JOSHIMATH: The demolition drive in the sinking town of Uttarakhand began today after residents on Wednesday protested demanding clarity on compensation. The demolition will commence from Hotel Malari inn, which was marked unsafe as it developed cracks.
As minor cracks developed in the Indian Amry shelters as well, soldiers were relocated to temporary shelters. Around 25-28 army buildings have developed cracks and have been temporarily vacated.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with five union ministers to take stock of the situation in Joshimath.
Shortly after protests broke out, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami visited Joshimath and interacted with the families inflicted by the crises in person. He assured that a committee would decide the market rate for compensation to be paid to the families affected in Joshimath by keeping in mind the interests of stakeholders.
Earlier on Thursday, the Uttarakhand state government announced a relief package of Rs 45 crore to families in Joshimath, where large cracks appeared in homes and on roads. Interim assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh has been announced by the union govt to the affected land owners and families, of which an advance of Rs 1 lakh will soon be deposited into the accounts of the beneficiaries. The chief minister also announced that Rs 50,000 has been given by the state disaster authority to each family as a non-adjustable one-time special grant for the transportation of goods and immediate needs of their buildings.
Over 3000 families have been affected by the gradual subsidence of the Himalayan state. 600-700 houses which is only 20-25 percent of the town’s entire area have been affected.