Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Ministry of Railways
Bangladesh Railway

Asian Development Bank

ADB Loan No. 2688-BAN (SF)

REGIONAL COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION PROJECT -

RAIL COMPONENT: CONSULTANTS' SERVICES

Subproject 2:
Feasibility Study, Detailed Design and Tendering Services
for Construction of Dual Gauge Double Rail Line and
Conversion of Existing Rail Line into Dual Gauge
between Akhaura and Laksam

Final Feasibility Study Report

Volume 4 of 5: RESETTLEMENT PLAN

in JV with

June 2015
Doc. No. 5060089-02-01-FFS-RPT-003
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Ministry of Railways
Bangladesh Railway

Asian Development Bank

ADB Loan No. 2688-BAN (SF)

Construction of Dual Gauge Double Rail Line and Conversion

of Existing Rail Line between Akhaura and Laksam

Resettlement Plan
(Updated)

June 2015
 CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
(as of 18 March 2014)

Currency unit – Bangladesh Taka (BDT)

BDT 1.00 = $ 0.13

$ 1.00 = BDT 77.70

ABBREVIATIONS

AB Acquiring Body
AC Assistant Commissioner (Land)
CE Additional Chief Engineer
ADB Asian Development Bank
ADC Additional Deputy Commissioner
AH Affected household
AP Affected person
APD Additional Project Director
BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics
BR Bangladesh Railway
CBE Commercial and Business Enterprise
CCC Chittagong City Corporation
CCL Cash Compensation under Law
CEGIS Centre for Environmental and Geographic
Information Services
CMP Current Market Price
CPR Common Property Resources
CRoW Construction Right-of-Way
CSC Construction Supervision Consultant
DAE Department of Agriculture Extension
DC Deputy Commissioner
DCI Direct Calorie Intake
DoF Department of Fisheries
DoF Department of Forest
EA Executing Agency
EC Entitlement Card
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIB European Investment Bank
EM External Monitor
EP Entitled Person
EPZ Export Processing Zone
ESDU Environmental Social Development Unit
FGD Focus Group Discussion
ft foot/feet (3.28 ft = 1 m)
FoB foot overbridge

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | i

 GDP Gross Domestic Product
GoB Government of Bangladesh
GRC Grievance Redress Committee
ha hectare
HIES Household Income and Expenditure Survey
HH Household
IA Implementing Agency
ID Card Identity Card
IGP Income Generating Programme
ILRP Income Generating & Livelihood Restoration
Programme
IR Involuntary Resettlement
IoL Inventory of Loses
JVS Joint Verification Survey
JVC Joint Verification Committee
Km Kilometre
LA Land Acquisition
LAR Land Acquisition and Resettlement
LAO Land Acquisition Officer
LAP Land Acquisition Plan
LGI Local Government Institution
LMS Land Market Survey
LRP Livelihood Restoration Programme
M&E Monitoring & Evaluation
MIS Management Information System
MoC Ministry of Communications
MoR Ministry of Railways
MoWR Ministry of Water Resources
NGO Non-Government Organisation
NRS National Resettlement Specialist
PAH Project Affected Household
PAU Project Affected Unit
PCR Physical & Cultural Resources
PD Project Director
PDB Power Development Board
PIB Public Information Brochure
PIM Project Implementation Unit
PIU Project Implementation Unit
PMO Project Management Office
PPR Project Progress Report
PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal
PVAC Property Valuation Advisory Committee
PWD Public Works Department
R&R Resettlement and Rehabilitation

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | ii

 RAC Resettlement Advisory Committee
rft running feet (of boundary walls)
RP Resettlement Plan
RB Requiring Body
RF Resettlement Framework
RHD Roads & Highways Department
RO Resettlement Officer
RoR Record of Rights
RoW Right-of-Way
RRP Revised Resettlement Plan
RS Resettlement Site
RU Resettlement Unit
RV Replacement Value
SES Socioeconomic Survey
sft Square feet
TA Technical Assistance
ToR Terms of Reference
USD United States Dollars
VH Vulnerable Household

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

1 ha – 2.47 acre
1 ha – 10,000 sq.m
1 acre – 100 decimal

NOTE
In this report, "$" refers to US dollars

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | iii

 GLOSSARY

Affected Person (AP) includes any person, affected households (AHs), firms or
private institutions who, on account of changes that result from the Project will have
their (i) standard of living adversely affected; (ii) right, title, or interest in any house,
land (including residential, commercial, agricultural, forest, and/or grazing land), water
resources, or any other moveable or fixed assets acquired, possessed, restricted, or
otherwise adversely affected, in full or in part, permanently or temporarily; and/or (iii)
business, occupation, place of work or residence, or habitat adversely affected, with
or without displacement.
Assistance means support, rehabilitation and restoration measures extended in cash
and/or kind over and above the compensation for lost assets.
Awardee refers to person with interests in land to be acquired by the Project after
their ownership of said land has been confirmed by the respective Deputy
Commissioner's office as well as persons with interests in other assets to be acquired
by the Project. Compensation for acquired assets is provided to ‘awardees’ through
notification under Section 7 of the Land Acquisition Ordinance.
Compensation includes payments in cash or kind for assets acquired or affected
by a Project at replacement cost or current market value.
Cut-off date refers to the date after which eligibility for compensation or resettlement
assistance will not be considered. Date of service of notice under Section 3 of Land
Acquisition Ordinance is considered to be the cut-off date for recognition of legal
compensation and the start date of carrying out the census/inventory of losses is
considered as the cut-off date for eligibility of resettlement benefits.
Eminent Domain refers to the regulatory authority of the Government to obtain land
for public purpose/interest or use as described in the 1982 Ordinance and Land
Acquisition Law.
Encroachers include those people who move into the Project area after the cut-off
date and are therefore not eligible for compensation or other rehabilitation measures
provided by the Project. The term also refers to those extending attached private
land into public land.
Entitlements include the range of measures comprising cash or kind compensation,
relocation cost, income restoration assistance, transfer assistance, income
substitution, and business restoration which are due to AHs, depending on the
type and degree/nature of their losses, to restore their social and economic base.

Household A household includes all persons living and eating together (sharing the
same kitchen and cooking food together as a single-family unit).
Inventory of losses includes assets listed during the survey/census as a preliminary
record of affected or lost assets.
Khas land refers to state-owned land which the Government is entitled to both
lease and give away to citizens of the country who do not own land. Khas land is
considered an important livelihood source for the extreme poor and can generate and
protect the gains made toward achieving sustainable livelihoods, particularly for those
with low quality, under-sized and flood prone land.
Non-titled refers to persons who have no recognisable rights or claims to the land
that they are occupying and includes people using private or public land without
permission, permit or grant i.e., those people without legal title to land and/or
structures occupied or used by them. ADB’s policy explicitly states that such people

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | i

 cannot be denied resettlement assistance.
Parcha is a record of rights of a landowner.
Project Affected Family includes residential households and commercial & business
enterprises except CPRs.
Project Affected Unit combines residential households (HHs), commercial/shops
and business enterprises (CBEs), common property resources (CPRs) and other
affected entities as a whole.
Project means Subproject 2 Construction of dual gauge double rail line conversion
of existing rail line into dual gauge between Akhaura and Laksam.
Relocation means displacement or physical moving of the APs from the affected
area to a new area/site and rebuilding homes, infrastructure, provision of assets,
including productive land/employment and re-establishing income, livelihoods, living
and social systems.
Replacement cost refers to the value of assets to replace the loss at current market
price, or its nearest equivalent, and is the amount of cash or kind needed to replace
an asset in its existing condition, without deduction of transaction costs or for any
material salvaged.
Replacement Land refers to land affected by the Project that is compensated
through provision of alternative land, rather than cash, of the same size and/or
productive capacity as the land lost and is acceptable to the AP. In this Project,
there is no provision for replacement land. However, additional Project assistance is
allowed in the form of CMP as grant to affected persons to buy land lost to the
Project.
Resettlement refers to mitigation of all the impacts associated with land acquisition
including restriction of access to, or use of land, acquisition of assets, or impacts on
income generation as a result of land acquisition.
Squatters (Informal settlers) include non-titled and other households, business and
common establishments on land owned by the Government (BR). Under the Project
this includes railway land on which railway track, stations; residential structures are
established and/or remain fallow.
Structures include all buildings including primary and secondary structures including
houses and ancillary buildings, commercial enterprises, living quarters, community
facilities and infrastructures, shops, businesses, fences, and walls.
Vulnerable Households include households that are (i) headed by single woman or
woman with dependents and low incomes; (ii) headed by elderly/ disabled people
without means of support; (iii) households that are below the latest nationally defined
poverty line; (iv) households of indigenous population or ethnic minority; and (v)
households of low social group or caste.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | ii

 Volume 4
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... I
1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................................ 1
1.1 Project Background ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Project Components .................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Measures to Minimise Impacts .................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Purposes of Resettlement Plan ................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 3
2 SCOPE OF LAND ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT......................................................... 6
2.1 Scope of Land Acquisition ........................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Key Impacts of the Project ........................................................................................................... 7
2.2.1 Summary................................................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Impacts by Categories of Affected Persons ................................................................................ 8
2.4 Access Roads to Stations ............................................................................................................ 9
2.5 Impacts by Various Categories of Losses ................................................................................... 9
2.6 Asset Inventory and Assessment of Losses ................................................................................ 9
2.6.1 Ownership of Affected Households Losing Business and Community Structures ................. 9
2.6.2 Category of Affected Physical Structures ............................................................................. 12
2.6.3 Affected Agricultural Land ..................................................................................................... 13
2.6.4 Affected Trees and Crops ..................................................................................................... 14
3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA AND PROFILES ............................................................................ 15
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 15
3.2 Profile of the Affected Households ............................................................................................ 15
3.3 Distribution of Household Heads ............................................................................................... 15
3.4 Age Composition ....................................................................................................................... 16
3.5 Dependence Ratio ..................................................................................................................... 16
3.6 Marital Status ............................................................................................................................. 17
3.7 Household by Religion ............................................................................................................... 17
3.8 Education ................................................................................................................................... 18
3.9 Occupation ................................................................................................................................. 18
3.10 Income Status and Poverty Dimension ..................................................................................... 19
3.11 Poverty and Gender Dynamics .................................................................................................. 21
3.12 Vulnerable Groups ..................................................................................................................... 21
3.13 Informal Settlers ......................................................................................................................... 22
3.14 Summary and Implications ........................................................................................................ 22
4 CONSULTATION, DISCLOSURE AND PARTICIPATION........................................................ 24
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 24
4.2 Key Stakeholders of the Project ................................................................................................ 24
4.3 Approaches and Methodology ................................................................................................... 24
4.3.1 Social Survey ........................................................................................................................ 24
4.4 Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (SCM) ................................................................................. 25
4.5 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) ................................................................................................ 25
4.6 Project and Resettlement Issues Raised During Consultations ................................................ 26
4.7 Stakeholder’s Attitude towards the Project ................................................................................ 27
4.7.1 Concerns Raised at the Consultation Meetings ................................................................... 27
4.8 Rental Availability and Affordability Survey and FGDs .............................................................. 31
4.9 Consultation Outcomes and Policy Issues ................................................................................ 31
4.10 Stakeholder’s Feedbacks on Revision of Alignment ................................................................. 32
4.11 Consultation and Participation during Project Implementation .................................................. 32
4.12 Disclosure of the RP .................................................................................................................. 32
5 LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ....................................................................................... 33
5.1 National Laws and Regulations ................................................................................................. 33
5.2 Co-financiers Safeguards Policies and Guidelines ................................................................... 33
5.3 Gap between GoB Laws and Co-financiers Policies ................................................................. 34

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | i

5.4 Eligibility and Cut-Off-Dates ...................................................................................................... 35
5.5 Valuation Methods for Acquired Assets ..................................................................................... 35
5.6 BR Experience and Commitments to Resettlement .................................................................. 37
5.7 Compensation Payment Procedure ........................................................................................... 38
5.8 Procedure of Land Acquisition and Compensation Payment to Titled EPs .............................. 38
5.9 Compensation Payment Procedure to the Non-titled EPs ........................................................ 40
6 ENTITLEMENTS, ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS ................................................................... 42
6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 42
6.2 Eligibility Policy and Entitlement Matrix ..................................................................................... 42
6.2.1 Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................................... 42
6.2.2 Compensation and Entitlement Policy .................................................................................. 42
7 RELOCATION OF HOUSING AND SETTLEMENTS ............................................................... 56
7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 56
7.2 Scope of Displacement and Relocation ..................................................................................... 56
7.3 Options and Preferences for Relocation.................................................................................... 56
7.4 Integration of Displaced Households with Host Population ....................................................... 58
7.5 Relocation and Reconstruction of PCRs ................................................................................... 58
8 INCOME RESTORATION, REHABILITATION AND GENDER ................................................ 60
8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 60
8.2 Livelihood Impact and Risks ...................................................................................................... 60
8.3 Approach towards Income and Livelihood Restoration ............................................................. 60
8.4 Rehabilitation Measures ............................................................................................................ 61
8.5 Moving Assistance ..................................................................................................................... 61
8.6 Income-restoration Measures .................................................................................................... 61
8.7 Secure housing and rental assistance measures ...................................................................... 62
8.8 Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP) ................................................................................. 63
8.9 Other Type of Assistance .......................................................................................................... 63
8.10 Employment in Construction Work ............................................................................................ 63
8.11 Gender Considerations .............................................................................................................. 64
9 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISMS.................................................................................. 65
9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 65
9.2 ADB/EIB Guidelines on Grievance Mechanisms ....................................................................... 65
9.3 Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) ...................................................................................... 65
9.4 Composition of the Local GRC .................................................................................................. 65
9.5 Composition of Project – Level GRC ......................................................................................... 66
9.6 Scope of Work of GRC .............................................................................................................. 67
9.7 APs Petition to GRC .................................................................................................................. 68
9.8 Processes for Filing GRC Cases and Documentation .............................................................. 68
10 RESETTLEMENT COSTS AND BUDGET ................................................................................ 71
10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 71
10.2 Summary Land Acquisition and Resettlement Budget .............................................................. 71
10.3 Assessment of Unit Value for Compensation ............................................................................ 72
10.4 Replacement Value of Land ...................................................................................................... 72
10.5 Replacement Value of Structures .............................................................................................. 73
10.6 Market Value of Trees ............................................................................................................... 74
10.7 Market Value of Crops/Fish ....................................................................................................... 75
10.8 Provision for Resettlement and Rehabilitation Allowances and Assistance .............................. 76
11 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RP IMPLEMENTATION ........................................ 77
11.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 77
11.2 Present Institutional Framework of Bangladesh Railway .......................................................... 77
11.3 Institutional Framework for RP Implementation ........................................................................ 77
11.4 The Organisational Set up of the RU ......................................................................................... 78
11.5 Roles and Responsibilities of the Project Management and Resettlement Units ..................... 79
11.5.1 Role of the Project Director ................................................................................................... 79
11.5.2 Role of Resettlement Unit (RU) ............................................................................................ 79
11.5.3 RU – Role of the Chief Engineer .......................................................................................... 80
11.5.4 Role of the Additional Chief Engineer ................................................................................... 81

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | ii

 11.5.5 Role of Deputy Director - Resettlement ................................................................................ 81
11.5.6 Role of Deputy Director – Environment ................................................................................ 82
11.5.7 Functions and Powers of the Safeguard Manager ............................................................... 83
11.6 Roles and Responsibilities of Other Agencies Involved in Resettlement Process .................... 83
11.6.1 Roles of Deputy Commissioners’ Office(s) ........................................................................... 83
11.6.2 Role of Implementing NGO/Firm .......................................................................................... 83
11.6.3 Role of External Monitor ....................................................................................................... 83
11.7 Ministry of Railways ................................................................................................................... 84
11.7.1 Resettlement Management Committees .............................................................................. 84
11.8 Capacity Building for Resettlement Management ..................................................................... 84
11.9 Implementation Schedule .......................................................................................................... 85
12 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ........................................................................................... 87
12.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 87
12.2 Monitoring Tasks and Activities ................................................................................................. 87
12.3 Preparatory Stage ...................................................................................................................... 87
12.4 Relocation Stage ....................................................................................................................... 88
12.5 Rehabilitation Stage ................................................................................................................... 88
12.6 Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators ........................................................................................ 88
12.7 Monitoring Arrangements .......................................................................................................... 89
12.7.1 Internal Monitoring ................................................................................................................ 89
12.7.2 External Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 90
12.8 External Monitoring Activities .................................................................................................... 90
12.9 Reporting Arrangements............................................................................................................ 90

List of Tables
TABLE 1.1: SURVEY SECTIONS BY CHAINAGE AND LENGTH.......................................................................... 3
TABLE 1.2: METHODS USED IN RP PREPARATION AND REVISIONS ............................................................... 4
TABLE 2.1: AFFECTED LAND IN THE PROJECT AREAS BY USE AND AREA COVERAGE (IN HA) ........................ 6
TABLE 2.2: LAND REQUIRED BY SECTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE DOUBLE LINE.................................... 7
TABLE 2.3: PROJECT IMPACTS – OVERVIEW................................................................................................ 7
TABLE 2.4: IMPACTS BY CATEGORIES OF AFFECTED PERSONS .................................................................... 8
TABLE 2.5: HOUSEHOLDS BY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF IMPACT ............................................................... 9
TABLE 2.6: AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS LOSING STRUCTURES BY TYPE ......................................................... 11
TABLE 2.7: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ............................................................. 12
TABLE 2.8: PRIMARY AFFECTED STRUCTURES .......................................................................................... 12
TABLE 2.9: SECONDARY AFFECTED STRUCTURES ON PRIVATE LAND ......................................................... 12
TABLE 2.10: SECONDARY AFFECTED STRUCTURES OF BR ........................................................................ 13
TABLE 2.11: SECONDARY AFFECTED STRUCTURES OF OTHER GOB ORGANISATIONS ................................. 13
TABLE 2.12: TOTAL NUMBER OF AFFECTED TREES BY TYPE, SIZE, NUMBER ON BOTH PRIVATE AND
GOVERNMENT LAND ........................................................................................................................ 14
TABLE 3.1: AREA-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS AND POPULATION ................................................. 15
TABLE 3.2: SEX-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLD HEADS..................................................................... 16
TABLE 3.3: DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION IN TERMS OF DEPENDENCE RATIO ............................................ 16
TABLE 3.4: AFFECTED POPULATION BY RELIGION...................................................................................... 18
TABLE 3.5: DISTRIBUTION OF AFFECTED POPULATION (7 YEARS & ABOVE) BY EDUCATION LEVELS.............. 18
TABLE 3.6: OCCUPATION OF THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD ..................................................................... 19
TABLE 3.7: SOURCES OF INCOME (%)....................................................................................................... 19
TABLE 3.8: ANNUAL INCOME LEVEL OF HOUSEHOLD.................................................................................. 20
TABLE 3.9: SOURCE OF LOAN .................................................................................................................. 20
TABLE 3.10: LIST OF VULNERABLE GROUPS AND HOUSEHOLDS ................................................................. 21
TABLE 3.11: SQUATTERS PER CATEGORY................................................................................................. 22
TABLE 4.1: SCHEDULE AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS OF SCMS ............................................................. 25
TABLE 4.2: MEETING SCHEDULE AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS OF FGDS ............................................... 26
TABLE 4.3: PERCEIVED BENEFITS AND IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT ............................................................. 27
TABLE 4.4: STAKEHOLDERS’ CONCERNS, RESPONSES AND ACTION TAKEN ................................................ 28
TABLE 4.5: ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING COMPENSATION AND RESPONSES ................................... 28

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | iii

TABLE 4.6: SPECIFIC LOCAL ISSUES/CONCERNS AND RESPONSES ............................................................ 30
TABLE 5.1: SUMMARY OF GAPS AND ADDITIONAL GAP-FILLING MEASURES ADOPTED IN THE PROJECT ........ 35
TABLE 5.2: CUT-OFF DATES BASED ON CENSUS ....................................................................................... 35
TABLE 5.3: AVERAGE CMP AND MOUZA RATE OF LAND – SUMMARY ......................................................... 36
TABLE 5.4: AVERAGE STRUCTURE RATE (BDT) PER SQUARE FEET BY CATEGORY OF STRUCTURES ........... 36
TABLE 5.5: CALCULATED CCL AND CMP OF CROPS ................................................................................. 37
TABLE 6.1: ELIGIBILITY, ENTITLEMENTS, ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS UNDER RP ........................................ 43
TABLE 7.1: IMPACTS BY CATEGORIES OF PHYSICALLY RELOCATED HOUSEHOLDS ...................................... 56
TABLE 7.2: APS’ CHOICE FOR RESETTLEMENT OPTIONS ........................................................................... 57
TABLE 7.3: LIST OF PHYSICAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT AREA ........................................ 58
TABLE 7.4: NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROPERTY RESOURCES (CPRS) BY CATEGORY ................................ 59
TABLE 8.1: TYPE OF INCOME IMPACT ON AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS ............................................................ 60
TABLE 8.2: DETAILS OF INDICATIVE INCOME & LIVELIHOOD RESTORATION OPTIONS FOR AHS..................... 63
Table 9.1: MEMBERS OF THE GRC AT UNION PARISHAD/MUNICIPAL LEVEL ............................. 66
Table 9.2: COMPOSITION OF PROJECT LEVEL GRC ...................................................................... 66
TABLE 10.1: COSTS AND BUDGET – SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 71
TABLE 10.2: ESTIMATED AMOUNT FOR LAND COMPENSATION FOR THE PROJECT ....................................... 72
TABLE 10.3: ESTIMATED COMPENSATION AMOUNT FOR PRIMARY STRUCTURES ......................................... 73
TABLE 10.4: ESTIMATED COMPENSATION AMOUNT FOR SECONDARY STRUCTURES .................................... 73
TABLE 10.5: ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR TREES ON PRIVATE LAND ................................. 74
TABLE 10.6: ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR TREES ON GOVERNMENT LAND ........................ 75
TABLE 10.7: ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR STANDING CROP AND FISH ............................... 75
TABLE 10.8: ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE AND GRANT ................................................................. 76
TABLE 12.1: MONITORING AND EVALUATION INDICATORS .......................................................................... 89
TABLE 12.2: REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS ................................................................................................ 91

List of Figures
FIGURE 1.1: LOCATION OF THE PROJECT ALIGNMENT BETWEEN AKHAURA AND LAKSAM ............................... 1
FIGURE 2.1: LAND ACQUISITION/ROW PROFILE .......................................................................................... 7
FIGURE 3.1: POPULATION PYRAMID IN THE PROJECT AREA ....................................................................... 16
FIGURE 3.2: DEPENDENCE RATIO IN THE PROJECT AREA .......................................................................... 17
FIGURE 3.3: MARITAL STATUS IN THE PROJECT AREA ............................................................................... 17
FIGURE 5.1: COMPENSATION MECHANISM FOR LEGAL TITLE HOLDERS ...................................................... 39
FIGURE 5.2: COMPENSATION MECHANISM FOR NON-TITLE HOLDERS ......................................................... 41
FIGURE 9.1: GRIEVANCE REDRESS PROCEDURES ..................................................................................... 69
FIGURE 9.2: GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ....................................................................................... 70
FIGURE 11.1: RU’S ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ................................................................................... 78
FIGURE 11.2: RP IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE......................................................................................... 86

List of Annexes
Annex 1: Base Maps of three Sections of the Project…………………………………………..… A1
Annex 2: Property Valuation Report – Summary …………………………………………………. A4
Annex 3: Inventory of Losses ……………………………………………………………………….. A9
Annex 4: Affected Primary and Secondary Structures and Trees ……………………………..… A88
Annex 5: Summaries of Consultation Meetings ……………………………………………………. A91
Annex 6: Public Information Booklet (English and Bangla)…………………………………..…… A103
Annex 7: Gaps between GoB Laws and ADB/EIB Policies ………………………………………. A146
Annex 8: Property Valuation Advisory Committee ……………………………………………….… A153
Annex 9: Land Acquisition and Compensation Payment Procedure for the Titled Eps ……..… A156
Annex 10: Findings of the Rapid Assessment Survey – Summary ……………………………..… A158
Annex 11: ToR for RP Implementing NGO/Firm …………………………………………………….. A160
Annex 12: ToR for NGO/Firm for ILRP Implementation…………………………………………….. A173
Annex 13: List of CPRs/PCRs in the Project Area ………………………………………………….. A178
Annex 14: Draft ToR for External Monitor ………………………………………………………….… A180

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | iv

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Introduction
1. This is a revised version of the Resettlement Plan (RP) of June 2014 prepared for
the Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project (the Project). The revision and updates
are done in view of further reduction in the acquisition of private land from 58.43 ha
to 37.38 ha for the proposed double line alignment. The reduced land acquisition
further minimised Project impacts, particularly dealing with titleholders. The section
from Gangasagar Railway Station to Akhaura was re-designed to avoid a major
market and settlement, including an old temple. A new station building design was
developed and other design changes were made to minimise land acquisition
requirements. As a result, the overall impact of the Project was significantly reduced.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) under the Ministry of Railways is the executing agency
(EA) of the Project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Investment
Bank (EIB) and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) will jointly finance the Project.
The Project is developed under the Regional Cooperation and Integration Project
(RCIP) – Rail Component for sub regional and Trans-Asian Railway (TAR)
connectivity.
2. The RP approach incorporates (i) compensation for land and structures at full
replacement cost prior to relocation; (ii) moving/relocation assistance; (iii) income-
restoration measures including a livelihood restoration programme (LRP); (iii) special
assistance, particularly for women and vulnerable groups; and (iv) assistance to
secure housing and rental spaces by the non-titled person living on BR land.

B. Scope of Land Acquisition

3. Overall, the total numbers of affected entities are 2,004 households/units (titled and
non-titled included) who will be physically and economically impacted by the Project.
However, the numbers of households (HH) to be affected are 1,947 (excluding the
affected units of CPR, PCR, Government/BR buildings, large business entities
(Table 2.4). The doubling of the track will require a total 329.76 ha of land. Of this,
only 37.38 ha will require private land acquisition – the rest of the land already
belongs to BR. However, many households/shops who are currently squatting on
BR land will be affected and would require relocation.
4. Out of the 2,004 households/units, 698 title owners will lose their lands, representing
34.83% of affected units. Out of this, 95.27% use their land for agricultural purposes
and 4.73% for other purposes. Of those affected, 1,815 households/units (1,763
HHs+52 units i.e., CPR = 49 + large scale business = 3) will have to relocate their
homesteads or business structure: these include 303 title-holder households, 887
informal settler households (i.e., squatters) and 573 renters on private land (155)
and BR land (418) (see Table A). Finally, 454 employees will also lose their jobs due
to impacts associated with the relocation of businesses. The Project will also require
removal of trees of various sizes and species.
Table A: Summary of Key Project Impacts

Sl. Project Impacts Total

No.
1 Amount of land to be acquired (ha) 37.38
2 Total number of households requiring relocation 1,815
Number of titled HHs losing res/com and other structures requiring relocation 303
Number of squatters losing res/com and structures requiring relocation 887
Number of renters (from squatters on BR land) losing res/com structures requiring 573
relocation
Number of CPRs requiring relocation 49

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | i

Sl. Project Impacts Total
No.
Number of Large Scale Business (from titled, non-titled owners and renters) losing 3
structures requiring relocation
3 Number of PCRs not requiring relocation 3
4 Number of HH losing other structures 44
5 Number of HH losing land, trees and fish ponds only-no relocation required 713
6 Number of HH losing over 10% of their lands 454
7 Total number of persons affected 9,626
8 Number of trees affected 55,342

5. The proposed Project interventions will also affect common property resources
(CPRs) such as community schools, mosques, club house and physical cultural
resources (PCRs) – for example, mazar sharif (shrine) and moth (age-old temple).

