Joshimath to demolish 21 unsafe government buildings, October 2026: what it tells hill-property buyers

The Chamoli district administration will demolish 21 government buildings in Jyotirmath (Joshimath) that scientific teams declared unsafe after the town's land subsidence, Amar Ujala reporte

What happened

21 buildings to go. Amar Ujala reported that 21 government buildings in Jyotirmath, including buildings in the tehsil complex and the old government hospital, will be demolished. Notices have been served on the people using them.

Why. Deputy District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Vashishth told the paper that several government buildings were damaged in the 1990s earthquake, and that after the land subsidence of January 2023, inspection teams declared 21 of them unsafe. Amar Ujala said scientific institutions including the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) had inspected the structures.

Private buildings already came down. According to the report, the administration has already demolished more than 55 unsafe private buildings in the town and paid compensation to their owners. Compensation for a second phase of identified buildings is being paid.

What comes next. The deputy magistrate said new government buildings will be built at safer locations as needed.

What it means for hill-property buyers

This section is our view.

Ground matters more than the building. Joshimath's buildings did not fail only because they were old. The ground under them moved. When you buy in the hills, ask about the slope, drainage and any history of cracks or sinking on the plot and its neighbours. A geotechnical opinion costs little next to the price of a hill home.

Check official hazard maps and notices. Before buying in a hill town, ask the tehsil and the local development authority whether the area has been marked as a hazard or subsidence zone. Some towns also have restrictions on new building. Our post on Uttarakhand's earthquake building rules covers the structural side.

Insure and keep papers in order. Compensation in Joshimath went to owners whose buildings and papers were on record. Keep your registry, mutation and map approval in order, and consider home insurance that covers landslide and subsidence.

Dehradun's valley is a different risk, not no risk. Dehradun does not face Joshimath-type subsidence, but it has its own risks: riverbanks, seasonal streams and old buildings. Our post on Dehradun's 21 unsafe buildings covers the city.

If you are looking at stays in the hills, see stays in Uttarkashi on ILA Infra, or browse property in Uttarakhand.

Questions people ask

Why are 21 government buildings in Joshimath being demolished?

Scientific teams, including CBRI, declared them unsafe after the land subsidence of January 2023. Some had also been damaged in the 1990s earthquake.

Which buildings are on the list?

Amar Ujala named buildings in the tehsil complex and the old government hospital among the 21.

Were private homes in Joshimath demolished too?

Yes. The administration has already demolished more than 55 unsafe private buildings and paid compensation, with a second phase of compensation under way.

Sources

Buying or selling property in Dehradun and unsure about the paperwork? Call Neeraj Thapa on +91 98320 03494.

How we write these: the ILA Infra team reads the reports listed under Sources and links every one, so you can check each figure yourself. The section on what it means for buyers is our own view, not advice.