1. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF SITE ALTERNATIVES

This section of the report presents the alternatives considered for selecting the site and justification for the project. The

following scenarios have been considered for assessing the need of the project in the existing settings of the area:

i Project versus No-project Scenario;

ii Alternatives considered for selection of site;

1.1 Project versus No project scenario

The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) market in India is currently at a nascent stage,

and has potential to grow as the economy matures. Exhibition centers form a vital link to connect local

manufacturers with global buyers serving as the platform for the exchange and dissemination of information.

According to the survey of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B), India captures a small share of 1%

of the international meetings market and does not compete with the established MICE destinations in Asia.

Currently, India lacks the necessary infrastructure to host MICE events, including hotel rooms and transportation

connectivity. The lack of sufficient number of high quality venues in India continues to be one of the most

significant constraints on growth in this market. New Delhi being the nation’s capital and the commercial nerve

centre of northern India; it is one of the most lucrative business locations. Despite its sustained level of growths

and immense economic potential, there are limited opportunities in terms of organized exhibition space.

Presently, Pragati Maidan is the only large organized space in the city for holding exhibitions, conventions, trade

fairs etc. Hence, a need was felt to establish an Exhibition cum Convention Centre in the National Capital Region

to not only provide exhibition space but also attract new investments and boost economic activity in the region.

The ECC will be an integrated complex with a host of mutually beneficial facilities like exhibition halls, convention

centers, hotels, auditoria and retail services. The proposed project is strategically located near IGIA airport

terminal 3, Delhi Rewari Railway line and MRTS system. It is at a distance of approximately 11km from Indira

Gandhi International Airport, 3km from Bijaswan railway station and less than a km from Sector 21 Dwarka Metro

Station and is adjacent to the upcoming ISBT site.

1.2 Alternatives considered for Selection of site

An initial screening to assess the best suitable site out of the three alternate sites was carried out. The Site

Suitability Analysis was undertaken for the following three sites:

1. The first site is located in sector 25, Dwarka, which is designated as Public Semi Public (PS-1, socio-

cultural facilities) as per recent Notification of Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) dated 12 May 2016.

2. The second site under consideration was at Sector 20, Dwarka, which is designated as open and green

space in the DMP 2021.

3. The third site under consideration was the site previously earmarked for the Reliance SEZ in the Gurgaon

Manesar Urban Development Complex.

Figure 1-1 : Delhi Master Plan 2021 and Proposed Site 1 Location

Figure 1-2: Delhi Master Plan 2021 and Proposed Site 2 Location

Figure 1-3 Gurgaon Manesar Master Plan 2021 and Proposed Site 3 Location

1.2.1 Assessment of Alternative Sites

For identification of the most suitable Site for development of the ECC, an assessment was carried considering the

following aspects:

Physical settings;

Environmental Considerations and;

Social Considerations;

Table 1.1 Site Suitability Analysis

Parameter Option 1

Sector 25, Dwarka

Option 2

Sector 20, Dwarka

Option 3

Gurgaon

Physical Settings

Topography

All three alternate sites are flat and are sloping towards West. Hence, the topography will not be a major

constraint on the proposed ECC development at any of the three sites.

Location and Connectivity

The proposed site is located at

Sector 25 of the Dwarka sub city in

The proposed site is located at

Sector 20 of the Dwarka Sub

The site is located in the

Reliance Haryana SEZ as

the south western part of Delhi NCR.

The site has adequate local and

regional connections through road,

rail and air. The site also has

excellent transit connections with the

Delhi Metro. The strategic location of

the site makes it an ideal option for

such kind of facility and will attract

wider business opportunities.

City in the South Western part

of Delhi NCR. The site is also

in proximity to the existing

road, rail and transit links.

identified in the Gurgaon

Manesar Urban

Development Complex

2025. The site access is

constrained with existing

road layout and there are no

direct access to major

arterials

Landuse

The site landuse as per the recent

Notification of Ministry of Urban

Development (MoUD) dated 12 May

2016 is designated as Public Semi

Public (PS-1, socio-cultural facilities).

Hence there will be no change in

landuse pattern.

The present landuse is Green

Area in Dwarka Zonal Plan.

Hence, landuse conversion is

mandatory.

The site is currently notified

as multi services SEZ.

However, the proposed ECC

needs to be critically

delineated after considering

the present SEZ Acts and

Rules.

Environmental Considerations

Water Resources and

Availability

It is proposed to meet the potable water Demand from the underground

reservoir/ water mains of the Delhi Jal Board;

There is no provision from

the Haryana Urban

Development Authority

(HUDA) for supply of water

to the proposed site. Hence

water supply will be a major

constraint.

Ecology The site supports relatively low biodiversity with existing vegetation of

relatively low ecological value.

The site is approximately

10km from the Sultanpur

Bird sanctuary which is a

notified National Bird

Sanctuary with migratory

birds nesting during winter

season.

Noise Both these site locations fall under IGI Airport runway funnels and

hence, there will be noise impact on the proposed development on both

the sites. Mitigation measures such as buffer areas, green barriers could

maintain the impacts to minor impacts.

No significant noise source

is envisaged in the nearby

site area

Wastewater/Sewerage

System

A sewerage system is already in place for the site. However, once the

project is in operation, upgrading of sewage network may be considered

to accommodate the demand.

