Cancel “hasty clearance” for new Teesta-III dam: State BJP

“October 2023 disaster is a grim reminder of the consequences of ignoring science and local wisdom in infrastructure planning”

GANGTOK, : State BJP has strongly opposed the “hasty clearance” granted by Environment ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for reconstruction of Teesta-III dam at Chungthang, North Sikkim.

This approval given under the guise of “expansion or modernisation” not only disregards Sikkim’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem but also raises serious concerns about the safety of its people, given the catastrophic events of October 2023, said State BJP spokespersons Passang Sherpa and NirenBhandari in a Tuesday joint press statement.

They were referring to the Teesta flash flood of October 2023 following South Lhonak glacial lake burst which washed away the 1200 Mw Teesta-III hydel dam at Chungthang, causing widespread devastation of infrastructure and loss of lives downstream.

“This tragedy was the direct result of insufficient spillway capacity and the failure to account for glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks. Despite this, the EAC has approved the proposal for a new concrete gravity dam without ensuring the completion of critical studies, including a revised Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) assessment, as required by the Central Water Commission (CWC),” said the two State BJP spokespersons.

An Indian Express report states that the EAC cleared the proposal to build a new 118.64m high concrete dam to replace the washed away 60m high rockfill concrete dam of Teesta-III hydel project. This was done without a fresh public hearing and even as the design aspects of the dam are yet to be approved, the report states.

“Most alarmingly, the decision to bypass a fresh public hearing is an affront to democratic principles and the rights of Sikkim’s people. The reliance on a public hearing from 2006—a period that predates both the climate crisis and the October 2023 disaster—disregards the current realities and risks faced by our State. This blatant oversight is unacceptable,” said the State BJP.

While the proposed dam design claims to enhance spillway capacity from 7,000 cumec to 19,946 cumec, independent experts and stakeholders have highlighted the absence of fresh, credible data to validate these claims, maintained the State BJP.

The EAC itself acknowledged the risks posed by upstream glacial lakes but failed to act decisively by insisting on updated environmental and hydrological assessments, said the BJP.

The Sikkim government owned the majority stake in Teesta-III hydel project run by Sikkim Urja Ltd until last year. Now the Andhra-based Greenko Group now owns the majority stake in Sikkim Urja Ltd.

In their joint press statement, the two State BJP spokespersons demanded an immediate withdrawal of project clearance. The EAC must revoke its approval until all pending technical studies, including revised PMF assessments, are completed and independently reviewed, they said.

They also demanded a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment be conducted, considering updated data on rainfall, GLOF risks, and Sikkim’s unique ecological sensitivities. A fresh public consultation is essential to ensure that the voices of affected communities are heard and their concerns addressed, they said.

The Central Government must honor Article 371F and prioritize Sikkim’s ecological balance, safety, and cultural heritage over corporate interests, said the State BJP spokespersons.

“Sikkim’s development must never come at the cost of its people’s safety or its fragile environment. We reiterate that the October 2023 disaster is a grim reminder of the consequences of ignoring science and local wisdom in infrastructure planning. The decisions made today will determine the future of Sikkim, and it is imperative that these decisions are rooted in responsibility, accountability, and sustainability.”

“We call upon all sections of Sikkimese society—political leaders, social organizations, environmental activists, and concerned citizens—to come together in united opposition against this reckless move. Protecting Sikkim’s fragile ecology and the safety of its people is our shared responsibility, and we must stand united to ensure that our voices are heard and our homeland safeguarded,” said the State BJP spokespersons.