Sikkim BJP Opposes Teesta-III Dam Reconstruction Amid Environmental Concerns

GANGTOK: The Bharatiya Janata Party in Sikkim has come out strongly against the Union Ministry of Environment's latest clearance for the reconstruction of the Teesta-III dam in Mangan district, which was damaged to a significant extent during the GLOF that occurred in October 2023.

BJP spokesperson Passing Sherpa condemned the decision saying it endangers the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and poses serious risks to local communities, which are still recovering from devastating flash floods that killed over 40 people and destroyed much of the infrastructure. "The EAC approval seems to be in favor of fast-tracking reconstruction rather than a proper assessment of the environmental impact," said Sherpa.

He further noted that the devastating catastrophes were compounded by inadequate spillway capacity and a lack of consideration for GLOF risks. The EAC's approval of a new concrete gravity dam design, which it says boosts spillway capacity from 7,000 cubic meters per second (cumec) to 19,946 cumec, has been challenged by experts over the lack of up-to-date information to support such claims.

Sherpa also drew attention to the EAC's failure to make the new public hearing a requirement but to rely instead on a consultation held in 2006, which does not depict the current environmental issues.

He demanded the withdrawal of the project clearance with immediate effect till all technical studies, including the revised Probable Maximum Flood assessment, are undertaken. He further requested the central government to respect Article 371F, which grants special status to Sikkim, and to focus on the ecological integrity and cultural heritage of the state.

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