Sen, director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, said that since Joshimath is the gateway to Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and Auli, the area has not been able to withstand the pressure of the city for long. Construction activities are going on since time. He said that due to this also cracks have come in the houses there. He said that hotels and restaurants are being built everywhere. The pressure of population and the size of the tourist crowd have also increased manifold.