Gangtok, Sep 22 (UNI) Sikkim's most ambitious 1200 MW Teesta Hydro-Electric Project stage-III at Mangan near here is on its final stages of clearance and will commission in 2011.

The Rs 6000 crore project is one of the six hydro electric porject conceived on Teesta river here is a joint venture of the state government and Athena Consotorium.

The state government has 26 per cent equity share while the Consotorisum has the rest 74 per cent.

Teesta Urja Limited (TUL) Managing Director of Y.N.Apparao told newsmen here that the Techno-Economic Clerance (TEC) and Environmental clearance for the project had already been obtained and the Forest department would give a green signal within a month.

Mr Apparao said the project's technical and financial details had been worked out and the construction work would start soon after the acquisition of land.

He apprehended that the project would submerge a large part of land but there would be no displacement.

'' The project is environment friendly as most of the structures are underground and we are taking utmost care to ensure that it poses no threat to the environment,'' he said.

MORE UNI BD PP AB 1252