Amid the daunting challenges posed by ground subsidence and landslides in the scenic town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand, the High-Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, has granted approval to a comprehensive Recovery and Reconstruction (R&R) plan valued at Rs. 1658.17 crore.
This ambitious plan aims to rejuvenate the region while providing support to the families profoundly affected by land subsidence.
The challenges faced by Joshimath are extensive, with a staggering 760 buildings out of nearly 4,200 structures in the temple town developing cracks due to subsidence (according to earlier data). Authorities have deemed 147 of these buildings as unsafe, highlighting the pressing need for recovery and reconstruction efforts. It is pertinent to note that due to ground subsidence, several families in the area have been adversely affected. According to information released by the state government earlier, a total of 185 families, comprising 657 members, have been relocated to relief centers.
Now, under the approved R&R Plan, a substantial allocation of Rs. 1079.96 crore will be extended as central assistance from the Recovery and Reconstruction window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Furthermore, the State Government has committed to contribute Rs. 126.41 crore from its State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) towards relief assistance, along with an additional Rs. 451.80 crore from its State budget. This comprehensive funding includes provisions for land acquisition, amounting to Rs. 91.82 crore.
Giving details of the same, the Ministry of Home Affairs in a press release said, Joshimath, in the State of Uttarakhand, has been affected by landslide and ground subsidence and the Central Government has extended all necessary technical and logistical support to the State Government. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, all technical agencies under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) were put into action and they helped the State Government in preparing the recovery plan for Joshimath expeditiously.
Joshimath, once marred by natural calamities, is now poised for a resurgence, thanks to the combined efforts of the Central and State Governments. The Recovery and Reconstruction plan for Joshimath will span three years and adhere to the principles of Build Back Better (BBB) and sustainable initiatives.
