Feasibility study and Detail Design for Improvement of Kathmandu (Nagdhunga) Naubise-Mugling Road, Construction Supervision of improvement of Narayanghat -Mugling Road and Road safety audit/ Study of Kathmandu-Naubise-Mugling and Narayanghat Birgunj Corridor (Contract Identification No.: NIRTTP/ Cons/ KNM/ 01)

Project Description

Nepal government has the responsibility of improving the performance of road corridor from Birgunj to Kathmandu to improve the trade. The 276 Km stretch of road from Birgunj to Kathmandu is part of Asian Highway (AH-42) and is most important trade corridor in Nepal. The road transport between Kathmandu to Birgunj plays vital role in the both the trade and transit between Nepal and India, and also third countries. To enhance efficiency in the road transport, Nepal government intends to improve the road corridor from Birgunj to Kathmandu. As a first step, improvement of road section from Narayanghat to Mugling has been considered under Nepal India Regional Trade and Transport Project (NIRTTP), Improvement works contracts (international competitive bidding) for Narayanghat Mugling road arc in procurement process. The main objective of the project is to conduct a feasibility, and detail design of Nagdhunga (Kathmandu)-Naubise-Mugling Road improvement works and Overall road safety study in Kathmandu Birgunj road corridor and supervision of NM road. Consultancy service is intended to be procured under World Bank’s guidelines for selection and employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA (IDA credit No.5273-NEP) credits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers. Total Project Cost US$ 31.30 million (Construction Supervision of Narayanghat-Mugling Road section); Total Estimated Project Cost of NRs 26.54 billion (Nagdhunga (Kathmandu)-Naubise-Mugling Road section)

Assignment Description

The consulting firm carried out the following major activities under four different scopes as mentioned below; Scope 1: Road safety study of Kathmandu (Nagdhunga) Naubise Mugling and Narayanghat Birgunj road corridor; The audit /study covered both the Kathmandu Naubise Mugling and Narayanghat Birgunj stretch of the corridor and included the following activities among others as necessary to fulfill the objectives of the task: • Collect and review available reports and information on accidents, black spot and/or road safety issues recorded for the road sections, review present practices followed in the highways on road safety issue and recommend specific improvements where necessary • Conduct the road safety audit study using the available design / drawings of the existing road and bridges, field verification and consultations with relevant stakeholders, • Perform road safety audits along the corridor and Identify road location stretches, existing bridges requiring improvement works for road safety and prepare appropriate and cost effective designs; • Identify the requirement of safety measures along the bridges and prepare the appropriate cost effective designs, and propose locations and designs for overhead pedestrians crossings, separated foot path and any other measures to separate the pedestrian traffic • Identify the black spots and prioritize the list of black spots and propose the concept design. • Incorporate the international best practices on road safety treatments with particular focus on safety treatments for (a) head on crashes, (b) run off the road left (RORL) crashes, (c) run off the road right (RORR) crashes • Suggest crash reduction factors (CRFs) for the safety treatments to be incorporated in the improvement design based on International research outcomes and use these figures innovatively for the road and traffic environment of Nepal; • Evaluate construction-related road safety issues and propose a plan to address road safety concerns during the construction/ upgrading phase of recommended improvement works for road segments and bridges; • Prepare a detailed prioritized activity plan for each road section to address the road safety issues identified/encountered during the safety audit, which may include structural/design recommendations, awareness raising and educational campaigns, emergency response plans and measures, institutional aspects / institutional strengthening measures to conduct monitoring and enforcement, provide emergency response in case of accidents, etc. Scope 2: Feasibility study for Improvement of Kathmandu (Nagdhunga) Naubise Mugling Road and Bridges for necessary improvement works in order to enhance the road capacity, ensuring road safety , improve movement of heavy commercial vehicles including containerized vehicle • Activity 1: Feasibility Study for enhancing capacity of Kathmandu-Naubise-Mugling Road Section • Review existing traffic data, Carry out traffic surveys (traffic count and origin-destination and axle load survey), and project the expected traffic volume for at least 20 years taking into consideration the potential traffic volumes to be diverted to other planned roads which would also serve trade corridor traffic • Study the available geological maps, land use maps, and hazard maps with identification of each hazard spots with chainage and description etc. • Carry out field studies to prepare