C. Impacts and Socioeconomic Profiles

6. Among the affected households, the male-female ratio is 120:100. The average
household size is 4.94. The census findings show that about 69.21% of the affected
persons have up to secondary school education, and about 6.33% higher
secondary level of education. Although 83.86% of affected households are directly
engaged in income generating activities, they belong to diverse occupational groups,
the most important of which are businesses (33%) and farming (20%).
7. A good number of landowners were unavailable during previous survey while
updated survey covered more number of land owners. Therefore, more than 10% of
income loss from agricultural land has increased in the updated RP. As per the land
acquisition data, 31.73% (or 211) of the landowners will be losing 10% or more of
their income from land. About 25% households/units (505) will have to relocate their
business. Finally, 20% of households (404) have been identified as vulnerable,
defined as earnings below the poverty line (BDT 74,359.00/year) as well as headed
by disabled, female and elderly people.
8. As for the squatters, most of those losing homesteads live in rural sections of the
alignment while those losing businesses live close to the stations in urban centres.
The number of commercial and residential squatters has increased in updated RP
(by 211 units) due to increase of BR land mainly in station areas. The squatters are
mostly found in the Akhaura station. The impacts are in the both cases of income
and homestead. As per the survey of squatters having shops/businesses around
station areas. 61% reported to have residences in town and even own land and
house in their village homes. Most of them (76%) earn an income above the average
for the district (average of BDT 10,000.00/month. In sum, these informal settlers
living in urban areas are relatively well off and do not qualify as vulnerable. They are
using BR land free of cost for businesses and to earn a living.

D. Information Disclosure, Consultation and Responses

9. The primary stakeholders of the Project are land owners, traders, farmers, service
holders, day labourers, and rickshaw/van pullers, as well as small shop/kiosk
owners, largely on BR land as informal settlers. Stakeholder consultation meetings
were held during (i) social surveys (e.g., census, SES, land market survey, and
video filming), followed by formal community-wide Stakeholder Consultation Meeting
(SCM), and (iii) Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The cut-off dates (a) for land and
(b) eligibility for resettlement benefits were discussed during the surveys and local
consultation meetings/FGDs. The affected people support the Project that they see
will enable faster transportation as well as improve the connection with other parts of

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | ii

 the country and neighbouring countries. However, they raised concerns over timely
and fair compensation as well as availability to relocate their businesses in proximity
to the stations. Most of these concerns have been integrated into the compensations
and resettlement measures outlined in the RP.
10. A Project information brochure, which described key expected environmental and
social impacts, was distributed to the communities in the Project’s zone of
influence during the environmental and social impact assessment. In addition, a RP
disclosure brochure, with specific information on entitlements has been prepared in
Bangla and distributed in the concerned DC and upazila in May 2014. This revised
updated version will also be disclosed by April 2015. Further, an updated brochure
will be distributed to every affected household unit prior to RP implementation. The
revised RP will also be uploaded on the ADB and BR websites after getting
concurrence from the ADB/EIB and approval from the Ministry of Railways. A
Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be put in place prior to the
implementation of the RP to ensure complaints and feedbacks from affected people
are adequately and timely addressed.

E. Legal and Policy Framework

11. The principal legal instrument governing land acquisition in Bangladesh is the
Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Ordinance, 1982 (ARIPO
1982/amended) and other land laws and administrative manuals which requires that
compensation be paid at “fair value” for (i) land and assets permanently acquired
(including standing crops, trees, houses); and (ii) any other damages caused by
such acquisition. The Deputy Commissioners (DC) in all the cases, determine the
market value of acquired land based on the assessment of transacted deeds of the
12 months prior to the date of notice under Section 3. However, the value provided
is generally lower than the true “market value” as owners customarily report lower
rates in land transaction prices to avoid duties and taxes.
12. ADB SPS/Involuntary Resettlement Safeguards (2009) as well as EIB/Standard 6
Involuntary Resettlement require payments of replacement cost (RC) of the affected
land and other assets. There are evident gaps in the Land Acquisition Law of
Bangladesh to address ADB/EIB Safeguards requirements. These gaps have
been spelled out in the RP through a comparative assessment between ADB
SPS/Involuntary Resettlement Safeguards (2009), EIB/Standard 6 Involuntary
Resettlement (2014) and GoB Ordinance II (1982). To ensure fair compensation and
comply with the donors’ policies, this RP has adopted policy measures to address
the losses at full replacement cost (RC) in addition to other resettlement assistance
measures further detailed below.
13. Additional surveys and studies have also been undertaken under the Project to
assess current market value of land and other assets for payments at replacement
cost. These have been synthesised in the Land and Property Valuation Report,
which is summarised in Chapter 11 and detailed in Annex 2. The values of the
Land and Property Valuation Report will be reviewed and verified by the Property
Valuation Advisory Committee (PVAC), which will be set up for the
implementation of the RP. More information on the role of the PVAC is provided in
Annex 8.

F. Entitlements, Assistance and Income-Restoration Measures

14. Both titled and non-titled affected households to be compensated at full replacement
costs for their assets. In addition to compensation measures for land, structures and
other assets at full replacement costs, the following income restoration measures
have been be proposed. It is expected that these additional mechanisms will
ensure improvement or restoration to pre-project standards of living of Affected
Households and that those of poor and vulnerable households at least meet
minimum national standards.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | iii

 i. Moving assistance: This includes transfer grants and reconstruction grants for
structure owners and moving grants for tenants.
ii. Income-restoration measures: This includes allowance for loss of income for
business owners, allowance for loss of income for employees/wage earners,
allowance for loss of income from agricultural land, pond and fruit trees and
participation to the Livelihood Restoration Programme.
iii. Assistance measures to secure housing and rental space: This includes
assistance to all affected households losing homesteads, business structures or
rental space in identifying and securing an alternative space to rent or buy.
iv. Special assistance measures: This includes special cash grants to vulnerable
households and poor female-headed households.
15. The revised and updated RP contain the same comprehensive entitlement matrix
covering both titled and non-titled affected households to be compensated at full
replacement costs for their assets and assisted in relocation (see Table B). No
additional measures are required in the revised version.
Table B: Entitlements, Assistance and Benefits under the RP – Summary

Category of Losses Persons Entitled Entitlements

1. Loss of agricultural Legal owner/ titleholders • CCL by DC as per 1982 Ordinance
land as identified by Deputy • The difference between CCL and Replacement value
Commissioner (DC) (RV) of land (to be determined by PVAC) paid by the
Project as additional payments.
• Stamp duty and updated registration cost will be
paid once the EP purchases new land and submits
proper records. The value for stamp duty will be limited
to CCL and/replacement value paid.
• Assistance from INGO in re-titling plot.
2. Loss of homestead, Legal owner/ titleholders • CCL by DC as per 1982 Ordinance
commercial, industrial as identified by DC • The difference between CCL and Replacement value
land and common (RV) of land (to be determined by PVAC) paid by the
property resources Project as additional payments.
• Stamp duty and registration cost will be paid once the
EP purchases new land and submits proper records.
The value for stamp duty will be limited to CCL
and/replacement value paid.
• Assistance from INGO in re-titling structure.
3. Loss of water bodies Legal owner/ titleholders • CCL by DC as per 1982 Ordinance
(ponds, both cultivated as identified by DC • The difference between CCL and Replacement value
and non-cultivated) (RV) of land (to be determined by PVAC) paid by the
Project as additional payments.
• Stamp duty and registration cost will be paid once the
EP purchases new land and submits proper records.
The value for stamp duty will be limited to CCL
and/replacement value paid.
• Assistance from INGO in re-titling asset.
4. Loss of residential Legal owner/titleholders as • CCL by DC for residential structures
structures with title to identified by DC • The difference between CCL and Replacement Cost
land (RC) for structures as determined by PVAC
• Transfer and reconstruction grants respectively of
BDT 8,000.00 and BDT 9,800.00
• Owner allowed to take all salvageable materials free
of cost.
5. Loss of Legal owner/titleholders as • CCL by DC for commercial/industrial structures
commercial/industrial identified by DC • The difference between CCL and Replacement Cost

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | iv

 Category of Losses Persons Entitled Entitlements
structures with title to (RC) for structures as determined by PVAC
land • Transfer and reconstruction grants respectively of
BDT 8,000.00 and BDT 9,800.00
• Owner allowed to take all salvageable materials free
of cost
6. Loss of residential Socially recognised • Compensation for the structures as per PWD rates if
and other physical owners of structures built not available to be determined by PVAC at
structures without title on the RoW as identified replacement cost
to land (squatters/ during census. • Transfer and reconstruction grants respectively of
informal settlers) BDT 8,000.00 and BDT 9,800.00
• Owner allowed to take all salvageable materials free
of cost
7. Loss of physical (a) Legal owners (or (a) CCL by DC to legal owners, plus the difference
cultural resources registered committees) between CCL and RC of structure as determined by
(PCR) and common identified by DC in the PVAC.
property resources process of CCL payment. • Transfer grant of BDT 16,000.00 for the relocation
(CPRs) structures (a) (b) Socially recognized of structure;
with or (b) without title owners of structures built • Dismantling and reconstruction cash assistance BDT
to land on the RoW as identified 10,000.00; and
during census and verified • Allowed to take all salvageable materials free of
by JVC cost.
OR
(b) RC for structure as determined by PVAC
• Transfer grant of BDT 16,000.00 for the relocation
of structure
• Reconstruction grant of BDT 10,000.00
• Owner(s) allowed to take all salvageable materials
free of cost
8. (a) Loss of trees • Legal owner as (a) Timber trees and bamboos: CCL by DC for those with
with title to land; and identified by DC. title to land and difference between CCL and RC as
(b) owner of trees on • Socially recognised determined by PVAC.
public land or lessees owners of trees grown • For fruit trees: CCL by DC for those with title to land
on public or other and difference between CCL and RC as determined by
land, as identified by PVAC.
census. OR
• Owners of trees such (b) Timber trees and bamboos: Compensation for lost
as Forest Department, trees as per DOF rates to be determined by PVAC at
Zilla Parishad, RC for those w/o title to land.
Society, Union • For fruit trees: compensation for lost trees as per DOF
Parishad, Lessee on rates to be determined by PVAC at RC for those w/o
public land. title to land.
• Owner of trees (in both cases) will be allowed to fell
and take the trees free of cost
9. Loss of standing (a)Legal owner/ cultivators (a) CCL for crops by DC for those with titles and
crops/fish stock with as identified in joint difference between CCL and RC as determined by PVA;
(a) title to land and verification by DC and BR. OR
(b) without title to land. (b) socially recognised (b) compensations for crops/fish stock at RC to be
users of land identified determined by PVAC for those without title.
during census and • Owners/Users will be allowed to take crops and fish
validated by JVC stock (within BR declared deadline)
10. Loss of fruit (a) Legal owner/ cultivators As mentioned in entitlement measure # 8, RC of fruit
production (due to as identified in joint production for 3 years.
loss of fruit trees). verification by DC and BR.
(b) socially recognised
users of land identified
during census and

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | v

 Category of Losses Persons Entitled Entitlements
validated by JVC
11. Loss of leased or • Agricultural and • CCL as per law for those with registered
mortgaged agricultural commercial plot contracts/lease OR
land or ponds and owner(s) on the • Cash grant of BDT 5,200.00 and BDT 4,600.00 will be
commercial land Project RoW. paid to the non-titled share croppers, licensees and
• Titled and non-titled lessees of agricultural land, and pond respectively by
leaseholders/ the Project through INGO.
licensees/share • In both cases, the cultivator will be allowed to take the
croppers crops/fish free of costs within the BR declared
deadline.
12. Loss of income Any proprietor or Cash grant of BDT 30,000.00 for loss of business
from dismantled businessman or artisan income by affected trader (based on average monthly
commercial and operating in premises, at income of BDT 10,000.00 for 3 months)
business premises the time of issuance of
notice and/or identified by
census.
13. Loss of income Regular employees/wage Cash grant of BDT 19,500.00 (equivalent to 3 months
(wage earners in earners affected by the average income
agricultural, small acquisition as identified by
business and census.
industry; excluding
owners or employers)
14. Loss of income Legal owner of the rented- Grant for loss of rental income equivalent to Rental
from rented-out out premises as identified assistance for rented residential and commercial structures
Residential and by census. of BDT 3,000 (equivalent to 2 months rental income.
commercial premises
15. Rental assistance Tenants in rented • Rental assistance for both residential and
for renters in order to structures as identified by commercial tenants of BDT 6,000.00 (equivalent to 4
support them finding census. month rent).
alternative place to • Moving grant of 1,500.00
rent
16. Reconnection of Legal subscriber as Cash grant for new utilities connection will be
utilities (gas, identified by DC (Eligible provided by BR:
electricity, telephone, only when the affected (a) Gas connection = BDT 12,000.00;
water, sewage, etc.) households can submit (b) Electricity connection = BDT 7,000.00;
evidence of past
(c) Telephone connection = BDT 5,000.00;
connections/bills/receipt)
(d) Water connection = BDT 5,000.00;
(e) Sewage connection = BDT 5,000.00.
17. Assistance to Households under the BDT 8,200.00 as one time grant in addition to other
vulnerable households poverty level and whose compensations
head of household are
elderly, disabled and very
poor
18. Assistance to Households headed by BDT 10,000.00 as one time grant in addition to other
poor female-headed women and under the compensations
households poverty level.
19. Livelihood One member of each • Cost of programme implementation (as separate line in
improvement vulnerable household as budget summary Table 10.1).
programme well as households losing • BDT 16,000.00 to be provided as “seed grant” to each
10% over of their total trained member for investment
income.
20. Personal finance All households losing Cost of programme implementation (estimated at BDT
management structure/trees/crops/ 3,000.00/household).
programme land.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | vi

 Category of Losses Persons Entitled Entitlements
21. Assistance in All households losing their Cost of programme implementation (as separate line in
identifying available homestead or business budget summary Table 10.1).
land/space/structure structure or rented
to rent or buy structure.
22. Unforeseen Households/persons Compensations/allowance and assistance depending on
adverse impacts affected by any unforeseen type of loss will follow entitlement matrix
impact identified during RP
implementation – for
instance, any Project
induced impacts
23. Temporary impact Households/persons • The contractor shall bear the cost of any impact on
during construction and/or community affected structure or land due to movement of machinery and in
by construction impacts connection with collection and transportation of
borrow materials as per entitlement matrix (see
entitlement measure # 1).
• All temporary use of lands outside proposed RoW to
be through written approval of the land owner and
contractor.
• Land will be returned to owner rehabilitated to original
preferably better standard.

G. Relocation of Housing and Settlements

16. The households who will be physically relocated are either titled homestead/
business owners, informal settlers (squatters) on BR land and renters. Most of the
affected structures in urban centres tend to be businesses and in rural areas
homesteads.
17. A large majority of the affected households (95%) stated their preference to remain
in their current location in order to continue their present occupations. When asked
about modalities for compensation, the survey shows that 73% of households would
opt for cash compensation. 20 percent (mostly private land owners) expressed their
preferences for land for land.
18. The relocation of scattered homesteads in rural areas along a 72 km linear
stretch is not pragmatic as it would imply concentrating the households in a few
identified locations or resettlement sites that would be away from their existing
source of livelihood (farming). Most of the landowners will not lose any substantial
amount of land due to linear acquisition and will be able to relocate on their residual
land. As per the entitlement matrix, land titleholders will receive on average BDT
6,301,383 (USD 81,098.88) per household as compensation, which is believed to be
sufficient to rent or buy alternative plots. Non-title holders losing a homestead in
rural sections will either relocate on BR land, which is a typical practice as evident in
the Tongi-Bhairab Double Line Project, or rent within proximity. According to the
rental availability and affordability survey, space and structures to rent in rural
areas are readily affordable and accessible.
19. There is limited availability of BR land close to the stations in urban areas that would
be sufficient to relocate affected households. Acquiring land from private owners for
resettlement is not a pragmatic option, as this would affect another new set of
people in a cyclical way. Moreover, the rental availability and affordability survey
confirmed that most squatters in urban areas, who represent over 50% of the
affected business owners, would not lose their homesteads, as they already own a
house (60%) or are renting in town. Their income depends on being in the city and
close to the stations. The survey also indicates that while rent from private
individuals is affordable in urban centres (from BDT 750.00-1,500.00/month) it is not
widely available.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | vii

20. It is believed that the compensations, allowances and assistance measures
proposed under this RP are sufficient to enable affected households to secure
alternative spaces for their homesteads and businesses. The cash option for titled
owners as well as informal settlers is very attractive. Firstly, households losing a
primary structure (both titled and non-titled holders) will receive an estimated
BDT 781,209 (USD 10,054.17), which represents 13 times the average annual
income and is more than sufficient to cover several years of rent. As for renters, who
will not be compensated for the structure; will receive the equivalent of four-month
rent, which is sufficient time for them to find an alternative option. This should
address the question of affordability of renting space in urban centres.
21. As for the availability issue, the INGO will assist all affected households losing land
or structure (or rented structure) in identifying and securing an alternative space to
rent or buy. One of its tasks will be to establish a list of available plots and structures
to rent or buy and support the affected household with legal documentation and in
negotiations. Assistance from the INGO was explicitly sought by the affected
households as demonstrated by the survey (requested by over 80% of those
surveyed). Furthermore, under the RP, BR will consider giving priority in re-
allocating leases to former leaseholders and affected businesses after
modernisation of the station areas.

H. Grievance Redress Mechanism

22. Grievance redress mechanism (GRM) is a locally based, formalised way of
accepting, assessing, and resolving community complaints concerning the
performance or behavior of the Project. A two-tier Grievance Redress Committees
(GRCs) has been established in this Project to deal with all complaints related to RP
implementation. The affected persons will be informed through consultations and
FGDs during Project implementation. This will also be clearly outlined in the public
information booklet, APs will be informed that they have a right to resolve any land
acquisition related grievance or complaints they may have. Grievances will be
settled with their full representation in GRCs constituted by the Ministry of Railways
with representatives from the Executing Agency (BR), the Implementing NGO
(INGO) engaged for RP implementation, LGI representative (2) including one
representative of the affected community. The APs will call upon the support of
INGO to assist them in presenting their grievances to the GRCs. GRCs will review
grievances involving all social, resettlement and environmental issues related to
Project implementation. Grievances will be redressed within a month from the date
of lodging the complaints.

I. Resettlement Cost and Budget

23. The total estimated budget for implementation of the Resettlement Plan is BDT
4,418.83.00 million (USD 56.87 million). Table C provides a summary of the LAR
costs. Details are available in Chapter 10.

Table C: Costs and Budget – Summary

Breakdown of Total Cost for LA and Resettlement for Project

Sl.
Head of Budget Million BDT Million USD
No.
1. Land Acquisition Cost
A Compensation for land (CCL and additional top-up) 2,738.52 35.24
B Compensation for Primary Structures and Secondary Structures 553.06 7.12
C Compensation for Trees 80.49 1.04
D Compensation for Crop Production 2.10 0.03

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | viii

 Breakdown of Total Cost for LA and Resettlement for Project
Sl.
Head of Budget Million BDT Million USD
No.
E Compensation for Fish Stock 2.00 0.03
F Other Resettlement Benefits/Allowance and Grants 80.91 1.04
G Income Generation and Livelihood Restoration 9.84 0.13
H Assistance in identifying space to rent/buy 5.50 0.07
I Cost of NGOs for carry out Income Generation and Livelihood 15.00 0.19
Restoration Programme (ILRP) and Capacity Building & Training of
Officials of EA
J RP implementing NGO Operation cost for RP Implementing 50.00 0.64
Agency/INGO (LS)
K RP External Monitoring NGO/Agency 7.00 0.09
L Relocation of three PCRs 4.70 0.06
M Compensation and rehabilitation assistance to informal settlers on 468.00 6.02
land near Rail Bhaban for construction of a new building under this
Project
Sub Total 4,017.12 51.70
N Contingency @10% 401.71 5.17
Total Estimated Budget 4,418.83 56.87

Table D: Detailed Breakdown Cost and Estimates

Total
Sl. Rate Total Amount
Description Unit Quantity Amount
No (Taka) (Taka)
(MillionTaka)
A Land Acquisition
A.1 Price of Land Acre 92.30 29,668,530.71 2,738,521,092.00 2,738.52
A.2 Price of Primary Structure Sft. 606,513.00 852.80 517,233,618.00 517.23
A.3 Price of Secondary Structure LS 35,825,662.00 35.83
A.4 Price of Trees on Private Land No. 19,652.00 2,512.97 49.38
49,384,794.00
A.5 Price of Trees on GoB. Land No. 35,690.00 871.67 31,109,772.00 31.11
A.6 Price of Crops Dec. 5,246.00 400.00 2,098,400.00 2.10
A.7 Compensation for Fish Stock Dec. 1,997.90 1,000.00 1,997,900.00 2.00
Total of A.1 to A.10 3,376,171,238.00 3,376.17
Contingency @10% 337,617,123.80 337.62
Sub-Total-A : Total Cost of
3,713,788,361.80 3,713.79
Land Acquisition

Resettlement Allowance and

B
Grants
Transfer Grant per affected titled
B.1 and non-titled Residential and No. 1,763 8,000 14,104,000.00 14.10
Commercial Structures
Special Grant per affected
B.2 Community Property (PCR & No. 49 16,000 784,000.00 0.78
CPR) Structures
Reconstruction Grant per
affected titled and non- titled
B.3 No. 1,190 9,800 11,662,000.00 11.66
Residential and Commercial
Structures

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | ix

 Total
Sl. Rate Total Amount
Description Unit Quantity Amount
No (Taka) (Taka)
(MillionTaka)
One time moving grant for
B.4 No. 573 3,000 1,719,000.00 1.72
tenants
Rental Assistance for both
B.5 residential and commercial No. 574 6,000 3,444,000.00 3.44
tenants
Grant for loss of rental income to
the legal owner for rented
B.6 No. 574 3,000 1,722,000.00 1.72
residential & commercial
structures
Re-connection of Gas supply
B.7 No. 14 12,000 168,000.00 0.17
services
Re-connection of Electricity
B.8 No. 500 7,000 3,500,000.00 3.50
supply services
Re-connection of Water supply
B.9 No. 408 5,000 2,040,000.00 2.04
services
Re-connection of Telephone
B.10 L.S 85 5,000 425,000.00 0.43
services(approximate)
Re-connection of sewerage
B.11 No. 500 5,000 2,500,000.00 2.50
services
Assistance to vulnerable
households or households with
B.12 No. 404 8,200 3,312,800.00 3.31
disabled/ handicapped/
elderly/very poor
Assistance to Female headed
B.13 households under the poverty No. 74 10,000 740,000.00 0.74
level
Grant for Loss of business
B.14 No. 507 30,000 15,210,000.00 15.21
Income by affected trader
Grant for loss of regular wage
B.15 income for labours and No. 464 19,500 9,048,000.00 9.05
employees
Grant for loss of income from
agricultural land to non-titled
B.16 No. 34 5,200
share croppers, licensees and 176,800.00 0.18
lessees
Grant for loss of income from
B.17 pond/water bodies to non-titled No. 145 4,600 667,000.00 0.67
licensees and lessees
Grant for loss of fruit production
B.18 to the legal owners LS 10,110,203.00 10.11
(Price of total fruit trees)
Assistance in identifying space to
B.19 L.S 5,500,000.00 5.50
rent/buy
B.20 Relocation of three PCRs L.S 4,700,000.00 4.70
Compensation and rehabilitation
assistance to informal settlers on
B.21 land near Rail Bhaban for L.S 468,000,000.00 468.00
construction of a new building
under this project
Total of B.1 to B.21 559,532,803.00 559.53
Contingency @10% 55,953,280.30 55.95
Sub-Total-B : Total Cost of
Resettlement Allowance and 615,486,083.30 615.49
Grants
Income Generation and
C
Restoration
Income Generation and
C.1 L.S 9,840,000.00 9.84
Livelihood Restoration

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | x

 Total
Sl. Rate Total Amount
Description Unit Quantity Amount
No (Taka) (Taka)
(MillionTaka)
Cost of NGOs for carry out
Income Generation and
Livelihood Restoration
C.2 L.S 15,000,000.00 15.00
Programme (ILRP) & Capacity
Building and Training of Officials
of EA
Total of C.1 to C.2 24,840,000.00 24.84
Contingency @10% 2,484,000.00 2.48
Sub-Total-C : Total ( ILRP
27,324,000.00 27.32
Costs)

D Administrative Cost
Operation cost for RP
D.1 L.S 50,000,000.00 50.00
Implementing Agency/ INGO (LS)
RP External Monitoring
D.2 L.S 7,000,000.00 7.00
NGO/Agency
Total of D.1 to D.2 57,000,000.00 57.00
Contingency @10% 5,700,000.00 5.70
Sub-Total-D: Total
62,700,000.00 62.70
Administrative Cost
Total Estimated Cost
4,419,298,445.10 4,419.30
(A+B+C+D)

24. This budget includes compensation for land, structures, trees, standing crops and
fish, along with other resettlement benefits. A provisional lump sum has been kept in
the budget (i.e., M) for payment of compensation and rehabilitation assistance for
squatters to be affected by the construction of the Engineers Main Office for the
Project in Dhaka near the current BR headquarters (more in Chapter 1). Provision of
contingency costs (10%) has also been calculated and incorporated in this budget to
meet unforeseen expenses during RP implementation. The RP budget further
includes capacity building of the Executive Agency (BR), the operational cost for the
INGO and training cost of income generating activities for vulnerable households.
INGO will review and adjust the budget further in consultation with BR prior to
Project implementation. This budget is indicative of outlays for different expenditure
categories assessed by census and IoL survey (May-June 2013, Feb 2014,
December 2014 and January 2015) for physical assets and estimates of land for
acquisition. These costs will be updated and adjusted once the land acquisition
boundaries will be finalised and the Government adopts a price of land and other
assets based on recommendations of the PVAC for replacement cost prior to
implementation.

J. Institutional Arrangements for RP Implementation

25. BR will establish a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the implementation of the
Project in which a resettlement unit (RU) will be set up for RP implementation. The
PIU will be headed by the General Manager/Project Director (PD) and the RU by an
Additional Chief Engineer (ACE). The PD will engage a non-governmental
organisation (INGO) to assist the RU in the implementation of the RP. The INGO will
assist the RU in disbursing compensation and resettlement benefits to the Project
affected persons as will be responsible for elaborating and conducting the livelihood
restoration programme, as well as key activities related to the implementation of the
gender action plan that has been designed for the Project and which purpose goes
beyond this RP. BR will ensure land acquisition with assistance from Deputy
Commissioners of Brahmanbaria and Comilla. Besides, the Ministry of Railways will
form various teams/committees such as Property Valuation Advisory Committee

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | xi

 (PVAC), and Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) and JVC with representatives of
BR, DC, LGI and APs for ensuring stakeholder participation and upholding the
interest of the vulnerable APs.

