. We encourage civil society participation in the project in order to provide equal opportunities in the decision-making process and project implementation for achieving improved quality of life.
We have executed numerous social development projects in India as well as in various other countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Our projects involve assessment of the socio-economic and cultural status of the society including education, livelihood, income, health and safety, status of indigenous people etc., both at local and country level.
We put our best efforts to educate, raise awareness and sensitise the local community about the benefits of the project, as well as assist them in the physical and economic resettlements, if they are disturbed by the project. Additionally, it is of utmost importance to guarantee the society’s health and safety while the project is being carried out, as well as to address any complaints or grievances made by the public.
In the social development sector, we undertake Projects related to:
- Social Impact Assessment
- Rehabilitation and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs)
- Implementation of Resettlement Action Plans
- Implementation of Grievance Redressal Mechanisms (GRMs),
- Public/Community Participation through Sensitisation, Stakeholder Meetings/Workshops, Training, etc.
SOME SALIENT PROJECTS IN THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
- 1Implementation of the RAP for the 400 kV Transmission Power Line in Mozambique and Malawi (World Bank-funded Project).
The “Mozambique - Malawi Regional Interconnector Project is a multinational Project, interconnecting the electricity grid system of Malawi and Mozambique. The Project includes the construction of 400 kV high voltage transmission line of approximately 218 km long that will connect Mozambique and Malawi. The prime objective is to meet the increasing electricity demand and create opportunities for bilateral and regional power trade in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
This Project, funded by the World Bank (WB) and the KfW, will be jointly implemented by the Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM). They have the overall responsibility for the diligent implementation of the environmental and social safeguard instruments, such as the RAPs, in line with the National legal requirements of both, Mozambique and Malawi, as well as the World Bank’s requirements.
We have been appointed to implement the RAPs in both the countries. This involved verification of the RAP database, preparation of micro plans for compensation, assisting the clients in compensation disclosure and disbursement, Financial Literacy Training to the project affected persons as well as the community assets, preparation of standard operation procedures for various RAP Implementation activities, preparation of Terms of Reference for hiring consultants for different associated studies and relocation of physically affected persons. This assignment also included the sensitisation, addressing of grievances, operationalise the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) as well as stakeholder workshops.
- 2RAP Implementation for the Sewerage Networks Improvement in Kanyama and Industries Areas, Lusaka, Zambia (World Bank-funded Project).
The Government of Zambia had introduced the Lusaka Sanitation Program (LSP) to achieve the system’s sustainability and expansion, as well as to strengthen the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Ltd.’s (LWSC’s) capacity to operate and manage the water and sanitation services. The LSP has four major components: Climate-resilient Sewerage Infrastructure Development, Decentralised Sanitation and Hygiene Education, Institutional Support and Capacity-building and Programme Management. The LWSC is the implementation agency. As part of the Project, the expansion of the sewer network had been proposed in the Kanyama and Industries area, which comprised about a 120 km long sewer network, including pump stations.
The Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) were prepared by us. Upon the satisfactory completion of the ESIA and the RAP reports, the LWSC had reappointed our company to perform the duties of a RAP Implementation Consultant (RIC). We have successfully implemented the RAP, including the Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP), as well as provided Financial Training to all the Project affected persons.
- 3Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Non-formal Approach to Training, Education and Jobs in Afghanistan (NATEJA) (World Bank-funded Project).
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD) of the Government of Afghanistan under the National Skills Development Program (NSDP) had proposed a Non-formal Approach to Training, Education and Jobs in Afghanistan (NATEJA). This Project was funded with a grant of US $ 30.8 million from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). The major components of the NATEJA were Piloting Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurship among the Unskilled and Illiterate young Afghans, as well as Improving the Quality of Non-formal Training and Labour Market Outcomes of the Trainees.
For this Project, the Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) Report was prepared by us. This report contained the assessment and management of the potential impacts associated with the technical and non-technical skill programs and the business opportunities as planned for the local youth under the NATEJA.
