
MICI: We work with you to make development better
We are the independent accountability office of the IDB Group. We manage complaints about possible environmental and social harm arising from Group-financed projects.
General San Martín Railroad Improvement Project: Retiro-Pilar Branch Line
Country: Argentina
Reception date: November, 29 2022
Current Status: Closed
Requesters:
Confidential
The Request describes potential environmental, social, economic harm, and affectation to the living conditions of the group of Requesters derived from the electrification works and construction of tunnels for the improvement of a public transport railway.
The group of Requesters states that the design of the tunnels would affect the urban design of the locality and would make it a less accessible neighborhood for pedestrians and people with disabilities. Likewise, they allege that the construction of the tunnels would affect access to entire sectors dedicated to commerce, affecting small businesses and their workers, in addition to the fact that the passages to hospitals and access to other services would be affected.
Similarly, the Request establishes that the Project has undergone various modifications and that the last public consultation was conducted in 2017, therefore, it could be outdated. On the other hand, the group of Requesters affirms that they have not had access to public information related to the project and that the existing information is confusing, insufficient, and outdated.
On March 24, 2023, MICI determined that the Request is not eligible because it does not meet some of the eligibility criteria required by the MICI Policy. Specifically, while the complaint describes the potential harm alleged, as required by the eligibility criteria in paragraph 22(c) of the MICI-IDB Policy, the lack of linkage to the works within an IDB-financed operation precludes its application.
This eligibility determination is not an assessment of the merits of the Request and the issues presented therein. Nor is it a determination of compliance or noncompliance by the IDB with its Relevant Operational Policies. Upon notification to the Board of Executive Directors, MICI's processing of the Request will be concluded.
On February 23, 2023, the MICI Director requested the Board of Executive Directors to extend the eligibility determination period (paragraph 59 of the ICIM-IDB Policy). The Board of Executive Directors approved the extension, so the new deadline for issuing the Eligibility Determination Memorandum will be March 24, 2023.
On December 21, 2022, MICI notified the Requesters and Management of the registration of the Request.
On December 6, 2022, MICI granted the Requester an extension of 10 working days to provide additional information needed to process the case.
B
General San Martín Railroad Improvement Project: Retiro-Pilar Branch Line
TRANSPORT
Loan Operation
USD 400,000,000
Registration
Registered
|
Eligibility
Not eligible
|
Assessment
|
Consultation Process
|
Monitoring
|
Recommendation for a CR and ToRs
|
Investigation
|
CR Report
|
Monitoring
|
Registration |
Consultation Phase (CP) |
Compliance Review Phase (CRP) |
Steps and milestones | Date | Remarks | Documents |
---|---|---|---|
Registry | |||
Request Receipt |
2022-11-29 |
Requests of a confidential nature are not published. | |
Notice of Registration |
2022-12-06 |
5 business days from the date of receipt of the Request or 15 business days when further information is required from the Requesters. | |
Elegibility | |||
Management Response |
2023-01-30 |
21 business days from the date of notice of registration. The response will be published as an annex to the Eligibility Memorandum. | |
Eligibility due date |
2023-03-24 |
21 business days from the date of receipt of Management Response or 45 business days after the Suspension is granted. | |
Eligibility Memorandum Public Disclosure |
2023-04-06 |
As per the Access to Information Policy (OP-102) the disclosure of this document is done simultaneous to its distribution to the Board of Executive Directors. | |
Closing date of MICI process |
2023-04-06 |