geological, geomorphological, geotechnical and hazard maps, • Carry out a field survey of the alignment following appropriate and suitable approach • Carry out environmental and social screening and initial assessment of each improvement option, drawing from secondary data sources, field reconnaissance, and feasibility-stage consultations with local communities and other stakeholders • Determine magnitude of adverse social impacts and identify safeguard instruments as required • Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanism to assess environmental and social development outcomes during completion • Prepare budget estimates for environmental mitigations and design alternatives, and draft resettlement and rehabilitation policy framework with preliminary budget estimates • Using an appropriate and internationally recognized methodology, evaluate and compare the alternative road improvement options based on their technical feasibility, direct and indirect economic costs and benefits, and potential environmental and social risks, impacts and benefits • Carry out financial and economic analysis for different project alternatives and investment scenarios considering the overall costs for construction (including environmental and social mitigation, land acquisition and resettlement, etc.) and maintenance, and overall benefits • Calculate the EIRR (Economic internal rate of Return) and NPV and compare for different options and recommend the best alternative for detailed design • Preparation and submission of reports • Activity 2: Feasibility Study of Bridges along Kathmandu -Naubise-Mugling Road Section The objective of the feasibility study was to determine whether existing bridges can be utilized and retained with improvement works to enhance capacity, or whether they should be retired: Preparation and submission of reports, Scope 3: Detail Design of Improvement of Kathmandu (Nagdhunga) Naubise Mugling Road (96 Km), Sisne-Dharke section (11.2 Km) including 180m tunnel, Bishaltar-Phisling section (15.3 Km) with Asphalt Pavement and 35 Bridges; • Activity 1: Detail survey and Design for Improvement of Kathmandu (Nagdhunga) Naubise-Mugling Road and new construction of Sisne-Dharke Road and Bishaltar-Phisling Road: • Carried out topographical survey of the existing road corridor area adequate for the design of improvement of road geometries and road upgradation works; Cadastral survey of the road alignment proposed for the improvement works • Baseline survey and monumentation works for efficient and accurate control of vertical and horizontal alignment during construction • Preparation of road inventory of the existing road, assessment of their sufficiency and identification of the rehabilitation and improvement works required to meet standard of the proposed road upgradation • Adequate Geological /Geotechnical investigations and laboratory testing works required for design of structures and road pavement • Design of slope-stabilization works based on slope analysis, landslide assessment and hazard maps • Construction material survey to identify the source, quality, and quantity of the construction Material and location of the burrow pits and the quarries • Hydrological investigation and studies, to determine the different hydrological parameters required for design of road formation, cross drains, longitudinal drainage and subsoil drainage system; determine the type of the cross drainage structure and its capacity, road side drainage and subsurface drainage • Assessment and design for the required bio-engineering works and waste/spoil disposal works • Carry out necessary traffic count and axle load survey for the pavement design work • Detailed engineering design for execution of the improvement works including improvement of road geometries, drainage structures, retaining and protection structures, slope stabilization and bioengineering works, road pavement works and miscellaneous ancillary works, such as toll booth, pedestrian overpasses, underpasses to facilitate wildlife movement, etc. considering site-specific environmental mitigation measures • Detailed Engineering design for new construction of Sisne-Dharke Road and Bishaltar-Phisling Road • Design referring to the Nepal Road Standard 2013, Pavement Guidelines and other relevant standards of Department of Roads and International Standards and Practices • Suggest suitable sites for Bus Parking, Toll Stations, Truck lay byes weighing stations • Finalization of design standards; Prepare the design drawings with sufficient detail for bidding purpose and also for execution of the construction works • Preparation of Cost Estimates and Bid Documents • Preparation and submission of reports • Activity 2: Detail Design of 35 Bridges in Kathmandu Naubise-Mugling Section and new construction of Sisne-Dharke Road and Bishaltar-Phisling Road [The details of some major bridges with open foundation are included as: (i) Charaudi (L=59.96m; span 1*35m+1*22m); (ii) Hugdi (L=57.96m; span=1*35m+1*20m); (iii) Agra (L=105m; span=3*35m); (iv) Belkhu (L=85.7m; span=3*28.9m); (v) Malekhu (L=90.4m; span=1*35m+1*55m); Dahaki (L= 33m; span=1*32.20m); (vi) Sikra (L= 37.28m; span=1*35m); Mahesh Khola-1 (L= 111.76m; span= 3*35m); (vii) Mahesh Khola-2 (L= 37.28m; span= 1*35m)] • Carry