Scientist Calls Joshimath A Matter Of Challenge, Cracks Appear On Ropeway Platform: Top Points

Scientists inspecting the Joshimath land subsidence issue called it a matter of challenge. Here are the top developments in the case.

A resident shows cracks that appeared in a house in Joshimath.

Cracks have surfaced on the ropeway platform due to the situation in Uttarakhand's Joshimath which is grappling with land subsidence due to which services have been stopped since January 5th. At present, scientists inspecting the area also dubbed the issue a 'matter of challenge'.

-- Cracks have appeared on the ropeway platform since Friday. The manager of the ropeway services, Dinesh Bhatt has sent a report to the higher authorities apprising them of the situation. "I have sent the report to higher authorities. Ropeway has been stopped since 5th January due to the situation in Joshimath," he said.

-- Several teams of environment and climate scientists are inspecting the area affected by land subsidence affected in Joshimath. They will make environmental and ecological assessments along with the assessment of the water quality in the area.

-- Scientist Dr JC Kuniyal said the condition of houses where cracks have appeared is not good. He said the state government has already rehabilitated the people in the affected houses. "We're seeing if there's a possibility of more land subsidence or if the land can be restored to its original state. It's a matter of challenge for us," he said.
 
-- Assessment of the 4,000 buildings across nine wards in Joshimath is underway. The details of the buildings including their construction and the materials used are being assessed. Dr Ajay Chaurasia, Chief Engineer, CBRI said it is also being checked if the houses were constructed in line with the set norms.

-- Gauge meters have been placed outside the houses where cracks have been reported. The assessment report will be submitted to the Uttarakhand government so that they can make an administrative plan, Dr Ajay Chaurasia said.

The resettlement and rehabilitation package for the people affected in subsidence-hit Joshimath is being prepared keeping in mind the interests of stakeholders, an official said on Saturday. Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana who met the affected families staying in relief camps in Joshimath on Friday night said the stakeholders want to be compensated in different ways.

"Some want cash compensation, some have their land where they want to build houses while others want to be relocated elsewhere within Joshimath,” he said.

"We have to keep all this in mind while preparing a resettlement or rehabilitation package so that it is in everybody's interest and is sustainable," the DM said, asserting that the arrangements at the relief camps are "good".