Indonesia: Batam Bintan Bridge Project

OBJECTIVE

To improve regional connectivity in the west of Indonesia by constructing a segment of the Batam-Bintan inter-island bridge.

DESCRIPTION

The project consists of the construction of a fixed road crossing between the Batam and Tanjung Sauh Islands. This crossing is a segment of the proposed Batam-Bintan inter-island road crossing. The Batam-Bintan inter-island crossing comprise: (i) a road access to a fixed bridge crossing between Batam Island and Tanjung Sauh Island; (ii) a road connecting the Batam-Tanjung Sauh Bridge on Tanjung Sauh Island to a bridge connecting Tanjung Sauh Island to Bintan Island; (iii) a fixed bridge crossing between Batam Island to Tanjung Sauh Island; (iv) a fixed bridge crossing between Tanjung Sauh Island to Bintan Island; and (v) a road access on Bintan Island to the fixed bridge crossing between Tanjung Sauh Island and Bintan Island. This crossing will be the only fixed permanent crossing between Batam and Tanjung Sauh Islands.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

Applicable Policy. The AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), including Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Environmental and Social Exclusion List (ESEL), will apply to this Project. ESS1 (Environmental and Social Assessment and Management) and ESS2 (Involuntary Resettlement) are applicable. Application of ESS3 (Indigenous Peoples) will be confirmed during project preparation. In accordance with AIIB’s ESP, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the entire crossing from Batam Island to Bintan Island will be prepared based on the domestic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) will be prepared based on the domestic Land Acquisition Planning Document (LAPD) for the Bantam-Bintan crossing.

Environment. The Project may have impacts on key biodiversity areas based on preliminary assessment. A comprehensive biodiversity study including a critical habitat screening will be carried out as part of the ESIA followed by a Critical Habitat Assessment (CHA) if required by the screening, and in line with International Finance Corporate’s Performance Standard 6 and its Guidance Note. Other environmental impacts of the project will be temporary and localized including air pollution, noise, water contamination, soil erosion, change of hydrology and drainage and the disposal of solid waste and disturbance to communities, public utilities and traffic, as well as occupational health and safety risks. The management, mitigation, and monitoring measures to address environmental risks and impacts will be included in the ESMP.

Social. While significant impacts from involuntary resettlement are not anticipated in the islands of Batam, Tanjung Sauh, and Buau, the initial survey presented in the LAPD identifies landowners who would be physically and/or economically displaced due to land acquisition in Bintan Island. A LARP, that is compliant with ESP and ESS2 requirements, will be prepared to address any impacts arising from land acquisition. The ESIA will screen for the presence of Indigenous Peoples in the project area, and if any are identified, an Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) will be prepared in accordance with the provisions of ESS3.

Consultations and information disclosure. Public consultations have been carried out during the preparation of EIA and LAPD. Additional consultations will be held during the preparation of the ESIA and the LARP and will ensure meaningful participation, with views and concerns of the potentially project affected communities adequately addressed. Based on stakeholder consultations, the ESIA will be finalized. The final ESIA and LARP will be available in the English and Bahasa languages and disclosed both online (in the websites of the client and AIIB) and made available in hard copy in the project area.

Project Grievance Redress Mechanism. A Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be established in accordance with the requirements of AIIB’s ESP. Locally appropriate public consultation and disclosure processes will be used to disseminate information about the GRM. A separate GRM will be established to address workplace complaints and concerns.