K. Monitoring and Evaluation

26. BR will set up under DD (Resettlement) a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system
for collecting and analysing information on RP implementation in a systematic
and continuous process and for identifying the constraint of the process. A multi-
level monitoring system has been established that includes both internal and
external members to provide feedback to the PIU as well as to assess the
effectiveness of the RP implementation. Internal monitoring will be carried out by the
RU and while external monitoring will be carried out by the Project Supervision
Consultants. ADB will also monitor RP implementation activities during periodic
mission. The monitoring reports will be accessible to stakeholders and posted in
Project website.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | xii

1 Description of the Project
1.1 Project Background
27. The Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project (the Project) will bring efficiency in railway
operation and enhance the line capacity significantly from the current 31 train pairs per
day to around 72 train pairs per day. Further, the upgrading under the Project,
particularly the existing loops will also permit the operation of longer trains, making
better utilisation of the available train slots. The Project alignment between Akhaura and
Laksam is shown in Figure 1.1. Bangladesh Railway (BR) under the Ministry of Railways
(MoR), is the executing agency (EA) of this Project.
28. The Project has been developed under the framework of the Regional Cooperation and
Integration Project (RCIP) designed to develop Sub-Regional and Trans-Asian
Railway (TAR) connectivity as well as improving the communication system between
and among the South Asian and other Asian countries with Bangladesh. The overall
objectives of RCIP are to (i) promote economic cooperation and (ii) internal efficiency
and effectiveness of the transport sector.

Figure 1.1: Location of the Project Alignment between Akhaura and Laksam

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 1

1.2 Project Components
29. The existing Akhaura to Laksam single railway line was built on land acquired in the
1890s. The embankment along single railway line can largely accommodate a
second line with additional acquisition for land for doubling, including provisions for
dual gauge tracks, new bridges and culverts, modifications to stations or
construction of new stations and diversions where necessary. The total length of the
proposed strip is 72 km with variable width of 30 m to 100 m, depending on
embankment heights, bridges and stations. In addition to construction of the double
line, the Project includes the following components:
a. Construction of 59 (fifty nine) new bridges and culverts; this also includes 13
major bridges (more than 40 ft);
b. Eleven new stations will be built replacing existing stations within the same
station complex;
c. Improving access at 2 existing stations (Comilla and Akhaura) by construction
of foot-over-bridges (FoB) and ramps;
d. Construction of Engineers Main Office Building for the Project in Dhaka (close
to BR headquarters building).1
30. In addition to affected titled owners, the proposed Project interventions will cause
displacement of largely informal settlers/squatters (residential and
commercial/shops), tenants and encroachers from BR land and in and around
station areas with adverse impacts on their assets and livelihoods.

1.3 Measures to Minimise Impacts

31. The Project considered many technical options in order to reduce land acquisition
and minimise possible adverse impacts. For example,
i. Out of total required area of around 320 ha, only 37.38 ha (11.7%) of area will
be acquired for Project implementation; the remainder is BR land;
ii. The section from Gangasagar Railway Station to Akhaura was re-designed to
avoid a major market and settlement, including an old temple. As a result, the
overall impact of the Project was significantly reduced;
iii. The reconstruction and modernisation of the stations were designed as much
as possible within the available BR land. As a result, land acquisition was
reduced during the design phase; and
iv. Access roads to some stations were re-designed through further field
inspections to reduce land acquisition and minimise impacts.
32. During Project implementation, the Project will make further efforts to minimise
Project impacts and disruptions as much as possible.

1.4 Purposes of Resettlement Plan

33. The purpose of the RP is to mitigate, compensate and re-establish the lives and
livelihoods of the affected persons and communities affected by the Project. The RP
is based on GoB laws/legal framework for land acquisition and compensation
payments. It also complies with the ADB SPS/Involuntary Resettlement Safeguards
and EIB Standard 6 - Involuntary Resettlement and other relevant guidelines2 with

1
The land already belongs to BR; however, there are several run down railway staff quarters and many squatters/shops
on the railway land. These temporary shops and settlements have to be removed and rehabilitated. An initial assessment
has already been carried out; however, a full census and IOL will be prepared soon and an addendum to the RP will be
submitted in due course. A lump sum budget has already been included to cover compensation and rehabilitation
assistance as per the Project entitlement matrix.
2
EIB Standard 5 Cultural Heritage; Standard 7 Rights and Interests of Vulnerable Groups; and Standard 10 Stakeholders
Engagement. Environmental and Social Handbook, 2014.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 2

 Project- specific provisions for replacement value for assets acquired, assistance for
relocation and construction of houses, livelihood restoration and other allowance for
vulnerable groups so that those affected can maintain and/or improve their pre-
Project standard of living. The compensation rates assessed and the resettlement
assistance and benefits to be provided under the RP will help the affected
households and businesses to re- establish themselves in post-relocation period.
Special attention has been given to non-titled affected squatters/informal settlers,
shops and business owners on BR land along the alignment and in and around the
station areas to support their relocation and safeguard their livelihoods. The RP
implementation NGO (INGO) will further assist in the relocation and rehabilitation
processes.

1.5 Methodology
34. For the purpose of social survey/census, the alignment from Akhaura–Laksam was
divided into three sections, namely (i) Laksam–Comilla, (ii) Comilla–Salda Nadi, and
(iii) Salda Nadi–Akhaura (see Table 1.1)
Table 1.1: Survey Sections by Chainage and Length

Section Chainage Length (km)

Laksam-Comilla 130+625 to 155+000 24.375
Comilla-Salda Nadi 155+000 to 174+500 19.500
Salda Nadi-Akhaura 174+500 to 202+700 28.200

35. The data/tables in the RP are presented accordingly. The base maps of three
sections are presented in Annex 1 (Map A1.1, Map A1.2 and Map A1.3).
36. In preparing the RP a participatory approach was followed for collecting data and
information. The tools and techniques used include (i) census of affected
households (100%); (ii) sample socio-economic survey (SES) of 20% affected
households; (iii) property valuation survey (PVS); (iv) stakeholder consultation
meetings (SCMs); and (v) focus group discussions (FGDs). Besides, the
house/structure marking along with video filming was done also. Finally, a rapid
assessment and four FGDs were conducted (7-10 May 2014) among the squatters
and informal settlers in three major station areas.
37. Additional surveys were carried out in Akhaura, Comilla and Laksam station areas
in February-March 2014 to assess the availability and affordability of
commercial/residential spaces or accommodation for the informal settlers.
38. Initially BR land area was calculated based on mouza maps and assumed BR Right
of Way, based on field visits. The revised area is based on land records of civil land
authorities. In fact additional land acquisition has been reduced. Finally, in view of
reduced land acquisition proposal, field-level surveys and verifications were
conducted in December 2014 and January 2015 to identify and exclude the plots
that will not be affected as per the LAP. Some adjustments in station areas were
recorded having impacts on an additional 21.05 ha railway land involving
squatters/informal settlers, railway colonies and buildings. Landowners not affected
by the revised LAP have been dropped from the IOL. As a result, the overall impacts
have now been minimised. In total, 211 non-titled households increased in the
updated RP, while the number of titled households reduced by 87 HHs. Table 1.2
provides a full list of survey activities carried out for preparing the RP and the
present revision.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 3

 Table 1.2: Methods Used in RP Preparation and Revisions
Sl.
Methods
No.
1 Household/Unit level census – conducted in 2012-2013
2 Socioeconomic sample survey – conducted 2012-2013
3 Property valuation survey – conducted 2012-13
4 Stakeholder consultation meetings held in 2012-13
5 Focus Group Discussions – held in 2012-2013
6 Rapid Assessment Surveys in Station Areas conducted in 2014
7 Field Survey and verifications after LAP – conducted in December 2014/January 2015

39. Structured questionnaires and checklists were used for collecting data/information. A
team of experienced professionals along with a number of field staff was engaged in
conducting these surveys and consultations following the offset data and profile
drawings provided by the design consultants. The tasks are further briefly explained.
Census and Inventory of Losses (IoL) Survey
40. Census and IoL survey was conducted for all affected households, shops,
irrespective of title to the land including squatters, encroachers, vendors, tenants,
wage labourer, etc. The enumerators visited house to house and collected
information from the household head or his/her senior proxy. All of the affected
entities such as land owners, structure owners, businessmen, tenants, pond
owners, vendors, and community properties were covered by the census and
IoL survey. Census and IoL survey was conducted thrice for this Project, once in
May-June 2013, again in February 2014 and later in December 2014-January 2015,
primarily due to changes in alignments to reduce and minimise impacts identified
during the May-June 2013, and February 2014 surveys.
Socio-economic Survey (SES)
41. Based on the census and IoL survey 20% of enumerated households were selected
for conducting detailed SES. In this regard systematic random sampling technique
was used in selecting households. The selected households/entities were informed
in advance by the enumerators concern for ensuring their presence during the
interview for SES.
Property Valuation Survey (PVS)
42. PVS was conducted for the affected land, structures, trees and other properties by
collecting information from knowledgeable persons of the affected mouzas within the
Project areas. In this regard prices of the affected properties were collected from
potential sellers and buyers, deed writers, religious leaders, school teachers, etc. At
least five persons were interviewed in a mouza. Besides, Government property rates
were collected from the Register Offices (for land), from the PWD (for structures)
and from the Forest Department (for trees) concerned. More information on the
valuation methodology is provided in Chapter 5 (also, see Annex 2 Property
Valuation Report 2014).
Structure Marking and Video Filming
43. All of the affected entities with their owner households were identified during the
census survey conducted in May-June, 2013, February 2014 and December 2014-
January 2015. Based on the ‘number of census form’ the individual household
number was created. The household number was written with permanent ink (red
colour) on the visible wall of the structure, where necessary live evidences were
recorded through carrying out video filming. The video filming was done for
preventing fraudulent claims by the structure owner(s) in future and to restrict policy
abuse and influx of outsiders into the Project RoW for fraudulent claims. The

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 4

 affected structure along with the household head or any members of the family
were captured during video filming with name of household head with
father’s/husband’s name and address.
Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (SCM)
44. A two-fold SCM process was carried out simultaneously during the social survey. In
this regard, the SCMs were conducted firstly with both the primary and secondary
stakeholders and later, affected persons within the occupation and gender based
groups were consulted through FGDs. Nine (9) SCMs were carried out at three
sections of the Project area (a. Laksam–Comilla, b. Comilla–Salda Nadi and c.
Salda Nadi- Akhaura). On the other hand, thirty FGDs were conducted at different
locations of the Project areas with five different occupational/gender groups, e.g.,
businessmen/traders, farmers, day labourers, landless and women. During the
consultation meetings and discussions, the cut-off date (commencement date of
survey, e.g., May 02, 2013) was shared with the participants.
Rapid Assessment Surveys
45. A rapid assessment survey was carried out in three station areas (Akhaura, Comilla
and Laksam) in May 2014 to explore the availability of alternative rental spaces for
businesses and/or accommodation for the affected squatters/informal settlers
currently settled in and around major railway stations in urban areas. A total of 86
shops/business and residential unit were interviewed. In addition, four FGDs were
conducted for collecting additional qualitative data on issues related to availability of
alternatives rental space for business and housing. The findings have been used to
revise and update the RP.
Field Level Survey and Verifications as per LAP
46. A full survey team along with land surveyors was mobilized to identify households
who will remain unaffected as per the LAP, discuss with the concerned households
and to explain the reduced land acquisition and the positive benefits of these
minimised impacts. Needless to say that those households who were dropped off
from the IOL list were very happy. Informal consultation meetings with the
communities further explained the processes involving the final field level verification
and surveys.
Data Generation
47. Filled-in survey questionnaires were sent to the RP Consultant’s central office,
Dhaka at the end of each week by the Field Supervisor concerned in coordination
with the Field Coordinator for data coding and entry into the computer. The survey
and data entry were conducted simultaneously. The Data Entry Operators under the
guidance of Data Manager inserted the surveyed data into the computer system in a
user-friendly menu-driven software. The entered data were analysed in MS
Access and SPSS as well and auto generated in tabular form as per requirements of
preparing the RP.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 5

2 Scope of Land Acquisition and Resettlement
2.1 Scope of Land Acquisition
48. A total of 320 ha of land will be required for doubling the track. In this revised RP, the
overall use of BR land has reduced by around 10 ha (from around 330 ha in RP/June
2014). Initially BR land area was calculated based on the mouza maps and assumed BR
Right of Way, based on field visits. Revised area is based on land records of civil land
authorities. In fact additional land acquisition has been reduced. The use of private land
has reduced from 58.43 ha to 37.38 ha (Table 2.2). The use of Project-affected land
was marked in the census and IoL survey. A major portion of the affected private land is
located in the Salda Nadi-Akhaura section. In total, 211 (887-676) non-titled households
increased in the updated survey compared to previous survey, while the number of titled
households reduced by 87 (303-390) HHs (Table 2.3). Details of affected land, however,
in the Project area by use and area coverage in ha are presented in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Affected Land in the Project Areas by Use and Area Coverage (in ha)

Laksam– Comilla-Salda Salda Nadi-

Land Use Total
Comilla Nadi Akhaura
Homestead 1.66 0.67 0.84 3.17
High land 0.23 0.49 0.23 0.95
Cropped land 6.09 6.05 3.61 15.75
Bamboo 0.07 0.00 0.02 0.09
Orchard 0.21 0.31 0.31 0.83
Pond 1.45 3.33 1.22 6.00
Wet land 0.03 0.53 0.10 0.66
Others (fallow, road, etc.) 0.71 0.28 8.93 9.92
Total 10.45 11.66 15.27 37.38

49. The land use types used in the table above are briefly defined here: (Homestead land:
The homestead land refers to a piece of land where people are living by constructing
residential structure; vitta/highland: The vitta/highland is above high flood level and
suitable for construction of structure but structure is not yet constructed; Orchard: The
orchard is same category of vitta/highland and used as fruit/timber tree garden;
Cropped/arable (Nal) land: Agricultural land, which is used for crop production in once,
twice, or thrice a year. Level of land is below the homestead, vitta or orchard; and Pond:
A particular area of the land, which is surrounded by embankment/bund where
water is found almost round the year. Fish is cultivated or even not cultivated; both
are treated as pond based on characteristics of the land).
50. About 15.75 ha of the affected area is agricultural land (cropped land); of which 3.61 ha
belong to the Salda Nadi–Akhaura section followed by Laksam–Comilla (6.09 ha) and
Comilla-Salda Nadi (6.05 ha) sections of the Project area. A sample of the land
acquisition profile is s h o w n in Figure 2.1.
51. In this selected profile, the red line is the construction right-of-way (CRoW) while the
green line is the boundary of BR land on the alignment. The two lines/tracks are
presented in blue.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 6

 Figure 2.1: Land Acquisition/RoW Profile

52. Several plots are partially affected in this section. Table 2.2 provides an estimate of
private and BR lands by sections in the Project. Less than 10% of the total requirements
will be acquired for the Project and a little less than a half of the new acquisition
(15.27 ha) is from Salda Nadi to Akhaura Section.
Table 2.2: Land Required by Section for Construction of the Double Line

Section Location Chainage BR Land/ha Private Land/ha Total/ha

1 Laksam to Comilla 130+625 to 155+000 86.22 10.45 96.67
2 Comilla to Salda Nadi 155+000 to 174+500 79.98 11.92 91.90
Salda Nadi to
3 174+500 to 202+700 126.18 15.01 141.19
Akhaura
Total 292.38 37.38 329.76

2.2 Key Impacts of the Project

2.2.1 Summary
53. According to the census and IoL survey conducted in the Project area, 2,004 affected
households/units will experience different types of losses (a full list of IoL is in Annex 3).
From among 2,004 HHs/units 1,815 (1,763 HHs+52 units) require relocation. Out of
1,815 HHs/units 1,763 HHs include titled (303), non-titled (887) households and renters
(573); and 52 units include CPR (49) and large-scale business (3). Physical relocation
has increased in the updated RP compared to the previous survey due to increase of
number of squatters. Table 2.3 presents a summary of the Project impacts. The details
are discussed in the rest of the Chapter.
Table 2.3: Project Impacts – Overview

Sl.
Project Impacts Total
No.
1 Amount of land to be acquired (ha) 37.38
2 Total number of households requiring relocation 1,815
Number of titled HHs losing res/com and other structures requiring relocation 303
Number of squatters losing res/com and structures requiring relocation 887
Number of renters (from squatters on BR land) losing res/com structures requiring relocation 573
Number of CPRs requiring relocation 49
Number of Large Scale Business (from titled, non-titled owners and renter) losing structures 3
requiring relocation
3 Number of PCRs not requiring relocation 3
4 Number of HH losing other structures 44
5 Number of HH losing land, trees and fish ponds only-no relocation required 713

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 7

Sl.
Project Impacts Total
No.
6 Number of HH losing over 10% of their income from land 454
7 Total number of persons affected 9,626
8 Number of trees affected 55,342
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

54. There are three government buildings (including BR) in the Project alignment, which
needs relocation and it will be arranged in consultation between the government
institutions and BR. The institutions are as follows: Comilla City Corporation, Akhaura
Khadda Gudam, Bangladesh Asahly Shisu Complex, and Bangladesh Railway. From
among the government institutions, three are renters also.

2.3 Impacts by Categories of Affected Persons

55. Table 2.4 provides further breakdown of the impacts by (i) titled owners; (ii) renters
from titled owners; (iii) squatters on BR land; and (iv) renters from squatters on BR land.
The data provided in the table provides a clear insight in to nature of impacts, particularly
those on BR land (962 units) and those renting from squatters (431 units) on BR land.
Thus, about 53% of the affected units do not have titles.
It is observed that the private landowners have increased (698) in the updated RP compared
to that (672) mentioned in the previous/original RP. Actually the number of titled landowners
depends on their availability during survey, as in the case of agricultural land survey 100%
owners are not covered. But during the latest survey some titled landowners were available
and interviewed who were not interviewed during previous survey. Likewise, the number of
commercial squatters has increased in updated RP due to increase of BR land, especially in
the BR station areas like Akhaura station. However, it is evident from Table 2.4 that 2,004
titled (1,042) and non-titled (962) HHs/units and their renters from titled HHs/units (190) and
non-titled HHs/units (431) are affected due to the Project. As such in total 2,625 (2,004+621)
HHs/units and renters are directly and indirectly affected due to the Project.
Table 2.4: Impacts by Categories of Affected Persons

Renters (from
Titled Renters (from Squatters
Category Squatters on BR Total
Owners Titled Owners) on BR Land
Land
HH losing land 698 31 0 1 730
HH losing residential structure 224 48 461 117 850
HH losing commercial structures 49 85 357 239 730
HH losing both com. and 30 22 69 62 183
residential structures
HH losing other structures 15 0 29 0 44
HH losing trees only 0 0 11 0 11
PCRs and CPRs 25 3 24 9 61
Government buildings 0 0 6 3 9
HH losing fishing ground 0 0 4 0 4
Large Scale Business 1 1 1 0 3
Total 1,042 190 962 431 2,625
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 8

2.4 Access Roads to Stations
56. Of the total 11 stations along the alignment, seven (i.e., Gangasagar, Imambari, Quasba,
Mandabag, Salda Nadi, Shashidal, and Rajapur) will be rebuilt replacing the existing
buildings. In five of seven stations, a total of 350 m of improvements in the access roads
outside the stations’ construction right-of-way was initially envisaged. This would have
resulted in affecting some roadside structures as confirmed by a survey conducted in
March 2014. It was decided to review the access roads provisions. In April 5-6, 2014 a
team of BR engineers and the Consultant undertook a joint site inspection of all the
station locations, and revised the access roads provisions. The inspection led to
redesigning the station areas and access ensuring that (a) existing access roads to the
stations will be retained and not widened/expanded; and (b) no new access roads will
be necessary. This was achieved in part by amending the siting of some station
buildings to eliminate the need for new access roads for station access. This was
conducted with the view of further reducing the impacts of the Project. As a result, there
is no need for census and additional budget necessary for access roads in the Project.

2.5 Impacts by Various Categories of Losses

57. The disaggregated results identified that the household losing land only are 698, losing
residential and other structures are 729 (685+44), losing commercial structures only
are 406, losing residential cum commercial structures are 99, losing trees only are 11,
and losing fish ground only are four. There are 52 affected PCRs/CPRs also.
Details are presented in Table 2.5 below.
Table 2.5: Households by Different Categories of Impact

Section
Type of Losses Total
Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura
Loss of land only 182 241 275 698
Loss of residential structures 200 134 351 685
Loss of com/business structures 134 94 178 406
Loss of residence-cum-
commercial structures 21 35 43 99
Loss of trees only 2 2 7 11
CPRs/PCRs 18 17 17 52
Government institutions 3 2 1 6
Loss of other structures 15 11 18 44
Loss of fishing ground 1 3 4
Medium to large business 1 1 2
Total 576 534 894 2,004
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

2.6 Asset Inventory and Assessment of Losses

2.6.1 Ownership of Affected Households Losing Business and Community

Structures
58. All the physically displaced households, shops, business enterprises and PCR structures
are included. These structures are either private properties or Government or both,
meaning that someone built his structure on his own land but extended his property - i.e.,
encroached on the adjacent BR/Government land. Table 2.6 shows distribution of
households by type and ownership of structures and location.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 9

59. In total 464 employees of business structures in the Project area will lose their jobs
(12.72% of them are employed with the affected business for more than six months and
87.28% for less than six months). The number of employees losing job due to impacts on
businesses is higher in the Comilla–Salda Nadi section. Table 2.6 shows the details.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 10

 Table 2.6: Affected Households Losing Structures by Type

Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013 & 2014

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 11

 Table 2.7: Number of Employees Affected by the Project

Area Total No. of Affected No. of Employees Working No. of Employees Working
Employees more than 6 Months less than 6 Months
No. % No. % No. %
Laksam-Comilla 166 35.78 16 27.12 150 37.04
Comilla-Salda Nadi 125 26.94 9 15.25 116 28.64
Salda Nadi-Akhaura 173 37.28 34 57.63 139 34.32
Total 464 100.00 59 100.00 405 100.00
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

2.6.2 Category of Affected Physical Structures

60. Most of the affected dwellings and other physical structures in the Project areas have
been identified, including community structures. Table 2.8 shows various types of
primary structures that might be affected due to the Project (detailed categories of
affected structures are presented in Annex 4: (Table A4.1). The majority of these
structures (45.75%) will be affected in the Salda Nadi-Akhaura section. Details of the
affected secondary structures are shown in Table 2.9, Table 2.10 and Table 2.11.
Table 2.8: Primary Affected Structures

Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total

Category of Structure
Unit No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Total primary sft 697 199,270 531 124,546 1164 268,423 2,392 592,239
structures of titled &
non-titled owners
Total primary sft 0 0 153 121,202 0 0 153 121,202
structures of BR
Total primary structure sft 3 860 0 0 3 13,464 6 14,324
of other Govt.
organisations
Grand total sft 700 200,130 684 245,748 1,167 281,887 2,551 727,765
Percentage (%) 27.44 27.50 26.81 33.77 45.75 38.73 100 100
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

Table 2.9: Secondary Affected Structures on Private Land

Secondary Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total

Structure Unit No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Boundary wall (5”) rft 17 1,146 20 2,306 42 4,530 79 7,982
Tin boundary wall rft 20 888 24 5,391 23 909 67 7,188
Grill rft 6 52 1 260 7 312
Brick stair at pond rft 1 20 1 26 2 46
Gas line rft 1 50 1 50
Gate rft 1 20 1 10 2 30
Boundary wall (10”) rft 1 72 3 325 4 397
Culvert rft 1 12 1 12
Drain rft 2 164 2 164
Tubewell no. 50 50 63 69 165 179 278 298

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 12

 Secondary Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total
Structure Unit No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Sanitary latrine no. 38 76 50 75 69 84 157 235
Slab latrine no. 87 91 48 58 143 149 278 298
Katcha latrine no. 3 3 5 5 14 14 22 22
Shahid Minar no. 1 1 1 1
Water pump no. 4 4 16 20 8 9 28 33
Urinal Place no. 1 2 1 2
Bakery Burner no. 1 3 1 3
Deep tubewell no. 1 1 1 1 2 2
Graveyard no. 2 3 2 3
Pillar no. 4 8 4 8
Mobile Tower no. 1 1 1 1
Mosque Wash
no. 1 4 1 4
Room
Water tank cft 2 5,597 1 112 4 2,598 7 8,307

Table 2.10: Secondary Affected Structures of BR

Secondary Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total

Structure
Unit No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Boundary wall (5”) rft 2 3,278 2 3,278

Gate rft 1 15 1 15
Tubewell no. 1 12 1 12
Sanitary latrine no. 1 35 1 35

Pillar no. 1 2 1 2

Table 2.11: Secondary Affected Structures of other GoB Organisations

Secondary Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total

Structure
Unit No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Boundary wall (5”) rft 1 190 2 0 1 299 4 489
Tin boundary wall rft 1 100 24 0 0 0 25 100
Sanitary latrine no. 2 6 1 1 0 0 3 7
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

2.6.3 Affected Agricultural Land

61. According to the Land Acquisition Plan, it is estimated that 37.38 ha of land will be
acquired by the Project, of which 15.75 ha will be agricultural land. In the process of
acquisition, if any plot of land so acquired becomes unviable (for example, if less than
10% remains) and if the owner(s) wants the same to be acquired, BR will acquire the
entire plot and pay compensation as per the set entitlement in this Project.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 13

2.6.4 Affected Trees and Crops
62. The Project will also require removal of trees of various sizes and species. The census
and IoL survey found varieties of trees on both private and BR land. Different species of
trees are divided into four categories by size viz., big, medium, small and sapling. There
are 97 species of trees found in the Project areas: 37 species of fruit trees, 51 species of
timber and seven (7) species of medicinal trees. Number of affected trees on private and
BR land in the Project areas by type and size are presented in Annex 3. The highest
number of trees/plants/bamboo (12,070) on private land is found in Salda Nadi–Akhaura
section followed by Laksam-Comilla (4,236) and Comilla-Salda Nadi (3,346) sections,
while those on BR/Government land are 26,343, 7,011 and 2,336, respectively (Annex 4:
Table A4.2 and Table A4.3). Table 2.12 shows the aggregated number of trees found on
both Government and private land.

Table 2.12: Total Number of Affected Trees by Type, Size, Number on both Private and Government Land

Name of Sections
Categories of Trees Total
Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura
Fruit 3,227 1,700 8,619 13,546
Percentage of fruit trees 23.82 12.55 63.63 100.00
Timber 4,223 2819 24,707 31,749
Percentage of timber trees 13.30 8.88 77.82 100.00
Medicinal 59 18 111 188
Percentage of medicinal trees 31.38 9.57 59.04 100.00
Banana 1,315 690 2,161 4,166
Percentage of banana plants 31.57 16.56 51.87 100.00
Bamboo 2,423 455 2815 5,693
Percentage of bamboo 42.56 7.99 49.45 100.00
Grand total 11,247 5,682 38,413 55,342
Percentage of grand total 20.32 10.27 69.41 100.00
Source: Census and IoL survey by 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 14

3 Socio-Economic Data and Profiles
3.1 Introduction
63. This chapter presents the socio-economic profile of the affected households. No ethnic
minority or indigenous peoples are affected by the Project alignment. Socio-economic
profiles of the affected households include demographic characteristics, income and
expenditure status and poverty dimension. These are discussed in the following sections
of this chapter.

