NHPC sings growth song

Kalimpong, May 28: The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) today said any disruption to the ongoing work for its two low dam projects would retard the development of the region.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had threatened to stop all work of the power major in the Darjeeling hills from June 7 as part of its movement for a separate state.

The Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) Stages III and IV, located at Rambi and Kalijhora respectively, are meant to benefit the people of the hills and the state. “If the people don’t want development, we can’t do much about it,” NHPC general manager Ramanan told The Telegraph. He, however, hoped that the enlightened section of the society would help the NHPC in seeing through both the projects.

According to Ramanan, the 132mw TLDP-III is expected to be commissioned in September 2009, while the target for 160mw TLDP-IV is November 2010.

Asked to comment on Morcha secretary Roshan Giri’s contention that the hills would gain precious little from the twin projects, the NHPC general manager said the power generated by the projects would go to the state grid but could also be major assets to the hills in the future.

The Morcha threat to stop work comes a couple of days before the NHPC embarks on the final phase of work at TLDP-III. On Friday, it will begin diverting the Teesta towards the Darjeeling side. “River diversion is a major milestone. And in another 15 months, the project should be ready for commissioning,” said S. Khatua, the chief engineer of TLDP-III.

The power major has also completed laying a Bailey bridge across the river, which is expected to benefit villagers living on the other side of the Teesta in places like Suruk-Samthar, Najor and Dong.

Binay Tamang, the spokesperson for the Morcha, however, was firm on the decision. “The NHPC projects come within the loop of our agitation and we will go ahead with our programme,” he said.