Disrupted power supply holds up Khamsel Lakhang construction at Tholung

MANGAN, 16 Dec: Electricity supply to Tholung Gumpa in North Sikkim, sourced from Bey, had been installed for the first time on 09 September by the Power & Energy Department, but collapsed within 10 days in the hands of the 18 September Earthquake. The substantial loss is made worse for people here by the fact that the already delayed Khamsel Lakhang construction work at the monastery has been held up again due to the disruption in power supply.

According to the JE [North], Power Department, around 36 electricity poles were rooted by landslides along with the cables and even reaching the downed poles to begin restoration is proving impossible for now owing to the dangerous condition of roads from Lingzya to Bey. It may be recalled here that the Bey-Tholung stretch was hit by several landslides due to the 18 Sept earthquake.
This has caused a major problem for the Rs. 1.78 crore Khamsel Lhakang being constructed at Tholung monastery which has already waited a couple of years for the truss work on the roof to be comleted. With no electricity the truss work cannot be carried out.
The committee of Tholung monastery, during the recently held Gram Sabha at Lingzya, informed that the required materials have already reached the monastery but construction work has been stalled due to the lack of electricity.
Zilla Member, Sakyong-Pentong GPU, Toknam Lepcha while speaking to NOW! informed that the public have requested for the installation of a 50 KV micro-plant from Nampok-Kyung (Nampok Khola) for permanent supply of electricity.