In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a resettlement plan for families in Joshimath would be announced soon.
Dehradun ,UPDATED: Jan 12, 2023 03:03 IST
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami inspecting land subsidence in Joshimath (Image: Twitter)
By Amit Bhardwaj: In the wake of a crisis in Uttarakhand’s ‘sinking town’ Joshimath, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that a resettlement plan for families would be announced soon.
Speaking to India Today TV, CM Dhami said that the Uttarakhand government has announced an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh per affected family, who have been impacted by incidents of land subsidence, cracks and crevices in the infrastructure, including their houses.
“Justice will be done for everyone, and compensation will be given to affected families,” CM Dhami said.
“The resettlement plan will be implemented soon,” he added.
CM Dhami said that the Army area has developed damage too. “PM Modi has been tracking the developments in Joshimath. Just received a phone call from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to know the situation in Joshimath,” CM Dhami said.
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CM Dhami further said, “Uttarakhand is a state where disasters happen often. We have to witness disasters every year — from Dharchula to Joshimath. We have to prepare for the Char Dham Yatra in four months. Winter games are slated to happen in the state. We shouldn’t spin a narrative that entire Uttarakhand is sinking.”
The chief minister has taken stock of the situation in Joshimath, wherein more than 723 houses have developed cracks, as per R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary to Uttarakhand CM, Pushkar Singh Dhami.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN JOSHIMATH?
The Himalayan town of Joshimath, which is the gateway to several religious sites and tourist attractions, has been hitting headlines over grave concerns. As flagged by reports under previous governments, the town has been developing cracks, crevices and damage to its structures. The reasons can be attributed to Joshimath’s topography, however, experts say that developmental projects and ill-planning led to the sinking crisis.
On the other hand, many have attributed governments’ inaction to the cause.
Joshimath residents took to the streets as a protest to the loss of their properties, livelihood, fearing displacement that will follow.
ALSO READ | Why is Joshimath sinking? Alarm bells in hill town ringing since 1976
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