Everybody agrees that the financial aid provided by the Union Government to Uttarakhand for disaster relief and reconstruction is not enough to meet the requirements. BJP leaders have claimed that this is just the first tranche and, as matters proceed, more assistance will be provided. It would, anyway, not have been right for the Centre to grant the entire amount necessary at one go, as that could have led to poor supervision and control. The requirement is for the state government to lay down the priorities and ensure there is no misuse of funds, particularly improper allocation for restoration projects.
Teams of the Central Government have visited the worst hit sites and interacted with local officials. They will have obtained a good understanding of the situation, and it can be expected that the necessary cooperation will be forthcoming. While immediate steps are necessary for relocation and rehabilitation of the affected population, what experts are highlighting is the need to adopt strategies that will prevent such disasters from happening in the future.
It has been noted that the damage occurred mostly in places where construction was done in violation of safety and environmental norms. Much of this could have been prevented if even the existing rules and regulations had been properly enforced by the authorities. However, what seems like negligence or complicity, allowed violations to occur on a large scale. As such, a proactive approach will have to be adopted to ensure these do not take place in the future.
Some experts have also blamed construction works such as tunnels and road widening for damaging the already fragile mountain sides. Also, dumping of debris in the rivers is being blamed for exacerbating the situation. While many of these projects are necessary, it would be wise to review how these are being implemented. In many cases, superior engineering and technology, with high quality materials could set things right. It is also a sad reality that corruption plays a role in making wrong choices and creating adverse conditions. There is no doubt that the Union Government will be looking at the reconstruction effort from this point of view and will extend support once compliance is ensured.
Although it may seem like it, there really are not many sites where new and viable human settlements can be established in the state. As such, even this will prove a major challenge, which does not, so much, require funds as proper planning. Hopefully, the government will make the necessary improvements and take the right decisions.
