New Delhi: The Congress party has sharply criticized the government for its handling of hydropower projects in Sikkim, accusing it of neglecting environmental considerations in ecologically sensitive areas. This criticism follows a recent landslide that severely impacted a major hydropower project in the region.

On Tuesday, a landslide struck eastern Sikkim, causing extensive damage to the Teesta Stage V hydropower project, which has a capacity of 510 MW. The landslide occurred near Dipu Dara in the Gangtok district at around 7:30 a.m., damaging the powerhouse of the project.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary for Communications, highlighted that the Teesta V project has suffered significantly from a series of landslides and other natural disasters. He pointed out that this recent incident follows severe flooding in the Teesta River basin in October 2023, which caused extensive damage in Sikkim and West Bengal.

Ramesh criticized the Union Budget presented in July 2024 for offering only vague promises of assistance for flood mitigation and irrigation without specifying any funds for Sikkim. He also lamented the budget's lack of attention to areas in West Bengal that were similarly affected.

"The government's approach to federalism has been confrontational and indifferent to the needs of affected regions," Ramesh said. "The region requires a development framework that prioritizes ecological considerations, which has become increasingly apparent from the frequent disasters over the past year."

He further noted that National Highway 10, a crucial route for Sikkim and Kalimpong, has faced frequent closures due to landslides, severely impacting trade, tourism, and border security. The ongoing disruptions have had significant economic, social, and political repercussions for the region.

Ramesh attributed the increasing frequency of natural disasters to unplanned construction and ecological degradation. He criticized the proliferation of hydropower projects along the Teesta River, which he claimed has exacerbated flooding issues and contributed to the instability of National Highway 10.

According to the National Hydropower Development Corporation (NHDC), there are currently 47 hydropower projects under various stages of development on the Teesta River in Sikkim and West Bengal. Of these, nine are operational, 15 are under construction, and 28 are in planning stages.

The Congress leader also pointed to the failure of the Teesta-III dam during the October 2023 disaster as a contributing factor to the subsequent flooding. Additionally, Ramesh criticized the ongoing tunnel construction by IRCON for the Sivok-Rangpo railway line, which he believes has increased the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.

He expressed concern over the mismanagement of debris disposal, which has led to rising riverbed levels and increased flood risk. Ramesh also criticized the lack of local community engagement in the planning and execution of these projects, noting that residents have not benefited from employment opportunities, power shares, or revenue from the projects.

Ramesh highlighted the dismissive attitude towards local communities, particularly the Lepcha community, who had previously raised concerns about the environmental impact of the Teesta V project. The recent landslides and previous floods have validated these concerns, he argued.

The Congress party's criticism underscores the need for a more environmentally conscious approach to development, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like Sikkim