Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023 08:00 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023 02:26 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Golay has asserted that gross technical and financial irregularities from inception to completion of the 1200 Mw Teesta-III HEP ultimately led to the Chungthang dam collapse that devastated the Teesta River belt, while inflicting a staggering blow to the State’s fiscal health.
Due to the sheer negligence and greed of a single man, Sikkim suffered this destruction, expressed the Chief Minister at Monday press meeting, implying to former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his SDF government.
Construction works for formerly Teesta Urja Ltd (now Sikkim Urja Ltd) hydel power project started in 2008 at Chungthang with the plant commissioned only in February 2019. During this period of nine years, the mega power project barely survived the 2011 earthquake, and saw three project cost escalations, finally stopping at Rs. 13,965 crore from the initial cost of Rs. 5,700 crore.
These unilateral escalations by Teesta Urja Ltd, as explained by the Chief Minister, were not in the State’s interests but meant to benefit a few only in the then SDF government and the project developer while the dam’s structural safety was compromised.
‘Rock-filled dam led to Sikkim’s Vinaash’
The major question from Golay was why the Chungthang dam breached even after the project cost was enhanced about 2.5 times from Rs. 5,700 crore to nearly Rs. 14,000 crore.
“The Teesta-III dam could not withstand the flood and was washed away causing destruction in the lower belts. Why did the dam burst even after the project cost was escalated on three occasions?”, he questioned and went on to give an explanation.
As per the Chief Minister, the Central Water Commission (CWC) while approving the original dam design had directed that a concrete gravity-filled dam be built at Chungthang.
“Please listen carefully, when CWC approved the original design, the commission had said to make a concrete gravity-filled dam but it was not done so, instead a rock-filled dam was made later on to save construction cost. Why was the then State government silent despite knowing that rock-filled cannot withstand huge floods and Sikkim being prone to earthquakes?”
The Chief Minister pointed out that NHPC Teesta-V HEP dam was not damaged as it was a concrete-filled structure.
“The Teesta Urja Ltd saw that it would cost more to make a concrete-filled dam as they found rock only 80 m underneath. So in a careless manner, they made a rock-filled dam and this was most lethal for Sikkim. Due to this negligence, this Vinash (destruction) happened as the Teesta-III dam was breached…for one person, Sikkim barbad bayo,” said Golay.
‘Won’t spare those responsible for weak dam’
The Chief Minister reiterated that the South Lhonak Lake burst took place due to a cloud burst in that area.
“If the past government had shown seriousness and acted in people’s interests, such damage would have been avoided in the lower belts despite the cloud burst and lake burst. Water had come down in a huge volume but the Teesta-III dam could not stand the flood pressure and was washed away resulting in maximum damage in the lower belt. This is the truth,” said Golay.
Golay maintained that the Teesta-III dam would have stood firm against the flashflood, if the project was constructed with due diligence and monitoring. But when the dam collapsed, the volume of water doubled and became more violent, washing away bridges and destroying the lower regions of Dikchu, Singtam and Rangpo, he said.
To a question, the Chief Minister said the State cabinet meeting on Tuesday would decide on the agency to probe and take action against those responsible for the “sub-standard dam” construction.
“The State exchequer suffered a huge loss. A sub-standard dam was made despite showing such a huge construction cost. Instead of making a concrete dam, a rock-filled dam was made even though a huge amount was spent. This was done for corruption. The State cabinet will take a decision on which agency will be given the task to investigate as punishment must be given to those responsible. Whoever is involved in this dam construction and financial irregularities, they will be punished,” said Golay.
Big concern on repaying the loans
Another major worry for the State government in the Teesta-III dam collapse is repayment of loans and interest to the financial institutions.
The State government had taken a loan of Rs. 2,898 crore for increasing its share to 60.08% in the project during the construction phase. The Teesta Urja Ltd’s loan at the moment stands at Rs. 6,800 crore and here again, the State government is the guarantor.
According to the Chief Minister, it would take a minimum of four years for Teesta-III project to be operational after rebuilding the dam.
“It is a big concern for all of us in Sikkim. We have to repay the loan of Rs. 2,898 crore. Earlier, we used to get 12% power share to pay the loan but that will not come now. So much corruption was done and today, the State government has to pay all these loans which means it comes from the tax of every person’s hard earned money. If the past government had done a good job then this situation would have been avoided. It will take four years till the project is rebuilt. What to do about the loans till then? Who will take responsibility for this?”, said the Chief Minister.
He said the State government would be talking with the Centre on how to save and resume the Teesta-III project.
