Sikkim BJP urges PM Modi, Environment Minister to reassess clearance for Teesta-III Hydropower Project

By  News On Air   Feb 04, 2025

The Sikkim unit of the BJP has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Environment Bhupendra Yadav, urging an immediate reassessment of the clearance granted for the controversial Teesta-III Hydropower Project. The letter, written by BJP Sikkim President D.R. Thapa, has raised concern over the lack of scientific reassessment, outdated public consultation, and potential environmental risks associated with the project.

In light of the devastating consequences of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood of October 2023, the party has outlined three key demands in the letter including suspension of approval until the completion of all pending scientific studies, a revised assessment of Probable Maximum Flood (PMF), and an independent verification of the findings. It has also demanded the conduct of a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) taking into account the updated climate data, GLOF risks, and the evolving hydrological conditions in the hills, which had not been adequately considered in the original assessment.