3.2 Profile of the Affected Households

64. Table 3.1 presents both number of HHs and their population belongs to 1,947 HHs.
There are 1,947 households (excluding CPR/PCR, and large scale business enterprises)
with a total population of 9,626. The male population is higher than that of female. There
are 54.55% males and 45.45% females as found in the household census. The average
male-female ratio is 120 i.e.,120 males per100 females which is higher than the national
figure of 100.3 and significantly higher than that of Chittagong3 Division of 96.1 (BBS
2011). The Comilla-Salda Nadi area has the highest sex ratio (123) and the Laksam-
Comilla area has the lowest (118). The average household size is 4.94 (Table 3.1); it is
also higher than the national household size of 4.50 (HIES 20104). Area-wise distribution
shows that the Salda Nadi–Akhaura area has a higher population and household size
(respectively 4,663 and 5.33) while Laksam-Comilla a n d Comilla-Salda Nadi have a
smaller population and household size. With the proximity of the Project site to Dhaka,
male members remain away from home as temporary migrant workers to earn a living.
Table 3.1: Area-wise Distribution of Households and Population

HH Male Female Total

Population HH Sex
Area
Size Ratio
No. No. % No. % No. %
Laksam-Comilla 554 1,369 54.17 1,158 45.83 2,527 100.00 4.56 100:118
Comilla-Salda Nadi 518 1,344 55.17 1,092 44.83 2,436 100.00 4.70 100:123
Salda Nadi–Akhaura 875 2,538 54.43 2,125 45.57 4,663 100.00 5.33 100:119
Total 1,947 5,251 54.55 4,375 45.45 9,626 100.00 4.94 100:120
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

3.3 Distribution of Household Heads

65. The following table (Table 3.2) shows sex-wise distribution of household heads. It is
observed from the table that the percentage of male headed households (88.65%) is
higher than that of female headed households (11.35%). The Population and Housing
Census of Bangladesh in 2011 and in 2001 found 15.6% and 13.8% female headed
households in the country.

3
In most cases, the data are compared with that of Chittagong Division only as the study area falls under that division.
4
HIES 2010 refers to House hold Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics
(BBS) in 2010.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 15

 Table 3.2: Sex-wise Distribution of Household Heads

Type of Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Salda Nadi- Total

household Nadi Akhaura
No. % No. % No. % No. %
Male headed 498 89.89 459 88.61 769 87.89 1,726 88.65
Female headed 56 10.11 59 11.39 106 12.11 221 11.35
Total 554 100.00 518 100.00 875 100.00 1,947 100
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

3.4 Age Composition

66. The following figure (Figure 3.1) shows population distribution in the Project area on the
basis of age composition. It shows that the highest section of the population constitutes
the age category of 5 to 14 years (20.92%). The second highest category is 15 to 24
years (19.16%). In all of the age groups the number of males is higher than that of
females.

Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

Figure 3.1: Population Pyramid in the Project Area

3.5 Dependence Ratio

67. Dependence ratio refers to the ratio of the dependent population (population aged 0-
14 years and 60 years and over) to the working age population (population aged 15-59
years). The dependence ratio of total alignment is estimated as 50.76. The
dependence ratio is highest in Salda Nadi-Akhaura section (53.64%) followed by
Comilla-Salda Nadi (49.63%) and Laksam-Comilla (46.75%) sections (Table 3.3 and
Figure 3.2).
Table 3.3: Distribution of Population in Terms of Dependence Ratio
Dependent Probable
Area Total Population
Population Workforce
Project area 9,626 3,241 6,385
Laksam-Comilla 2,527 805 1,722
Comilla-Salda Nadi 2,436 808 1,628
Salda Nadi-Akhaura 4,663 1,628 3,035
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 16

 Dependence Ratio

Figure 3.2: Dependence Ratio in the Project Area

3.6 Marital Status

68. The following figure (Figure 3.3) shows the marital status of population in the Project
area. Irrespective of age group it is found that the rate of married people is higher
than that of unmarried people. In the married category, the rate of unmarried males is
higher than that of females. In the widow/widower category, the percentage of female is
higher compared to that of male. The percentage of abandoned and divorced category is
minimal compared to the rest of the categories.

Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

Figure 3.3: Marital Status in the Project Area

3.7 Household by Religion

69. The following table (Table 3.4) shows the distribution of households by religion category.
It is found that Islam is the predominant religion in the Project area (95%). The
percentage of Hinduism and Buddhism are minimal (4% and 1% respectively).

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 17

 Table 3.4: Affected Population by Religion

Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Salda Nadi-Akhaura Total

Religion Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
% % % % % % % %
Islam 91.02 90.41 94.57 95.15 96.65 96.80 94.65 94.70
Hinduism 5.77 6.13 5.43 4.85 3.35 3.20 4.51 4.39
Buddhism 3.21 3.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.84 0.91
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

3.8 Education
70. Census findings of the Project area show that concentration of literate people is higher in
primary (26.44%) and secondary levels – class six to ten (30.84%) and SSC or
equivalent (11.93%); higher the levels of education lower the percentages of literate
population. In all levels of education the percentages of males are higher than that of
females. The rate of higher education is negligible in the Project area due to the lack of
opportunity and lack of interest of the people. The illiteracy rate in the Project area,
however, is lower i.e., only 18.8% are found as illiterate (Table 3.5). In Bangladesh,
42.1% of population aged seven years and above (BBS, 2011, HIES-2010) are illiterate.
Table 3.5: Distribution of Affected Population (7 years & above) by Education Levels

Male Female Total

Education Level
Number % Number % Number %
Up to class five/Ebtedayee Madrasha 1,229 14.46 1018 11.98 2247 26.44
Class Six to Ten 1,340 15.77 1281 15.07 2621 30.84
SSC or Equivalent 613 7.21 401 4.72 1014 11.93
HSC or Equivalent 377 4.44 161 1.89 538 6.33
BA or Equivalent 255 3.00 81 0.95 336 3.95
MA or Equivalent 101 1.19 22 0.26 123 1.45
Hafez 20 0.24 3 0.04 23 0.27
Only can signature 441 5.19 485 5.71 926 10.90
Illiterate 277 3.26 394 4.64 671 7.90
Total 4,653 54.75 3,846 45.25 8,499 100.00
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

3.9 Occupation
71. Considering occupational distribution, diverse occupational groups are found in the
Project area. Major occupations of the household heads are business (33.38%) and
farming (20.39%) and mostly of them are male. Other remarkable occupations are
service, day labouring, and transportation. A few female heads are engaged with all of
those occupations except transportation. About 3% male heads also work in abroad
and they send remittance in their households. No female heads work in abroad and most
of the female heads are housewives and engaged with household chores (Table 3.6).

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 18

 Table 3.6: Occupation of the Head of the Household

Male Female Total

Occupation
No. % No. % No. %

Farming 396 20.34 1 0.05 397 20.39

Transport work 99 5.08 0 0.00 99 5.08
Job in abroad 63 3.24 0 0.00 63 3.24
Service 174 8.94 6 0.31 180 9.24
Housewife 0 0.00 148 7.60 148 7.60
Self Employed 16 0.82 4 0.21 20 1.03
Business 639 32.82 11 0.56 650 33.38
Day labour ing 129 6.63 27 1.39 156 8.01
Technical Worker 38 1.95 0 0.00 38 1.95
Domestic Worker 23 1.18 6 0.31 29 1.49
Religious Leader 1 0.05 0 0.00 1 0.05
Unemployment 9 0.46 0 0.00 9 0.46
Student 7 0.36 0 0.00 7 0.36
Aged people/Retired 132 6.78 18 0.92 150 7.70
Total 1,726 88.65 221 11.35 1,947 100.00
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

3.10 Income Status and Poverty Dimension

72. Income: A description has been presented earlier on occupation i.e., sources of income.
This section describes the extent of income earned from the sources in the Project area.
The highest income comes from business (23.4%) followed by pension/gratuity (11.8%),
remittance (11.7%) and so on. The amounts of household income with ranges are
presented in the Table 3.7.
Table 3.7: Sources of Income (%)

Sources of Income Percentage of Income

Business 23.4
Pension/gratuity 11.8
Remittance 11.7
Service 7.4
Farming 7.2
Driving 5.1
House rent 4.5
Cobbler 4.5
Day labouring 4.1
Barber 3.8
Medical profession 3.8
Rickshaw puller 3.8
Masonry 3.5

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 19

 Sources of Income Percentage of Income

Mechanic 3.1
Carpentry 1.3
Teaching 0.9
Cottage Industry 0.9
Total 100.0
Source: Socio-economic Survey, 2013

73. Using the lower poverty line, it is found that per capita/per month income of the poor in
Chittagong Division is BDT 1,259.46 and household income at that level is BDT
6,196.58 while at annual level it is up to BDT 74,359.00. On other hand, using the
upper poverty line, per capita/per month income of the poor is found BDT 1,328.03
while household income at that level is BDT 6,533.92 and at annual level it is up to
BDT 7,8407.00. Thus, it can be concluded that households whose annual income
range is up to BDT 78,407 belong to the poorer category (both lower and upper
poverty). In this context, it is observed that about 21.11% of households belong to the
poorer category. On the other hand, about 78.89% of the total households belong to
the above poverty line category (Table 3.8).
Table 3.8: Annual Income Level of Household

Salda Nadi-
Income ranges Laksam-Comilla Comilla-Salda Nadi Total
Akhaura
(yearly)
No. % No. % No. % No. %
Up to 74,359 102 18.41 140 27.03 162 18.51 404 20.75
74,360-78,407 0 0.00 3 0.58 4 0.46 7 0.36
78,408-100,000 63 11.37 97 18.73 98 11.20 258 13.25
100,001-120,000 82 14.80 88 16.99 136 15.54 306 15.72
Above 120,000 307 55.42 190 36.68 475 54.29 972 49.92
Total 554 100.00 518 100.00 875 100.00 1947 100.00
Source: Household Census, 2013, 2014 & 2015

74. Loan: The following table (Table 3.9) shows the amount of loan received by the local
people from Government, non-Government, and private money lending agencies. On
average, a total of BDT 2,957,942.00 was received by them as loan from those
agencies. It shows that they received loan at various amount for various duration of
time. Preference is given for choosing sources of loan on average duration of repayment.
The higher the duration, the bigger the size of loan.
Table 3.9: Source of Loan

Average Duration of
Name of the Area Name of Source Average Loan Size
Repayment (yr)
BRAC 30,000.00 1
Laksam-Comilla
ASA 15,000.00 1
Grameen Bank 57,916.67 1
Local NGOs 17,500.00 1
Private Bank 200,000.00 3
Govt. Bank 2,000,000.00 5
Comilla-Salda Nadi BRAC 252,222.23 2

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 20

 Average Duration of
Name of the Area Name of Source Average Loan Size
Repayment (yr)
ASA 40,277.33 1
Grameen Bank 66,044.44 1
Local NGOs 42,130.00 1
Govt. Bank 37,000.00 1
Salda Nadi-Akhaura BRAC 125,909.09 1
ASA 43,600.00 1
Grameen Bank 44,400.00 1
Local NGOs 50,833.33 1.75
Private Bank 10,955.56 1
Govt. Bank 60,000.00 1

3.11 Poverty and Gender Dynamics

75. By assessing income status it is found that 21% of the households belong to the poorer
category. About 27 women work as day labourer followed by business (11), service (6)
and domestic worker (6). According to survey data, the household income of the poor at
lower poverty level is BDT 74,359.00. About 22% and 10% of the female-headed
household (FHH) and male-headed household (MHH), respectively earn yearly income
at lower poverty level. About 64% of FHHs have homestead land which is much higher
than that of MHHs (48%) and about 27% MHHs have agricultural land which is higher
than that of FHHs (18%). The gender analysis conducted in this Project examined the
differences in women’s and men’s lives to understand social and economic inequity for
women and its underlying causes, including provisions for income restoration, training
and livelihoods programme for poorer women in this Project. Furthermore, the Project
design has integrated gender-friendly features in the railway stations to be built under
the Project.

3.12 Vulnerable Groups

76. Vulnerable households have been defined as (i) headed by single woman or woman with
dependents and low incomes; (ii) headed by elderly/disabled people without means of
support; (iii) households that are below the latest nationally defined poverty line iv)
households of indigenous population or ethnic minority; and (v) households of low social
group or caste. During the elaboration of the RP no indigenous population, ethnic
minority or affected person of low social group or caste were identified. In all, there are
404 households listed under vulnerable groups (see Table 3.10). Of them, 74 are
female-headed households. It needs mentioning here that vulnerable households (VHH)
increases in updated RP (404 VHH) compared to that (274 VHH) in the original RP due
to increase of the number of squatters. Although private land requirements have reduced
but areas increased mostly in BR station areas, which increased the squatters/VHH.
Table 3.10: List of Vulnerable Groups and Households

Category Type Number

Female Headed HHs Female HHs (income level up to BDT 74,359.00/year) 57
Female & Disabled HHs (income level up to BDT 2
74,359.00/year)
Elder Female HHs (income level up to BDT 74,359.00/year) 15
Sub total 74
Headed by elderly (60 year Elder male HHs (income level up to BDT 74,359.00/year) 61

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 21

 Category Type Number
old) male-headed
Sub total 61
Disabled HHs Disabled male HHs (income level up to BDT 74,359.00/year) 2
Sub total 2
Households under poverty line Male HHs, under 60 (income level up to BDT 267
(less than BDT 74,359.00/year)
74,359.00/year)
Total 404

77. Those listed as vulnerable groups will receive special attention in relocation and benefit
from Project implementation. The entitlement matrix has provision for one-time grants
in addition to eligible compensation. Furthermore, there are provisions for training for
income with seed grant money to each member of vulnerable households.

3.13 Informal Settlers

78. The survey identified 887 informal settlers (squatters) located on BR land (see Table
3.11). The number of squatters has increased in updated RP (887 compared to the
number of 676 in original RP) due to increase of BR land. These impacts are mostly felt
in the BR station areas, especially in the Akhaura station. Most of them (461 or 51.97%),
however, will lose their residential structures in rural sections of the alignment. Another
important portion of them will lose their commercial (357 or 40.25%) or commercial cum
residential (69 or 7.78%) structures in urban areas, with major concentration in Akhaura,
Comilla and Laksam station areas.
Table 3.11: Squatters per Category

Squatters on BR Land No.

HH losing residential structure 461
HH losing commercial structures 357
HH losing both com. and residential structures 69
Total 887

79. A survey and FGD with squatters conducted in May 2014 (Rental availability and
affordability survey, see Annex 10) concluded that informal settlers, and in particular
commercial squatters, are not poor or vulnerable. Most of them (61%) own a house and
39% live in rented houses in town. For the ones who rent in town, the monthly rent
ranges from 750.00 to 1,500.00 BDT a month. Overall, 40% of those interviewed have
land and houses in their village homes despite their “illegal” status as shops and
business owners on BR land. In addition, 76% of them have a monthly income over BDT
10,000.00, which is above the average in the Project area. Finally, the survey revealed
that a half of the squatters (47%) rent-out from BR land around the stations area. BR has
a standard policy to provide lease for commercial purposes around the stations when
land is available.

3.14 Summary and Implications

80. The Project impacts have both physical and economic dimensions. It is evident from the
analysis presented in this chapter that the impacts are more on small businesses/shops,
largely owned by those who live on BR land. Male members have greater mobility
compared to the females, who largely work within the household except for poorer
women who reported earning their living as wage labourers. The occupational and
income differences are also significantly different between men and women in the Project
area. Among the affected households, those without titles and live on BR land will

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 22

 experience significant adverse impacts. The resettlement policy and mitigation measures
outlined in this Project including livelihood rehabilitation programme, have been
tailored to the address these impacts.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 23

4 Consultation, Disclosure and Participation
4.1 Introduction
81. Public consultation is an essential part of the social safeguard planning process aimed
at involving the local stakeholders in the Project development and implementation
phases of the Project cycle. The stakeholders, in this process, are able to provide
inputs and engage themselves in developing measures to minimise and/or avoid impacts
and development mitigation measures, based on local needs and conditions. Potential
Project impacts were disclosed and discussed in stakeholders meetings along the
alignment. These meetings, which were attended by both men and women, provided
venues to influence, share their views, and raise their voices in decision making
processes leading to sustainable resettlement.

4.2 Key Stakeholders of the Project

82. The consultation, discussion and participation processes start by identifying the
stakeholders of the Project. The stakeholders of the Project were identified through a
‘stakeholder mapping exercise’ conducted by the field survey team members. The
exercise was done by categorising the potential affected/benefited persons and host
communities who have a stake in the Project. The identified primary stakeholders are
the land owners, traders, farmers, service holders, day labourers, rickshaw/van pullers
etc, who will be directly and/or indirectly affected by the Project interventions.
83. The identified secondary stakeholders are the public representatives, local Government
administration, the executing agency, financing institutions, consultants, construction
contractors, suppliers and service providers. The list of secondary stakeholders for the
Project includes the BR, ADB, EIB, DC-Comilla and Brahmanbaria, public
representatives, Project Preparation Consultants including Social Safeguard Consultants,
Implementing NGO, and Management/Supervision Consultants.

4.3 Approaches and Methodology

84. The approach for discussion, consultation and participation was structured in such a
way that it would offer a platform to all the stakeholders where they may discuss, share
and debate their opinions. The GoB ordinance/acts and policies as well as policy/
guidelines of the Project financiers have been followed in designing and performing the
consultation and participation process. The process was initiated through conducting
necessary stakeholder consultation meetings (SCMs) in the Project area. Despite the
local practice of purdah (seclusion of women) from public gatherings, the team
encouraged the participation of women in the stakeholders meetings. Thus, both men
and women were in attendance in the consultation meetings, particularly in primary
stakeholders’ consultation meetings. These SCMs were preceded by meetings with
local administration at the Upazila and district levels. In sum, multi-level consultations
were carried out, starting with initial meetings with local administration, SCMs, and
FGDs. The process continued at individual level also through various surveys undertaken
in this Project.

4.3.1 Social Survey

85. A number of social surveys were conducted such as (i) a census & inventory of losses
survey, (ii) a socio-economic survey, (iii) a property valuation/market survey, and (iv)
marking of the properties and video filming etc. The census covered 100% of the APs
while the socio-economic survey (SES) covered 20% of the households. The
house/structure marking along with video filming was done also. These surveys and
associated activities conducted in the field have brought the specific affected persons
into an effective consultation and participation process. The updated survey covered
2,004 households which reduced from 2,180. The numbers covered for other surveys
remained the same such as socio-economic survey covered 418 households; market

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 24

 survey covered about 350 persons in 70 mouzas. as only the IoL survey was conducted
for updating the RP. In the time of RP updating no formal consultation meeting was held
but informal consultations were held to explain the purpose of the resurvey and updates.

4.4 Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (SCM)

86. In order to assess stakeholder needs, expectations, perceptions, and choices, and to
ensure their rights and voices a two-fold consultation process was carried out during the
survey. In this regard, SCMs were conducted firstly with both the primary and secondary
stakeholders and later, affected persons within the occupation and gender based groups
were consulted through FGDs. Ten (10) SCMs were carried out at three sections of the
Project (a. Laksam–Comilla, b. Comilla-Salda Nadi and c. Salda Nadi-Akhaura). The
total number of participants in ten (10) SCMs was 515 (Table 4.1). In addition, six
consultation meetings were also conducted during the additional survey (February 2014)
to inform local stakeholders the design modifications in new railway stations that
minimised impacts in the locality. These meetings were held at (i) Dharmapur Railway
Gate (Kotowali, Comilla); (ii) Alishahar Railway Station (Comilla Sadar Dakshin); (iii)
Comilla Railway Station (Comilla Sadar); (iv) Sadar Rashulpur Railway Station
(Comilla Sadar); (v) Quasba Railway Station (Quasba, Brahmanbaria) and Mogra UP
Office (Akhaura, Brahmanbaria).
Table 4.1: Schedule and Number of Participants of SCMs

Mouza/Union No. of
Section Meeting Place Upazila Name Date Time
Name Participants
A Beside Alishahar Comilla Sadar Uttor Perul 20/05/13 10 am 58
Railway Station Dakshin
Talukdar Tower, Baghmara Comilla Sadar Baghmara 20/05/13 03 pm 30
Bazar Dakshin
Bara Para UP Office Comilla Sadar Bara Para 21/05/13 10 am 59
(Beside Bijoypur Bazar) Dakshin
Dharmopur near Comilla Rail Comilla Sadar Dharmopur 17/04/14 03 pm 88
Station, Comilla
B Mim Hospital (Near Comilla Comilla Adarsha Comilla Sadar, 19/05/13 10 am 81
Sadar Railway Station) Sadar Ward No. 3
Beside Sadar Rashulpur Railway Burichang Rajapur 19/05/13 03 pm 37
Station
At Rajapur Railway Station Comilla Adarsha Amratali 20/05/13 10 am 34
Sadar
C Bayek UP Office (Near Salda Quasba Bayek 20/05/13 03 pm 39
Nadi Railway Station)
Ganganagar Govt. Primary Quasba Quasba 21/05/13 10 am 54
School (Jajishar, near Quasba
Railway Station)
Akhaura Upazila HQ Akhaura Radhanagar 21/05/13 03 pm 35
(Near Akhaura Railway
Station)

4.5 Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

87. The specific issues and concerns and choices of particular occupation and gender based
groups within the primary stakeholder were obtained from the FGDs. Thirty (30)
FGDs were conducted at different locations of the Project area with five different
occupational/gender groups. In this regard 9 (nine) FGDs were conducted with
businessmen/traders, 9 (nine) with farmers, 5 (five) with day labourers, 2 (two) with the
landless and 5 (five) with the women groups. About 393 participants from different
groups were attended in 30 (thirty) FDGs (Table 4.2).

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 25

 Table 4.2: Meeting Schedule and Number of Participants of FGDs

Mouza/Union Stakeholder No. of

Section Meeting Place Upazilla Name Date
Name Group Participants
Chhoto Harkila Sadar Dakhin Uttar Perul (11 28/05/13 Day Labour 14
(adjacent to rail No.) 5 No.
line) Ward
Aliwsahar Sadar Dakhin Uttar Perul (10 28/05/13 Farmer 12
Mitarpara No.), 2 No.
Ward
Baral Sadar Dakhin Dakhin 28/05/13 Businessman 11
Baghmara
Baghmara Sadar Dakhin Dakhin 27/05/12 Landless 15
Baghmara
Laksam-
Dattapur Sadar Dakhin Barpara 29/05/13 Woman 11
Comilla
Jangalia Sadar Dakhin 21 No. Ward, 27/05/13 Businessman 8
Comilla City
Corporation
Saktala Sadar Dakhin 21 No. Ward, 29/05/13 Woman 9
Comilla City
Corporation
Daulatpur Sadar Dakhin Kotowali 27/05/13 Landless 9
Durgapur Sadar Dakhin 4 No. Baropara 29/05/13 Farmer 9
Dharmapur Sadar Dakhin South 29/05/13 Day Labour 11
Durgapur
Shasongasa-1 Comilla Adarsha Shasongachha 03/06/13 Woman 12
Sadar
Shasongachha-2 Comilla Adarsha Durgapur 04/06/13 Day Labour 9
Sadar
Shasongachha-3 Comilla Adarsha Durgapur 04/06/13 Woman 12
Sadar
Comilla- Arajura Comilla Adarsha Arajura 03/06/13 Businessman 9
Sadar
Salda
Rashulpur Comilla Adarsha Amratoli 06/06/13 Businessman 10
Nadi Sadar
Panchara Burichong Rajapur 09/06/13 Farmer 8
Dakshin Teta Brahmanbaria Shashidal O9/06/13 Farmer 8
Bhomi
Uttar Teta Bhumi Brahmanbaria Shashidal O9/06/13 Farmer 8
Shashidal Brahmanbaria Shashidal 07/06/13 Businessman 9
Salda Nadi Brahmanbaria Shashidal 07/06/13 Businessman 9
Raghurampur Quasba Raghurampur 03/06/13 Farmer 21
Mondobagh Quasba Chandkhola 03/06/13 Businessman 14
Uttar Chakbosta Quasba Kalyanpur 02/06/13 Farmer 21
Quasba Rail Quasba Quasba 30/06/13 Businessman 10
Station
Salda Nadi-
Noahpara Quasba Guruhit 29/05/13 Farmer 20
Akhaura
Mogra Akhaura Mogra 06/06/13 Businessman 14
Dharmanagar Akhaura Dharmanagar 05/06/13 Fish Farmer 35
Basudevpur Akhaura Basudevpur 05/06/13 Day Labour 20
Debgram Akhaura Debgram 06/06/13 Day Labour 15
Chandansar Akhaura Chandansar 06/06/13 Woman 20

4.6 Project and Resettlement Issues Raised During Consultations

88. The Project, its preliminary design and its anticipated impacts were shared with the
affected/benefitted people at the beginning of each SCM session. The major issues that
were discussed included: (i) Project details and alignment; (ii) benefit and adverse impact
of the Project; (iii) opinion on the compensation against potential losses; (iv)
compensation for the vulnerable population; (v) mechanism of compensation, and (vi)
resettlement assistance and options. The stakeholder participants joined actively in all

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 26

 discussions and shared their views, needs and aspirations from the Project (for details,
see Annex 5).

4.7 Stakeholder’s Attitude towards the Project

89. Local stakeholders’ have a very positive attitude towards the Akhaura-Laksam Double
Line Project. They opined that, an important sector of the country will be developed
through implementation of this Project. The stakeholders were happy to learn that the rail
communication of the country will be modernised in terms of its system and services. As
the railway is used frequently by the mass people due to its comfort and cost-
effectiveness; and it provides an environment friendly means of transportation in the
country, therefore, this Project will accelerate overall socio-economic development of
the country. The local people were happy that the railway communication system will be
improved as an outcome of the double line. They were ready to support the Project
implementing authority as they understood that the Project will improve local
infrastructures and businesses as well as establish improved connection with other parts
of the country and neighbouring countries for the purposes of education and health
care, trade and commerce, tourism etc.

4.7.1 Concerns Raised at the Consultation Meetings

90. The stakeholders identified the prospects as well as issues related to the construction of
the Project and recommended solutions as per their own perceptions. In this section, the
concerns, issues, and recommendations are presented in various tables. Further, the
recommendations were duly recorded in the meeting minutes and also documented. The
overall outcomes of the consultation meetings are presented in detail in the Annex 5.
91. During the consultation the stakeholders expressed their views of the overall benefit and
adverse impacts of the Project. Table 4.3 presents the perceived outputs of the proposed
Project as discussed in the consultation meetings.
Table 4.3: Perceived Benefits and Impacts of the Project

Issues Responses
Perceived Outputs of the Proposed Project
Benefits of the Modernisation of railway sector with improved communication system and quality service
Development of local infrastructures of roads and highways.
Project
Development in communication network and business with neighbouring countries Enhancement
of socio-economic state of the locality as well as the country.
Adverse impacts Displacement of affected households and squatters on BR land Temporary unemployment due to
of the Project loss of business/dislocation Adverse impacts on extended/joint family and increase of nuclear
family Loss of trees/plants and degradation of environment Noise and air pollution during
construction Increased possibility of accidents due to enhanced railway traffic Potential increase
in crime in terms of smuggling of illegal goods and human trafficking through international
connectivity.

