Monday, 12 June 2023 | PNS | JOSHIMATH
Members of the local business fraternity under the banner of Prantiya Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal –Joshimath staged a protest against the resumption of work on construction of the Helang-Marwadi bypass here on Sunday. All the shops in the town including medical stores remained closed as part of the protest.
It will be recalled that the construction of this bypass was halted shortly after the Joshimath land subsidence disaster started escalating earlier during December last year. However, after a period of about five months, approval was granted to resume work on construction of the Helang-Marwadi bypass. The resumption of work on this road was met with opposition, especially from members of the business fraternity in Joshimath. Local shopkeepers and other members of the business fraternity took out a protest rally on Sunday. The protesters warned that they will intensify their protest if work on the construction of this bypass is not stopped soon. They pointed out that construction of this bypass will affect traditional beliefs as it is believed that a visit to Badrinath temple is incomplete without paying obeisance at the Narsinh temple in Joshimath. The Prantiya Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal president Nain Singh Bhandari opined that construction of the Helang-Marwadi bypass would prove devastating for Joshimath as it would negatively impact the livelihoods of the town’s business fraternity. The locals will intensify their protest if work on the construction of the bypass is not stopped soon, he warned.
