CM orders immediate evacuation from danger zones, formation of coordination committees
Sunday, 08 January 2023 | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered the formation of coordination committees headed by the additional chief secretary at the State administration level and by the Garhwal commissioner at the local level to monitor assistance and relief being provided to families affected by land subsidence in Joshimath, and the development works in the area. The committees will consistently monitor the situation and works to ensure necessary assistance to the affected families and to expedite development works in the area. Dhami issued these directions while chairing a review meeting in the secretariat on Saturday evening after visiting Joshimath, inspecting the affected areas and interacting with the affected persons earlier in the day.
The CM directed that CM secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram and Garhwal commissioner Sushil Kumar will camp in Joshimath from Sunday. He directed that relief provision be made apart from disaster relief standards along with CSR.He talked about formation of an empowered committee to approve disaster management works to expedite relief and protection measures. In addition to declaring Joshimath a landslide and subsidence area, an additional amount of Rs 11 crore has been made available to the Chamoli district magistrate under the calamity head. On Dhami’s directions, the National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad director and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing director have been requested to facilitate detailed satellite imaging, study and photographs of Joshimath along with a report on the situation. The Geological Survey of India deputy director general has been asked for conducting a survey of the Koti farm, herbal institute and the Horticulture department has been asked for surveying its lands in Joshimath and at Semaldala in Peepalkoti for rehabilitation of affected families. The IIT Roorkee director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology director, National Institute of Hydrology-Roorkee director and Central Building Research Institute-Roorkee director have also been asked for a detailed survey and report on the situation in Joshimath.
Earlier, Dhami visited the affected areas in Joshimath and assured all possible assistance to the affected residents. Dhami said that protecting lives and property is the top priority of the government, adding that alternate arrangements are being made to accommodate families at risk to secure locations. He also discussed the situation in detail with local public representatives, officials and prominent citizens of Joshimath. He stressed on the need for united efforts instead of allegations and counter-allegations. He also directed the officials to prepare sector and zonal-wise plans for Joshimath while ordering them to ensure immediate evacuation of danger zones.
