Houses will not be demolished in the disaster-hit Joshimath town of Chamoli district bordering China. Along with this, the affected will be given compensation at the market rate. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made this announcement on Wednesday. He said, ‘No decision has been taken to demolish any house, nor will such a step be taken in future. Demolition will be done only when it is unavoidable and that too with the consent of the building owner. He said that this rate will be announced after taking suggestions from the stakeholders and in the public interest to give compensation at the market rate to the affected. Chief Minister Dhami canceled all his programs and reached Joshimath on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the Chief Minister and took an update on the situation in Joshimath.
Earlier, BJP National President JP Nadda also called the Chief Minister. On the other hand, relief work is going on continuously in Joshimath. A high-powered committee has been constituted at the government level under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Finance Anand Bardhan for all kinds of works including relief and rehabilitation. Apart from this, a committee has also been formed under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Sushil Kumar, so that the work can move faster with coordination. Not only this, scientists of various institutes in Joshimath are engaged in the investigation to get to the bottom of the causes of landslide.
Two seismographic stations have been established to investigate ground vibrations due to earthquake or other reasons. Meanwhile, it has come to light that the flow of water has reduced in the gushing streams in Joshimath. Apart from Pipalkoti, other buildings including hotels in the city’s safe area have been identified to meet the challenge of the weather. Arrangements have also been made for waterproof tents if needed. Relief work has been intensified in Joshimath, which is facing landslides. Marking of dilapidated buildings due to cracks is underway, while the affected are being temporarily shifted to relief camps at safer places.
The government has thrown the entire machinery into Joshimath. Scientists from all the central institutes are engaged in the investigation work there. It has been decided to remove the multi-storey buildings of two hotels located in the danger zone of Joshimath under the guidance of CBRI scientists. This action was to start on the previous day, but it could not happen due to the opposition of the traders. Meanwhile, a demand arose that after valuation of the buildings, compensation should be given to the building owners at the market rate. The government has also accepted it. At the same time, to save Joshimath, there is also an order of picketing and demonstration.
