Consultancy Services for Project Support Component, Rural Access Improvement and Decentralization Project, Grant: H171-NEP

Project Description

Rural Access Improvement and Decentralization Project (IDA Grant No.: H 171-NEP) funded by the World Bank, IDA includes A) Rural Transport Infrastructure (RTI) Improvement component with sub-components as i) All season rural roads, ii) Dry season rural roads, iii) Rural roads maintenance, iv) Trail bridges construction, v) Demand driven community infrastructure; B) Capacity Building and Advisory Services (CBAS) component with sub-components as i) Training, ii) Institutional strengthening, iii) Planning, iv) Rural Transport Services Study and Policy Development, v) Socio-economic Impact monitoring Study, vi) Implementation Support for providing services in 20 districts grouped in four clusters viz. i) Cluster I (155.31 km): Kailali, Bardiya, Banke and Salyan; Cluster II (235.705 km): Kapolvastu, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Syangja and Kaski; Cluster III (71.09 km): Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Makwanpur; Cluster iv (144.31 km): Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanisha, Siraha and Udaypur with 10 additional districts at the later stage.

Assignment Description

Support districts in reviewing, updating of previous feasibility study, appraisal and detail study; • Support districts in environmental, social and economic screening of rural roads during feasibility stage; • Support districts in detail survey, engineering design, construction supervision, quality management, contract administration etc for upgrading (about 650 km in 19 districts with Otta Seal, Sand Seal, Semi-grout and Gravel) and new construction (about 70 km in 3 districts ) of rural roads; • Support districts in preparing IEE, environmental and social impact management plans with necessary checklists and site specific EMAP as well as ensuring incorporation of the environmental mitigation measures in each road’s plan and design, cost estimate & bill of quantity, standards and specifications, bid documents & contract/ agreement clauses; • Preparation of procurement plan and supporting RAIDP districts for the preparation of bidding documents; • Support and participate with DoLIDAR/PCU and districts for the implementation of training-related activities, including preparation of training course materials, provision of extensive trainings and certification on major aspects of rural infrastructure development and management; • Support to participating DDCs for the implementation of their programs, subprojects, including project development and implementation, design and supervision of works, environmental management, social mobilization and community participation and monitoring; • Support and co-ordinate with DOLIDAR/PCU for the implementation of its Institutional Strengthening and Action Plan (ISAP), capacity-building priorities and long-term functional and organizational change goals set by GON for the rural transport sector, and for project coordination and implementation activities; • Support and co-ordinate with DOLIDAR/PCU for the preparation of a GIS-based transport master plan, development of a spatial profile of population/settlements that are or are not connected to an all-season road and undertaking of a hazard assessment and needs assessment to determine the investment requirements for connecting settlements and preparation and updating of District Transport Master Plans (DTMPP; • Support and co-ordinate with DoLIDAR/PCU for undertaking of a study to assess the mobility and transport needs and travel patterns of the rural population, to examine the industrial organization of rural transport service providers and to formulate a pilot scheme and a rural transport policy of the Recipient; • Preparation of Resettlement Action Plan, preparation of Vulnerable Community Development Plan (VCDP) as necessary, including assessing corridor of Impact, cadastral mapping and digitization, preparing land use mapping, and determining the land acquisition for compensation; • Support and co-ordinate with DoLIDAR/PCU for undertaking of a study to assess the magnitude and distribution of the direct and indirect socioeconomic impacts of rural access transport interventions and to determine the extent to which interventions under the Project cause changes in the well being of target population, and Preparation of socio-economic baseline data for project benefit monitoring;