Joshimath: Renewed efforts to resume demolition, locals clamour for compensation

The local administration on Wednesday (January 11) renewed its attempts to persuade hotel owners and locals, who are protesting against the planned demolition of two precariously-perched hotels in the subsidence-hit town of Joshimath, Uttarakhand.

The Secretary to the Chief Minister, Meenakshi Sundaram and the locals held a fresh round of talks with the protesters. The protesters  have been demanding compensation on the lines of Badrinath before the demolition exercise is undertaken.

Unstable structures

Hotels Malari Inn and Mount View are leaning on 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.

Also Read: Explained: What is land subsidence, reason why Joshimath is sinking

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.

Only two hotels to be razed 

“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.

“These two buildings will crumble and will pull down another 15-20 structures,” Sundaram 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 ₹1.5 lakh is being given as interim assistance to the affected families. Out of this amount, ₹50,000 is being provided in advance for house shifting and ₹1 lakh for disaster relief which will be adjusted later, he said. Those who want to shift to a rented accommodation will be given ₹4,000 per month for six months, he said.

Also Read: Joshimath sinking: SC declines urgent hearing; demolition to begin today

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.

Clamour for compensation grows

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.

Also Watch: After Joshimath, fresh cracks reported from houses in Karnaprayag

Adding to the woes of residents, weather in Joshimath turned bad. It is cloudy and drizzling in the town and people are afraid rainfall 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.

(With agency inputs)