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.
