Sikkim: BJP Criticises Environment Ministry’s Nod to Reconstruct Teesta Dam III, Terms it ‘Reckless’

They argue that this decision is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rights of Sikkim’s people.

BJP has voiced strong opposition to the Environment Ministry’s approval for reconstruction project of Teesta III dam under the guise of ‘expansion or modernisation.’

Passang Sherpa, Spokesperson of BJP Sikkim, and Niren Bhandari, Media Incharge argued that this approval fails to address the grave ecological and safety concerns posed by the Teesta-III dam, especially in the aftermath of the devastating October 2023 disaster.

They are especially concerned about the decision to bypass a fresh public hearing, relying instead on one conducted in 2006, a period before the ongoing climate crisis and the October 2023 disaster. They argue that this decision is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rights of Sikkim’s people. The outdated public hearing does not reflect the current environmental and safety risks that the state faces.

Despite claims that the new dam design will enhance spillway capacity from 7,000 cumecs to 19,946 cumecs, independent experts have raised concerns about the lack of credible, updated data to validate these claims. The EAC acknowledged the risks posed by upstream glacial lakes but failed to enforce updated environmental and hydrological assessments.

In response, BJP Sikkim is calling for immediate action, demanding:

1. The EAC should revoke its approval until all necessary technical studies, including the revised PMF assessments, are completed and independently reviewed.
2. A comprehensive EIA should be conducted, accounting for updated data on rainfall, GLOF risks, and Sikkim’s unique ecological sensitivities.
3. A fresh public consultation is essential to ensure that affected communities are heard and their concerns addressed.
4. The Central Government must uphold Article 371F and prioritise Sikkim’s ecological balance, safety, and cultural heritage over corporate interests.

Sherpa and Bhandari emphasize that Sikkim’s development must never come at the expense of its people’s safety or its fragile environment. They argue that the October 2023 disaster should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring scientific expertise and local knowledge in infrastructure planning. The decisions made today will shape Sikkim’s future, and these decisions must be rooted in responsibility, accountability, and sustainability.

On October 4, 2023, the South Lhonak glacial lake burst, causing a catastrophic flood that claimed 40 lives, destroyed infrastructure, and washed away the Teesta-III dam. The tragedy highlighted the insufficient spillway capacity and failure to account for glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks. Despite these lessons, the Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) approved the new concrete gravity dam without ensuring the completion of critical studies, such as the revised Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) assessment, which the Central Water Commission (CWC) had mandated.

BJP Sikkim has called upon all sections of Sikkimese society—political leaders, social organisations, environmental activists, and concerned citizens—to unite in opposition to this reckless proposal and ensure the protection of Sikkim’s ecology and the safety of its people.

Also Read: BJP MLA Niraj Zimba Calls Citizen Action Party a “Circus Action Party” Over Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Comments

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