Monday, 19 December 2022 | PNS | JOSHIMATH
Locals & public representatives irked at official apathy towards continued land subsidence
The residents and public representatives in Joshimath have planned to start an agitation this month against the continued apathy of the authorities towards the ongoing land subsidence here. The citizens are irked as no action has been taken yet despite memoranda being submitted to the administration and the government on multiple occasions.
On Sunday, the municipal council chairman Shailenda Panwar presided over a meeting held in the municipal hall to discuss the issue. The local residents and public decided that a memorandum will be submitted to the administration on Monday and after that a large demonstration will be staged on December 24. The local residents, public representatives and various business and service unions are expected to participate in this agitation. Panwar said that the threat posed to Joshimath from the continuing land subsidence has been communicated to the authorities on several occasions. However, since no action is being taken by the authorities, the people have decided to undertake an agitation to save the town, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that land subsidence is being experienced consistently in Sunil, Swi, Manoharbagh, Gandhinagar, Ravigram and other localities of Joshimath. While the residents of the affected areas are living in anxiety, the authorities have so far not taken any concrete measures to address the situation. Residents are living in homes with cracks while also fearing for their lives in Gandhinagar, Ravigram and Sunil areas. It is pertinent to mention here that Joshimath in Chamoli district is important not only due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibet border but also as it is the last major town on the routes to Badrinath, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund.
