Many affected families still living in rented accommodations as construction remains banned in town
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
Two years after land subsidence began in Jyotirmath, families affected by the disaster are still awaiting a permanent solution. While permanent constructions are still prohibited in the town, work has started on the first phase of safety works. Work on a safety wall has started from the Marwadi bridge to the Vishnuprayag bridge. The authorities have released compensation for some affected families. However, since the value of the land affected by subsidence has not been fixed yet, some of the affected families are still living in rented accommodations.
It will be recalled that subsidence had begun in Jyotirmath during January 2023. The families living in homes considered dangerous were provided safe accommodations by the authorities for some months. About 219 had then received compensation for their homes. However, since no action has been taken by the authorities regarding compensation for the land owned by the affected persons, many families are forced to still live in rented accommodations. Since construction works are banned in the town, no such works are allowed even on lands considered secure.
One of the affected persons, Digamber Singh said that he has not been compensated for his land affected by subsidence. He said that he had lodged his complaint on the CM portal but is still awaiting action. The Chamoli district magistrate Chandrashekhar Vashishth acknowledged that action is yet to be taken at the State administration level regarding compensation for land affected by subsidence.
