GJM to stop work on local power projects

Siliguri, May 28 As a part of its ongoing agitation against the state government, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) has decided to stop the construction work on two power projects in Darjeeling hills from June 7. The two projects, worth over Rs 1,830 crore, are to generate nearly 250 MW power.

“Work on the Teesta Low Dam projects III and IV will not be allowed to continue and all offices of the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) in the hills will be forced to shut down,” said Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary.

“The Rs 768.92 crore Teesta Low Dam Project III was to be completed by the year-end to produce 111 MW of power. The Project IV, costing Rs 1061.38 crore, was to be completed by next September and it would have the capacity to produce 132 MW of power,” he added.

Giri said that though these projects are being set up using the resources of the hills, they will supply power to the plains.