92. The general issues and concerns that were discussed in the consultation meetings are
presented in Table 4.4. During the first series of consultations, the stakeholders were
principally concerned about the alignment and to make sure the final alignment
integrated the inputs of consultation with the local community. Other major concerns
expressed were the impacts of land acquisition on asset and income.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 27

 Table 4.4: Stakeholders’ Concerns, Responses and Action Taken

Responses and Follow up Action Taken to

Issues Observations by Stakeholders
Address the Issues
Project alignment Alignment should be selected with The communities were told that their concerns
correct information by following the CS would be taken into account.
and RS map and should follow BR The alignments were subsequently adjusted
Records. The selection of alignment taking into accounts key concerns. For example (i)
has not done appropriately in many the original alignment in Gangasagar to Akhaura
areas, hence require re- design by the station was adjusted to avoid impacts on the local
authority concerned. bazar and old historical sites; (ii) the station area
The authority should clearly disclose all in Mandabag and others were redesigned to
information regarding the existing and reduce acquisition of private land; and (iii)
required land on the east and west alignments were adjusted to avoid impacts on two
sides of the railway tract. PCRs.
Effect of the land Loss of land, houses, commercial/ The communities were told that their concerns
acquisition on asset business structures, trees, tube wells, would be taken into account and that any impact
boundary walls, latrines, fish pond/ on their land, asset or livelihood would be
farms etc. compensated.
Loss of productive agricultural land with In practice, private land acquisition was reduced
good intensity of crop production. from 99 ha to 58.43 ha and later from 58.43 ha
Day labourers/landless people will lose to 37.38 ha with further adjustments of the design.
work and/or shelter, or both, This includes both tracks and station areas.
therefore, livelihoods will be severely The concerns with regard to loss of structures and
hampered Farm day labourers who livelihoods have been adequately addressed in
cultivate vegetable beside railway land the entitlement matrix.
round the year will lose their gardens.
Day labourer/landless community will
face financial crisis and would not be
able to rebuild their house.
Effect of the land Temporary loss of jobs/business/work The issues of loss of business, income/livelihoods,
acquisition on work hamper Income sources from business/ relocation adjustments have been addressed in
/source of income trade/agriculture crop/labour wage The terms of compensation and assistance. Since the
women community and their children affected families are likely to relocate within the
will be at risk of being relocated and vicinity, the disruptions will be limited, including
unable to adapt new environment after access to schools for children. Essentially, the
displacement Income sources will be families will re-establish themselves within their
hampered up until replaced/ communities.
rehabilitated. Women and children will
suffer from lack of nutrition because
due to loss of income Disruption of
income sources will cause insecurity in
food, accommodation, education
facilities etc. for the affected persons

93. The opinion on compensation issues e.g., type and form of compensation; mechanism
and modalities of compensation payment including suggestions offered by the people on
restoration/rehabilitation assistance are given in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: Issues and Concerns Regarding Compensation and Responses

Issues Concerns Raised by Stakeholders Responses and Policy Actions

Compensation Special consideration for the people who will lose all Compensation will be paid at market
against loss their land and structures entirely. Consider all rates; First, DC will pay as per the 1982
affected HHs irrespective of titles Compensation Ordinance. Second, the difference
should be determined according to current market between the DC and market rate
price. Affected infrastructure should be rebuilt/ (replacement value) will be paid by the
reconstructed by authority. Acquired land should be Project. Through the elaboration of the
compensated by land as much as possible RP, the Project has conducted a
valuation report that assesses market

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 28

 Issues Concerns Raised by Stakeholders Responses and Policy Actions
rate of land and assets.
Since land for land is not possible,
market value will be provided so that
those losing lands may buy or rent
replacement land. For title holders, the
Project will pay transaction costs such as
stamps and duties required.
Compensation for Arrange land within same area and/or set up cluster Compensation for structures, including
vulnerable villages in elsewhere for the resettlement of slum those illegally built on BR land, will be
population dwellers. Landless people/small businessman should paid. The establishment of new
be given gross amount/compensation at a time so markets will be explored although BR
that they can relocate/resettle to other places. Build land around stations is very limited. Poor
market beside the rail station and shared with women and vulnerable people will get
affected petty traders on lease or other way as additional assistance.
rehabilitation. Special compensation should be given
to distressed women and landless people. Alternative
assistance should be given to affected small/
marginal/tenant farmers so that they become re-
established.
Compensation Suitable places/lands for relocation are very scares Land for not is not an option due to land
type including in the area as people are unwilling to sell scarcity. Those affected and requiring
relocation homestead/commercial lands. Alternative land in the relocation will be assisted by the INGO in
same area or nearby as compensation for identifying land/structure to buy or to
commercial/homestead/agriculture purpose. rent, in addition to compensation for the
Alternative accommodation facility (single/cluster) for structures will be paid, salvageable will
low earners group The affected community should be be allowed to be taken away free of
relocated near their village of origin so that they can costs, relocation grant/assistance will be
continue their local business/work/farming. provided. All these elements will be
explained in the entitlement matrix for
compensation and resettlement.
Mechanism of Replacement value/price should be determined in The Project will pay replacement value
compensation consultation with LGI, public representatives and local for assets to be acquired. Compensation
elites concerned. In terms of rehabilitation of traders will be paid in checks to the bank
(e.g. constructing business centres) compensation account – no cash will be involved. Also
may be provided to community instead of individual. no “middlemen” will be used. The Project
The compensation should consider alternative will employ an experienced and capable
options (e.g. land, livelihood etc.) besides cash INGO to assist this process and to help
money. the affected families to receive their
compensation and other entitlements.
The grievance redress committee should play proper
The INGO will conduct regular group
role in determining the ownership of land.
meetings with affected families to explain
Payments in cash directly through bank cheques/ the process and assist the APs.
money transfer to local bank or postal services or
by hand by the relevant Project officials.
Not to involve any public representatives (e.g.,
Chairman, Member of UP and Councilor of
Pourashava) in the cash payment process. There
should not be political manipulations involved in
the compensation of the affected persons, specially
the women and vulnerable groups.
Necessary consultation and disclosure should be
arranged for disseminating all updated information to
the local people.
The INGO should be trustworthy to all
stakeholders.
Livelihood A livelihood Improvement programme will be The RP will have provision for skill
restoration/ provided along with financial assistance for better training for alternative livelihoods. Also,
livelihood for the low earners group. those willing to work, the construction
rehabilitation

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 29

 Issues Concerns Raised by Stakeholders Responses and Policy Actions
assistance Provide/arrange jobs for the affected family contractors will give preference in hiring
members suitable to their skills and expertise. affected persons for unskilled/daily labour
Arrange training facilities to enable displaced people ing jobs. Contractors can’t discriminate
to adapt to the alternative livelihood/occupations. between men and women in terms of
Skills development training on cattle, duck and wages and other benefits. The INGO will
poultry rearing as well as farming will make the APs conduct additional survey to identify skill
self-reliant. Women community requires training for and training needs. Poor and vulnerable
employment in garments and small cottage families will be eligible for seed grants
industries. The women want production tools/ for small businesses with approved
instruments (e.g. sewing machine etc.) for business plans. INGO will also assist in
employment so that they can work at home. the development of business plans.

94. During the meetings, some location-specific issues and concerns were raised. The
members present also provided some recommendations. These are discussed in Table
4.6 below.
Table 4.6: Specific Local Issues/Concerns and Responses

Issues Suggestions Responses

New market/trade Centres To establish new market/business The Project will explore such possibilities
and/or land for market centres at Bara Bazar (Akhaura Rail but BR land around those stations is
Station), Baghmara Bazar (Comilla extremely limited. Acquisition of private land
Sadar Dakshin); for establishing markets or business centres
Bijoypur Bazar, Comilla Sadar Dakshin will not be considered to avoid further
(Rajapur Station (Burichang, Comilla) impacts and displacement.
and Comilla Sadar Railway Station.
Alternative agricultural land and Settlement of landless squatters (on There are no BR lands on both sides of the
BR land for resettlement both sides of the railway line), Comilla track forcing BR to acquire private land for
Sadar. the double track. So resettlement of
Fish hatcheries adjacent to Sadar squatters on BR land on both sides of the
Rashulpur Station, Comilla Sadar Uttar track is not a feasible option.
Agricultural land as compensation Land-for-land for agriculture will be
instead of cash money to enable 70% problematic as it will lead further acquisition.
of farmers near Salda Nadi Station to The Project will pay replacement value for
continue earning their livelihoods from land as a support to buy alternative
agriculture. agriculture land by the titleholders. The
Fish farms at Gangasagar for the fish farms affected will get similar
fishermen community of Dharmapur compensation to reestablish their farms.
mouza of Akhaura Upazilla.
Reconstruction of PCRs/CPRs Mogra Bazar, Akahura Old Hindu All affected PCRs (historical buildings like
at Project costs Temple, Mogra Bazar, Akahura Union temple) and CPRs (community buildings,
Parishad, Mogra Bazar, Akahura schools, clubs etc.) will be reconstructed at
Baghmara Bazar, Comilla Sadar Project costs. The Project team will review
Dakshin Nandaram Shadur Mandir, some of the PCR sites for realignments and
Rajapur Railway Station, Burichang, avoid impacts, and also institutions like
Comilla is to be left undisturbed. local hospitals will likely be avoided through
Shrine to be left undisturbed and a technical adjustments.
pucca road (1 km from Nandoram’s * Most of these concerns have been taken
temple) to be reconstructed, Burichang, into account. Many of the structures listed
Comilla Mosque at Baghmara Bazar, have been avoided now – for instance,
Comilla Sadar Dakshin. three major PCRs, the Mim Hospital in
Bijoypur High School, Bara Para (near Comilla, the old Pagoda at Alishahar
Bijoypur Bazar), Comilla Sadar Dakshin station.
Mim Hospital near Comilla Railway
Station Eidgah and graveyard,
Shashangasa, Comilla Sadar Deep
tube well (for irrigation) near Sadar
Rashulpur Station, Comilla Sadar Uttar

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 30

 Issues Suggestions Responses
Public toilet at Bijoypur Bazar, Comilla
Sadar Dakshin.
Existing village located on the north
side of the Mandabag Rail Station.
An old Pagoda named Meghusen
Buddha Bihar near Alishahar Railway
Station, Comilla Sadar Dakshin.
Construction of RoB, FoB, Road overbridge (RoB) at rail crossing The Project design has provisions for RoB
bridge/culvert and roads gate beside Akhaura Rail Station, and FoB in major stations like Akhaura
Akhaura. and Comilla. Additional, guarded rail
Foot overbridge (FoB), Sadar crossing gates have been designed for
Rashulpur Station, Comilla Sadar Uttar safety purposes.
Small bridge (that will be damaged)
near Rajapur Railway Station.
Burichang, Comilla Paved road along
the railway line between Akhaura and
Gangasagar Rail Station.
Paved road (on both sides of the
railway line of Comilla Sadar) for local
residents.

4.8 Rental Availability and Affordability Survey and FGDs

95. A rental availability and affordability survey and FGDs was conducted in May 2014 to
assess the overall socioeconomic context of the squatters/informal settlers in station
areas, current incomes, and future options for relocation and re-establishment of
businesses. Of the 89 respondents interviewed, 87 (98%) are shops/businesses while
only 2 (2%) are business-cum-residences. Twenty-five (28%) respondents reported to
have taken commercial lease of land from BR.
96. Four FGDs were also conducted. In all four FGDs, a key demand was cash
compensation by BR prior to relocation. They expressed desire to stay around the
station areas in order to continue their businesses. One participants said, compensation
first and then shifting. Another said, “we need sufficient advance notice for shifting.”
Those attended clearly mentioned that they are not interested in changing their
occupations and stay in business in the future. They also requested for assistance from
INGO to support them in identifying another place to relocate (rent or buy) in proximity of
the station. FGD participants, particularly those who are BR lease holders, demanded
that BR gives them “priority” in re-allocating shops after modernisation of the stations.
Also, they should be allowed to operate within the station platform for businesses.

4.9 Consultation Outcomes and Policy Issues

97. The outcomes of the consultation meetings were very helpful in minimising the impacts
of the Project. First, the alignment from Gangasagar to Akhaura was realigned to save
Mogra Bazar partially and avoided the old temple. Second, two private hospitals near
Comilla Town were also saved. Third, compensation for the affected structures on BR
land will be given by the Project at market rates. Fourth, based on discussion at the
consultation meetings, the Project has designed special compensation packages for the
poorer families and livelihood restoration for the affected families. It was explained
clearly at the meetings that land for land as an alternative was not an option in this
Project; however, adequate compensation will be paid and the Project will assist the
relocation and rehabilitation of the affected families. Finally, the rapid assessment and
FGDs provided helpful data for designing appropriate level of supports for relocation and
re-establishment of businesses by the informal settlers.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 31

4.10 Stakeholder’s Feedbacks on Revision of Alignment
98. In order to reduce the overall impacts of the Project and rationalize the cost and budget,
BR decided to minimise the amount of acquisition of private land by using more BR
owned land. The Project, therefore, realigned the land acquisition plan in December
2014 proposing significant reduction of private land for acquisition, which was proposed
earlier in June 2014. In this regard the amount of land for acquisition has been reduced
to 37.38 ha from 58.43 ha and consequently the Sub-Contractor conducted a resurvey in
December 2014 - January 2015. During this resurvey the survey team for clarifying the
background of resurvey and variation of the alignment attempted some informal
discussion.
99. The discussions held between the local people and the team in rural areas experienced
that the stakeholders are very happy in most of the areas as the width of alignment has
been reduced and a good number of APs fall beyond the alignment and thus they are
excluded from the earlier AP list. Besides, in some urban areas e.g. Dharmapur (under
Sadar Dakhin Upazilla, Comilla) and Shasongachha (Comilla Adarsha Sadar Upazilla)
the amount of acquisition of land have also been reduced. Many expressed their
gratitude to BR for relieving a good number of previously identified APs from the burden
of involuntary displacement. Additional squatter families and some BR and government
buildings were added to the list.

4.11 Consultation and Participation during Project Implementation

100. A consultation and participation mechanism has been developed by engaging the
primary stakeholders in local committees – for instance, grievance redress committees
(GRC) and property valuation advisory committee (PVAC). The INGO to be appointed by
the Project for the implementation of RP will continue the processes of consultation
and participation by involving the affected households and the beneficiaries as well.
Thus, consultation will remain as an integral part of Project management and
implementation.

4.12 Disclosure of the RP

101. As per the guidelines of ADB and IEB, the EA will disclose the RP in a summarised
form as an Information Brochure and Booklet in Bangla language to the local
stakeholders immediately after the RP is approved by the co-financiers. Copies of the RP
and the Booklet will be available in DC offices in Comilla and Brahmanbaria, and in the
sub-districts (Upazillas) within the Project area for the general public and civil society
members. In disclosure sessions, the extent of Project impacts on their communities and
individual households will be fully disclosed to the directly affected persons and
communities. The policies for mitigation of adverse social impacts will also be disclosed
to the affected persons. In this regard, meaningful consultations will be arranged by the
INGO with affected persons for enabling their informed participation in preparing,
implementing, and monitoring of the RP.
102. The Booklet already drafted in English and Bangla (see Annex 6) briefly presents (i)
the Project impacts; (ii) mitigation measures and entitlement matrix; (iii) grievance
redress mechanisms; (iv) the institutional framework for Project implementation; (v)
schedule for implementation and monitoring arrangements; and (vi) a set of common
Q&A about the Project for affected people. The RP will be also uploaded in the BR
website after obtaining concurrence from the ADB and approval from the Ministry of
Railways, GoB.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 32

5 Legal and Policy Framework
5.1 National Laws and Regulations
103. The principal legal instrument governing land acquisition in Bangladesh is the
Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Ordinance, 1982 (subsequent
amendments of it up to 1994). The 1982 Ordinance requires that compensation be paid for
(i) land and assets permanently acquired (including standing crops, trees, houses); and (ii)
any other damages caused by such acquisition. The Ordinance provides certain
safeguards for the owners and has provision for payment of “fair value” for the property
acquired. The Ordinance, however, does not cover Project-affected persons without
titles or ownership record, such as informal settler/squatters, occupiers, and informal
tenants and lease-holders (without document) and does not ensure replacement value of
the property acquired. The Act has no provision of resettlement assistance and transitional
allowances for restoration of livelihoods of the non-titled affected persons.
104. The Deputy Commissioners (DC) in all cases, determine “market value” of acquired
assets on the date of notice of acquisition (notice under section 3 of the Ordinance). The
DCs then add 50% premium of the assessed value, which becomes “cash compensation
under law” (CCL) of all acquired assets due to compulsory acquisition. The CCL paid for
land is generally less than the “market value” as owners customarily report lower values
during registration to avoid and/or pay fewer taxes. If land acquired has standing crops
cultivated by tenant (bargadar) under a legally constituted written agreement, the law
requires that part of the compensation money be paid in cash to the tenants as per the
agreement. Places of worship, graveyard and cremation grounds are not to be acquired for
any purpose. The law requires that the Government will auction the salvaged materials,
upon payment of compensation.

5.2 Co-financiers Safeguards Policies and Guidelines

105. The Project co-financiers – ADB and EIB – have specific social and resettlement
safeguards that recognise and address the resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) impacts
of the affected persons irrespective of their titles and require preparation of RP in every
instance where involuntary resettlement occurs. In brief, the policy requirements are:

i. avoid or at least minimise impacts where possible i.e. explore viable

alternative Project designs to avoid and/or minimise involuntary resettlement;
ii. carry out meaningful consultations with affected persons, avoid and/or prevent
forced eviction and provide effective remedy to minimise negative impacts;
iii. provide resettlement support and/or sites to communities impacted by the Project,
including host communities;
iv. pay compensation for acquired assets at the replacement value;
v. enhance, or at least restore, the livelihoods of all affected persons in real
terms relative to pre-project levels; and to improve the standards of living of the
displaced poor and other vulnerable groups;
vi. planning through a survey and/or census of displaced persons, including gender
analysis, specifically related to resettlement impacts and risks;
vii. inform all displaced persons of their entitlements and resettlement options.
Ensure their participation in planning, implementation and M&E of resettlement
programmes;
viii. pay particular attention to the needs of the vulnerable groups, especially those
below poverty line, the landless, the elderly, women and children and
indigenous people, and those without title to land, and ensure their participation
in consultations;
ix. establish a grievance redress mechanism for dispute resolution support the social

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 33

 and cultural institutions of displaced persons and their host population;
xi. provide resettlement assistance to displaced persons, including non-titled persons;
xii. socio-economic surveys and a census are to be conducted, with appropriate
socio-economic baseline data to identify all persons who will be displaced by the
Project and to assess the Project’s socio-economic impacts on them;
xiii. the social impact assessment will identify individuals and groups who may be
differentially or disproportionately affected by the Project because of their
disadvantaged or vulnerable status;
xiv. Resettlement Plans will elaborate displaced persons entitlements, the income
and livelihood restoration strategy, institutional arrangements, monitoring &
reporting framework, budget and a time-bound implementation schedule; and
xv. disclose the Resettlement Plan and other relevant information in a form and
language(s) accessible to key stakeholders, civil society, particularly affected
groups and the general public.

5.3 Gap between GoB Laws and Co-financiers Policies

106. There are evident gaps in the GoB 1982 Ordinance for land acquisition and ADB/EIB
policies and guidelines related to land acquisition, compensation and involuntary
resettlement. A Gap analysis is presented in Annex 6 describes gaps between GoB and
co-financiers policies and Project-specific measures to bridge the gaps. A brief
summary of the gaps between GoB and ADB/EIB is in order:
107. Generally, the 1982 Ordinance II does not recognise unauthorised occupants on the
Government land and there is no clear indication about avoiding or minimising
displacement. Both ADB and EIB policies strongly require avoidance or at least minimise
adverse impacts through alternative design options.
108. The adverse social impacts are not entirely recognised by the 1982 Ordinance – for
instance, there are no provisions for resettlement of the displaced population, whereas
both ADB and EIB policies require not only resettlement sites and support but uphold and
at least restore pre-project standard of living of the affected people.
109. The 1982 Ordinance pays very little attention to public consultation and stakeholders
engagements in Project planning and execution. ADB/EIB policies require meaningful
consultation with the affected people and other stakeholders to disseminate Project goals
and objectives to obtain stakeholders’ views and inputs in Project planning and
implementation.
110. Finally, ADB/EIB policies pay special attention to gender issues and vulnerable groups
in the resettlement processes, particularly the non-titled and the affected poor households.
The policy gaps have been bridged by additional Project-specific measures adopted in the
RP. The Project has minimised displacement of people as much as possible by exploring
all viable design alternatives. Extensive community consultations were held during Project
preparation and will continue during implementation of the Project. Adequate
compensation; replacement cost (for lost assets and income); and rehabilitation and
livelihood assistance will be provided so that APs can improve or at least restore their
standard of living at pre-project level. Special attention will be given to vulnerable APs
including elderly and women headed households. In sum, the added measures in this
Project fully comply with ADB/EIB social and resettlement safeguard policies. Table 5.1
provides a summary of the key measures taken to comply with ADB/EIB Policy
requirements (for details, see Annex 7). These measures are derived from “good
practices” in resettlement management in other externally funded (i.e., ADB, World Bank)
Projects in Bangladesh.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 34

 Table 5.1: Summary of Gaps and Additional Gap-filling Measures Adopted in the Project

Sl. Gaps between ADB/EIB Policies and GoB

Gap-filling Measures/Actions Taken in this Project
No. 1982 Ordinance II
Gaps with regard to avoidance and The Project designs adopted aimed to minimise impacts and
1 minimised Project impacts adjusted tracks and station design further to reduce impacts.
Existing GoB laws recognise title owners All affected persons irrespective of titles have been
2 only; informal settlers are not covered identified for compensation and assistance
Existing laws and methods of assessments Provisions have been adopted for additional top up
3 do not ensure full replacement costs payments to ensure current market or replacement costs
Consultation with affected community not Extensive consultations were carried out during the
4 legally required under GoB 1982 Ordinance II preparatory phase; similar consultations will continue during
Project implementation
No relocation assistance or support under Affected households and businesses will receive
5 1982 Ordinance II relocation assistance and support from the Project
No support or programme for income and The Project benefits include income and livelihood
6 livelihood restoration restoration, including training for alternative incomes, and seed
grants for small businesses
No provision for reconstruction of The Project will reconstruct all physical and cultural resources
7 common property resources (PCRs) and common property resources affected by the
Project.

5.4 Eligibility and Cut-Off-Dates

111. Eligibility to receive compensation and resettlement assistance will be limited by “cut-
off” dates. There will be two cut-off-dates in this Project. The first cut-off-date is for titled
owners only to be notified by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) under Section 3 of the
1982 Ordinance II informing the land owners of the Project right-of-way land for the double
track. This will be done once Land Acquisition Plans (LAPs) are submitted by BR to
respective DCs. The second cut-off-date is called the “social cut-off-date” - based on the
census for identification and eligibility for all “non-land” related entitlements. The social cut-
off-dates were set during the survey and disclosed publicly in the consultation meetings
and also during household-level interviews in the concerned affected villages and
communities. In this Project, the household level census was conducted in the three
sections at different dates. Table 5.2 lists the cut-off dates to be used in different
sections for eligibility by any non-titled persons such as squatters or other informal settlers
and additional benefits under the Project entitlement matrix.
Table 5.2: Cut-off Dates Based on Census

Sl. Location Cut-off Date Cut-off Date for Updated

No. Survey
1 Laksam-Comilla 31 May 2013 15 December 2014
2 Comilla-Salda Nadi 15 June 2013 15 December 2014
3 Salda Nadi-Akhaura 30 June 2013 15 December 2014

112. The census has identified and established the households living in the Project area,
including the squatters/informal settlers on BR land and will be affected by the Project. It
has also established a record of all losses at household level, including structures, trees
and communal structure. Any persons moving into the Project area after the cut-off
dates will not be entitled for compensation from DCs or any assistance from BR.

5.5 Valuation Methods for Acquired Assets

113. In this Project, two steps will be followed in the determination of replacement value
for the assets acquired. The first is the “conventional” rule set by the law – often called DC
payments or cash compensation under law (CCL). Second, the Project has provision for

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 35

 “top up” payments to match replacement value for assets acquired in the case of
differences between DC valuation and current market price (CMP). To do that, a Property
Valuation Report (2014) has been prepared, which covers lands, structures, trees and
crops. The study is based on field surveys as well as use of secondary data collected from
local land registration office, public works department, forests department and department
of agricultural extension for crops. The Report recommended CMP for various types of
land acquired by mouza (revenue unit), structures by types, trees and crops. Once the DC
payments are determined and paid to the affected persons, the second step for “top up”
payments will begin. The Property Valuation Advisory Committee (see Chapter 11) to be
constituted by the Project will review the recommended CMP and finally determine the
replacement value of the assets, and any additional payments to be made by the
Project. Any additional payments for land will also include transaction costs to pay for
stamps and duties. These procedures are familiar and well established, based on practices
in large Projects such as the Padma Bridge Project.
114. Table 5.3 provides average CMP of various kinds of land under the Project, the mouza
rates and the ratio of the differences between the CMP and mouza rates. The CMP is
based on data collected from various sources while the mouza rates are from government
land registration office, which is used by DCs for payments of compensation. In all cases,
the CMP is higher than the mouza rates (including 50% or CCL rate). Valuation
assessments have also been made for structures, tress and crops, which are summarized
in Tables 5.4 and 5.5. As noted earlier, the PVAC will use the recommended value, review
and verify – including field verification of the data – prior to determining the replacement
value or rates for land and other assets. Further details on PVAC formation and functions
are available in Annex 8 (Property Valuation Advisory Committee).
Table 5.3: Average CMP and Mouza Rate of Land – Summary

Average Average Mouza

Difference
Quantity CMP of Rate including
Category of Land Between Ratio
(Decimal) Different 50%
CMP & CCL
Land Premium/CCL
Homestead 782.99 159,435.62 89,896.08 69,540 100:177
Vita/ Highland/Hilly land 234.65 733,734.95 386,653.57 347,081 100:190
Crop land 3,890.25 108,400.00 74,081.82 34,318 100:146
Bamboo thicket 22.23 8,245.49 5,166.67 3,079 100:160
Orchard/Forest land 205.01 175,553.07 106,042.79 69,510 100:166
Pond 1482 79,526.10 62,437.26 17,089 100:127
Wet land/Ditch 163.02 131,372.87 94,125.62 37,247 100:140
Others 2,450.24 752,727.51 591,406.86 161,321 100:127
Total/Average 9,230.39 296,685.31 219,723.39 76,962 100:135
Source: Property Valuation Survey 2013
Table 5.4: Average Structure Rate (BDT) per Square Feet by Category of Structures

Sl.
Primary Structures Unit Akhaura-Laksam
No.

1 Pucca (floor pucca) (sft) Sft. 2124

2 Pucca (floor katcha) (sft) Sft. 1621
3 Semi Pucca (floor pucca) (sft) Sft. 1171
4 Semi Pucca (floor katcha) (sft) Sft. 1014

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 36

 Sl.
Primary Structures Unit Akhaura-Laksam
No.

