High-level committee to examine Teesta Stage III dam breach: Sikkim CM

Gangtok: The Sikkim government has decided to form a high-level committee to examine the Teesta Stage III dam breach which was triggered by a sudden cloud bust and flash flood on October 4 at Chungthan in Mangan district, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said.

The state cabinet meeting held on October 17 decided to form a high-level committee comprising technical experts, financial experts and subject experts to examine the allotment process of Teesta Stage III, 1,200 MW project keeping in view the credibility, genuineness and technical know-how, financial solvency, of the consortium which was building the dam, he said.

"To address the gravity of the situation and ensure accountability, the Cabinet has directed... to form a high-level committee comprising technical experts, financial experts, and other relevant subject experts," Tamang said.

The committee will examine the change in DPR before the allotment of the project vis-a-vis technical and financial aspects.

It will also examine the purchase of shares by the Government of Sikkim/ SPICL and how the valuation of shares was ascertained. Award of contract and subcontract by Sikkim Urja Limited (erstwhile Teesta Urja Limited-TUL), he said.

The Cabinet also directed the Sikkim Vigilance Police to conduct a comprehensive inquiry to find out whether there is any criminal angle in the whole process of construction of the project and submit a report for registration of the case of transfer to CBI, the CM said in the FB post.

At least 40 people were killed and 76 are still missing in the flash flood in the Teesta river triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of October 4.

The flash flood affected about 88,000 people in the Himalayan state.