out topographical survey and mapping • Carry out a detailed hydrometrical survey and hydrological study of the river and bridge site for designing the river discharge • Carry out thorough inspection of the existing bridges for Bridge Inventory, Condition and Structural Assessment Survey of the bridges and prepare a report about their condition including all the parameters in the approved formats as per Bridge Inspection Manual and Bridge Management System required for assessing major and minor maintenance. • Selection of the proposed bridge site alternatives within the available locations and preparation of topographic maps • Adequate Geological /Geotechnical investigations and laboratory testing works required for design of bridges • Detailed design of new bridges and major maintenance works and quantity/cost estimates • Design suitable traffic safety features and road furniture including street lights, guardrails, fencing and security, traffic signals, signs, markings, overhead sign boards, crash barriers, delineators etc. for each bridge and its approach roads Scope 4: Construction Supervision (including of environmental and social safeguard aspects), resettlement implementation support, and contract management for improvement works of Narayanghat-Mugling Road (33.25 km, Asphalt Pavement) during Rehabilitation Phase and Defect Liability Period • Verification of survey and design, and updating of design and working drawings, KMP and site-specific EMAPs, RAP and VDCP as necessary to ensure full compliance with national legislation and World Bank safeguard policies • Construction supervision and contract administration for the proposed project ensuring full compliance with the design drawing, specification and civil works contract document • Implementation and monitoring of social and environmental aspects and support implementation of resettlement process • Monitoring and supervision of social and environmental monitoring and management measures in accordance with the requirements of Resettlement Action Plan, Environmental Management Plan and VDCP • As the Engineer's representative, propose variation orders which have financial implications or significant in quantities; Revising the Time for Completion of the Works; Approving any subcontracting of any part of the works; Fixing rates or prices; Approve contractor's quality management plan, work program, method statements, material sources, manpower and equipment deployment etc. • Ensure at all times the Contractor works in strict compliance with the Contractor's quality management plan, work plan, and contract specification • Check and approve the setting out of the works undertaken by the contractors • Prepare suitable standard formats and establish effective and efficient documentation and reporting procedure for contract administration, monitoring of schedules and quality assurances of the construction works • Carryout and recommend necessary adjustments in the design/drawing required during construction due to site requirement • Inspect and supervise the day-to-day operations and activities of the contractor to ensure quality • Obtain, check and approve the contractors resource based work program, resource plan, method statement for quality assurance and material sources • Supervise the Contractor in all matters concerning safety, Traffic Management and care of civil works including provision of necessary street lights, guardrails, fencing and security • Approve and/or issue working drawings and issuing instructions to the contractor as required in accordance with the contract specification and Contractor's quality management plan • Closely monitor and evaluate project progress and ensure that the works are executed on schedule and meet the established standards of performance and quality • Undertake independent field and laboratory testing as may be required to verify • Prepare the non-conformity reports and propose the rectification work or solution • Maintain records, correspondence, detailed diaries, photographs and other documents concerning relevant events and activities to assist the Employer to process contractor's claims/disputes, if any • Approve interim certificates for progress payments and verify the quantities for such certificates and recommend for payment to the Employer; • Periodic checking of contract quantities and a constant check on the cost variation including a quarterly updating of monthly cash flow projections • Develop and monitor Resettlement Action Plan and Implementation of Resettlement Action Plan and other measures; Implementation and comply with other requirements in accordance with ESMF requirements • Design Review and Recommendation and supervision of Bio-Engineering methods specially for Crib walls, Jute Netting, Brush laying & Fascine • Monitoring of Implementation of Slope Stabilization and Bio-Engineering works • Undertake monitoring of the implementation of EMP and site-specific EMAPs during construction period and prepare detailed recommendations for remedial actions • Assist GESU / DOR in preparedness check and monitoring of Social Safeguard compliance and in monitoring of implementation of EMP and SS- EMAP • Prepare and issue monthly and quarterly progress reports for the contracts and projects