Lingdok villagers apprehensive over damage to only link road and cracks appearing in houses due to blasting by Sneha Kinetic

Sagar Chhetri
GANGTOK, 29 July: The people from different wards under Lingdok-Nampong GPU, East District, have expressed their deep resentment towards the deplorable road conditions from Pangthang Nursery to Lingdok due. The roads here have been affected with the plying of heavy vehicles of Sneha Kinetic Power Project [SKPP] which is developing the 96 MW Dikchu HEP. As this is the only connecting road for villages in this area the villagers further expressed that they could be stranded should the road get any worse that it is already. It is the only road to the hospital and for students too who use it daily among other local folk.
SKPP is developing the project on a river below these villages. The movement of heavy vehicles has increased since this year and even 18 wheelers are using this road. The road between Pangthang Nursery to Lingdok, around 11 KM, has been seriously affected due to heavy vehicles.
A meeting was called today among villagers and the company officials on this issue during which these apprehension and misgivings of the people was brought out. Highlighting that they had taken up this matter with company officials earlier too the villagers lamented on the unresponsiveness of the company. It was demanded that immediate steps be initiated in the interest of the people.  “This road is used daily and as it is the life line of the area but due to present road condition the people have been facing difficulties” stated a driver representative adding that local taxis are also used as an ambulance in emergencies. A panchayat member informed that despite visits by senior company officials  there had been no change nor was there any  approaching the panchayats in any of the initiatives taken up by the company.
Among other grievances, the people informed that blasting undertaken by the company had begun to damage their houses as well with cracks appearing in walls and floors. In this regard the company officials were urged to conduct an inspection of the houses. In response the Asst. General Manager, Karma C Lepcha assured that the company would take up all the suggestions and grievances and act upon them immediately. He urged the people to list out the areas on which where the company should start working immediately.
AGM informed that the company has already approved 10 additional labourers and 1 JCB just to look after for this road stretch and undertake immediate repairs and inspections as well for the good health of the road. On the complaints of cracks developed in houses, the AGM assured the people to conduct an inspection to take necessary action upon the same. Also present was senior manager, TR Sharma.