Joshimath update: Clamour for compensation grows; cracks appear in Chamba; latest developments
Joshimath update: Hotels 'Malari Inn' and 'Mount View' are leaning towards each other dangerously, posing a threat to the human settlements around the structures
- Jan 11, 2023,
- Updated Jan 11, 2023 2:59 PM IST
Renewed efforts have been underway on Wednesday to persuade locals to allow demolition of two precariously standing hotels in subsidence-hit Joshimath in Uttarakhand, which has led to more clamour for compensation.
A fresh round of talks was held between Secretary to the Chief Minister, R Meenakshi Sundaram and the hoteliers and locals who have been demanding compensation on the lines of Badrinath before the demolition exercise is undertaken.
Hotels 'Malari Inn' and 'Mount View' are leaning towards each other dangerously, posing a threat to the human settlements around the structures. The Uttarakhand government had directed the razing of unstable structures on Monday, starting with these two buildings. Talking to reporters, the senior official clarified that only two hotels in Joshimath have to be dismantled and not the houses demarcated as unfit for living. ''I want to clarify one thing. Only two hotels are to be dismantled. Demolition, though being used widely, is not the precise word in this context. Houses in the danger zone are not going to be demolished. The red cross marks put on them is only to have them vacated,'' Sundaram, who is also the nodal officer for the land subsidence-hit town, said. Till now, cracks have been noticed in 723 buildings, he said.
"As of now, 723 buildings have developed cracks. We will try to complete the survey within a week. Compensation will be given to all. We requested people to support us in the dismantling of two hotels. Compensation will be given according to the compensation that was given in Uttar Kashi. Badrinath-like compensation cannot be given here. Several teams of central govt have reached here," said Sundaram.
"Good thing is that the water leakage near Jaypee Company is decreasing and it reached 250 LPM last evening. After January 7, no new cracks developed and old cracks didn't increase. two buildings that are unsafe need to be demolished & appeal to people to support us," he added.
He, however, did not give a definite timeline on the beginning of the demolition exercise, but said his interaction with the protesting locals was positive and the matter will be resolved soon. The chief secretary also announced that Rs 1.5 lakh is being given as interim assistance to the affected families. Out of this amount, Rs 50,000 is being provided in advance for house shifting and Rs 1 lakh for disaster relief which will be adjusted later, he said. Those who want to shift to a rented accommodation will be given Rs 4,000 per month for six months, he said. Earlier, Sundaram held a meeting with the stakeholders and the locals and assured them that adequate compensation according to market rates will be given. ''The market rate will be decided after taking suggestions of the stakeholders in the public interest. The interests of the local people will be taken care of,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the clamour for compensation grew as agitated locals continued to sit on dharnas and refused to allow the authorities to go ahead with the demolition. ''We want compensation on the lines of Badrinath. But the secretary to the chief minister said it was not possible. He said compensation as per market rate could be given. But when we asked what would be the market rate, he said he did not know,'' Thakur Singh Rana, the owner of Malari Inn, told reporters before resuming his dharna. Adding to the woes of residents, weather in Joshimath turned bad. It is cloudy and drizzling in the town and people are afraid rainwater may further contribute to land subsidence in the area. A total of 131 families have so far been shifted to temporary relief centres in Joshimath and the number of damaged houses in the town has risen to 723.
"Teams of Civil Police, SDRF and NDRF are present here. The talks are ongoing with the hotel building owner who had expressed certain reservations. After the talks are over, the process of demolishing the hotel buildings will start," said M Mishra, SDRF, Uttarakhand.
Renewed efforts have been underway on Wednesday to persuade locals to allow demolition of two precariously standing hotels in subsidence-hit Joshimath in Uttarakhand, which has led to more clamour for compensation.
A fresh round of talks was held between Secretary to the Chief Minister, R Meenakshi Sundaram and the hoteliers and locals who have been demanding compensation on the lines of Badrinath before the demolition exercise is undertaken.
Hotels 'Malari Inn' and 'Mount View' are leaning towards each other dangerously, posing a threat to the human settlements around the structures. The Uttarakhand government had directed the razing of unstable structures on Monday, starting with these two buildings. Talking to reporters, the senior official clarified that only two hotels in Joshimath have to be dismantled and not the houses demarcated as unfit for living. ''I want to clarify one thing. Only two hotels are to be dismantled. Demolition, though being used widely, is not the precise word in this context. Houses in the danger zone are not going to be demolished. The red cross marks put on them is only to have them vacated,'' Sundaram, who is also the nodal officer for the land subsidence-hit town, said. Till now, cracks have been noticed in 723 buildings, he said.
"As of now, 723 buildings have developed cracks. We will try to complete the survey within a week. Compensation will be given to all. We requested people to support us in the dismantling of two hotels. Compensation will be given according to the compensation that was given in Uttar Kashi. Badrinath-like compensation cannot be given here. Several teams of central govt have reached here," said Sundaram.
"Good thing is that the water leakage near Jaypee Company is decreasing and it reached 250 LPM last evening. After January 7, no new cracks developed and old cracks didn't increase. two buildings that are unsafe need to be demolished & appeal to people to support us," he added.
He, however, did not give a definite timeline on the beginning of the demolition exercise, but said his interaction with the protesting locals was positive and the matter will be resolved soon. The chief secretary also announced that Rs 1.5 lakh is being given as interim assistance to the affected families. Out of this amount, Rs 50,000 is being provided in advance for house shifting and Rs 1 lakh for disaster relief which will be adjusted later, he said. Those who want to shift to a rented accommodation will be given Rs 4,000 per month for six months, he said. Earlier, Sundaram held a meeting with the stakeholders and the locals and assured them that adequate compensation according to market rates will be given. ''The market rate will be decided after taking suggestions of the stakeholders in the public interest. The interests of the local people will be taken care of,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the clamour for compensation grew as agitated locals continued to sit on dharnas and refused to allow the authorities to go ahead with the demolition. ''We want compensation on the lines of Badrinath. But the secretary to the chief minister said it was not possible. He said compensation as per market rate could be given. But when we asked what would be the market rate, he said he did not know,'' Thakur Singh Rana, the owner of Malari Inn, told reporters before resuming his dharna. Adding to the woes of residents, weather in Joshimath turned bad. It is cloudy and drizzling in the town and people are afraid rainwater may further contribute to land subsidence in the area. A total of 131 families have so far been shifted to temporary relief centres in Joshimath and the number of damaged houses in the town has risen to 723.
"Teams of Civil Police, SDRF and NDRF are present here. The talks are ongoing with the hotel building owner who had expressed certain reservations. After the talks are over, the process of demolishing the hotel buildings will start," said M Mishra, SDRF, Uttarakhand.