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Kalimpong, Oct. 4: The Kalimpong Press Club will organise an interactive session with officials of National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) on the benefits of setting up hydel-power stations in the hills.

The discussion, which will be held at Town Hall here on Saturday, could not have been better scheduled as it comes at a time when renewed fears are being expressed on the feasibility of low dam projects. Recently a landslip, allegedly triggered by the construction of a dam at Reang, 27th Mile on NH 31A, led to disruption of traffic on the road.

Two NHPC officials and two representatives, each of the transport lobby, business community and residents of the area, will participate in the two-hour interactive session.

“We hope that the programme will clarify doubts and bring to light the various ways people of Kalimpong and adjoining areas are inconvenienced by the (implementation) of the Teesta low dam project,” said Arun Kumar Rai, the secretary of the press club.

The landslip has inconvenienced the over five lakh residents of Kalimpong and Sikkim for the past two months. Thousands of tourists who throng the region around this time also had to face similar hassles. Even the local economy has taken a beating because of the two-month intermittent disruption of traffic on NH 31A. The inconvenience has even led several NGOs to come together and form an association, NH31A Bachao Committee.

Environmental lobbies, which have opposed the NHPC low dam projects, are also looking to revive their campaign.

The NHPC is currently implementing one of its most ambitious hydroelectric projects on the Teesta river. The stage III of the low dam project at Reang is one of six stages planned as part of a cascade development on the river.