Joshimath: Locals protest against NTPC, seek their withdrawal from state

Locals in Joshimath demonstrated against National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) on Tuesday, demanding them to leave the state.

Protesters carried Mahila Mangal Dal and Panchayat Selang flags and marched through the streets.
Protesters demonstrated against the Tapovan Vishnugad Hydroelectric Project, which was being built in the region by the NTPC. The construction has been halted indefinitely, pending additional directives.

DM Banerjee, a physicist at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), blamed the current scenario on the construction of roads and tunnels for a neighbouring hydropower project.

Cracks began to form in houses in Joshimath, prompting the evacuation of the region. A team from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) arrived in Joshimath on Monday to assess the damage to structures and seek compensation.

 Joshimath locals broke down on Tuesday as they left their homes that have been marked ‘unsafe’ by the district administration

In an interview with ANI, Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana stated that houses with fractures will be systematically dismantled.

“The hotels and houses affected by the landslide and subsidence have been identified. Buildings in the unsafe zone have been vacated and civilians are also being shifted from the buffer zone. Scientists from CBRI Roorkee have been called in to demolish these buildings. The team of CBRI will reach Joshimath today and identify the buildings which need to be demolished. Under the guidance of experts, further action will be taken. Keeping all the aspects in mind, these buildings will be demolished,” said Khurana.

The Uttarakhand government has authorised Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and NTPC to construct 2,000 prefabricated dwellings as a refuge for residents relocating from Joshimath.

Cracks have been discovered in 678 structures in the Joshimath town area, according to the Chamoli District Disaster Management Authority. A total of 81 households have been temporarily relocated for security reasons.

“Under the Joshimath city area, 213 rooms have been temporarily identified as habitable, with their capacities estimated at 1191. Also, 491 rooms/halls have been identified in Pipalkoti outside the Joshimath area, with a combined capacity of 2,205,” the bulletin said.

The administration has also distributed food kits and blankets to the affected families, as per their requirements along with the distribution of funds to procure essential household items.

63 food kits and 53 blankets have been made available for the affected locals.