Gangtok: The Sikkim BJP has strongly opposed the Union Environment Ministry’s recent clearance for the reconstruction of the Teesta-III dam, which was destroyed during a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in October 2023.
BJP spokesperson Passing Sherpa expressed concern, stating that the approval disregards the fragile Himalayan ecosystem of Sikkim and raises serious questions about the safety of local communities, especially in light of the devastating flash floods in the Teesta River that claimed over 40 lives, disrupted infrastructure, and led to the destruction of the dam.
“We vehemently oppose the Environment Ministry’s hurried clearance, granted by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), for the Teesta-III dam reconstruction under the pretext of expansion or modernisation,” Sherpa said in a statement.
The BJP spokesperson emphasised that the tragic floods were caused by the inadequate spillway capacity of the dam and the failure to assess the risks posed by GLOF events.
Despite this, Sherpa noted, the EAC has approved a proposal for a new concrete gravity dam without completing essential studies, including the updated Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) assessment, as mandated by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Sherpa further criticised the EAC for bypassing a new public hearing, claiming that the decision to rely on a 2006 hearing, conducted long before the 2023 disaster and the ongoing climate crisis, was a serious oversight.
He argued that this approach ignores the current risks faced by the state and its residents.
The proposed dam design claims to improve the spillway capacity from 7,000 cubic meters per second (cumec) to 19,946 cumec.
However, Sherpa pointed out that experts and local stakeholders have raised concerns about the lack of fresh, credible data to support these claims.
While the EAC has acknowledged the potential risks posed by upstream glacial lakes, it has failed to require updated environmental and hydrological studies before moving forward, according to the BJP spokesperson.
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Sherpa urged the EAC to immediately withdraw the clearance for the project until all pending technical studies, including revised PMF assessments, are completed and independently reviewed.
He called for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that takes into account updated rainfall data, GLOF risks, and the unique ecological sensitivities of Sikkim.
The BJP leader also stressed the importance of conducting a new public consultation to ensure that the concerns of affected communities are heard and addressed.
Furthermore, Sherpa called on the central government to uphold Article 371F, which grants Sikkim special status, and to prioritise the state’s ecological balance, safety, and cultural heritage over corporate interests.
