By IANS
New Delhi : Delhi is ready to meet any challenge from earthquake, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Wednesday and promised to make all government buildings quake proof.
“The government will strive to make all government buildings quake resistant, which would help in overcoming loss of lives and properties during any disaster,” Dikshit said after a daylong workshop on earthquake risk mitigation.
“The Delhi government is almost geared up to meet any challenge from earthquake and other natural calamities,” she said, adding that the role of non-government organisation and resident welfare associations is also “crucial in overcoming loss of life and property during disaster”.
The workshop was organised by Delhi Disaster Management Authority at Delhi Secretariat. The capital falls in the seismic Zone-IV, which is prone to earthquakes.
Dikshit said the hospitals must have all required facilities to ensure treatment of large number of wounded persons in the wake of any quake. She called upon home guards, civil defence, and Scouts & Guides to cooperate during any disaster in the city.
The medical superintendents were also exhorted to make assessment of available facilities of disaster management in their hospitals.
Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta informed participants in the workshop that the GTB Hospital is being assessed for retrofitting with assistance from an international company.
“The knowledge of how to retrofit and build safe hospitals is available and this needs to be put into practice,” Mehta said.