Analysis of Socio-Environmental Impact of Metro Bus Service Rawalpindi-Islamabad

Abstract

Roads are an integral part of the transportation system. They play a significant role in achieving national development and contributing to the overall performance and social functioning of the community. Socio-Environmental impacts caused due to road projects on human life are increasing day by day, whereby affecting the people�s community life and environment during project Planning, Construction and the Operational Phase. Similarly like other road projects, Metro bus projects have also been started all over the world to cater the problems of traffic congestion. Pakistan has also started recently the Metro bus projects. So, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro bus project has also being started in order to provide improved quality of public transport to the community. Though it is beneficial but it is also causing significant socio-environmental impacts on the community and environment during construction phase. Research study was conducted with aims to identify the socio-environmental impacts of metro bus service and to suggest guidelines to mitigate the adverse effects for improving environmental / social life. For this purpose, extensive survey was carried out to find out socio-environmental impacts. Based on the identified impacts, a preliminary questionnaire was developed which includes a list of 20 questions gathered from the previous studies. For the validation of preliminary questionnaire, pilot survey was carried out from the community members, experts and departmental interviews were also being conducted. After the pilot survey, final questionnaire was made which was filled out from community living around the Metro Bus service and from the main departments affiliated with the project. After the field survey, data was collected and analyzed. Based on the perception of community and department, ranking of socio-environmental impacts was being done which leads to the conclusion that the project has resulted in many positive and negative socio-environmental impacts which includes travelling at subsidized rate, easy & speedy access to workplaces, saving of time and minimization of accident occurrence. Similarly, negative impacts include health issues, business & economy loss of local transport owners and shop keepers, reduction of green belts, contamination of water. To mitigate the adverse impacts of such like mega projects in future, the present study formulated the guidelines for Authorities for the reduction of the socio- environmental impacts on community by increasing awareness regarding environmental protection and improved social life patterns.