Joshimath Demolition Drive Resumes Amid Protests

Joshimath: “Sinking” town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand saw the return of the demolition drive on Thursday, a day after protesting villagers had halted the project. The effort got underway with the destruction of the Hotel Malari Inn, which was deemed dangerous because it had developed deeper fissures that had caused it to lean inward.

The families whose homes will be demolished will receive compensation of Rs. 1.5 lakh, according to an announcement made on Wednesday by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Puskhar Dhami. A further Rs 50,000 will be provided as additional support for those who need it.

On Tuesday, protests broke out prior to the town’s two precariously standing hotels being demolished as planned. Since it was unclear how those whose properties were to be razed would be compensated, protesters chanted anti-demonstration slogans.

Locals and hotel owners were protesting the government’s decision to demolish the hotels because they wanted compensation in accordance with the Badrinath Dham master plan.

On Wednesday, the protests got louder and the demolition drive was stopped.

Joshimath, located at the base of the Himalayas, serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib as well as the popular ski resort of Auli. It is now facing land subsidence.

A team of experts from CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is also to visit Joshimath, to conduct subsurface physical mapping of the affected town.