The reconstruction of the Teesta III Hydroelectric Power Project has stirred significant controversy after the dam was washed away by devastating glacial floods on October 3-4, 2023. This catastrophic event resulted not only in the structural failure of the dam but also led to the tragic loss of at least 55 lives and left around 10,000 people displaced. Now, as the Indian government gives the nod for its revival, questions are being raised about the prioritization of corporate interests over public safety.
The Teesta III project, originally commissioned at a staggering cost of Rs. 13,965 crore, was operational until the disaster struck. Just months after the calamity, the Sikkim government divested its majority stake of 60.08 percent in Sikkim Urja Ltd., the holding company for the project, selling it to Greenko Energies Private Ltd. This shift came amid criticism and apprehensions about the decision-making processes involved.
On January 10, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) received backlash after its Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance for the dam's reconstruction without conducting fresh public consultations. Instead, they relied on data from public hearings conducted nearly two decades ago. The EAC justified its decision by stating, "The EAC felt no requirement of fresh public hearing as there is no involvement of additional land and other R&R issues." This assertion raises alarming concerns about the integrity of the review process when such significant changes are projected.
This decision has not only been regarded as hasty but has also drawn the ire of local political leaders and environmental activists alike. D.R. Thapa, president of the Sikkim unit of the BJP, criticized the process, stating, "A fresh public hearing was not conducted… this is completely out of sync with present realities." Such sentiments echo broader concerns among Sikkim's residents who feel their voices are being overlooked amid rapid developmental agendas.
Following the disaster, the MoEFCC considered the financial pitfalls surrounding the government’s earlier investments. The sale of the stake was prominently marketed by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as a move to avoid sinking the state government under debt. The prior administration had borrowed around Rs. 3,500 crore for the Teesta III project, leaving the current government scrambling to navigate financial stability post-disaster.
Despite the financial claims, critics highlight the profitability of Sikkim Urja Ltd., noting it had turned profit after losses earlier. Analysts indicate this divestment may create long-term repercussions, especially as Greenko Energies solidifies its grip on valuable energy resources following the merger. Official records show the company made significant profits; for the financial year 2022-23 alone, it reported net profits soaring to Rs. 1,270.19 crore, raising questions about whether this disinvestment was the best course of action.
Environmental ramifications loom over the dam's reconstruction as well. On November 30, 2024, the MoEFCC had previously expressed serious doubts about the dam's safety and stability, particularly focusing on its capacity to handle future disasters. Nevertheless, after various meetings and consultations, the project proponent claims to have developed designs for improved structural resilience. It now proposes changing the design from "a concrete gravity dam" to "a concrete faced rockfill dam," which is said to minimize failure risks during flood events.
Local environmental activists, including Himanshu Thakkar, have called for renewed public assessments before any construction begins. Thakkar contended, "The spillway capacity of the reservoir can be determined only after finalizing the probable maximum flood level." He emphasizes the need for thorough risk assessments, especially considering the revisions to dam height and capacity juxtaposed with glacial lake instability, marking these factors as imperative to mitigate future disasters.
Across party lines, criticism is mounting over what is deemed as the government's reluctance to engage residents meaningfully. Jairam Ramesh, former Minister for Environment, warned, "The threat of disaster persists at the dam site. There are also cascading & multiplying effects on habitations downstream." Continuous scrutiny and demands for inclusive public forums reflect the community's broader apprehensions about recovering lost livelihoods amid significant ecological footprints.
With the recommendation for the dam's reconstruction being formalized so soon after such tragic events, the urgency surrounding the need for thorough evaluations and consultations cannot be overstated. Environmental scholars are calling for regulators to rethink risk-management strategies for glacial lake outburst floods to avoid repeating past mistakes. This sentiment resonates strongly, particularly following the publication of urgent studies emphasizing the need for responsive strategies dealing with climate change's pressures on fragile ecosystems.
The endeavor to rebuild the Teesta III Dam shines a spotlight on the tension between development and disaster preparedness, as political, corporate, and environmental interests clash. Sikkim stands at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine not just the future of energy production but also the safety and welfare of its communities. Stakeholders, from government officials to local advocacy groups, need to unite and rethink their approach before embarking on this precarious path of reconstruction.