High tension wires & weak protective walls pose threat to residents – Villagers seek CM’s intervention to provide them with safe shelters
Posted by barunroy on July 1, 2008
BY SUREN MOHRA [SIKKIM EXPRESS]
NAMCHI, June 29: The people of in and around Namchi are already feeling the pinch from the monsoon rains. It is evident from the cracks developed on the protective walls constructed around high tension power line towers in Maniram Bhanzyang and Rongbul areas thus posing grave threat to the lives of the residents nearby. According to residents, cracks are visible on protective walls built around high tension power lines at various places of the District, particularly in Maniram and Rongbull areas. In some areas, the protective walls have fallen and there are chances that the towers may collapse anytime.
The high tension power line towers are constructed under Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, for the 400 KV new transmissions D/C, Teesta Stage V from Phongla to Maniram Bhanzyang areas. Unheeded by the Power Grid over their repeated requests, the villagers have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, who is also the Minister for the State Power and Energy. The memorandum is also submitted to the Secretary of the State Energy and Power Department, Divisional General Manager, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, Ranipool Head Office and Chief Manager, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, Jorethang, South Sikkim.
In the memorandum, which was also made available to the press states that the “carelessly constructed towers and the weak protective walls will any time collapse and the public of the locality have to face a great loss.”
It has also stated that the towers are weakly built with slip-shod foundation works and may fall anytime thereby causing irreparable loss to the lives and properties. “The Power Grid Corporation has neither used strong materials nor has executed the work properly which would ensure safety of lives and property,” the memorandum reads. The memorandum jointly signed by Nima Sherpa, Chandra Bdr Rai, Tashi Namgyal Sherpa, Padam Bdr Manger and Nim Tsh Tamang further informed that the villagers had a number of times approached the Corporation to make them aware of their grievances and apprehensions.
To add to their apprehension, the Corporation has started transmitting power through these towers. According to the memorandum, residents fear to go near the towers due to currnet leakage in the area. Besides, the noise from the tower has become a nuisance to all the residents of Maniram Banzyang, the memorandum read.
Meanwhile, the residents have turned on to the Chief Minister to interfere with the Power Grid Corporation for providing the affected people with the safe shelters. The public has also requested the Power Grid and the Department concerned to come for field verification and act accordingly.
