Our Correspondent Itanagar: A 15-member team comprising villagers from various districts of the State and officials of the Department of Hydro Power Development (DHPD), embarked on an exposure visit to NHPC Ltd-Teesta-V Power Station at Sikkim from January 18 to 20. The team headed by DHPD superintendent engineer Durick Kamduk and NHPC Deputy General Manager (HR) Priya Ranjan, visited key components of the power station such as power house, dam, Kendriya Vidyalaya, project hospital and also met with various beneficiaries of the power station. The team members, who were given warm welcome by Head of the Teesta-V Power Station Sahadev Khatua, interacted with local people at Balutar, Singbel, Apdara, Dikchu. They also interacted with local people appointed by NHPC through relief and rehabilitation (R&R) scheme and local contract staff members engaged in the power station, a press release informed here on Thursday. Khatua appraised the visiting team about activities and achievements of the power station and explained the accompanying villagers how disasters and climate risks are being addressed through technical support, collaboration and using modern best practices. The project head further informed that the power station has been providing 12 per cent of the total generation of power at free of cost to Sikkim, being the home state and providing direct and indirect employment under preferential local employment and procurement. “The power station is also providing scholarships to meritorious students and conducting training and skill development programs to enhance employability and sustainable livelihood support and financial independence especially, among local women,” Khatua said. He added that the project has been organising health & medical camps at free of cost and creating viable infrastructure facilities like constructing community centers, sheds, public toilets for overall development of the region. Khatua added that the power station had recently exceeded international good practice in an assessment carried by International Hydropower Association (IHA) across all 20 performance criteria covering resilience to climate change and mitigation of carbon emissions. The visiting team left to Siliguri after positive frame of mind for kick-start of Dibang Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The villagers accompanied the team include, Yangkeng Takuk from Upper Siang district, Abuyu Saya, Dingu Linggi, Kutundu Linggi, Junti Lingi from Lower Dibang Valley district and others who have been playing vital role in the upcoming of Dibang Hydro Electric Project, the release added. Also Read: Taba Tedir appeals to stakeholders over Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) construction Also Watch: AASU Activists waved Black Flag at Assam Minister Pijush Hazarikas Convoy

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