National Desk, August 21, 2024 – The Congress party has condemned the government’s approach to hydropower projects in Sikkim, particularly after a major landslide in east Sikkim severely damaged a 510 MW hydroelectric project on the Teesta River. The landslide, which occurred at Dipu Dara near Singtam, has caused significant destruction to the Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project’s powerhouse.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the handling of these projects, emphasizing that the environmental impact of hydropower development in ecologically fragile regions has been grossly underestimated. He cited previous disasters, including the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and riverine floods in the Teesta River basin in October 2023, which caused widespread damage in Sikkim and Kalimpong, West Bengal.
Ramesh took issue with the Union Budget presented in July 2024, accusing it of offering vague promises of assistance without specifying funds for Sikkim. He argued that the budget did not address the ecological concerns of ongoing projects and called for a development framework that prioritizes environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the precarious state of National Highway 10—Sikkim’s lifeline—Ramesh noted that frequent landslides and closures have disrupted trade, tourism, and security. He blamed the proliferation of hydropower projects on the Teesta River for exacerbating flood risks and criticized the mismanagement of debris disposal, which he believes has raised the riverbed level and increased the region’s vulnerability to floods.
Ramesh also pointed out that the local communities, including the Lepcha community who had previously opposed the Teesta V project’s environmental clearance, have not benefited from these projects. He stressed the need for proper environmental impact assessments and community consultations, warning that current hydropower projects are fundamentally altering the region’s ecology with potentially severe long-term consequences.