Environmental Monitoring of a Newly Constructed Railway Project in Bangladesh

This study presents the environmental monitoring frameworks of the Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Project in Bangladesh. The railway alignment mostly passes through the paddy field, fish culture pond, and the medium populated area. 31 Nos major-minor bridges and 105 Nos box-culverts have been constructed along the alignment. The frameworks assess the surface water quality and airborne particulate matter’s characteristics as air pollution near construction sites. This framework has been performed at six months intervals to assess water–air parameters according to Bangladeshi Standard and the Department of Environment. The particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and gaseous substance (NOx and SO2,) were assessed by battery operated automatic air sampler device. The grab water sample has been collected by pet bottle to send laboratory for evaluation of physio-chemical and bacteriological tests of surface water. For the evaluation of the environmental impact, the test results of all the parameters from water–air have been compared with prescribed standards. The findings of this study indicate that no significant environmental impact on nature was observed during the construction of bridge culverts and rail welding in this project.