Presently the site has no

provisions for any sewerage

network by HUDA.

Social Considerations

Resettlement &

Rehabilitation issues

The site is already in possession of

the Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion (DIPP) which was

transferred by Delhi Development

Authority (DDA). The site will

therefore have no resettlement

issues.

The site is already acquired and

is in possession of the Delhi

Development Area. Hence,

there will be minimal

rehabilitation and resettlement

issues.

The site is already acquired

and in possession of the

RHSEZ.

However, as part of area

development, the locals may be

considered to be employed during

construction and operation phases

based on their skills.

1.2.2 Site Selection Criteria

A ranking system for various environmental and social aspects was developed to carry out the evaluation of site

alternatives. A set of seven parameters were considered and each parameter was assigned a score and weight

based on its significance in selection of a site. The details of the parameters and the rationale for selection of

these parameters have been provided in Table 1.2

Table 1.2: Rationale for Selected Parameters

Subject Group Parameter Rationale

Landuse Land Use Lands which are designated as public-semi public will be

considered as the most suitable option for this project

development

Infrastructure Water Source & Sewer The development should have an identified water supply

and sewerage system

Environmental

Sensitivity

Proximity to ecologically

sensitive features

The site should be as far from ecologically sensitive areas

as possible

Connectivity Proximity to NH and SH This aspect offers inter nodal/modal connectivity and

potential for regional and local bus based rapid transit

system

Proximity to Metro station It offers an easy and convenient mode of transport for

visitors from NCR.

Proximity to IGI Airport International connectivity

Rail Connectivity This offers regional connectivity

The rationale for selecting of the above mentioned criteria and the sub-criteria are detailed in the following sub

sections:

Landuse

The existing landuse of the potential site and its planned landuse as per the Master Plan for the city are

considered as important factors for site selection. The sites designated for Public Semi Public (PS-1, socio-cultural

facilities), in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 and its amendments were considered preferred site locations as there

will not be any changes in the landuse due to the project development.

Proximity to ecologically sensitive area

Proximity to ecologically sensitive areas such as Reserved/Protected Forest, sanctuaries/National Park, wetland,

mangrove, migratory corridor and other notified areas were considered as important factor for site selection.

Proximity to sanctuaries / National Park was considered within 15 km as the major project impacts are likely to be

limited within such areas. Reserved/Protected forest within or in proximity were less preferred as they may get

exposed to residual noise and air impacts, however impacts will be limited as the notified forest land will be

delineated and no diversion is proposed. The SEZ site, Gurgaon lies within 10km from Sultanpur Bird sanctuary

which is a notified National Bird Sanctuary with migratory birds nesting during the winter and hence a least

preferred alternative based on this parameter. Wetlands and areas with mangrove were considered as less

favourable due to potential ecological impacts.

Infrastructure Accessibility

Source of water and sewage for the project should be identified before commencing of the project. Site with dependable

allocation for water were preferred during scoring.

Connectivity

Proximity to National Highways, State highways and metro line was considered as a favourable factor as it would

enhance connectivity to the ECC for the visitors.

The scores and weights have been assigned on the basis of a series of interactive in house sessions and through

research and experience.

Table 1.3: Assigned Scores and Weights

Subject Group Parameter Score Weight

Infrastructure

Source of water

20

Source of water-identified 10

Source of water-not identified 4

Sewerage

Existing Sewerage System 10

No sewerage network identified 4

Connectivity

Proximity to IGI Airport

25

Upto 15km 10

15-25 km 8

25-35 km 6

Above 50 km 4

Rail Connectivity - Distance from

Railway Line

0-3 km 10

3-5 km 8

4-6 km 6

6-8 km 4

8 km and above 2

Road Connectivity - Distance from

NH

0-3km 10

3-6 km 8

6-10 km 6

Beyond 10km 4

Rail Connectivity - Distance from

Metro Line

0-2km 10

2-4 km 8

4-6 km 6

6-8 km 4

8 km and above 2

Landuse Land Use 30

Commercial 10

Others 5

Environmental

Sensitivity

Proximity to ecologically sensitive

area (within 15km)

25

Reserved/Protected Forest 5

Sanctuaries / National Park 1

Wetland / Mangrove 3

Migratory corridor 2

Other notified areas 3

None 10

Based on the above ranking system, the site alternatives were evaluated. The final scores for the three site

alternatives have been presented below:

Table 1.4: Scoring for Options

Alternatives Location Infrastructure

Accessibility

Connectivity Land use Environmental

Sensitivity

Total Score

Option 1 Sec-25

Dwarka

100 90 100 50 82.5

Option 2 Sec-20

Dwarka

100 75 40 50 63.75

Option 3 Gurgaon

(Manesar)

40 85 100 10 57.25

1.2.3 Final Site Selection

Based on the site suitability analysis, Site 1 - Sector 25 Dwarka is the best option for development of ECC. The

rationale for selecting the site is mentioned below:

No change in landuse pattern required;

The site’s accessibility to regional destinations by rail and air is excellent. The site has good connectivity

with Indira Gandhi International Airport and Bijwasan railway station. Though, the option 2 is free from

any encumbrances and lies in proximity to metro stations, bus stands and metro connectivity, however

the land use is designated as open and green space and the conversion of land use will be challenging.

Limited issues of resettlement and rehabilitation as the land are already under the possession of DIPP.