The District Level Safety Monitoring Committee, Gangtok, conducted a comprehensive bi-monthly safety inspection of major hydropower projects within the jurisdiction of Gangtok district in Tuesday.
The inspection covered the Sneha Kinetic Power Project (Greenko) and NHPC Teesta Stage-V and was led by Shri Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, Additional District Collector (ADC), Gangtok.
The inspection was undertaken as part of the district administration’s continued efforts to ensure compliance with prescribed safety standards, strengthen emergency preparedness, and safeguard the lives and property of people residing in and around major infrastructure projects.
The inter-departmental inspection team comprised senior officials and technical personnel from various departments, including District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Gangtok, Mines and Geology Department, Forest Department, Power Department and Water Resources and Development Department.
The inspection team was also accompanied by the Deputy General Managers (DGMs) and other operational officials of Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd. and NHPC Teesta Stage-V.
During the inspection, the committee reviewed the compliance status of the directions and recommendations issued during the previous bi-monthly inspection.
The committee noted significant operational progress and observed that the project authorities had complied with the directives issued during the earlier inspection.
After a detailed assessment of safety arrangements, infrastructure, emergency preparedness and operational protocols, the committee called for restoration of CCTV surveillance, deployment of dedicated personnel to man the control room on a 24×7 basis, targeted safety-awareness programmes for the local community residing in the vicinity of the project, with particular emphasis on emergency response and precautionary measures, implementation of “Friday Safety Five” initiative for all project employees as a regular measure to reinforce workplace safety awareness and preparedness.
The district administration, Gangtok, reiterated its commitment ensuring rigorous monitoring and oversight of major industrial and infrastructural projects within the district.
Such inspections are aimed at strengthening safety standards, enhancing emergency preparedness, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting the lives and property of the public as well as the surrounding environment.
The District Level Safety Monitoring Committee would keep monitoring the implementation of the directives issued during the inspection, and compliance will be reviewed during subsequent inspections.