5 Tin made double barrelled house (floor pucca) (sft) Sft. 785
6 Tin made double barrelled house (floor katcha) (sft) Sft. 510
7 Tin made house with only one slanting roof (floor pucca) (sft) Sft. 703
8 Tin made house with only one slanting roof (floor katcha) (sft) Sft. 412
9 Katcha double barrelled (sft) Sft. 338
10 Katcha house with only one slanting roof (sft) Sft. 254
11 Thatched (sft) Sft. 131
12 House with only polythene made roof (sft) Sft. 34
13 House with only one slanting tin roof without wall (sft) Sft. 150
14 House without roof (floor & wall pucca) (sft) Sft. 700
15 House with only pucca roof (without wall & floor) (sft) Sft. 500
16 House under construction (sft) Sft. 700
17 House with polythene made roof and Tin made wall (floor Sft. 131
katcha) (sft)
Source: Property valuation survey, 2013
Table 5.5: Calculated CCL and CMP of Crops

CCL for Crops (in CMP of Crops (in

Variety of Crops
BDT/Decimal) BDT/Decimal)
Tomato 1392 1618
Boro Dhan (Paddy) 521 862
Aus Dhan (Paddy) 145 420
Aman Dhan (Paddy) 167 550
Gol Alu (Potato) 1920 693
Begun (Brinjal) 3,970 728
Dherosh (Ladies Finger/Okra) 507 307
Karala (Bitter Gourd) 910 460
Source: Property valuation Survey, 2013

5.6 BR Experience and Commitments to Resettlement

115. BR policy commitments for resettlement are evident from many Projects – for instance,
the ongoing Tongi-Bhairab Bazar Double Line Project (TBDLP) and Jamuna Bridge
Railway Link Project (JBRLP, completed in 2001). In both Projects, BR took efforts
and minimised negative impacts, consulted the affected people on policy aspects and
implemented RPs as social development activities. These are very much in conformity with
ADB policies. Likewise, BR in compliance with the ADB/EIB policy requirements and as
well as past experience from Project implementation, confirms the following principles:
• The land acquisition and resettlement impacts would be avoided or minimised as
much as possible through alternate design options;
• A summary of the RP with the entitlement matrix will be disclosed to the affected
persons in local language;
• Compensation for land and other assets acquired will be paid prior to the start of civil
work in accordance with the provisions described in this document;
• People moving in the Project area after the cut-off date will not be entitled to any
assistance;
• Appropriate grievance redress mechanism will be established to ensure speedy

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 37

 resolution of disputes;
• All activities related to Resettlement Planning, implementation, and monitoring would
ensure the involvement of women and other vulnerable groups; and
• There should be a clause in the contract agreement that the construction contractor
will compensate any loss or damage in connection with collection and transportation
of borrow-materials.
116. In accordance with the resettlement principles adopted in this Project, all displaced
households and persons will be entitled to a combination of compensation packages in
cash and kind and resettlement assistance depending on the nature of ownership rights on
lost assets, scope of the impacts including socioeconomic vulnerability of the displaced
persons and measures to support livelihood restoration if livelihood impacts are envisaged.
The displaced persons will be entitled to

a. compensation for the loss of land at replacement value;

b. compensation for loss of structures (residential/commercial) and other
immovable assets at their replacement value;
c. compensation for trees, crops and fish stock to legally or socially recognised
owners at current market price;
d. assistance for loss of business/wage income;
e. assistance for shifting of structures;
f. rebuilding and/or restoration of community resources/facilities;
g. special assistance to women headed and vulnerable households with
support to livelihood and income restoration; and
h. assistance from the INGO in identifying available premises to rent or buy from
private owners.
117. In sum, BR will provide cash compensation and support the relocation and
resettlement of the affected households to the extent possible to ensure that all affected
households are resettled and rehabilitated. There will not be any forced eviction without
payments of compensation. The affected households and communities will be informed
well ahead of relocation schedule. The difference between the CCL and Replacement Cost
(RC) as determined by PVAC will be paid by the INGO.BR will be involved through the
INGO in meaningful consultation and participation of the affected people in Project
implementation.

5.7 Compensation Payment Procedure

118. BR will ensure that the properties (land, structure and non-structure assets) to be
displaced by the Project will be compensated at their full replacement cost determined
by the Property Valuation Advisory Committee (PVAC) as per the RP. The modalities for
payment of compensation and other assistance for assets, incomes and livelihoods,
resettlement assistance for substituting and restoration of loss of income and workdays by
the relocated households are explained below.

5.8 Procedure of Land Acquisition and Compensation Payment to Titled EPs

119. BR produces land acquisition proposal to Deputy Commissioner (DC) with
Administrative Approval from the Ministry of Railways (MoR) on the acquisition. Upon
approval of the LAP from the Ministry of Land (MoL) or from the Divisional Commissioner,
DC serves notice to the recorded owner of the affected property for public appraisal.
DC and BR conduct joint verification of the affected properties. DC collects prices of land,
structures, trees, crops from Sub-register office, PWD, BFD, DAE & DAM, respectively for
valuation as per Government rules. Upon placement of fund by BR, the DC serves notice
to the titled APs for receiving cash compensation under law (CCL). The difference between

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 38

 the CCL and Replacement Cost (RC) as determined by PVAC will be paid by the INGO.
The detailed process of compensation payment is presented in Annex 9 and the schematic
view of the process is presented in Figure 5.1.

Figure 5.1: Compensation Mechanism for Legal Title Holders

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 39

5.9 Compensation Payment Procedure to the Non-titled EPs
120. The non-titled EPs i.e., those have no legal ownership of the affected property
but socially recognised and enlisted during census, SES and or joint verification survey
on the RoW will be compensated following a separate procedure. The Acquisition and
Requisition of Immovable Property Ordinance 1982 has no provision to compensate
these types of affected people, but the ADB prescribes to address the non-titled EPs as
stated in the SSP 2009 explicitly states that such people cannot be denied resettlement
assistance.
121. Steps to be followed in paying resettlement benefits to non-titled EPs:
a) As per tripartite joint verification survey and consult the census data, a final list
of APs will be prepared by the INGO;
b) Individual identity number will be created against the name of each entitled
person (EP);
c) Photograph of the EPs will be taken and ID cards will be prepared;
d) The INGO will prepare EPs file and entitlement card (EP file & EC) for each of
the EPs;
e) The INGO will assist the EPs opening Bank Account in their names should they
not have a Bank account. If the EP is a woman, ensure that the Bank account
is in her name;
f) The tenants of the house or commercial premises will collect documents
g) in favor of their tenancy or identification from the owner of the structure which
will be attested by the concern UP Chairman/Ward Councillor/Mayor;
h) Wage labourers will collect certificate for the employer which will be attested by
the concern UP Chairman/Ward Councilor/Mayor;
i) The ID card will be jointly signed by the BR and INGO representative and
photograph will be attested by the UP Chairman/Ward Councilor/Mayor
concerned; and
j) The INGO will assist the Project/PMU in preparing payment debit voucher as
per EP file & EC and those will be disbursed in Account Payee Cheque in
public place or office of the UP Chairman issuing prior notice to the EPs.
122. The schematic view of the process of compensation payment to the non-titled EPs
is presented in Figure 5.2.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 40

 Figure 5.2: Compensation Mechanism for Non-title Holders

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 41

6 Entitlements, Assistance and Benefits
6.1 Introduction
123. The GoB and ADB/EIB policies define the entitlement of compensation, assistance
and benefits for APs who lose all or part of their physical and non-physical assets,
including homes, communities, productive lands, fishing areas, important cultural sites,
commercial properties, tenancy, income-earning opportunities, as a consequence of the
Project. The unit of entitlement may be an individual, a household, a family or a
community. The unit of loss will determine the unit of entitlement. If more than one
person has customary rights to a resource (for example, common property), the
compensation may be shared by all. Households headed by women are to be recognise
and compensated equally with households headed by men. Widowed women or
divorcees living within male-headed households and having no legal rights to land will be
considered as separate units for relocation purposes. All of the APs will be benefited by
providing (i) compensation for lost assets, incomes, and livelihoods; (ii) assistance for
relocation; and (iii) assistance for rehabilitation to achieve at least the same level of well-
being with the Project as without it. No changes have been made in the entitlement
matrix of the RP (June 2014) in this revised and updated version.

6.2 Eligibility Policy and Entitlement Matrix

6.2.1 Eligibility Criteria

124. All APs will be entitled to compensation and resettlement assistance based on
severity of impacts. Nevertheless, eligibility to receive compensation and other
assistance will be limited by the cut-off date. The absence of legal title will not bar APs
from compensation and assistance, as specified in the entitlement matrix (Table 6.1).
125. Land owners as identified by the DC office will be eligible for compensation
under law (CCL) and additional benefit to reach the replacement value to be determined
by the PVAC and paid by the Project directly to the entitled persons/family. Structures
located on GoB land, if displaced, will be entitled for compensation under the policy of
the Project. Vulnerable APs will qualify for additional assistance to facilitate them
relocation and restoration of their livelihoods. Non-vulnerable households with land and
or structures affected will be entitled to compensation for lost assets at replacement
costs and assistance for shifting and reconstruction of the structure. Any structure not
directly used by a non-vulnerable household i.e., rented out for income will also qualify
for additional resettlement assistance.

6.2.2 Compensation and Entitlement Policy

126. An Entitlement Matrix has been prepared on the basis of information derived
from census and inventory of losses (IoL) survey of the households, shops and
common/community properties affected within the Project right-of-way. It identifies the
categories of impact based on the census and IoL and shows the entitlements for each
type of loss. The matrix describes the units of entitlements for compensating the loss of
land, structure, business and various resettlement benefits.
127. The affected persons of Akhaura-Laksam Double Line Project will be entitled to:
i. compensation for the loss of land, crops/trees at their replacement value;
ii. compensation for structures (residential/commercial) and other immovable
assets at their replacement value;
iii. assistance for loss of business/wage income;
iv. assistance for shifting and reconstruction;
v. cash assistance for renting and accommodation;

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 42

 vi. re-building and/or restoration of community resources/facilities; and
vii. income and livelihood restoration assistance.
128. Other than those entitlement mentioned above, the Akhaura-Laksam Project has also
specific provisions of entitlement for (i) loss of income from rented-out and access to
rented-in residential and commercial premises, (ii) reconnection of utilities (gas,
electricity, telephone, water, sewage, etc.), (iii) unforeseen adverse impacts; and (iv)
compensation for any construction-related impacts during Project implementation.
Female headed households and other vulnerable groups, irrespective of their title to
acquired property, will be eligible for additional assistance for relocation and income
restoration to achieve at least the same level of well-being with the Project as without it.
Cash grants will be on lump sum basis to both titled and non-titled APs for transfer and
construction of structures, to both titled and non-titled lessee/licensee/share croppers
and employer/employee in business/commercial premises for income loss.
129. In accordance with the resettlement principles of the Project, all affected households
and persons will be entitled to a combination of compensation packages and
resettlement assistance depending on the nature of ownership rights on lost assets,
scope of the impacts including socio-economic vulnerability of the affected persons and
measures to support livelihood restoration if livelihood impacts are envisaged. The
informal settlers – both commercial and residential – on BR land will receive
compensation for their lost assets and relocation/resettlement assistance and income
restoration and livelihood support from the Project.
130. The resettlement benefits for indirect losses will be directly paid by BR through RP
implementing agency (INGO). The APs will be allowed to fell and take away trees and
salvaged materials of affected structures free of cost without delaying the Project works.
The crops owners will be given one-month prior notice to harvest the crops if it is at or
near harvesting period. If the Project damages the standing crops, the actual
owners of crops will be entitled for compensation for crops at market price. Any trees
planted on BR land by local people is required for the Project work, the owner/planter of
the trees will be eligible for compensation. The INGO will assist the BR in preparation of
necessary papers (ID cards, EP/EC, indent, debit voucher, etc.) for making payment of
resettlement benefits to the EPs.
Table 6.1: Eligibility, Entitlements, Assistance and Benefits under RP
Loss Item 1: Loss of Agricultural Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/ • CCL by DC as per • Land on the • Legal owners will be Replacement of land
titleholders as 1982 Ordinance Project right-of-way to assisted by INGO to
identified by Deputy or the value to the
be acquired by DC.
• Difference between arrange legal APs.
Commissioner (DC) •Top up RV will be documents in support
CCL and RV as
recommended by of their ownership
defined by PVAC to
PVAC. and titles.
be provided by
• DC will pay (cash
Project. • INGO will identify
compensation under
• Stamp duty and law) CCL for the land.
loss and entitlement
registration cost will of co-sharers
• If RV is higher than
be paid once the EP (including female
CCL, the difference
purchases new land members) through
will be paid by BR
and submits proper share determination
with the assistance of
records. The value for INGO. at the field upon
stamp duty will be receipt of payment
• The dislocation
limited to CCL data from
allowance will be paid
and/replacement by BR with assistance DC Office.
value paid. of INGO. •INGO will assist APs
in re-titling

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 43

 Loss Item 1: Loss of Agricultural Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Implementation Issues:
• Persons entitled will be informed of the details about the land acquisition and compensation process, resettlement
package and payment procedure.
• PVAC will recommend RV for land based on current market price (CMP) assessed by the RP Consultant at the time of
preparation of RP. The RV may be updated at the time of dispossession, if required. CMP will be assessed for each affected
mouza for each type of land averaging (i) minimum approved price of land available in the respective Sub- registrars’
offices, (ii) reported price, and (iii) transacted price of land at those mouzas (CMP may not be less than minimum approved
price of land). The Ministry of Railway will approve RV.
• DC will determine the market price of land averaging last 12 months sale prices (from the date of service of notice
under section 3) as per registration deeds in affected mouzas for each type of land obtained from respective sub -
registrar’s offices. For all private land, the market price will be enhanced by 50% for CCL. For khas land (DC is the owner
at respective districts on behalf of the Government), CCL will be assessed as the market price without 50% enhancement.
• Title updating for usufruct and other rights will be done before issuance of notice under section 6 with assistance from
INGO.
• The INGO shall encourage entitled persons (EPs) to consider purchasing replacement land or investing the money in
productive/ income generating alternatives.

Loss Item 2: Loss of Homestead, Commercial, Industrial Land and Common Property resources
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/ • CCL by DC as per • Land on the • Legal owners will be Replacement of land
title holders as 1982 Ordinance Project right-of-way to assisted by INGO to or the value to the
identified by DC • The difference be acquired by DC. arrange legal APs.
between CCL and • PVAC will documents in support
replacement value recommend RV. of their ownership and
(RV) of land (to be • DC will pay CCL for titles
determined by PVAC) the land. • INGO will identify
paid by the Project as • If RV is higher than loss and entitlement
additional payments. of female owners and
CCL, the difference
• Stamp duty and co-sharers through
will be paid by BR
share determination at
registration cost will with the assistance the field upon receipt
be paid once the EP from the RP INGO. of payment data from
purchases new land DC office.
•The dislocation
and submits proper
records. The value for
allowance will be paid • INGO will assist APs
by BR with assistance in re-titling
stamp duty will be
from INGO.
limited to CCL
and/replacement
value paid.
Implementation Issues:
Persons entitled will be informed details of the compensation policy, resettlement package and payment procedure. RV will
be determined and approved for the Project following the procedure as stated under Loss Item 1.
CCL for private and khas land will be determined by DC as stated under Loss Item 1.
Title updating for usufruct and other rights will be done before issuance of notice under Section 6 with assistance from the
INGO.
The INGO will encourage and motivate EPs to purchase homestead/commercial/community or industrial land or invest
the compensation money in productive or income generating activities.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 44

 Loss Item 3: Loss of Water Bodies (Ponds, Both Cultivated and Non-Cultivated)
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/title • CCL by DC as per • Land on the Project • INGO will identify Replacement of land
holders as identified 1982 Ordinance right-of-way to be loss and entitlement or the value to the
by DC • The difference acquired by DC. of female owners and APs.
between CCL and
• PVAC will co-sharers through
Replacement value recommend RV of share determination at
(RV) of land (to be private land. the field upon receipt
determined by PVAC) of payment.
• DC will pay CCL for
paid by the Project as • Assistance from
additional payments. the land.
INGO for re-titling
• Stamp duty and • If RV is higher than
registration cost will CCL, the difference
be paid once the EP will be paid by BR
Purchases new land with the assistance
and submits proper from the RP INGO.
records. The value for
stamp duty will be
limited to CCL
and/replacement
value paid.
Implementation Issues:
Persons entitled will be informed details of the compensation policy, resettlement package and payment procedure. RV will
be determined and approved for the Project following the procedure as stated under Loss Item 1.
CCL for private and khas land will be determined by DC as stated under Loss Item 1.
Title updating for usufruct and other rights will be done before issuance of notice under Section 6 with assistance from the
INGO.
The INGO will encourage and motivate EPs to purchase homestead/commercial/ community or industrial land or invest
the compensation money in productive or income generating activities.

Loss Item 4: Loss of Residential Structures with Title to Land

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/title • CCL by DC as per • Structure on the Assistance in Reconstruction of
holders as identified 1982 Ordinance Project right-of-way relocation and structure at a new
by DC identified by DC reconstruction. site.
• The difference
between CCL and and/or the census.
Replacement value • Applicable to all
(RV) of land (to be structures located on
determined by PVAC) the Right-of-Way
paid by the Project as (RoW) at cut-off
additional payments. dates.
• Transfer Grant of • DC will pay CCL for
BDT 8,000.00 to legal structure
owner(s). RV for structures to
• Reconstruction be determined by
Grant of BDT PVAC
9,800.00 to legal • BR will provide other
owner(s). resettlement benefits
• Owner will be directly with
allowed to take away assistance from
all salvageable INGO.
materials (within BR
declared deadline)

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 45

 Loss Item 4: Loss of Residential Structures with Title to Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
free of cost
Implementation Issues:
• Joint Verification (DC and BR) and/or Census will identify (records floor areas and category) structure for titled
Owners;
• DC office with assistance from district Public Works Department (PWD) office will determine the market price of
structures and enhance it by 50% for cash compensation under law (CCL);
• Compensation must be paid before EP dismantles and removes the structures as per civil works requirement;
• The date of serving of notice u/s 3 will be the cut-off date for titled owners and the date of census will be the cut-off date
for structures not covered by DC (i.e., social cut-off-date).

Loss Item 5: Loss of Commercial/Industrial Structures with Title to Land

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/title • CCL by DC for • Applicable to all Assistance to be Reconstruction of
holders as identified commercial/ industrial structures located on provided by INGO in structure at a new
by DC structures RoW at cut-off dates. identifying available site.
premises to rent or
• The difference • DC will pay CCL for
buy
between CCL and structure
Replacement Cost • BR will provide other
(RC) for structures as resettlement benefits
determined by PVAC with assistance from
• Transfer Grant of INGO.
BDT 8,000.00 to legal
owner(s).
• Reconstruction
Grant of BDT
9,800.00 to legal
owner(s).
• Owner will be
allowed to take all
salvageable materials
(within BD declared
deadline) free of cost.
Implementation Issues:
• Joint Verification Committee identifies (records floor areas and category) structure for titled owners.
• CCL will be determined in the process as stated in Loss Item 4.
• Compensation must be paid before AP dismantles and removes the structures as per civil works requirement.
• The cut-off dates for titled owners and socially recognised owners as stated in Loss Item 4.

Loss Item 6: Loss of Residential and other Physical Structures without Title to Land (Squatters/Informal Settlers)
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Socially recognised • Compensation for • Applicable to all Assistance to be Reconstruction of
owners of structures structures as per structures located on provided by INGO in structure at a new
built on the RoW as PWD rates to be RoW at social cut-off identifying available site.
identified during determined by PVAC dates. premises to rent or
census. at replacement cost • BR will provide buy
• Transfer Grant of other resettlement
BDT 8,000.00 to non- benefits directly with
tilted owners assistance from

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 46

 Loss Item 6: Loss of Residential and other Physical Structures without Title to Land (Squatters/Informal Settlers)
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
including renters and INGO.
informal settlers.
• Reconstruction
Grant of BDT
9,800.00 to non-tilted
owner(s).
• Owner will be
allowed to take all
salvageable materials
(within BR declared
deadline) free of cost.
Implementation Issues:
• Census identifies structure on the BR or any Government land within Project right-of-way for non-titled owners.
• Compensation must be paid before EP dismantles and removes the structures as per civil works requirement.
• The date of census will be the cut-off date for non-titled owners.

Loss Item 7: Loss of PCR and CPR Structures with or Without Title to Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
(a) Legal owners (or • CCL by DC to legal Applicable to all INGO to conduct Restoration of
registered owners, plus the PCRs and CPRs community community structure
committee) identified difference between CCL located on RoW at consultations to for common benefits.
by DC in the process and RC of structure as cut-off dates. ensure PCR/CPRs
of CCL payment. determined by PVAC. are relocated
(b)Socially cash compensation for taking into account
recognised owners of CPRs on land without community
structures built on the titles to be determined concerns.
RoW as identified by by PVAC to match RV
JVC and in census. for the structure
• Dismantling and
Reconstruction cash
assistance BDT
10,000.00
• Transfer Grant of BDT
16,000.00 for relocation
of structure.
• Owners will be allowed
to take all salvageable
materials (within BR
declared deadline) free
of cost
Implementation Issue:
Joint Verification identifies (records floor areas and category) structure for titled owners and census identifies
structure for non-titled owners.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 47

 Loss Item 8: Loss of Trees with Title to Land and Owner of Trees on Public Land or Lessees
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
• Legal owner/title • Timber trees and Applicable to all trees INGO to explain RP Compensation for
holders as identified bamboos: CCL by DC and plants located on policies regarding trees.
by DC. for those with title to RoW at cut-off dates. compensation for the
• Socially recognised land and difference trees of different
between CCL and RC categories and size
owners of trees
grown on public or as determined by and make the EPs
other land, as PVAC. aware that they could
take the timber and
identified by census. • For fruit trees: CCL
fruits free of cost.
• Owners of trees by DC for those with
such as Forest title to land and
Department, Zilla difference between
Parishad, Society, CCL and RC as
Union Parishad, determined by PVAC.
Lessee on public OR
land.
(b) Timber trees and
bamboos:
Compensation for lost
trees as per DOF
rates to be determined
by PVAC at RC for
those w/o title to land.
• For fruit trees:
compensation for lost
trees as per DOF rates
to be determined by
PVAC at RC for those
w/o title to land. In
addition, market value
of fruits for average 3
annual year production.
• Owner of the trees (in
all cases) will be
allowed to fell and take
the trees free of cost

Implementation Issues:
• Standard rates for trees of different species available with the Bangladesh Forest Department will be considered by
PVAC
• DCs will determine the market price of trees with assistance from Bangladesh Forest Department and enhance it by 50%
to fix compensation under law (CCL).
• The INGO will provide guidance in plantation and post-plantation care.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 48

 Loss Item 9: Loss of Standing Crops/Fish Stock with (a) Title to Land and (b) Without Title to Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
(a)Legal owner/ (a) CCL for crops • Applicable for all INGO will assist APs Compensation for
cultivators as by DC for those with crops/fish stock in the process of standing crops and
identified in joint titles and difference standing on land/pond claiming fish stock.
verification by DC and between CCL and RC within RoW at the compensation from
BR. as determined by time of dispossession. DC/Project offices
(b) socially PVAC;
• DC will pay CCL for
recognised users of OR
land identified during crops/fish stock; for
(b) compensations for
census and (b), PVAC will
crops/fish stock at
validated by JVC RC to be determined determine the
by PVAC for those compensation to the
without title. paid by the Project
• In both cases,
owners/Users will be
allowed to take crops
and fish stock (within
BR declared deadline)
Implementation Issues:
DCs will determine the market price of crops with assistance from district Department of Agricultural Extension and district
Agricultural Marketing and market price of fish with assistance from district Department of Fisheries. Likewise, PVAC will
determine the value of compensation for socially recognised owners/users.

Loss Item 10: Loss of Fruit Production (due to Loss of Fruit Trees).
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
(a) Legal owner/ As mentioned in Applicable to all fruit INGO to explain RP Compensation for
cultivators as entitlement measure trees and plants policies regarding trees.
identified in joint # 8, RC of fruit located on RoW at compensation for the
verification by DC and production for 3 cut- off dates. trees of different
BR. years. categories and size
(b) socially and make the EPs
recognised users of aware that they could
land identified during take the fruits free of
census and validated cost.
by JVC
Implementation Issues:
• PVAC will fix the price of fruit production as per the market price of fruit.
• DC will fix the price in coordination with concern department and will increase the price 50% to fix the CCL.

Loss Item 11: Loss of Leased or Mortgaged Agricultural Land or Ponds and Commercial Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Expected Outcomes
Guidelines Services
• Agricultural and • CCL as per law for • With legal • INGO will assist Compensation for loss
commercial plot those with registered agreement: in ensuring that the of access to agricultural/
owner(s) on the contracts/lease Legal owner and lessee receives all commercial land and
Project RoW. mortgagee/ eligible payments. pond.
OR
leaseholder will be
• Titled and non- • INGO will
• Cash grant of BDT paid CCL by DC in
titled leaseholders/ mediate refund of
5,200.00 and BDT accordance with the
licensees/share outstanding lease

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 49

 Loss Item 11: Loss of Leased or Mortgaged Agricultural Land or Ponds and Commercial Land
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Expected Outcomes
Guidelines Services
croppers 4,600.00 will be paid to law. money by the
the non-titled share owner to the
• With customary
croppers, licensees and lessees.
tenancy agreements,
lessees of agricultural
including socially-
land, and pond
recognised verbal
respectively by the
Project thru INGO. Agreements: Legal
owner will receive
• In both cases, the
CCL from DC. The
cultivator will be allowed
legal owner will pay
to take the crops/fish
the outstanding
free of costs within the
liabilities to the
BR declared deadline
lessee/mortgagee.
Under the following
conditions: (i) all
contractual liabilities
are already paid up;
(ii) if not, the legal
owner will get the
residual payment after
all liabilities are paid
up.
Implementation Issues:
• Legal tenants of land will be identified by DCs and non-titled tenants, licensees/lessees of land will be identified by the
Census.
• PVAC will identify each land owner and any persons who presently have interest in the acquired land due to
mortgage, license, share cropping, lease.
• Any disputes over status of present interest in the land will be resolved through grievance redress procedure. Once
resolved, INGO will assist in processing payments of all outstanding liabilities on the land to the appropriate persons.
• Cash grant to cover loss of income will be paid to the tenant, licensee/lessee as per Project-specific policy
provisions.

Loss Item 12: Loss of Income from Dismantled Commercial/Business Premises

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected
Guidelines Outcomes
Any proprietor or Cash grant of BDT BR will directly Vulnerable EPs will Income support
Businessman or artisan 30,000 for loss of pay the entitlement be brought under in post-displaced
operating in premises, at business income by to the eligible income generating period.
the time of issuance of affected trader displaced persons programme.
notice u/s 3 and/or as per (based on average with assistance from
census. monthly income of INGO.
BDT10,000 for 3
months)
Implementation Issues:
• Primary eligibility to be based on businessmen identified by census and/or DC/BR joint verification.
• All the business operators will be entitled for grant against loss of business.
• The income-generating programme will be implemented engaging an NGO experienced in rehabilitation and livelihood
generation activities for the poor.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 50

Loss Item 13: Loss of Income (Wage Earners in Agricultural and Small Business Enterprises Excluding Owners or
Employers)
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Regular employees/ Cash grant of BDT • EP must have been • Vulnerable EPs will Income support in
wage earners 19,500.00 to the an employee of land be brought under post-displaced
affected by the affected employees/ owner or business income and livelihood period.
acquisition as wage earners located in the regenerating
identified by census. equivalent to 3 acquired lands for at programme.
months income as per least twelve months,
• Involvement of
the survey data as identified by Joint
qualified APs in
Verification and/or
construction work.
census.
• Involvement of
• The needs of
qualified APs in tree
vulnerable groups
plantation and social
will be assessed.
afforestation.
• The resettlement
benefits will be paid
by BR with
assistance from
INGO.

Implementation Issues:
Primary eligibility to be based on employees/wage earners identified by census and/or Joint Verification. Further
claims and grievances, if any, will be settled by the grievance redress committee.

