Tuesday, 03 January 2023 | PNS | Dehradun
Firm to be finalised this month for execution expert committee’s recommendations
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation caused by consistent land subsidence and landslide in Joshimath and threat being posed to the residents due to this. He held a meeting with officials of the Disaster Management department on Monday and issued necessary directions. The chief minister directed officials that proposals should also be prepared for temporary safety work, detailed survey of the affected area and rehabilitating the affected families after their identification if needed. Officials informed that the firm will be finalised for executing necessary works recommended by an expert committee in Joshimath.
Disaster Management additional secretary Anand Shrivastava informed that Joshimath is settled on an old landslide area and in absence of proper water drainage facility in such areas, land subsidence is often caused when water percolates into the ground or when water flows and carries away the earth material. Dhami was informed that light land subsidence has been occurring in Joshimath since the 1970s, the problem has taken a serious form after the flood in the Dhauliganga river in February 2021 which eroded the land on the bank of the Alaknanda river. In July 2022, an expert team was formed by the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation department to study the problem and recommend measures to tackle it.
This expert team surveyed the affected area in August 2022 and also submitted its report along with recommendations. The expert team has recommended that proper arrangements should be made for disposal of rain water and the water from households, construction of embankment to check erosion being caused by the Alaknanda, strengthening/channelisation of nullahs flowing through Joshimath city and controlling construction activities in the area according to the carrying capacity. The Disaster Management secretary held a meeting in November last year to discuss implementation of the recommendations made by the expert committee. The Irrigation department was directed to do the needful in the meeting. In response to the expression of interest issued by the Irrigation department, detailed proposals were received from six firms out of which four firms have been cleared to prepare RFP. The technical proposals received from these firms will be considered a decision will be taken on January 20.
