Sikkim government has decided to scrap four hydel projects on tributaries of the Teesta in North Sikkim.
The hydel projects scrapped were the 99-MW Bop hydro-electric project (HEP), 99-MW Bhimkyong HEP and the 99-MW Lachung HEP on the Lachung Chu and the 280-MW Teesta Stage-I HEP at Lachen.
The decision was officially endorsed by the cabinet at its May 10 sitting, the Secretary of Power and Energy Department Mr A K Giri confirmed today.
The four projects have been consistently opposed by the people of Lachen and Lachung especially after the September 18 earthquake.
They have not allowed project survey and investigation in the area as a result of which even the Detailed Project Reports have not been prepared yet.
The state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Teesta Stage-I with Polyplex Corporation India Private Limited in 2005 and with Himalayan Green Energy Pvt Ltd (which is also co-developer of Polyplex Corporation India Pvt Ltd) for the remaining three HEPs in 2008.
Mr Giri also confirmed that the project developers have not been able to prepare the DPRs for any of the projects due to the opposition of the people and their dzumsa or village representative bodies.