Shah chairs key meet on crisis in Joshimath

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a meeting to take stock of the situation in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath, where expanding cracks in hundreds of residential and commercial buildings amid land subsidence in the hill town have created panic, forced the relocation of hundreds of families, and resulted in protests by those displaced who are demanding compensation.

The meeting was also attended by Union ministers Nitin Gadkari (road transport); RK Singh (power), Bhupendra Yadav (environment and forest) and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Jal Shakti).

According to people aware of proceedings at the meeting, the situation in the sinking town was reviewed, as was the response to the crisis, including the identification of areas for relocation, the release of funds to the affected people, and other steps taken to prevent loss of life and property.

So far, over 700 buildings with cracks have been identified and the work of relocating people to safer places is underway.

The home minister’s meeting was also attended by officials of the National Disaster Management Authority, Uttarakhand government, and experts from IIT Roorkee, National Institute of Disaster Management, Geological Survey of India and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology through video conferencing.

On Tuesday, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) also reviewed the situation in Joshimath and underscored the need for prioritising evacuation and rehabilitation of the people affected. At a meeting of the NCMC, Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba said priority should also be accorded to the demolition of vulnerable structures in a safe manner, news agency PTI said.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the creation of a committee for drafting the details of the compensation that will be paid to the affected families.

Amit Shah