Work on Teesta-IV Jongu HEP project will be done as per the wishes of the local people: Chief Minister

Sikkim: Chief Minister PS Golay has said that the state government will act as per the decision of the local people on going ahead with the proposed 520 MW Teesta-IV HEP at Dzongu in North Sikkim.

“The present government runs according to the wishes of the people. Whatever they want, we will do. We leave the decision on Teesta-IV project to the people and whatever decision they take, the Chief Minister said on Monday to a media question.

The mega hydropower project proposed by NHPC at Dzonghu along the Teesta river falls between the 510 MW Teesta-V HEP at Dikchu downstream and the 12000 MW Teesta-III HEP at Chungthang upstream. Most of the statutory approvals have been given to the project.

However, the project faces strong and sustained opposition by local organizations and the community, who want this last stretch of the approximately 10 km free-flowing Teesta River to be preserved.

Concerns over the Dzongu HEP have heightened following the collapse of the Teesta-III dam at Chungthang on the morning of 4 October following the bursting of the South Lhonak glacial lake.