SDM inspects Dikchu Hydel Project site

...DIRECTS PROJECT DEVELOPERS TO UNDERTAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY
DIKCHU, 27 Dec:  Following public complaints against excessive blasting at the 96 MW Dikchu Hydel Project work site here which was damaging houses and private land holdings, SDM Gangtok, Dr AB Karki, inspected the affected area on 26 and 27 December. The Dikchu HEP is being developed by Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd
The inspection team also had BB Gurung [Panchayat President], representatives from SKPPL headed by TR Sharma, Sr. Manager HR and other officials, affected people and area youth.
The affected people here had complained that the project developer had not undertaken any protective measures for the houses and lands despite engaging in heavy blasting.  
The SDM inspected all the affected houses which have developed several major and minor cracks due to the blasting works which has also damaged private land holdings at Lower Rakdong, a village situated directly above the project site.
Inspection was also carried out at Chipley Khola area, 12th Mile, Sokpay, Raidang and Dikchu the affected villages which fall under Lower Rakdong ward in East Sikkim.
The SDM directed the project developer to immediately set up protective walls along the entire slide zone before the onset of monsoons so that no further damage is incurred. He further directed the project developer not to dump excavated soil on the slopes.
The project developer has agreed to construct protective walls in the slide zone within two months and an RCC protective wall from Dikchu Bridge to the crusher plant on the left bank of the river.
Apart from this, the affected people also requested for other contract works to be awarded to the affected people whose houses have been damaged and other transport work also to be given to them.
The SDM, while speaking to NOW! later, informed that the administration will also conduct a joint survey engaging the project developer and the state government in order to access the damages.