Loss Item 14: Loss of Income from Rented-out Residential and Commercial Premises
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Legal owner/Title Rental assistance for • The owners of EPs will be brought Income support in
holders of the rented- both residential and rented out premises under income and post-displaced period.
out premises as commercial structure will be entitled for livelihood
identified by census. rented-out EPs or dislocation allowance regenerating
owners with rental for each unit of programme.
assistance of BDT premises rented out to
separate households
3,000.00 for loss of
or persons.
income on an average
(equivalent to 2 • Dislocation
months rental income allowance will be paid
as per the survey) by BR with assistance
from INGO.
Implementation Issues:
Census and/or Joint Verification will identify the owner of the residential and commercial premises

Loss Item 15: Rental Assistance for Renters in Order to Support them Finding Alternative Place to Rent
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Household/person •Rental assistance for • Each tenant EPs will be brought Income support in
rented-in any such both residential and household/person of under income and post-displaced period.
structure as identified commercial rented-in affected rented-in livelihood
by census. EPs (tenants) in the premises will be regenerating
amount BDT 6,000.00 entitled for the programme.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 51

 Loss Item 15: Rental Assistance for Renters in Order to Support them Finding Alternative Place to Rent
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
(equivalent to 4 dislocation allowance.
months •Dislocation
• One time moving allowance will be
grant of BDT 1,500.00 paid by BR with
assistance from
INGO.
•In case of any
advance deposited by
the tenant, an
agreement on non-
claim or outstanding
balance should be
certified by the local
Government
representative
between owner and
tenant. The
agreement will have
to be submitted by
both parties at the
time of payment of
resettlement
assistance. It will be
considered an
essential part of the
payment procedure.

Implementation Issues:
Census and/or Joint Verification will identify the household/person rent-in of the residential and commercial premises

Loss Item 16: Reconnection of Utilities (Gas, Electricity, Telephone, Water, Sewage, etc.)
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Reconnection of
Legal subscriber Cash grant for new BR will make INGO will help
as identified by DC utilities connection will payment of the reinstallation of the utilities.
(Eligible only when be provided by compensation money line
the affected BR: (a) Gas with assistance from
households can connection = BDT INGO
submit evidence of 12,000.00; (b)
past connections/ Electricity connection
bills/receipt) = BDT 7,000.00; (c)
Telephone
connection = BDT
5,000.00; (d) Water
connection = BDT
5,000.00; (e) Sewage
connection = BDT
5,000.00.
Implementation Issues:
This additional entitlement will be paid to the head of the household by BR through INGO for the reconnection of utilities

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 52

 Loss Item 17: Assistance to Vulnerable Households
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Households under the BDT 8,200.00 as one The EPs will be INGO will motivate the Income and livelihood
poverty level and time grant in addition identified as per the EPs for appropriate support.
whose head of to other census and income skill training
household are elderly, compensations and livelihood support
disabled and very will be provided by BR
poor with assistance from
INGO.
Implementation Issues:
• Vulnerable households losing income from business, employment, livelihood resources and for the transitional time up to
permanent settlement will be assessed by INGO-BR joint verification.
• These persons will be covered under the skill training programme and the allowances will be paid upon performance
following the entitlement package.

Loss Item 18: Assistance to Poor Female-Headed Households

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Households headed BDT 10,000.00 as The EPs will be INGO will motivate the Income and livelihood
by women and under one time grant in identified as per the EPs for appropriate support.
the poverty level. addition to other Census and income skill training
compensations and livelihood support
will be provided by BR
with assistance from
INGO.
Implementation Issues:
• Female-headed households losing income from business, employment, livelihood resources and for the transitional time
up to permanent settlement will be assessed by INGO-BR joint verification.
• These persons will be covered under the skill training programme and the allowances will be paid upon performance
following the entitlement package.

Loss Item 19: Livelihood Improvement Programme

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
One member of each • Cost of programme The EPs will be INGO will motivate the Income and livelihood
vulnerable household implementation (as identified as per the EPs for appropriate support.
as well as households separate line in census and income skill training
losing 10% over of budget summary and livelihood support
their total income. Table 10.1). will be provided by BR
• BDT 16,000.00 to be with assistance from
provided as “seed INGO.
grant” to each trained
member for investment
Implementation Issues:
• Vulnerable households losing income from business, employment, livelihood resources and for the transitional time up to
permanent settlement will be assessed by INGO-BR joint verification.
• These persons will be covered under the skill training programme and the allowances will be paid upon performance
following the entitlement package.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 53

 Loss Item 20: Personal Finance Management Programme
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
All households losing Cost of programme The EPs will be Income and
INGO will motivate the
structure/trees/crops/ implementation identified as per the livelihood support.
EPs for appropriate
land. (estimated at BDT census and income
skill training
3,000.00/household). and livelihood support
will be provided by BR
with assistance from
INGO.
Implementation Issues:
• Affected households losing income from business, employment, livelihood resources and for the transitional time up to
permanent settlement will be assessed by INGO-BR joint verification.
• These persons will be covered under the skill training programme.

Loss Item 21: Assistance in Identifying Available Land/Space/Structure to Rent or Buy

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
All households Cost of programme The EPs will be INGO will help the Homestead/Business
losing their Implementation (as identified as per the EPs to find out will be restored.
homestead or separate line in census. land/homestead
business structure or budget summary during the Project
rented structure. Table 10.1). period.
Implementation Issues:
Assistance will be provided to the affected households losing their homestead, land/business for restoring their socio-
economic condition.

Loss Item 22: Unforeseen Adverse Impacts

Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Households/persons Compensations/ • The unforeseen As appropriate Adverse impacted
affected by any allowance and impacts will be mitigated
unforeseen impact assistance depending identified through
identified during RP on type of loss will special survey by BR
implementation - for follow entitlement as per request from
instance, any Project matrix impacted population.
induced impacts •The entitlements will
be approved by MoR
and ADB.
Implementation Issues:
• The unforeseen impacts and displaced persons will be identified with due care as per policy framework and
proposed to the MoR and ADB for approval including quantity of losses, their owners and the entitlements.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 54

 Loss Item 23: Temporary Impact during Construction
Persons Entitled Entitlements Application Additional Services Expected Outcomes
Guidelines
Households/ • The contractor • The temporary Land returned and
As appropriate
persons and/or shall bear the cost of impacts will be restored to original
community affected any impact on identified through preferably better
by construction structure or land due special survey by BR standard.
impacts to movement of as per request from
impacted population.
machinery and in
connection with •The entitlements will
collection and be approved by BR as
transportation of per the entitlement
borrow materials as matrix policy
per entitlement matrix
(see entitlement
measure # 11).
• All temporary use of
lands outside
proposed RoW to be
through written
approval of the land
owner and contractor.
•Land will be returned
to owner rehabilitated
to original preferably
better standard.
Implementation Issues:
The temporary impacts and displaced persons will be identified with due care as per policy framework of the Project and
approved by BR.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 55

7 Relocation of Housing and Settlements
7.1 Introduction
131. The Project will displace households from their residence, business-structures, and
productive resources like land, employment and income. Affected persons will
experience loss of livelihood sources mainly due to loss of shops/commercial enterprises
and agricultural lands. In addition, wage earners such as employees of shops and
businesses and those working on the affected agricultural lands will also incur loss in
their income. The affected households will be provided with compensation and
assistance for relocation of their housing, productive assets and employment affected
due to the Project. Necessary efforts have been made so as to minimise the Project
impacts and to reduce impacts on assets and disruption of livelihood.

7.2 Scope of Displacement and Relocation

132. Of the total 2,004 affected households/units, 1,815 households/units (which does not
count units losing land, fish pond, other structures, PCR, government structures), will
have to be physically relocated from their homestead or business. Detailed distribution of
affected properties is shown in Table 7.1 below.
Table 7.1: Impacts by Categories of Physically Relocated Households

Renters (from
Titled Renters (from Squatters on
Category Squatters on Total
Owners Titled Owners) BR land
BR land)
HH losing residential structure 224 48 461 117 850
HH losing commercial structures 49 85 357 239 730
HH losing both commercial
and residential structures 30 22 69 62 183
CPRs 19 1 20 9 49
Large Scale Business 1 1 1 0 3
Total 323 157 910 427 1,815
Source: Census & IoL survey, 2013 & 2014

7.3 Options and Preferences for Relocation

133. The households who will be physically relocated are either titled homestead/
business owners, informal settlers (squatters) on BR land and renters. Most of the
affected structures in urban centres tend to be businesses and in rural areas
homesteads.
134. Most of these households (95%) stated their preference to remain in their current
location in order to continue their present occupations. Only 2% want to be relocated to
other villages and 3% to town area. When asked about modalities for compensation, the
survey shows that 73% of households would opt for cash compensation either for overall
loss (39%) or for land loss (34%). About 20% households (mostly private land owners)
said that they would rather get land for land (see details in Table 7.2 below).

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 56

 Table 7.2: APs’ Choice for Resettlement Options

Type of assistance chosen %

New land against the lost land 20.45
Cash against the lost land 34.05
Cash compensation 38.80
Re-Construction 0.41
Resettlement 1.60
New land for business or residence 2.78
Right Compensation 1.73
Employment generation 0.18
Total 100.00

Source: Census & IoL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

135. The relocation of scattered homesteads in rural areas along a 72 km linear
stretch is not pragmatic as it would imply concentrating the households in a few identified
places that would be away from their existing source of livelihood (farming). Most of the
landowners will not lose a substantial amount of land and will be able to relocate on their
residual land. Land title holders will receive on average BDT 6,301,383.00 (USD
81,098.88) per household as compensation, which is believed to be sufficient to rent or
buy alternative plots. Non-title holders losing a homestead in rural sections will either
relocate on residual land or rent within proximity. They should have sufficient cash
compensation for the loss of their structure and transfer and reconstruction allowance to
afford rent (see paragraph 131 below). According to the rental availability and
affordability survey, space and structures to rent in rural areas are readily affordable and
accessible.
136. There is limited availability of BR land close to the stations in urban areas that would
be sufficient to relocate affected households. Acquiring land from private owners to
provide as compensation is not a pragmatic option, as this would entail affecting a
new set of people in a cyclical way. Moreover the relocation of informal settlers on
designated public land is highly controversial given that it implies they would be given
preference over other renters and title owners. Moreover, the rental availability and
affordability survey confirmed that most squatters in urban areas, who represent over
50% of the affected business owners, will not lose their homesteads, as they already
own a house (60%) or rent a house in town. Their income depends on being in the city
and close to the stations. The survey also indicates that while rent from private
individuals is affordable in urban centres (from BDT 750.00-1500.00/month) it is not
widely available.
137. It is believed that the compensations, allowances and assistance measures
proposed under this RP are sufficient to enable affected households to secure alternative
spaces for their homesteads and businesses. The cash option for titled owners as well
as informal settlers’ is very attractive. Firstly, households losing a primary structure
(both titled and non-titled holders) will receive an estimated BDT 781,209.00 (USD
10,054.17), which represents 13 times the average annual income and is more than
sufficient to cover for several years of rent. As for renters, who will not be compensated
for the structure, they will receive the equivalent of four month rent, which is sufficient
time for them to find an alternative option. This should address the question of
affordability of renting space in urban centres.
138. As for the availability issue, the INGO will assist all affected households losing land
or structure (or rented structure) in identifying and securing an alternative space to rent
or buy. One of its tasks will be to establish a list of available plots and structures to rent
or buy and support the affected household with legal documentation and in negotiations.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 57

 Assistance from the INGO was explicitly sought by the affected households as
demonstrated by the survey (requested by over 80% of those surveyed). Furthermore,
under the RP, BR will consider giving priority in re-allocating leases to former
leaseholders and affected businesses after modernisation of the station areas.
139. Overall, it is expected that these measures will be adequate to address their housing
and business needs in post-relocation period.

7.4 Integration of Displaced Households with Host Population

140. Due to linear acquisition and scattered resettlement over 72 km of largely rural
areas, Project-sponsored resettlement in selected sites has not been considered in this
Project. The affected households and businesses will relocate and remain within their
existing communities and neighborhoods as much as possible. The choices in favor of
such decisions are factored by already established social links, kinship and social
support. So the issue of host-resettlers is not an issue, rather displaced households will
integrate within the existing communities. However, during Project implementation, the
INGO will assess the need for any additional assistance to enhance carrying capacity of
the “host” communities with regard to community support services.

7.5 Relocation and Reconstruction of PCRs

141. There are 3 PCRs of historical, religious and cultural significance that are likely to
be affected by the Project (Table 7.3). The Mazar Sharif is a shrine of a famous and
locally popular Sufi (religious leader). It is 100 to 120 years old located on BR land near
the signal post of Sadar Rashulpur station. It has a pucca roof with a tomb, pucca wall in
one side with boundary walls. The shrine will be fully affected. The Moth (Temple) is
located near the Rajapur Station. It is nearly 150 to 200 years old and very well
respected place to both Hindu and Muslim communities in the area. It is made of tin-roof
with pucca floor and wall. The temple will be affected fully. Finally, the Kalibari Mondir is
located near Gangasagar railway station. About 35% of the Mandir will be affected,
including boundary walls and trees.
142. BR will relocate and reconstruct the PCRs in consultation with the affected
communities and PCR management committees to ensure the structures are relocated
in a way that addresses community concerns. Detailed consultation will be arranged
with the support of the INGO in participation of the representatives from community
concerned and LGIs on the issue of relocation. In case of the relocation of the
temple/moth of Hindu religion, the local religious leader/purahit as well as the devotees
will be consulted adequately before taking any decision. For the mazar complex with
graves of the Muslim saints, Fatwa from a nominated Mufti (vetting from Islamic lawyers)
will be taken in agreement with the local Muslim community, devotees and the Khadem
(guardian) of the complexes. In both cases, suitable alternative land will be managed in
consultation with the community concerned. A dedicated budget has been kept for the
reconstruction of the PCRs.
Table 7.3: List of Physical & Cultural Resources in the Project Area
Name of
Sl.
Name of the PCRs Chainage Owner/President Village Union Upazilla District
No.
/Secretary
1 Hazrat Shah Sufi 161+100 Md. Shah Alam Pitamber Baksimail Burichang Comilla
Riasat Ali Fakir (R)
Mazar Sharif
2 Sree Nandoram 167+000 Sree Bikas Rajapur Rajapur Burichang Comilla
Goshwami Moth Chandra Roy
3 Doso Phuja Kalibari 196+850 Babu Ratun Mogra Mogra Akhaura Brahmanbaria
Mandir Kumar Pal
Source: Census & IOL survey, Project, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 58

143. Other than these PCRs there are 49 community property resources (CPRs) in the
Project area. According to the entitlement policy all CPRs will be given cash
compensation for the land, structure and additional transfer grants for relocation of each
structure. Dismantling and reconstruction cash assistance will be provided as per
assessed value of PVAC. In this way CPRs will be rebuilt at Project cost, in consultation
with the APs and the affected communities. Affected family graveyards will be dealt with
sensitivity in consultation with the concerned families. These are private, family
graveyards located on private and homestead lands and are not bigger, community
graveyard officially “registered” with the local Government. Although the DC will not
compensate these, the INGO will assist the families to exhume the bodies for reburial
provided the concerned families wish the graves to be relocated.
144. In all cases, affected CPRs will be rebuilt at alternative sites selected by the
community where they expect to relocate. These are already included in the Project cost
estimates. INGO will facilitate all the processes while BR will coordinate the activities of
site selection, design and estimate, site development and reconstruction. The list of
CPRs is presented in Table 7.4.
Table 7.4: Number of Community Property Resources (CPRs) by Category

Sl. Category of Community Resources No. of CPRs

No.
1 Religious institutions/structures (e.g., mosque, temple, graveyard, 29
eidghah)
2 Educational institutions (e.g., school, madrasha, moktob) 6
3 Community based associations/institutions (e.g. samity, club) 14
Total 49
Source: Census & IOL survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015
145. BR will use available public (khas) land or seek voluntary donation of land by the
local beneficiary communities for the reconstruction of the PCRs and CPRs. If khas
lands and/or voluntary donation are not available, BR will make negotiated settlement
over any new purchases of land for the civic and social/religious infrastructures. In all
cases (voluntary donation or negotiated settlement), BR will engage in meaningful
consultations with the affected people, including those without titles to assets. The
particular attention to negotiation methods, valuation, transactions and other record
keeping requirements and meet principles and conditions laid out in this RP, complying
with Safeguards Requirements 2 – Involuntary Resettlement and EIB’s standards.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 59

8 Income Restoration, Rehabilitation and Gender
8.1 Introduction
146. The Project will acquire private lands that include residential land, commercially used
land, productive agricultural land and pond. The acquisition and Project interventions will
lead to a loss of income and livelihood resources temporarily or permanently.
Restoration of income to pre-project level is thus one of the most important tasks in
resettlement management. The RP has provisions for interim support to mainstream
alternative income generating schemes or enhancement of existing livelihood resources
so that AHs can either continue their previous occupation, start new venture or
undertake an alternative occupation. The basic objective behind the income restoration
and rehabilitation measures is to restore the economic status of the displaced persons at
least at the level they were enjoying prior to the Project.

8.2 Livelihood Impact and Risks

147. Livelihood means and resources in the Project-affected area include land
(agricultural land and fish ponds), and commercial and businesses activities. The people
engaged in commercial and business activities in the Project area include traders,
vendors, and those engaged in agricultural activities include farmers, sharecroppers and
agricultural labourers. Women are involved in poultry/cattle rearing for cash income and
day labouring in and around the local area.
148. The impacts on livelihood will be largely limited, Affected persons will experience loss
of livelihood sources mainly due to temporary disruption and loss of shops/businesses,
and income from, rented structures and agricultural lands. The displaced households will
experience temporary dislocation in their income and work days. In addition, wage
earners such as employees of shops and businesses and those working on the affected
agricultural lands will also incur income losses. A total of 1975 such households will
experience direct and indirect impact on their income (Table 8.1).
Table 8.1: Type of Income Impact on Affected Households

Type of Loss No.

Loss of income from businesses 507 (AHs)
Loss of income from agricultural land 34 (AHs)
Loss of income from fish cultivation 145 (AHs)
Loss of wage labour 464 (No.)
Loss of rental income 589 (AHs)
Total 1,739
Source: Census & Socio-economic survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

8.3 Approach towards Income and Livelihood Restoration

149. The approach towards the income and livelihood restoration is restoration and
enhancement for affected persons. This includes necessary measures considering the
diminishing income and dislocation of livelihoods of the APs during and after relocation.
Appropriate support measures, in this regard, are needed for income and livelihood
restoration of the affected and displaced households. The RP has provisions also for
income restoration and rehabilitation of the AHs.
150. Within the policy entitlement of RP, all the persons losing their livelihood resources
or places of generating income as a result of the Project will be supported with cash
grants and allowances to supplement the lost income and workdays. These will enable
them to mainstream the transitional period of displacement with the stabilised period of

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 60

 sustaining with the previous sources of livelihood or starting an alternative source of
income. In this regard indicative income and livelihood restoration options for AHs have
been identified from the survey outcome.

8.4 Rehabilitation Measures

151. Considering the findings of the surveys and consultations the following measures will
be adopted in terms of rehabilitation and income restoration of the AHs:

(i) Compensation for land and structures at full replacement cost prior to
relocation;
(ii) Moving assistance;
(iii) Income-restoration measures;
(iv) Assistance measures to secure housing and rental spaces;
(v) Special assistance measures;
(vi) Livelihood Restoration Programme;
(vii) Encouraging Employment in Construction Works; and
(viii) Gender Considerations.
152. In accordance with the entitlement policy, the following measures will be taken to
support for restoration of income and economic rehabilitation of the affected households
and families.

8.5 Moving Assistance

153. Transfer Grant for moving structure (residential and commercial): A transfer
grant of BDT 8,000.00 will be provided to titled owners and non-titled owners of
residential and commercial structures including renters and informal settlers. Owner will
be allowed to take away all salvageable materials (within BR declared deadline) free of
cost. A total of 1,763 AHs are expected to be eligible for this grant.
154. Reconstruction Grant: A reconstruction grant of BDT 9,800.00 (for both titled and
non-tilted owners) will be provided to all households losing residential and commercial
structures. A total of 1,190 AHs are expected to be eligible for this grant.
155. Moving grant for tenants: Affected tenants will also be provided with a grant of
BDT 1,500.00 equivalent to 1 months’ rent (based on the rapid survey) but not
exceeding BDT 3,000.00 for larger spaces to help them in their transition. A total of 573
affected units (tenants from both titled and squatters) will be eligible for this grant.
156. New connection/reconnection assistance: Households losing their legal
connection with a utility as a result of relocation will be provided with BDT 12,000.00 for
gas connection (14 HHs/units), BDT 7,000.00 for electricity (500 HHs/units), BDT
5,000.00 for water (408 HHs/units), BDT 5,000.00 for sewage services (500 HHs/units),
and telephone BDT 5,000.00. Eligible number of households includes 1,422 for the
services of gas, electricity, water supply, telephone and sewerage.

8.6 Income-restoration Measures

157. Allowance for loss of income for business owners: All owners of affected
businesses will receive a BDT 30,000.00 cash allowance, equivalent to 3 month income,
for loss of business income. This assistance is intended to support them in the
transition and help them re-establish their enterprises in new locations and to continue
their previous occupations and commercial activities in the new locations. A total of 507
businesses will be eligible for this grant.
158. Allowance for loss of income for employees, wage earners: Temporary loss of
employment due to severe impact on business and commercial enterprises for
acquisition and taking over land for implementation of the Project will be supplemented

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 61

 with cash allowance to the affected employees/wage earners. A cash grant of BDT
19,500.00 will be provided to the affected employees, wage earners equivalent to 3
months income. A total of 464 AH would be eligible.
159. Allowance for loss of income from agricultural land and pond: Temporary loss
of access to agricultural land and pond by tenants (non-titled share croppers, licensees
and lessees) and thereby loss of income from productive land/pond will be compensated
through providing cash grant of BDT 5,200.00 for agricultural land (34 HHs) and BDT
4,600.00 for pond (145 HHs) as well as giving back the share of the crop, lease money, if
any, to share croppers, licensees and lessees. Moreover, the cultivator will be allowed to
take the crops/fish within the BR declared deadline. A total of 179 households will be
eligible.
160. Assistance for loss of income from fruit tree production: The market value of 3
year fruit tree production will be provided for any loss of mature fruit tree.
161. Allowance for loss of income due to renting residential/commercial structures:
Affected households losing income from rented-out residential and/or commercial
structure will be provided with rental assistance BDT 3,000.00 (equivalent to 2 months
rent). A total of 574 households will be eligible to this allowance.
162. Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP): One member of each vulnerable
household (404) as well as households losing 10% of existing land holding (454) as a
result of the Project will be eligible to participate in the LRP. BDT 16,000.00 will be paid
to each eligible participant. More information on the LRP is provided below. A total of
615 persons are expected to participate to the programme.
163. Personal Finance Programme: One member of all affected household will be
eligible to participate in a personal finance programme. The budget for its implementation
is provisioned in the overall INGO budget.

8.7 Secure housing and rental assistance measures

164. Rental assistance: All tenants losing their homestead/business structure will be
provided with a rental assistance of BDT 6,000.00 equivalent to 4 months’ rent. This
should give them ample time to find alternative housing or commercial structure to rent.
A total of 574 (tenants from both titled and squatters) households are eligible to this type
of assistance.
165. INGO Assistance in identifying renting space: The INGO will conduct a survey
and provide affected households with a list of available plots, structures and spaces for
rent of purchase for residential or commercial purposes. The focus will be primarily on
identifying rental space availability in urban areas such as Akhaura, Comilla and
Laksam, where the offer tends to be more limited. The INGO will also assist AHs in
negotiation and preparing the documentation to secure rent or purchase space/plot. All
households losing land, residential and commercial structures, whether titled or non-
titled, as well as tenants will be eligible to this assistance. This activity has been
designed as a result of consultation with APs during the rapid assessment and will be
included in the INGO ToR.
166. Priority to lease on BR land around station for commercial purposes (subject
to availability): BR will give priority to provide lease for commercial purposes to former
lease-holders and affected households who lost a business as a result for the Project.
BR has a standard policy on land lease for commercial purposes, which it can use for
the implementation of this RP.

8.8 Special Assistance Measures

167. Assistance to Vulnerable Households: Vulnerable households, defined as elderly
headed disabled or very poor (below the poverty line) will be provided with BDT 8200.00
one time grant in addition to other compensations. The number of EP is 404.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 62

168. Assistance to Poor female-headed households: Poor female-headed households
will receive a BDT 10,000.00 cash grant in addition to being eligible to the vulnerable
household assistance. A total of 74 poor female-headed HHs will be eligible for this grant.
169. Special relocation grant for PCR and CPR: A special one-time grant of BDT
16,000.00 will be allocated for the relocation of each affected common property
resource. Total numbers of PCRs and CPRs are 52.

8.8 Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP)

170. The LRP will be provided for one member of each vulnerable and severely affected
(i.e. losing 10% over of their land) households. The LRP will consist in trade
development trainings and support in elaborating business plans as well as seed grant
money of BDT 16,000.00 to launch the business.
171. The trade development training will be identified during Project implementation by
the INGO. Table 8.2 presents details of various activities being anticipated under the
Trade development trainings based on the survey conducted with APs. The majority of
the AHs prefer to restore their livelihoods through business (66%) followed by crop
farming (37%), fish culture (19%) and so on. These will be further reviewed by the INGO
during implementation phase through a need assessment focused on the eligible
households to further target the available skills and/or need for skill training.
Table 8.2: Details of Indicative Income & Livelihood Restoration Options for AHs

Affected HHs
Income & Livelihood Restoration Options
In Number(n=2004) In Percentage
Business 1,323 66.02
Fish cultivation 372 18.56
Poultry and livestock farming 27 1.35
Agricultural farming 734 36.63
Livestock 38 1.90
Handicraft 32 1.60
Day labour er 24 1.20
Others 68 3.39
Source: Census & Socioeconomic survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015
172. In addition to trade trainings, the INGO will provide basic financial management
briefing and assist participants in developing business plans for investments.

8.9 Other Type of Assistance

173. The INGO will also support the titled affected households losing property in re-titling
their plot or structure.

8.10 Employment in Construction Work

174. The construction activities under the Project will require many unskilled labourers for
construction of rail embankment, rail bridges/culverts, staff sheds etc. The contractor(s)
will require to give preference to hiring affected persons (with ID), including women,
willing to work in Project construction activities. Provisions in the general contract
conditions also require the contractors to pay equal wages to men and women without
any gender discrimination. Affected women will to work in Project construction will
form labour contracting society (LCS) with the help of INGO and be deployed by the
contractor in embankment slope turfing, watering, tree plantation etc. or any other
suitable works. Employment in the Project construction will act as an added source of
income in the income and livelihood restoration processes of the APs.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 63

8.11 Gender Considerations
175. Specific gender considerations to this RP are the following:
 The INGO will ensure that all affected women owner entitled to compensation
receive compensation in a bank account in their names or jointly with their
husbands;
 All affected poor female-headed households are considered vulnerable and
receive additional assistance; and
 BR will consider maximum participation of women trained under LRP program.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 64

9 Grievance Redress Mechanisms
9.1 Introduction
176. Grievances are issues, concerns, problems, or claims (perceived or actual) that
individuals or community groups want to address and be resolved by the Project. The
grievance mechanism is a locally based, project-specific extra-legal way to deal with and
resolve complaints and grievances faster and thus enhance project performance
standards in terms of social and resettlement management.

