Stopped demolition of 2 luxury hotels in Joshimath: 678 buildings unsafe, a scientific study completed; Some areas will also be sealed

The demolition of two hotels in Uttarakhand's Joshimath was stopped on Tuesday after protests by the local people. After the cracks in the houses here, the expert team has decided to demolish the hotels. Among the luxury hotels Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View, Malari Inn will be demolished first. Both are 5-6 storey hotels.

The work of demolishing them will be under the supervision of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI). The SDRF team is also on the spot. Swami Avimukteshwaranand appealed to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing on this matter. The court has refused. The hearing will be held on January 16.

The hotel owners said that they have no objection to demolishing the hotel but we had to be given notice. Hotel Malari owner Thakur Singh Rana demanded compensation.

The scientific study of the entire area was done, and some areas will be sealed

Two hotels Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View will be demolished. SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra said that the team had decided to demolish Hotel Malari Inn today. First, the upper part will be dropped. Both the hotels have come very close to each other. There are houses around them, so it is necessary to demolish them. If the hotel sinks further, it will collapse. SDRF has been deployed. People are being asked to go to safe places through loudspeakers.

The DGP of Uttarakhand said that 678 buildings are currently unsafe. Most of the buildings have been evacuated. This process is still going on. The scientific study of the entire area has been done and some areas will also be sealed.

Today's big updates...

A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee was held under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. In this, it was decided to give priority to the complete and safe evacuation of all residents in the affected area of Joshimath.

People took out a march in Joshimath and raised slogans. They say that rehabilitation should be done properly and the compensation should be fair.

Today a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs will come to Joshimath and take stock of the damage caused by the landslide.

So far 4 thousand people have been evacuated from the danger-prone areas of Joshimath.

Today's two big statements

1. Supreme Court – Democratic institutions are looking into this matter

The Supreme Court has refused an urgent hearing on the petition filed by Swami Avimukteshwarananda on Joshi Math. The court will hear the matter on January 16. The Supreme Court said – There are institutions elected through democracy, which are looking into this matter. It is not necessary to bring every case to us.

2. Hotel owner said – notice had to be given

Hotel Malari Inn owner Thakur Singh Rana said, "If the building has to be demolished for the benefit of the people, I am with the government. Even if there is a slight crack. But I had to be given a notice." Let's evaluate. I have asked to do so. After that, I will leave.

Joshimath is divided into three zones

The state government has decided to divide Joshimath into three zones. These zones will be – Danger, Buffer, and Safe Zone. There will be such houses in the danger zone that are very dilapidated and not fit for habitation. Such houses will be demolished manually, while those in the safe zone will have mild cracks and are less prone to collapse. Those houses in the buffer zone will have minor cracks but are prone to crack growth. A team of experts has recommended the demolition of houses with cracks.

We have nothing to do with the landslide - NTPC

State power producer NTPC has said that the Tapovan Vishnugarh project has nothing to do with the landslide in Joshimath. Explain that a hydro project of NTPC is also being considered responsible for the Joshimath landslide. Local people say that tunnels were dug for NTPC's hydro project, due to which the city is sinking. Although NTPC has rejected all these things.

Red Cross on the houses of Joshimath

Sindhi Gandhinagar and Manohar Bagh areas of Joshimath are in the danger zone. Red crosses have been installed on the houses here. The administration has declared these houses unfit for habitation. Chamoli DM Himanshu Khurana said that construction has been banned in Joshimath and surrounding areas.

There have been cracks in 603 houses here. Most people are staying outside the house due to fear. The tenants have also left the house fearing the landslide. So far 70 families have been evacuated from there. The work of removing the rest is underway. The administration has appealed to the people to go to the relief camp.

Also Read: Joshimath: Demand to declare Joshimath landslide a national disaster, case to be listed in Supreme Court tomorrow