NEW DELHI/ DEHRADUN: As cracks and landslides continue to rattle residents and administration of Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Jagatguru Shankaracharya has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking that the current situation be declared a national disaster.
The plea, filed by Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj of Jyotishpeeth, also seeks for directing the National Disaster Management Authority to actively support the residents of Joshimath during this tough time.
The plea argues that construction work for the Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Project tunnel should not begin again till a high-level committee of geologists, hydrologists and engineers set up by the court formulates guidelines.
“There is total inaction, no-action and negligence on part of the respondents, particularly the respondents in tackling the current disastrous condition of Joshimath which is resulting into unimaginable hardship as well as loss of life and property is of the people of Joshimath,” the plea states. It also seeks immediate financial assistance and compensation to those who are losing their houses and land on account of land sliding, land sinking, subsidence and cracking.
Relief has also been sought for proactive steps to protect the spiritual, religious and cultural places at Joshimath.Meanwhile, after the Jyotirmath complex in Joshimath, fissures have surfaced in the Shivling of Shankaracharya Madhav Ashram Temple, as well as buildings in the complex of Lakshmi Narayan Temple. The throne of Shankaracharya is situated here.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also visited Joshimath on Saturday to take stock of the situation. Several people burst into tears in front of him, and pleaded with him to save their lives and property.
“All arrangements are being ensured for completion of the survey, and shifting of affected families to alternative buildings. Dry ration kits and cooked food packets are being provided to the affected families,” District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana told this daily.
Officials are also worried about the cracks developing on the strategically important Badrinath highway. If this continues, then a large part of the highway can collapse, cutting off the China border.