20KW Micro Hydro Project inaugurated at Gor

DZONGU, 03 May: As a part of a community development initiative, the Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency SREDA (RM&DD) had commissioned  20 KW Micro Hydro Project at Gor basti in Lower Dzongu. The Minister for Power-cum-area MLA Dzongu, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha inaugurated the project today accompanied by the RM&DD Secretary, AK Ganeriwala and Secretary IPR, KS Topgay.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 33 lakh with an additional investment of Rs. 7 lakh to lay the transmission line, the Micro Hydro Project has been developed by Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency under RM&DD over Phee Khola located between Sakyong and Gor villages.
The project was constructed by the Village Energy Committee formed with the involvement of local people and panchayat members. The project will cater to around 200 houses of the area.
Apart from domestic supply, a flour mill established at Gor by the Agriculture Department will also be operated by this micro hydel and the villagers will no longer have to go to the market for this purpose. The power supply has also been provided to the PHC, schools and Panchayat Bhawan in the area free of cost.
The project was officially handed over to the Village Energy Committee today after a traditional ritual performed by a Bongthing. After the inauguration, the chief guest switched on the transmission from the said project. The details of the Micro Hydro Project were explained to him by the RM&DD Secretary.
Later, a short function was held at Gor Secondary School ground where the SREDA Director, Siporah Targain, in her welcome address, underlined that the project has been developed in eco-friendly manner and urged the VEC members to make proper use of it. She also highlighted that the villagers will now enjoy uninterrupted power supply. The technical report of the plant was presented by the Assistant Engineer SREDA.
Chedup Lepcha, Zilla member Lum/Gor/Sangtok GPU expressed his gratitude to the Department on behalf of the people for the project installed in their village. He also took the opportunity to place the demand for a park around the project and complained of the lack of progress in isolated villages like Rumdun and Podom with regard to CMRHM. He further highlighted the demand for the construction of PMGSY road from Sangtok to Pheedang village.
Secretary RMDD, in response said that an alternative will be chalked out for the isolated areas for which he directed the ADC Development North to place the project proposal. He also announced that the PMGSY road to Lum village will be coming through shortly as the department received the forest clearance a week ago.
While addressing the function, the chief guest urged the VEC members to make the best use of this infrastructure brought to the area. He requested the RMDD Secretary to give priority to the demand for PMGSY road construction from Sangtok to Pheedang village.
The Minister also directed the panchayat members to give priority to those houses which were fully damaged in the earthquake.
A colorful cultural programme was also presented by the students of Gor SS and Sangtok JHS. The function ended with the vote of thanks delivered by Panchayat Secretary, Tshering Gyatso Lepcha.
Also present were Secretary IPR, KS Topgay, ADC Development, North Chewang Gyatso Bhutia, SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha, Deputy Director SREDA, Karma Sonam Bhutia, BDO Dzongu, zilla and panchayat members, students and teachers of surrounding schools, officials from RMDD and local gentries.