Wednesday, 23 August 2023 | Pradeep Bhandari | Joshimath
Disaster affected families in Joshimath uninterested in shifting to Dhak 12 kms away
Joshimath began experiencing land subsidence in January this year which put a number of families at risk. The authorities built 15 prefabricated structures at Dhak, about 12 kilometres from Joshimath for the affected families. However, so far none of the affected families have shown interest in shifting to the prefabricated structures about four months after they were constructed. With none of the affected families applying to live in these houses, the prefabricated structures have remained vacant.
It will be recalled that land subsidence had affected Gandhinagar, Sunil, Manoharbagh and Sinhdwar wards in Joshimath due to which 181 homes were marked unsafe and 868 homes developed cracks. The authorities facilitated temporary accommodation for the affected families in hotels. The authorities also built 15 prefabricated structures in Dhak village but none of the affected families have shown interest in living in these structures. Officials state that the prefabricated structures were built at a cost of Rs 2.60 crore and were ready in April. Affected locals Digambar Singh and Deepak Singh said that the homes made in Dhak are about 12 kilometres from Joshimath.
The distance will pose inconvenience for the school going children. Further the locals have their businesses and other sources of livelihood including farmlands in Joshimath, which makes Dhak an inconvenient location, they added. Meanwhile, the authorities have paid about Rs 35 crore compensation to 159 affected families so far. Joshimath sub divisional magistrate Kumkum Joshi said that the prefabricated structures in Dhak have been kept reserved for disaster relief. In case there is need for shifting anyone, they will be shifted to the prefabricated structures in Dhak.
