The Request raises concerns about the Bank-financed Ecuador: Emergency Resilient Reconstruction Project which is rerouting the E35 national highway away from the historic Andean city of Alausí in the Chimborazo Province, Ecuador. The Request alleges that rerouting the highway would isolate the city from the main national transportation corridor and would severely undermine its tourism and commerce dependent economy, resulting in severe, irreversible, and cumulative economic, social, environmental, and safety impacts that would harm hundreds of families and businesses. The Requester are also concerned that these impacts would be compounded by the fact that Alausí is still recovering from a devastating landslide that had previously destroyed sections of the same highway.
The Request states that the proposed alternative route passes through a mountain called "Gampala", which is located directly above the city and which local technical assessments have identified as geologically unstable. Construction activities, such as excavation, the use of heavy machinery and vibrations could increase the risk of triggering another major landslide that could further threaten lives, homes, and infrastructure.
The Requesters also raise serious concerns about the adequacy of public consultations, alleging that affected residents, business owners, and community members were largely excluded from the engagement process. The Request questions about the Project’s compliance with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework.
The Panel met with the Requester and sought additional information about their concerns. After reviewing the Request for Inspection on admissibility, the Panel noted that the Requesters have not contacted Bank Management to resolve their concerns prior to the submission of the Request to the Panel. The Panel considered that Management was not made aware of the issues raised in the Request prior to its submission, as set out in paragraph 14 of the Resolution and paragraph 14(d) of the Operating Procedures. The Panel advised the Requesters about the this admissibility requirements and Panel process and on March 27, 2026 issued a Notice of Non-Registration. The Notice of Non-Registration does not preclude the Requesters from submitting a future Request with the Inspection Panel.
