Despite visible cracks on the land near a soapstone deposit in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district, the state government had granted approval for mining. Today, on January 6, 2024, the Uttarakhand High Court suspended all mining operations in the district with immediate effect.
The court order came a day after the issue was reported in the press.
The approval for mining had rekindled the memories of Joshimath which has several such cracks and the risk of sinking haunts the residents every passing day.
It is reported that local residents have alleged that the approval to mining was granted on the basis of forged signatures.