Govt buildings in Delhi to be made quake resistant: Sheila

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Stressing that the Delhi Government was geared up to meet any challenges from earthquake and other natural calamities, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said her Government would strive to make all government buildings quake resistant to help in overcoming loss of lives and properties during any disaster.

Delivering the valedictory address in the concluding session of the one-day workshop on 'Integrating Earthquake Risk Mitigation with Hospital Facilities Planning', the Chief Minister said the role of NGOs and RWAs was also crucial in overcoming loss of life and property during disasters.

In her speech at the workshop, organised jointly by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Swiss Re and GeoHazards International at the Delhi Secretariat, Ms Dikshit said it was imperative to ensure proper arrangements to face any challenge of disaster in a city which has population of over 15 million people. Moreover, number of sky-rise buildings are also coming up in various parts of the city.

Ms Dikshit said Delhi comes under Seismic Zone-IV which requires it to get ready to meet any situation arising out of earthquake having higher reading on Richter Scale. The hospitals must have all required facilities to ensure treatment of large number of injured people.

She called upon Home Guards, Civil Defence and Scouts&Guides to render cooperation during disaster in Delhi. The Medical Superintendents were also exhorted to make assessment of available facilities of disaster management in their hospitals.

At the same time, Ms Dikshit added that sphere of disaster management not only include earthquake but also include terrorist attacks, fire tragedies and other natural calamities which require immediate action to save large number of victims.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the deliberations would encourage hospitals in the Government and Private Sector to develop their own hospital contingency plan as well as mitigation plans. It would be in the fitness of things if networking of hospitals is taken up immediately.

Also present at the workshop were Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, Pr Secretary (Health) Vivek Rae and number of Medical Superintendents, Engineers and experts.

On the occasion, Ms Dikshit also released a booklet on Disaster Management.

Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta informed that GTB Hospital is being assessed for retrofitting with assistance from GeoHazards International.

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