The Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti threatened to obstruct traffic on April 27, when the Badrinath yatra is due to begin, If their demands weren't met.
“The situation in Joshimath is the same as it was two months ago. We demand complete scrapping of NTPC’s under-construction Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project and the Helang bypass road,” said Atul Sati, group’s convenor.
In contrast to the 300 families that the government has designated, the group has been calling for rehabilitation for all 3,000 Joshimath families. Additionally, they have requested the publication of the report that the NDMA received following a ground investigation conducted by academic institutions in Joshimath, as this report will determine the compensation package to be provided to the displaced residents.
Locals in Joshimath and nearby Karnaprayag, have blamed the relentless construction works for the cracks. The residents and activists have flagged the tunnelling work done for the 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad hydel project, undertaken by NTPC, as well as hill cutting and blasting of mountains for the under-construction Char Dham road, for the land subsidence.
After the group held a protest in Joshimath on January 5, the government declared that both the Helang bypass and the hydro project would be put on hold. Additionally, a few other building projects in the Joshimath municipal boundaries were put on hold.
Pilgrims usually take a night halt at Joshimath, the “gateway to Badrinath” and then take the Badrinath highway to the shrine and to Mana village, a nearby tourist attraction. The highway, which also developed cracks, is now the only route to Badrinath shrine from Joshimath.