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Joshimath sinking: Locals seek nearby relocation, few demand ‘one-time settlement’
The affected residents meanwhile have been demanding relocation to an area which is closer to Joshimath while a few have even sought a ‘one-time settlement’ from the government covering their losses.
Even as the Uttarakhand government is currently prioritising the evacuation of people affected due to land subsidence in Joshimath, it is also working on a plan to rehabilitate them to somewhere else, if needed, people in the know of the matter said on Monday.
The affected residents meanwhile have been demanding relocation to an area which is closer to Joshimath while a few have even sought a ‘one-time settlement’ from the government covering their losses.
In terms of relocation, Gauchar (around 90km from Joshimath) and Pipalkoti (around 35 km from Joshimath) are among the places that the government is contemplating upon to shift them, one of the officials quoted above.
Meanwhile, according to the bulletin issued by the state government on Monday evening, the number of houses that have developed cracks has risen to 678. So far, 81 families have been shifted to safer locations, including 27 on Monday.
Earlier, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during his visit to the town had said that “suitable places for relocation of affected residents near Pipalkoti and Gauchar are being identified”. However, locals have said that they should be relocated to “nearby locations” since the two above-mentioned places are far away from Joshimath and some are even asking for a “one-time settlement”.
One of the affected residents Deepak Rawat, who has been shifted to a relief camp in the municipal office along with his family after their house behind hotel Mount View in Singh Dhar ward developed cracks said: “The government should rehabilitate us to a location close to Joshimath. If the government is thinking about shifting us to other places that are away from this town, we don’t want it. If we go to other places like Gauchar and Pipalkoti, would people living there accept us.”
“They should take rehabilitation steps quickly since we can’t live in the relief camp for a long time. At least 5-6 people, including children and elderly people are living in one room here. How can we manage like this for longer?” Rawat asked.
Meanwhile, convener of the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Atul Sati, has written to the disaster management secretary suggesting some locations where the affected people can be rehabilitated.
He said, “Joshimath has enough land to rehabilitate the affected. I would suggest the government rehabilitate the affected people in the horticulture department’s land in Joshimath, Koti Farm, and Auli after a geological survey of these places.” Some of the affected residents are also ready to accept a “one-time settlement plan” under which the government can “pay them the amount equal to losses suffered by them” so that they can go anywhere they want.
Thakur Singh Rana, a hotelier adjusted in a relief camp said, “We want a one-time settlement plan. We don’t want the government to impose anything on us by shifting us to a location of their choice. If we are paid according to the losses, we can shift wherever we want, be it Dehradun or somewhere else.”
Anjali Rawat, another resident from the same relief camp, said, “We have a house of five rooms in Singh Dhar ward in which house cracks have been developed. Either we should be rehabilitated to a nearby location or the government should give us the amount equal to the losses we have suffered.”
Meanwhile, secretary, (disaster management), Ranjit Sinha said with regard to rehabilitating the affected people from Joshimath, they have asked the Geological Survey of India to submit a report. “ We have requested the Geological Survey of India to conduct a survey and submit a report in connection with the matter.” he said.
