Dehradun: The Chamoli District Administration has given permission for landslide affected residents Jyotirmath (formerly Joshimath) Repairing houses classified under green and yellow zones.
In response to the growing demand by affected residents to allow them to rebuild their houses before the winter season, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari issued the order “in public interest, allowing temporary repairs of residential buildings”.
Although this move provides relief to many, this permission comes with strict conditions. Only repairs to existing residential structures are permitted, with new construction strictly prohibited. Homeowners wishing to make repairs must submit an undertaking confirming that no new construction will be done.
The decision ends a nearly two-year-old ban on construction activities in the city, which was imposed in January 2023 after severe land subsidence was recorded. After the issue gained nationwide attention, Jyotirmath was classified into red, yellow and green zones denoting different levels of containment. of risk, based on recommendations from scientific and technical experts. The red zone denotes areas facing the highest level of risk, requiring immediate attention and intervention.
Residents were pressing for an easing of restrictions to address the deteriorating condition of their homes, which had fallen into disrepair while waiting for government measures.
However, the district administration’s order has been criticized by Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (JBSS), a local advocacy group representing the affected residents. JBSS convenor Atul Sati described the directive as “incomplete” and argued that it did not address their demand for permission to build in protected areas.
Sati said, “The government’s decision falls short of our expectations. Residents who were compensated for their damaged houses are still prohibited from building new structures in protected areas of the city.”
