Darjeeling, Feb. 21: The expansion of the Rammam hydel project, which had been stalled for more than seven months due to opposition from villagers, is finally underway.

Project manager of West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) A. Dutta confirmed that work on the project began after GNLF area councillor S.K. Lama gave the go-ahead following discussions with two other organisations, the Jan Kalyan Manch and the Gopalak Krishi Sangathan.

These organisations have been agitating against the construction, fearing disturbance in the region’s ecosystem. Lama today said: “We have agreed to the project as we realise that it will help the people of the region. WBSEB has also agreed to consider our demands.”

Dutta said preliminary tests, which involve blasting the rocky terrain, are being conducted. “We have received a loan of Rs 20 crore from Power Finance Corporation of India for the work, which is expected to be completed within 38 months as scheduled. We are taking all precautions prescribed by the pollution control board.”

The Rs 40-crore expansion plan will link the Mungmong Khola with the Forebay, which authorities believe will help the 52-MW hydel project to generate power even during the dry season. The Forebay is currently linked only with the Rammam Khola.

“Only two of the four turbines can be run now as the water required for optimum power generation is not available during the lean season. We will not face such problems after the project is completed,” said a WBSEB official.