GANGTOK,: A Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim delegation on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairperson against the “rampant and illegal construction” of mega malls in the landslide prone, seismic zone of Gangtok city.
The CAP Sikkim delegation led by vice president (political affairs) Bhushan Adhikari met NDMA member and head of department Rajendra Singh and submitted the memorandum addressed to the NDMA chairperson, a party release informs.
“The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum on behalf of the party and the people of Sikkim, highlighting the grave threat posed by the rampant and illegal construction of mega malls in Gangtok—a city perilously situated in Seismic Zone IV and prone to landslides and earthquakes,” said the CAP Sikkim.
In its representation, CAP Sikkim has called for an immediate intervention from the NDMA to suspend these hazardous projects, including the West Point Mall, Star Mall, and the towering Unity Mall, “which violate environmental laws, seismic safety norms, and Sikkim’s building regulations”.
“CAP-Sikkim has fiercely condemned the present State government for its reckless approvals, accusing it of prioritizing commercial interests over the lives of Gangtok’s residents and the ecological integrity of this fragile Himalayan region. The party’s inspection on April 7 uncovered flagrant regulatory breaches, lack of seismic resilience assessments, and encroachments on sensitive zones—issues that echo the warnings of experts from IIT and the Indian Institute of Human Settlements,” said the party.
During the meeting, NDMA member Rajendra Singh assured the delegation of swift action and committed to seeking a detailed report from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) to investigate the State government’s complicity in these violations. The NDMA’s response signals hope for accountability and urgent course correction in Gangtok’s development trajectory, said the CAP Sikkim.
The CAP Sikkim asserted to take this matter to the highest levels of national leadership, including the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, to ensure the State government’s negligence is thoroughly appraised and rectified. The party calls upon all citizens, activists, and stakeholders to join this fight against short-sighted development that threatens to turn Gangtok into a disaster zone, the release mentions.