BJP Sikkim opposes Teesta-III Dam proposal, calls for urgent review

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sikkim unit has strongly condemned the Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for granting approval to the reconstruction of the Teesta-III dam without addressing critical environmental and safety concerns. BJP Sikkim Spokesperson Passang Sherpa and Media Incharge Niren Bhandari jointly issued a statement expressing their deep opposition to the move, calling it reckless and detrimental to Sikkim’s fragile ecosystem and public safety.

The clearance comes despite the catastrophic events of October 4, 2023, when the South Lhonak glacial lake burst triggered a devastating flood that claimed 40 lives, destroyed vital infrastructure, and washed away the Teesta-III dam. BJP Sikkim leaders argue that the tragedy highlighted glaring deficiencies in the dam’s spillway capacity and the failure to address glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks.

“The EAC’s decision to approve the construction of a new concrete gravity dam ignores the need for a revised Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) assessment, as mandated by the Central Water Commission (CWC). It also bypasses essential technical studies that are critical for the safety of Sikkim’s people,” the statement read.

The BJP Sikkim leaders further criticized the reliance on outdated public consultations conducted in 2006, arguing that they fail to account for the current climate crisis and the realities of post-2023 disaster risks. “This decision disregards the democratic rights of Sikkim’s people to have their voices heard,” they added.

While the proposed design claims to increase the spillway capacity from 7,000 cumec to 19,946 cumec, the lack of fresh, credible data to substantiate these claims has raised serious doubts among experts. The EAC itself acknowledged the risks posed by upstream glacial lakes but stopped short of mandating updated environmental and hydrological assessments.

BJP Sikkim has outlined a four-point demand:

1. Immediate withdrawal of the project clearance until pending technical studies, including revised PMF assessments, are completed and independently reviewed.

2. A fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that incorporates updated data on rainfall, GLOF risks, and Sikkim’s unique ecological sensitivities.

3. A new public hearing to ensure the concerns of affected communities are addressed.

4. Adherence to Article 371F, safeguarding Sikkim’s ecological balance, cultural heritage, and public safety.