Dehradun, May 4 -- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday announced that the Central government has approved Rs 1,700 crore disaster relief package for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Joshimath, which has been grappling with severe land subsidence since early 2023.

Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami recalled that around 20 per cent of Joshimath town was affected by land subsidence in February 2023, resulting in widespread cracks in homes, roads, and buildings.

"Many agencies from both the central and state governments were involved in the assessment... A detailed survey report was submitted, following which we appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister. Now, Rs 1,700 crore has been approved for sewera...