Govt asks Sikkim to withhold 6 hydel projects

Gangtok, Jul 19: The Central Government has asked the Sikkim Government to withhold the six hydel projects in the state.

Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has refused to give environment clearance to these hydel projects. According to official sources, Sikkim was expected to get 1047 MW power from these projects.

The projects of Teesta stage I which was expected to generate 280 MW, Teesta Stage II expected to generate 330 MW, Lachen expected to generate 120 MW, BOP expected to generate 99 MW and Bimkyong expected to generate 99 MW and Lachung which was expected to generate 99MW would be affected by the center's direction.

Union Environment Ministry recoomended to stop the survey work and land acquisition for these projects, after a study report by the Centre for Inter-Disciplinary Studies of Mountains and Hill Environment (CISME).

Meanwhile, the plans of the National Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) would be affected by the Centre's decision, as it is also a partner in the development of these six projects.

ANI