9.2 ADB/EIB Guidelines on Grievance Mechanisms

177. ADB/EIB have specific clauses/guidelines requiring the borrower/client to set up and
maintain a grievance redress mechanism at the Project level. This mechanism does not
replace donors’ accountability mechanism, but is intended to solve grievances at the
local level. If aggrieved, it is expected that affected people will first approach the local
grievance mechanism before taking the issue to other forum. The GRC system
established in this Project is expected to be effective in resolving grievances related to
compensation and relocation aspects. All affected persons will have full and free access
to GRCs.

9.3 Grievance Redress Committee (GRC)

178. A two-tier bottom up GRC system will be established in this Project. First, there will
be GRCs at the local level, hereafter called Local GRC (Union Parishads or municipality
level); and second, GRC at the Project level to give room for grievances to be fairly
reviewed. These GRCs will be established through gazette notifications from the Ministry
of Railways. The APs will be informed through public consultation that they have a right
to have their grievances redressed by the local committees as well as by the Project
management. The APs can also call upon the support of the implementing NGO (INGO)
engaged to implement the RP to assist them in presenting their grievances or queries to
the GRC. Other than disputes relating to ownership right under the court of law, the GRC
will review grievances involving all resettlement assistance, relocation and other support.
The local GRCs (at the Union Parishad or municipal level) will hear the grievances first.
Only unresolved cases will be forwarded to the next tier – Project level GRC for further
review and resolution. Grievances will be redressed within a month from the date of
lodging the complaints. GRC decisions will be on a majority basis and will be disclosed
and available for review by the stakeholders. If any disputant is unhappy or unsatisfied
with the outcome of the Project level GRC, he/she may file cases in the court.
179. GRCs at the union or municipality level (community level) will be formed with
representatives from BR, local elected representatives from the Local Government
Institutions (LGI), representatives of the affected persons (preferably women
representative in case of women APs), and RP implementing NGO. There will a GRC in
each union parishad or municipality affected by the Project to make it accessible both in
terms of distance and time.
180. The member secretary of GRCs will be regularly available and accessible for APs to
address concerns and grievances. Female UP member will participate in the grievance
redress sessions when the complainant will be a female. The Legal Advisor of the INGO
will support the GRC processes (both local and Project levels) in terms of legal and other
interpretation matters.

9.4 Composition of the Local GRC

181. The Local GRC will consist of members from executing agency (BR), RP
implementing NGO, people's representatives from local Government institution and
representative of the affected persons. This will represent all stakeholders and agencies
associated with RP implementation. Thus the Local GRC will be formed with 5 members

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 65

 representing various stakeholders, including representative of the affected communities.
The RO (BR) will chair the GRC at field level. Members of GRC, is presented below
(Table 9.1).
Table 9.1: Members of the GRC at Union Parishad/Municipal Level

Level Members of the GRC

GRC Composition at the Local Level Assistant Director of BR – Convener
(UP/Municipality ) Representative of RP implementing NGO- Member Secretary
Representative of the Local Government Institutions - Member
Local women UP member - Member
Representative of the affected people – Member

182. The scope of work and the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Local GRC are:

(i) The Local GRC shall review, consider and resolve grievances related to
social and resettlement mitigations received during implementation of the
RP;
(ii) Any grievances presented to the GRC should ideally be resolved on the first
day of hearing or within a period of three weeks, in cases of complicated
cases requiring additional investigations;
(iii) Grievances of indirectly affected persons and/or persons affected during
project implementation will also be reviewed by GRC;
(iv) The GRC will not engage in any review of the legal standing of an “awardee”
other than in the distribution of shares of acquired property among the legal
owners and associated compensation or entitlement issues;
(v) GRC decisions should ideally be arrived at through consensus, failing which
resolution will be based on majority vote. Any decision made by the GRC
must be within the purview of RP and entitlements;
(vi) The GRC will not deal with any matters pending in the court of law; and
(vii) A minimum three (3) members shall form the quorum for the meeting of the
GRC.
183. GRC meetings will be held in INGO Field Office in the Project area or other
location(s) as agreed by the Committee. If needed, GRC members may undertake field
visits to verify and review the issues at dispute, including titles/shares, reason for any
delay in payments or other relevant matters.

9.5 Composition of Project – Level GRC

184. The Project-Level GRC will review all unresolved cases forwarded to by Local GRCs.
It will be headed by the Project Director (PD). The Composition of the Project-Level GRC
is presented in Table 9.2. The Project-level GRC with representation of senior elected
Upazilla official and civil society member will further establish fairness and transparency
in the resolution of disputes or grievances. In specific cases, Project-level GRC may
seek legal advice from the INGO Legal Advisor or any external legal advisor, if required.
Table 9.2: Composition of Project Level GRC

Level Members of the GRC

GRC Composition at the Project Director/his representative– Convener
Project Level Local Upazila Parishad Chairman/representative -Member
Team Leader -INGO Member Secretary
Representative of local civil society organisation -Member
Representative of the affected people – Member

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 66

185. The provision of the Project-Level GRC will further establish fairness and
transparency in the resolution of grievances by Project affected persons. The presence
of senior public representative and civil society members will provide room for
grievances to be fairly reviewed. The Project Level GRC may seek legal advice from the
INGO Legal Advisor or any external legal expert, if required.
186. The scope of work and the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Project-Level GRC are:
a) Review, consider and settle unresolved grievances forwarded by local GRCs related
to RP implementation;
b) Any grievances presented to the Project Level GRC should ideally be resolved within
two months from the date of receiving the complaints;
c) In case of complicated cases, the GRC members can request additional information
or carry out field level verifications;
d) Resolutions should be based on consensus among members, failing which the
decision may be taken on majority vote;
e) Any decision made by the GRC must be within the purview of RAP policy framework
and entitlements;
f) The GRC will not deal with any matters pending in the court of law; and
g) All five (5) members are required to form the quorum for the meeting of the GRC.

9.6 Scope of Work of GRC

187. The GRCs will be activated with power to resolve resettlement and compensation
issues not to be addressed under legal suit in the courts. The GRCs will receive
grievance cases from the affected persons through the RP implementing NGO. The
INGO will assist the APs in lodging their resettlement complaints in a proper format
acceptable to the GRCs after they get ID cards from the BR or are informed about their
entitlements and losses. GRCs will be activated during the land acquisition and
resettlement process to allow APs sufficient time to lodge complaints and safeguard their
recognised interests. Where land acquisition will not be involved but relocation of
structures or vacating land from cultivation will be required, the GRCs will facilitate
resolution of complaints regarding categorisation of vulnerable affected persons, types of
structures and eligibility for compensation and assistance within the set guidelines and
provisions of the Resettlement Plan.
188. Any complaints on ownership title or other suits falls under arbitration which is to be
resolved by the judiciary system will not be within the purview of the GRCs. The affected
people will be informed about their right and entitlements as per policy of the
Resettlement Plan in the focus group discussion facilitated by the RP implementation
NGO field level staff. People’s initial complaints/comments would be resolved in the
focus group meetings. If the AP is not satisfied with the explanation of the INGO staff,
he/she may bring his/her complaints to GRC. In this regard, the INGO field level staff will
assist the AP in lodging the complaints.
189. Other than disputes relating to ownership right under the court of law, GRC will
review grievances involving all resettlement benefits, relocation and other assistance.
However, the major grievances that might require mitigations include:
i. APs not enlisted;
ii. Losses not identified correctly;
iii. Compensation/assistance not as per entitlement matrix;
iv. Dispute about ownership;
v. Delay in disbursement of compensation/assistance;
vi. Improper distribution of compensation/assistance in case of joint ownership;
and

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 67

 vii. Incorrect name in the award book of DC.

9.7 APs Petition to GRC

190. APs will be able to submit their grievances/complaints about any aspects of
Resettlement Plan implementation and compensation. Grievances can be shared with
the BR verbally or in written form. In case it is in verbal form, the INGO representatives
at the GRC will write it down in the first instance during the meeting at no cost to the
APs. The APs will sign and formally present to the GRC at the respective offices of the
INGO assisting the BR in implementing the RP. The GRC will settle the matter within 30
days of receiving the complaint from the AP. Resolution of the GRC will be final and
adopted in the process of resettlement for issuance of ID cards, and determination of
loss & entitlements and payment thereof.
191. The appeal procedure for solving the grievances will be as follows:
 All complaints from the APs will be received at the field office of the INGO,
the member secretary of the GRC, with a copy to the relevant Local
Government Institution representatives;
 Upon receipt of complaint, the representative of the INGO at the GRC will
inform the convener (BR representative) of the GRC. The convener will
organise a hearing session for the complainant at the UP Chairman/Ward
Councillor office where the complaint would have been lodged;
 The GRC will review the proceedings and pass verdict that will be conveyed
to the AP concerned through the INGO;
 Unresolved cases will be forwarded by the Member-Secretary of the Local
GRC to the Convener of the Project Level GRC; and
 If matters exist relating to arbitration, those will be referred to the court.

9.8 Processes for Filing GRC Cases and Documentation

192. The procedural steps of resolving grievances and the grievance redress mechanism
are presented in Figure 9.1 and Figure 9.2 explains the approval processes. GRC
procedures and operational rules will be publicised widely through community meetings
and pamphlets in the local Bangla language so that APs are aware of their rights and
obligations, and procedure of grievance redress. All local GRC documents will be
maintained by INGO for review. The RU Field Office(s) will act as the Secretariat to the
local GRCs. As a result, the records will be up-to-date and easily accessible on-site.

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 68

 Figure 9.1: Grievance Redress Procedures

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 69

 Figure 9.2: Grievance Redress Mechanism

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 70

10 Resettlement Costs and Budget
10.1 Introduction
193. The total estimated budget for implementation of the Resettlement Plan is BDT
4,413.44 million (USD 56.80 million) which is shown in Table 10.1. The costs for land
acquisition and resettlement for the Project have been estimated at current market price
for the year 2013 with necessary supplements for replacement cost, physical assets and
businesses with assessed replacement cost for the same year, and additional assistance
for loss of income and vulnerabilities as per the resettlement policy framework. This
budget is indicative of outlays for different expenditure categories assessed by census
and IoL survey (May-June 2013) for physical assets and estimates of land for
acquisition.
194. The budget will be updated and adjusted once the land acquisition boundaries is
finalised and the Government adopts a price of land and other assets based on the
recommendations of the PVAC prior to implementation. Replacement cost of land and
property will be updated annually if the PVAC at the district level justifies the same at the
time of dispossession for any considerable price escalation.

10.2 Summary Land Acquisition and Resettlement Budget

195. This budget includes compensation for land as well as both main and secondary
structures, trees, standing crops and fish, along with other resettlement benefits i.e.
additional assistance, dislocation allowance, transfer grants/assistance for shifting of
structure, rebuilding and/or restoration of community resources/facilities, assistance for
loss of business/wage income; one-time special grants and special assistance to
women-headed and vulnerable households with support to livelihood and income
restoration allowances. Provision of contingency costs (10%) has also been calculated
and incorporated in this budget. The RP budget further includes capacity building of the
EA, the operational cost for the INGO as well as the costs of the livelihood restoration
programme. The land acquisition and resettlement fund will be provided by the EA (i.e.,
Bangladesh Railway). The Development Project Proposal (DPP) prepared by BR has
provision for this amount in Year 1 to pay for compensation and resettlement purposes.
Table 10.1: Costs and Budget – Summary

Breakdown of Total Cost for LA and Resettlement for Project

Sl.
Head of Budget Million BDT Million USD
No.
1. Land Acquisition Cost
A Compensation for land (CCL and additional top-up) 2,738.52 35.24
B Compensation for Primary Structures and Secondary Structures 553.06 7.12
C Compensation for Trees 80.49 1.04
D Compensation for Crop Production 2.10 0.03
E Compensation for Fish Stock 2.00 0.03
F Other Resettlement Benefits/Allowance and Grants 80.91 1.04
G Income Generation and Livelihood Restoration 9.84 0.13
H Assistance in identifying space to rent/buy 5.50 0.07
I Cost of NGOs for carry out Income Generation and Livelihood 15.00 0.19
Restoration Programme (ILRP) and Capacity Building & Training of
Officials of EA
J RP implementing NGO Operation cost for RP Implementing 50.00 0.64
Agency/INGO (LS)

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 71

 Breakdown of Total Cost for LA and Resettlement for Project
Sl.
Head of Budget Million BDT Million USD
No.
K RP External Monitoring NGO/Agency 7.00 0.09
L Relocation of three PCRs 4.70 0.06
M Compensation and rehabilitation assistance to informal settlers on 468.00 6.02
land near Rail Bhaban for construction of a new building under this
Project
Sub Total 4,017.12 51.70
N Contingency @10% 401.71 5.17
Total Estimated Budget 4,418.83 56.87

10.3 Assessment of Unit Value for Compensation

196. The cost is estimated on the basis of inventory of losses identified through census &
IoL and property valuation/market surveys. Replacement value of land, structures and
other assets are calculated using the market rates. The Property Valuation Advisory
Committee will confirm the rates by types of land and location during the RP
implementation. The costs for relocation and special assistance are consistent with the
entitlement matrix. Details of the compensation cost estimation are presented
sequentially below.

10.4 Replacement Value of Land

197. The replacement value of land for different categories i.e., homestead land, high
land, agricultural land, banana and bamboo groves, orchards, ponds, wetland, fallow
land and other commercial land for the total proposed Project is presented in Table 10.2.
The total estimated amount for land compensation is about BDT 2,738.52 million (USD
35.24 million).
Table 10.2: Estimated Amount for Land Compensation for the Project

Estimated
Quantity Rate (CMP) in Estimated
Category of Land Quantity (ha) Cost in
(Decimal) BDT Cost in BDT
Million BDT

Homestead 782.99 3.17 159,436 124,836,500 124.84

Vita/ Highland/Hilly land 234.65 0.95 733,735 172,170,906 172.17
Crop land 3,890.25 15.75 108,400 421,703,106 421.7
Bamboo thicket 22.23 0.09 8,245 183,297 0.18
Orchard/ Forest land 205.01 0.83 175,553 35,990,135 35.99
Pond 1482 6 79,526 117,857,687 117.86
Wet land/ Ditch 163.02 0.66 131,373 21,416,406 21.42
Others 2,450.24 9.92 752,728 1,844,363,055 1,844.36
Total/CMP 9,230.39 37.37 - 2,738,521,092 2,738.52
Total of CCL of land for SP2 2,028,132,589 2,028.13
Difference between Total CMP and CCL of land for SP2 710,388,503 710.39

Source: Census & IoL Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 72

10.5 Replacement Value of Structures
198. The replacement value of primary and secondary structures for Project is presented
in Table 10.3 and Table 10.4, respectively. For the primary and secondary structures the
total estimated budgets are BDT 517.23 million and BDT 35.83 million, respectively. The
total estimated amount for structure compensation is BDT 553.06 million.
Table 10.3: Estimated Compensation Amount for Primary Structures
Sl. Estimated Amount
Compensation for Primary Structure Quantity Rate in Sft.
No. in BDT
1 Pucca (pucca floor) (sft) 80,518 2,124 171,020,232
2 Pucca (katcha floor) (sft) 225 1621 364,725
3 Semi Pucca (pucca floor) (sft) 102,833 1,171 120,417,443
4 Semi Pucca (katcha floor) (sft) 11,406 1,014 11,565,684
5 Tin made double barrelled house (pucca floor) (sft) 85,687 785 67,264,295
6 Tin made double barrelled house (katcha floor) (sft) 207,466 510 105,807,660
7 Tin made house with only one slanting roof (pucca floor ) (sft) 14,886 703 10,464,858
8 Tin made house with only one slanting roof (katcha floor) (sft) 22,437 412 9,244,044
9 Katcha double barrelled (sft) 31,206 338 10,547,628
10 Katcha house with only one slanting roof (sft) 18,757 254 4,764,278
11 Thatched (sft) 3,997 131 523,607
12 House with only polythene made roof (sft) 3,896 34 132,464
13 House with only one slanting tin roof without wall (sft) 20,094 150 3,014,100
14 House without roof (Floor & wall pucca) (sft) 1,839 700 1,287,300
15 House with only pucca roof (without wall & floor) (sft) 70 500 35,000
16 House under construction (sft) 1,096 700 767,200
House with polythene made roof and Tin made wall (katcha
17 100 131 13,100
floor) (sft)
Total (in BDT) 606,513 517,233,618
Total (Million BDT) 517.23
Source: Census & IoL and Property Valuation Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015
Table 10.4: Estimated Compensation Amount for Secondary Structures

Sl.
Compensation for Secondary Structure Quantity Rate in sft./rft./cft/no. Estimated Amount in BDT
No.
1 Tube well (no.) 298 12,696 3,783,408
2 Deep tube-well (no.) 2 50,000 100,000
3 Sanitary Latrine (no.) 242 45,002 10,890,484
4 Slab Latrine (no.) 298 3,339 995,022
5 Katcha Latrine (no.) 22 1,576 34,672
6 Water pump (no.) 33 16,000 528,000
7 Pillar (no.) 8 1,000 8,000
8 Shahid Minar (no.) 1 1,654 1,654
9 Bakery Burner (no.) 3 500,000 1,500,000
10 Graveyard (no.) 3 500,000 1,500,000
11 Mobile Tower (no.) 1 1,000,000 1,000,000
12 Boundary wall (5") (rft.) 8,471 974 8,250,754
13 Boundary wall (10") (rft.) 397 1,654 656,638
14 Tin made boundary wall (rft.) 7,288 416 3,031,808
15 Grill (rft.) 312 1,000 312,000
16 Drain (rft.) 164 838 137,432
17 Gate (rft.) 30 1,000 30,000
18 Gas line (rft.) 50 250 12,500

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 73

Sl.
Compensation for Secondary Structure Quantity Rate in sft./rft./cft/no. Estimated Amount in BDT
No.
19 Brick built Stair in pond (rft.) 46 2,000 92,000
20 Culvert (rft.) 12 2,500 30,000
21 Water tank (cft.) 8,307 350 2,907,450
22 Urinal Place (no.) 2 5,920 11,840
23 Mosque Wash Room (no.) 4 3,000 12,000
Total (in BDT) 35,825,662
Total (million in BDT) 35.83
Source: Census & IoL and Property Valuation Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

10.6 Market Value of Trees

199. The compensation values of trees on private and Government lands in the Project
are presented in Table 10.5 and Table 10.6, respectively. The estimated amounts for
compensation trees on private land and Government land are BDT 49.38 million and
BDT 31.11 million, respectively. The total estimated amount for compensation of trees is
BDT 80.49 million.
Table 10.5: Estimated Amount of Compensation for Trees on Private Land

Estimated Amount of Compensation

Category of Trees Quantity Rate in No.
in BDT
Fruit bearing
Big 679 10,613 7,206,227
Medium 1,116 4,796 5,352,336
Small 1,366 1,960 2,677,360
Plant 5,411 70 378,770
Sub total 15,614,693
Timbers types-
Big 710 16,455 11,683,050
Medium 1,567 7474 11,711,758
Small 3,089 2,853 8,812,917
Plant 1,770 49 86,730
Sub total 32,294,455
Medicinal Plant
Big 11 17,667 194,337
Medium 19 7,458 141,702
Small 31 2,884 89,404
Plant 50 35 1,750
Sub total 427,193
Banana
Big 271 564 152,844
Medium 194 320 62,080
Small 179 179 32,041
Plant 124 37 4,588
Sub total 251,553
Bamboo (B) 3,065 260 796,900
Total (in BDT) 49,384,794
Total (million in BDT) 49.38
Source: Census & IoL and Property Valuation Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 74

 Table 10.6: Estimated Amount of Compensation for Trees on Government Land

Category of Trees Quantity Rate in No. Estimated Amount of Compensation in BDT

Fruit bearing
Big 815 10,613 8,649,595
Medium 1,230 4,796 5,899,080
Small 1,762 1,960 3,453,520
Plant 1,197 70 83,790
Sub total 18,085,985
Timbers types -
Big 157 16,455 2,583,435
Medium 519 7,474 3,879,006
Small 1,175 2,853 3,352,275
Plant 22,724 49 1,113,476
Sub-total 10,928,192
Medicinal Plant -
Big 8 17,667 141,336
Medium 23 7,458 171,534
Small 39 2,884 112,476
Plant 15 35 525
Sub total 425,871
Banana -
Big 911 564 513,804
Medium 933 320 298,560
Small 821 179 146,959
Plant 733 37 27,121
Sub total 986,444
Bamboo (B) 2,628 260 683,280
Total (in BDT) 31,109,772
Total (million in BDT) 31.11
Source: Census & IoL and Property Valuation Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

10.7 Market Value of Crops/Fish

200. The budget for compensation of standing crops and fish stocks has been estimated
based on a fixed rate for total crop land and pond/low lying area. It is standard practice in
Bangladesh for calculating crop compensation on the basis of per decimal rate 400.00
taka. For fish compensation the rate is 1,000.00 per decimal. The standing crops and
fish stock values of the three sections of the Project areas are presented in Table 10.7.
The total estimated amount for crop and fish compensation is BDT 4.10 million.
Table 10.7: Estimated Amount of Compensation for Standing Crop and Fish
Quantity Rate in Estimated Amount of
Category of Loss
in no. no. Compensation in BDT
Compensation for crops production @BDT 5,246 400 2,098,576
400.00/decimal in case of cultivated area
Compensation for fish stock @BDT 1,000.00/decimal 1,998 1,000 1,997,900
in case of cultivated Pond/Gher
Total (in BDT) 4,096,476
Total (million in BDT) 4.10
Source: Census & IoL and Property Valuation Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 75

10.8 Provision for Resettlement and Rehabilitation Allowances and Assistance
201. In accordance with the resettlement and rehabilitation assistance plan all displaced
households and persons will be compensated with different compensation packages and
additional resettlement assistance. The packages have been revised and additional new
packages included based on the Rapid assessment survey conducted in May 2014. The
allowances and benefits have been considered to support the relocation and
rehabilitation of the affected persons both in rural and urban areas (see Table 10.8). The
displaced persons will be able to receive:
i. Transfer grant for moving structure;
ii. Reconstruction grant;
iii. Shifting grant for moving household and commercial materials and belongings;
iv. Reconstruction grant to rebuild residential/commercial structure;
v. New connection/reconnection assistance;
vi. Moving grant for Renters;
vii. Allowance for loss of income;
viii. Allowance to re-establish business/enterprise;
ix. Allowance for loss of income from agricultural land and ponds;
x. Allowance for loss of rental income from residential/commercial structures;
xi. Assistance for vulnerable Households;
xii. Assistance to Female-Headed Households;
xiii. Livelihood Restoration Programme; and
xiv. Special relocation grant for CPR.
Table 10.8: Estimated Amount of Allowance and Grant
Quantity in
Category of Loss Rate in BDT Price in BDT
No./Acre
Transfer Grant per affected titled and non-titled Residential and
1,763 8,000 14,104,000
Commercial Structures
Special Grant per affected Community Property (PCR & CPR)
49 16,000 784,000
Structures
Reconstruction Grant per affected titled and non- titled
1,190 9,800 11,662,000
Residential and Commercial Structures
One time moving grant for tenants 573 3,000 1,719,000
Rental Assistance for both residential and commercial tenants 574 6,000 3,444,000
Grant for loss of rental income to the legal owner for rented
574 3,000 1,722,000
residential & commercial structures
Re-connection of Gas supply services 14 12,000 168,000
Re-connection of Electricity supply services 500 7,000 3,500,000
Re-connection of Water supply services 408 5,000 2,040,000
Re-connection of sewerage services 500 5,000 2,500,000
Assistance to vulnerable households or households with
404 8,200 3,312,800
disabled/ handicapped/ elderly/very poor
Assistance to Female headed households under the poverty level 74 10,000 740,000
Grant for Loss of business Income by affected trader 507 30,000 15,210,000
Grant for loss of regular wage income for labours and employees 464 19,500 9,048,000
Grant for loss of income from agricultural land to non-titled share
34 5,200 176,800
croppers, licensees and lessees
Grant for loss of income from pond/water bodies to non-titled
145 4,600 667,000
licensees and lessees
Grant for loss of fruit production to the legal owners 30% price of
total fruit 10,110,203
trees
Total in Million BDT 80.91
Total in Million USD 1.04

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 76

11 Institutional Arrangements for RP Implementation
11.1 Introduction
202. Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways (MoR) is representing the
Government of Bangladesh as the Executing Agency of the Project. BR will establish a
Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the implementation of the Akhaura-Laksam Project.
It is mandated to undertake steps, as per the guidelines of the MoR and advice of the
Government, to secure required funds both from external and internal sources for the
implementation of the Project. This chapter outlines the institutional arrangements for
implementation of RP for Akhaura-Laksam Project.

11.2 Present Institutional Framework of Bangladesh Railway

203. Bangladesh Railway is run by expert professionals recruited through the Bangladesh
Public Service Commission. It is headed by the Director General who is supported by the
Additional Director Generals at the Headquarters. The Additional Director Generals are
responsible for different sectors. In addition to this Headquarters level officials there are
two General Manager at two zones – East and West Zones. This set up is permanent.
Moreover, there are Project levels Project Management Units (PMU) who are
responsible for running the Projects. For instance, the Tongi-Bhairab Double Line Project
or Laksam–Chinki Astana Double Line Project are run by the respective Project
Directors. Under their control, there are officials who are responsible for the
Environmental and Social Affairs. At present, there is no specific Environment and Social
Unit at the Headquarters for management and supervision of environmental and
resettlement aspects in Project planning, development and implementation.

11.3 Institutional Framework for RP Implementation

204. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU), headed by a Project Director (PD), will be set
up within the BR HQ for execution of the Project. A Resettlement Unit (RU) will be
established within this PIU at the Project level, which is responsible for implementation of
the RP in terms of compensation disbursement and resettlement of the Project affected
peoples including livelihood restoration in the process of construction of the railway and
resettlement of the APs. The PD will ensure the land acquisition with assistance from
Land Acquisition Offices (LAOs) of respective districts and the RO. The PD will take
assistance from the DCs of Comilla and Brahmanbaria for acquisition of land for the
Project.
205. At the corporate level, BR will take initiative to establish an Environment and Social
Development Unit (ESDU) to implement and monitor safeguard activities and thus
enhance its own capacities in safeguard management. The ESDU to be established will
be led by a Chief/Additional Chief Engineer level officer of BR at the HQ. The Unit will be
staffed initially by specialists (1 Environment Specialists, 1 Resettlement Specialists),
headed by a Safeguard Manager recruited from the market for the RCIP Projects.
206. The Project Director of Akhaura-Laksam Double Line Project will appoint and
mobilise an experienced Implementing NGO (INGO) for designing and implementing the
resettlement activities including the income and livelihood restoration programme. The
RU, under the overall responsibility of the PD, will undertake day to day activities with the
INGO. The RU will coordinate land acquisition, manage resettlement and rehabilitation of
the APs, disburse resettlement grants, and ensure APs’ access to development
programme. The RU will carry out the following specific tasks relating to RP
implementation:
 Liaison with district administration to support land acquisition and RP
implementation activities;
 Discharge overall responsibility of planning, management, monitoring and
implementation of resettlement and rehabilitation programme;

RCIP - Rail Component | Resettlement Plan | Subproject 2 | Page | 77