By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
CHAMOLI, 2 May: Local people in Jyotirmath (Joshimath) have raised serious concerns over land stabilisation works initiated in Jyotirmath following large scale land subsidence some years ago. The local residents allege that protective measures being taken up in Jyotirmath are confined to government land and not being carried out in the affected private areas where houses, farms and other residential and commercial properties have been damaged. This has raised questions over the intent and functioning of the agencies involved.
It may be recalled that following the subsidence in Joshimath some years ago, the town was divided into 14 sectors where protective works were to be undertaken based on scientific reports. The villagers claim that despite severe damage to private properties, no substantial work has been undertaken in those areas, while government land has seen rapid activity. They have lodged objections with the administration, warning that if equal attention is not given to subsidence affected privately owned properties, they will be compelled to stop the ongoing works.
On the other hand Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Chandrashekhar Vashishth claimed that all the works are being carried out strictly on the basis of reports from scientific institutions. He assured that if people have concerns, a meeting with all relevant departments will be convened soon to resolve them. He added that along with land stabilisation, drainage and sewer-related works would also be taken up shortly.
It may be reminded here that after nearly three years of waiting, protective works worth Rs 16.40 crores have finally begun in Joshimath. However, the disputes surfacing at the very outset have cast serious doubts over the plans. The challenge now lies in whether the administration can build trust with the local population and deliver genuine relief to the affected areas.
It may be recalled that it was in the year 2022 that cracks had first appeared in houses at Jyotirmath, marking the beginning of subsidence in the town. At that time, the matter was not taken seriously. By 2023, however, when large fissures developed in the land, global attention turned towards Joshimath, making it an international concern.
Now it remains to be seen, how seriously the government takes the concerns raised by the people of Jyotirmath (Joshimath) especially in an election year.
