Govt decides to scrap four more hydel projects

CABINET APPROVES PROPOSAL TO SCRAP TEESTA STAGE-I, BOP, BHIMKYONG AND LACHUNG HEPs
GANGTOK, 07 June: In what should come as welcome news for all, the State Government has decided to scrap four more hydel projects, all in North Sikkim on tributaries of the Teesta above Chungthang - three on the Lachung axis and one on the Zema Chu towards Lachen. The decision was officially endorsed by the Cabinet in its 10 May sitting and the notification announcing the same is expected any day now.
The scrapped hydel projects are: the 99 MW Bop HEP, 99 MW Bhimkyong HEP and the 99 MW Lachung HEP on the Lachung Chu and the 280 MW Teesta Stage-I HEP at Lachen.
A host of factors, including disinterest of the affected people and the post-18 September Earthquake apprehensions along with the potential environmental impact, have contributed to the State Government’s decision, it is informed.
The four projects have been consistently opposed by the people of Lachen and Lachung who have not allowed the project survey and investigation to be undertaken in the area as a result of which even the Detailed Project Reports for these have not been prepared yet.
The State Government had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for the Teesta Stage-I with Polyplex Corporation India Private Limited back in the year 2005 and with Himalayan Green Energy Pvt. Ltd [which is also co-developer of Polyplex Corporation India Pvt Ltd] for the remaining three HEPs in 2008.
PCE-cum-Secretary, Power & Energy Department, AK Giri, while confirming the Cabinet decision to scrap the four projects, also confirmed that the project developers have not been able to prepare the DPRs for any of the projects due to the opposition of the people and their Dzumsa.
He also confirmed that the people of Lachen and Lachung through their respective Dzumsas had petitioned the government not to disturb the ecology and environment of the area.
After deliberating on the issue at length, the State government has now decided to scrap the said four projects, the Power Secretary confirmed.